FULL-CORE FITNESS MACHINE AND METHOD
A fitness machine, including: a frame structure; a spanning bar rotatably coupled to the frame structure, wherein the spanning bar selectively rotates about a central axis; a gripping bar coupled to the spanning bar; and a retention mechanism coupled to the spanning bar; wherein, when a user grasps the gripping bar with his or her hands and puts his or her feet in the retention mechanism and the spanning bar is selectively rotated about the central axis, the user is also rotated about the central axis. Optionally, the spanning bar selectively rotates about the central axis by operation of an electric motor coupled to the spanning bar. Optionally, the spanning bar also selectively rotates about a secondary access that is offset from the central axis. Optionally, the gripping bar is translatable/rotatable with respect to the spanning bar. The spanning bar is disposed at an angle with respect to the frame structure such that a center of gravity of the user substantially coincides with the central axis.
The present patent application/patent claims the benefit of priority of co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/114,655, filed on Feb. 11, 2015, and entitled “FULL-CORE FITNESS MACHINE,” the contents of which are incorporated in full by reference herein.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention provides a novel fitness machine that is intended to promote the strengthening of multiple areas of the body at one time, providing a more holistic approach to strength conditioning and overall health. The principles of the present invention can be applied to not only general exercise, but to strength training for athletes, as well as therapeutic applications. The present invention promotes physiological balance, strengthening the body core from head to feet in 360 degrees around the body.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONMany forms of weight lifting and other physical training concentrate on specific muscle groups. If one is not careful to balance their training, this can lead to muscular imbalance. For example, doing push-ups regularly without balancing them with back exercises can lead to an imbalance in upper body strength between the chest and back, which can lead to postural problems and other issues. Similar problems exist with doing crunches and other exercises focused on the abdominal muscles without balancing them with lower back exercises.
Participants in regular exercise may tend to over-emphasize one area of the body, while neglecting other areas of the body, due to certain preferences, more recognizable results, and/or other factors. For example, the bench press, which is very popular, focuses on a limited set of muscles, while ignoring others, due simply to the “one degree of freedom” motion (i.e., up and down only) that works the triceps, deltoid, and pectoral muscles, but largely ignores the trapezius, rhomboid, and latissimus dorsi muscles, along with most of the muscles along the side of the abdomen, to name a few.
Thus, the present invention provides a methodology for ensuring 360 degrees of physical exercise and strengthening by providing a continuous and changing vector of resistance loading. Rather than having one degree of freedom (in the case of the bench press, for example), where the resistance force is always downward from the chest to the back, the present invention provides a force whose direction (vector) constantly changes in infinitesimally small angles to provide a second, and potentially a third, degree of freedom. The benefits of this functionality can range from better balance and posture to therapeutic benefits. For example, 360-degree strengthening of the neck area can help substantially with concussion related injuries, recovery, and prevention.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThus, the present invention provides a machine and method for working not only those muscle groups that are addressed by traditional weight lifting, but instead addresses the full 360-degree core of the body in a continually varying motion, which results in a rotary force vector that works every muscle around the body.
In one exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides a fitness machine, including: a frame structure; a spanning bar rotatably coupled to the frame structure, wherein the spanning bar selectively rotates about a central axis; a gripping bar coupled to the spanning bar; and a retention mechanism coupled to the spanning bar; wherein, when a user grasps the gripping bar with his or her hands and puts his or her feet in the retention mechanism and the spanning bar is selectively rotated about the central axis, the user is also rotated about the central axis. Optionally, the spanning bar selectively rotates about the central axis by operation of an electric motor coupled to the spanning bar. Optionally, the spanning bar also selectively rotates about a secondary axis that is offset from the central axis. Optionally, the gripping bar is translatable along a length of the spanning bar. Optionally, the gripping bar is rotatable with respect to the spanning bar. Optionally, the fitness machine also includes a pair of rotatable hand grips coupled to the gripping bar by which the user selectively grasps the gripping bar. The spanning bar is disposed at an angle with respect to the frame structure such that a center of gravity of the user substantially coincides with the central axis when the user grasps the gripping bar with his or her hands and puts his or her feet in the retention mechanism.
In another exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides a fitness method, including: providing a frame structure; providing a spanning bar rotatably coupled to the frame structure, wherein the spanning bar selectively rotates about a central axis; providing a gripping bar coupled to the spanning bar; and providing a retention mechanism coupled to the spanning bar; wherein, when a user grasps the gripping bar with his or her hands and puts his or her feet in the retention mechanism and the spanning bar is selectively rotated about the central axis, the user is also rotated about the central axis. Optionally, the spanning bar selectively rotates about the central axis by operation of an electric motor coupled to the spanning bar. Optionally, the spanning bar also selectively rotates about a secondary access that is offset from the central axis. Optionally, the gripping bar is translatable along a length of the spanning bar. Optionally, the gripping bar is rotatable with respect to the spanning bar. Optionally, the fitness method also includes providing a pair of rotatable hand grips coupled to the gripping bar by which the user selectively grasps the gripping bar. The spanning bar is disposed at an angle with respect to the frame structure such that a center of gravity of the user substantially coincides with the central axis when the user grasps the gripping bar with his or her hands and puts his or her feet in the retention mechanism.
The present invention is illustrated and described herein with reference to the various drawings, in which like reference numbers are used to denote like machine components/method steps, as appropriate, and in which:
Again, the present invention provides a machine and method for working not only those muscle groups that are addressed by traditional weight lifting, but instead addresses the full 360-degree core of the body in a continually varying motion, which results in a rotary force vector that works every muscle around the body.
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Any of these configurations can be used in conjunction with weight belts to augment training in certain areas of the body. For example, weights may be added about the waist to strengthen core muscles (i.e., abs, back, and sides about the abdomen). A weighted headband may be used to augment neck strengthening in 360 degrees, an exercise that may be used to significantly reduce the risk of concussions, for example.
The machine(s) of the present invention may be used not only for physical training and conditioning, but also for medical and physical therapy purposes. For example, concussions are known to be reduced through neck strengthening exercises. These devices can be used by athletes to reduce the likelihood of concussions. The use of assistive aids can help a patient gradually reach strength levels without the risk of dropping free weights, etc.
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Although the present invention is illustrated and described herein with reference to preferred embodiments and specific examples thereof, it will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that other embodiments and examples may perform similar functions and/or achieve like results. All such equivalent embodiments and examples are within the spirit and scope of the present invention, are contemplated thereby, and are intended to be covered by the following non-limiting claims.
Claims
1. A fitness machine, comprising:
- a frame structure;
- a spanning bar rotatably coupled to the frame structure, wherein the spanning bar selectively rotates about a central axis;
- a gripping bar coupled to the spanning bar; and
- a retention mechanism coupled to the spanning bar;
- wherein, when a user grasps the gripping bar with his or her hands and puts his or her feet in the retention mechanism and the spanning bar is selectively rotated about the central axis, the user is also rotated about the central axis.
2. The fitness machine of claim 1, wherein the spanning bar selectively rotates about the central axis by operation of an electric motor coupled to the spanning bar.
3. The fitness machine of claim 1, wherein the spanning bar also selectively rotates about a secondary access that is offset from the central axis.
4. The fitness machine of claim 1, wherein the gripping bar is translatable along a length of the spanning bar.
5. The fitness machine of claim 1, wherein the gripping bar is rotatable with respect to the spanning bar.
6. The fitness machine of claim 1, further comprising a pair of rotatable hand grips coupled to the gripping bar by which the user selectively grasps the gripping bar.
7. The fitness machine of claim 1, wherein the spanning bar is disposed at an angle with respect to the frame structure such that a center of gravity of the user substantially coincides with the central axis when the user grasps the gripping bar with his or her hands and puts his or her feet in the retention mechanism.
8. A fitness method, comprising:
- providing a frame structure;
- providing a spanning bar rotatably coupled to the frame structure, wherein the spanning bar selectively rotates about a central axis;
- providing a gripping bar coupled to the spanning bar; and
- providing a retention mechanism coupled to the spanning bar;
- wherein, when a user grasps the gripping bar with his or her hands and puts his or her feet in the retention mechanism and the spanning bar is selectively rotated about the central axis, the user is also rotated about the central axis.
9. The fitness method of claim 8, wherein the spanning bar selectively rotates about the central axis by operation of an electric motor coupled to the spanning bar.
10. The fitness method of claim 8, wherein the spanning bar also selectively rotates about a secondary access that is offset from the central axis.
11. The fitness method of claim 8, wherein the gripping bar is translatable along a length of the spanning bar.
12. The fitness method of claim 8, wherein the gripping bar is rotatable with respect to the spanning bar.
13. The fitness method of claim 8, further comprising providing a pair of rotatable hand grips coupled to the gripping bar by which the user selectively grasps the gripping bar.
14. The fitness method of claim 8, wherein the spanning bar is disposed at an angle with respect to the frame structure such that a center of gravity of the user substantially coincides with the central axis when the user grasps the gripping bar with his or her hands and puts his or her feet in the retention mechanism.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 11, 2016
Publication Date: Aug 11, 2016
Inventor: James F. CUTTINO (Huntersville, NC)
Application Number: 15/041,751