Exercise Assistance Band

Abstract

A band is provided for assisting a user with exercises. The band is configured for attachment to a support structure, such as a squat rack, having first and second arms. The band includes a main body extending from a first end portion to a second end portion, the main body being formed of a band material having a relatively low hardness. A first loop is formed at the first end portion and is sized to receive the first arm of the support structure. A second loop is formed at the second end portion and is sized to receive the second arm of the support structure.

Description

FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to exercise equipment, and more specifically to bands for assisting users during exercises.

BACKGROUND

Bands for assisting with exercises are generally known. These bands are typically made of latex, are relatively thin (on the order of ¼ of an inch or less), and have widths of approximately one to two inches. Latex bands have been used during exercises to provide either resistance (by opposing movement of the user) or assistance (by aiding movement of the user). Latex bands have a high modulus of elasticity which generates an exceedingly large force when stretched. The large magnitude force, however, may prevent the use of latex bands in certain exercises, or may negatively impact the beneficial effect of an exercise.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of an exemplary band constructed in accordance with this disclosure attached to a support structure.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the band and support structure of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of one end of the band and support structure shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the band shown independent of the support structure.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged plan view of one end of the band of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a side perspective view of the band and the support structure with a user initiating a downward movement of a squat repetition.

FIG. 7 is a side perspective view of the band and the support structure with the user at a lower range of motion during a squat repetition.

It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale and that the disclosed embodiments are sometimes illustrated schematically. It is to be further appreciated that the following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the invention or the application and uses thereof. Hence, although the present disclosure is, for convenience of explanation, depicted and described as certain illustrative embodiments, it will be appreciated that it can be implemented in various other types of embodiments and in various other systems and environments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Embodiments of exercise bands are disclosed herein that are particularly suited for certain exercises. The exercise bands may be made of a relatively soft material and have a thickness and width sufficient to support the body of a user during exercise routines. The exercise bands are particularly suited for attachment to a support structure and may be configured for attachment to multiple different points of a given support structure.

In some applications, the exercise band may be attached to a squat rack at a height above a base surface that is sufficient to aid a user during execution of a squat, such as approximately at the rear thigh of a user. With the band at this position, the buttocks of the user will engage the band as the user executes the squat motion. As the user reaches the lower range of motion during the squat repetition, the exercise band will exert a reaction force in a direction opposite the motion of the user, thereby assisting with a return of the user to an upright position and providing a spotting effect (i.e., helping stabilize the user during the exercise). While the exercise band embodiments are described herein in connection with a squat exercise, it will be appreciated that the exercise bands may be used in any exercise where a user may benefit from the spotting effect provided by the reaction force of the band.

Turning to the drawings, FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate an embodiment of an exercise band 20 attached to arms 22, 24 of a support structure 26 positioned on a base surface 27. While the support structure 26 is depicted as a squat rack, it will be appreciated that the exercise band 20 may be used with any type of structure having sufficient strength to support the load of both the user as well as any weights the user may be carrying. In the illustrated embodiment, the support structure 26 includes a frame 28 having a plurality of apertures 30 sized to slidably receive the arms 22, 24. Accordingly, the heights of the arms 22, 24 above the base surface 27 may be quickly and easily adjusted by inserting the arms 22, 24 through a set of aligned apertures 30 at the desired height.

The band 20 is configured to span a distance between the arms 22, 24 of the support structure 26, as best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Accordingly, the band 20 includes a main body 32 extending from a first end portion 34 to a second end portion 36 (FIG. 4). A first loop 38 is formed at the first end portion 34 and is sized to receive the arm 22 of the support structure 26, while a second loop 40 is formed at the second end portion 36 and is sized to receive the arm 24 of the support structure 26.

In the illustrated embodiment, the band 20 includes terminal ends that are coupled to intermediate points along the band to form the first and second loops 38, 40. As best shown in FIGS. 3-5, the first end portion 34 of the main body 32 has a first terminal end 42 formed at a lateral end of the main body 32 and a first connection point 44 located at an intermediate point along the main body 32. The first terminal end 42 is folded over the main body 32 and coupled to the first connection point 44 to form the first loop 38. Additionally, the second end portion 36 of the main body 32 has a second terminal end 46 formed at an opposite lateral end of the main body 32 and a second connection point 48 located at an intermediate point along the main body 32. The second terminal end 46 is folded over the main body 32 and coupled to the second connection point 48 to form the second loop 40. In some embodiments, the first and second end portions 34, 36 may define a plurality of first and second connection points 44, 48 to permit adjustment of the size of the first and second loops 38, 40 and/or the effective length of the main body 32 of the band 20.

As best shown with reference to FIGS. 3 and 5, fasteners may be provided to secure the first and second terminal ends 42, 46 to the first and second connection points 44, 48. For example, a first fastener 50 may secure the first terminal end 42 to the first connection point 44, while a second fastener 52 may secure the second terminal end 46 to the second connection point 48. In the illustrated embodiment, the first fastener 50 includes a bolt 54 sized for insertion through the first connection point 44 (or a selected one of the plurality of first connection points), a first washer 56 bordering the first terminal end 42, a second washer 58 bordering the first connection point 44, and a nut 60 threadably received on the bolt 54. Similarly, the second fastener 52 includes a bolt 62 sized for insertion through the second connection point 48 (or a selected one of the plurality of second connection points), a first washer 64 bordering the second terminal end 46, a second washer 66 bordering the second connection point 48, and a nut 68 threadably received on the bolt 62. In the illustrated embodiment, two first fasteners 50 and two second fasteners 52 are provided. In some embodiments, a cover (not shown) may extend over the ends of the bolts 54, 62 to prevent direct contact between the user and the bolts 54, 62. In still other embodiments, the fasteners may be omitted and the terminal ends 42, 46 may be joined to the first and second connection points 44, 48 by fusing, adhesive, or other methods.

The band 20 is formed of a band material having a low hardness and a stretch limit such that the assistance provided by the band 20 is relatively subtle. In some embodiments, for example, the main body 32 of the band 20 is formed of a band material having Shore A Durometer hardness less than approximately 45. Additionally or alternatively, the band material may have a stretch capacity of at least 300%. As used herein, the term “stretch capacity” is used to identify a ratio between a normal length of the main body 32 when it is in a normal or relaxed state and a stretched length of the main body 32 when it is in a stretched state and has not failed. An exemplary material meeting these criteria is pure gum rubber. In alternative embodiments, the band material may be polyurethane.

Still further, the band 20 may be configured to engage a relatively large area of the user while having sufficient strength to support the load of both the user as well as any weights the user may be carrying. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the main body 32 of the band 20 has a width “W” of at least approximately four inches to provide a large surface area for engagement with the user. Additionally, the main body 32 of the band 20 has a thickness “T” of at least approximately ½ inch to provide sufficient strength to carry the intended load without breaking. Still further, the main body 32 of the band 20 may have a length “L” of approximately forty inches to facilitate use with typically sized support structures such as squat racks. While specific dimensions for the width W, thickness T, and length L are identified above, it will be appreciated that other dimensions may be used without departing from the scope of the claims presented herein.

In one application, the band 20 may be used to assist with a squat exercise. When used to assist with squats, the arms 22, 24 of the support structure 26 are disposed at a squat height above the base surface. With the arms 22, 24 at this elevation, when the band 20 is attached the main body 32 will be positioned approximately at the rear thigh of the user. When the main body 32 has a width W at least approximately four inches, as noted above, it provides a surface that is sufficiently large to receive the buttocks of a user. Additionally, when the band material is pure gum rubber or similar material, a thickness T of at least approximately ½ inch is sufficient to support both the user and the additional weight carried by the user. As the user begins the downward motion of a squat repetition, the user's buttocks will engage the band 20. Due to the low hardness and stretch capacity of the band material, the initial resistance provided by the band 20 is relatively small. As the user continues downward motion, however, the resistance provided by the band 20 will increase such that, at the lower range of motion during the squat repetition, the exercise band will exert a reaction force in a direction opposite the downward motion of the user that is sufficient to assist with the upward return motion of the user, thereby helping the user return to an upright position. Additionally, the band 20 increases the safety of the exercise by helping stabilize the user during the exercise.

While use of the band 20 in a squat repetition is specifically described above, it will be appreciated that the band 20 may be used in other exercises. For example, the band 20 may be used in a manner similar to that described above in conjunction with assisted rack pulls, Romanian dead lifts, single leg squats/pistol squats, assisted pull-ups, abdominal exercises, single leg glute bridges, stability push-ups, or other exercises.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that while only certain embodiments have been set forth for the purposes of illustration, alternatives and modifications will be apparent from the above description to those skilled in the art. These and other alternatives are considered equivalents and within the spirit and scope of this disclosure and the appended claims.

Claims

1. A band to assist with exercises for use with a support structure having first and second arms elevated above a base surface, the band comprising:

a main body extending from a first end portion to a second end portion, the main body being formed of a band material having Shore A Durometer hardness less than approximately 45;

a first loop formed at the first end portion sized to receive the first arm of the support structure;

a second loop formed at the second end portion sized to receive the second arm of the support structure.

2. The band of claim 1, in which the first and second arms of the support structure are disposed at a squat height above the base surface, and in which the main body has a width sufficient to receive a buttocks of a user and thickness sufficient to support at least a weight of the user.

3. The band of claim 2, in which the width of the main body is approximately four inches and the thickness of the main body is approximately ½ inch.

4. The band of claim 3, in which the main body has a length of at least forty inches.

5. The band of claim 1, in which the main body is deformable from a normal state, in which the main body has a normal length, to a stretched state, in which the main body has a stretched length, in which a ratio of the stretched length to the normal length defines a stretch capacity, and in which the band material has a stretch capacity of at least 300%.

6. The band of claim 1, in which the band material comprises pure gum rubber.

7. The band of claim 1, in which the band material comprises polyurethane.

8. The band of claim 1, in which:

the first end portion of the main body defines a first terminal end and a first connection point, the band further comprising a first fastener to secure the first terminal end to the first connection point to form the first loop; and

the second end portion of the main body defines a second terminal end and a second connection point, the band further comprising a second fastener to secure the second terminal end to the second connection point to form the second loop.

9. The band of claim 1, in which:

the first end portion of the main body defines a first terminal end and a plurality of first connection points, the band further comprising a first fastener configured to secure the first terminal end to a selected one of the plurality of first connection points to form the first loop; and

the second end portion of the main body defines a second terminal end and a plurality of second connection points, the band further comprising a second fastener configured to secure the second terminal end to a selected one of the plurality of second connection points to form the second loop.

10. The band of claim 9, in which the first fastener comprises a bolt sized for insertion through the selected one of the plurality of first connection points, a first washer bordering the first terminal end, and a second washer bordering the selected one of the plurality of first connection points.