Exercise Device and Method

Abstract

Improved exercise assemblies and related methods of use are provided. More particularly, the present disclosure provides advantageous exercise assemblies that are adjustable, changeable and/or rotatable. The present disclosure provides for an exercise assembly that can function as a straight pull-up bar in one arrangement, and can also function as a dynamic, range-of-motion exercise assembly in another arrangement. The exemplary exercise assembly includes an advantageous design that permits users to not only perform straight bar pull-ups, but also allows users to quickly and easily convert the assembly into a two-handled, variable resistance, bicycle-style crank (e.g., a rotating bicycle pull up bar assembly) in which the user rotates two handles of the bar similar to how a cyclist rotates bicycle pedals.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority benefit to a provisional patent application entitled “Exercise Device and Method,” that was filed on Feb. 19, 2019, and assigned Ser. No. 62/807,463. The entire content of the foregoing provisional application is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to exercise assemblies and, more particularly, to adjustable, changeable and/or rotatable exercise assemblies and related methods of use.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

In general, exercise devices and related accessories or the like are known. Some exercise devices and related accessories or the like are described and disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,066,866 and 7,540,831, and U.S. Patent Pub. No. 2012/0115683, the entire contents of each being hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.

Each year, millions of users spend money on exercise equipment. As such, exercise and fitness are not only big business, but a major concern to a great many people. Exercise equipment can range from stair-climbing machines and elliptical trainers to rowing machines, free weights, cable-guided weight training machines, treadmills, and stationary bicycles. It is noted that a difference between various machines and forms of training equipment typically is related to how often, and how well, it will be used.

For example, if the equipment is too complicated and/or takes too long to set up and break down, the user is not likely to use it very long. Thus, some of the most effective fitness products are relatively easy to use.

Other reasons users stop using exercise equipment include they are boring, too repetitive, not innovative, and/or not inclusive enough (e.g., do not work enough different muscles). In general, there is a growing demand for all-inclusive workouts.

A constant need exists among manufacturers to develop exercise assemblies that are cost-effective and/or include improved features/structures.

Thus, an interest exists for improved exercise assemblies, and related methods of use. These and other inefficiencies and opportunities for improvement are addressed and/or overcome by the assemblies, systems and methods of the present disclosure.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure provides advantageous exercise assemblies, and related methods of use. More particularly, the present disclosure provides advantageous exercise assemblies that are adjustable, changeable and/or rotatable.

In general, the present disclosure provides for an exercise assembly that can function as a straight pull-up bar in one iteration/form, and can also function as a dynamic, range-of-motion exercise assembly in another iteration/form. In exemplary embodiments, the exercise assembly includes an advantageous design that permits users to not only perform traditional straight pull-ups, but also allows users to quickly and easily convert the assembly into a two-handled, variable resistance, bicycle-style crank (e.g., a rotating bicycle pull up bar assembly) in which the user rotates two handles of the bar similar to how a cyclist rotates bicycle pedals.

Certain assemblies of the present disclosure can operate similar to bear-crawl movement exercises, boxing speed-bag exercises and/or rock climbing movement exercises, thereby providing a multi-sport functional movement strengthening assembly to the user.

It is noted that it can be healthier to exercise using a range-of-motion exercise assembly. Connected movement exercise strengthens the natural and functional movements of a user. This can lead to improved exercise results and increased strength needed to safely perform day-to-day tasks. It is noted that disconnected exercises can strengthen individual movements that can become choppy when put together for fluid extended motions, and can lead to injury.

Any combination or permutation of embodiments is envisioned. Additional advantageous features, functions and applications of the disclosed assemblies, systems and methods of the present disclosure will be apparent from the description which follows, particularly when read in conjunction with the appended figures. All references listed in this disclosure are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Features and aspects of embodiments are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which elements are not necessarily depicted to scale.

Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are further described with reference to the appended figures. It is to be noted that the various features, steps and combinations of features/steps described below and illustrated in the figures can be arranged and organized differently to result in embodiments which are still within the scope of the present disclosure. To assist those of ordinary skill in the art in making and using the disclosed assemblies, systems and methods, reference is made to the appended figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of an exemplary exercise assembly according to the present disclosure, the exercise assembly in the straight or undeployed position;

FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of an exemplary first bar member of the exercise assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of an exemplary second bar member of the exercise assembly of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 4-5 are side perspective views of exemplary mounting members of the exercise assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a side perspective view of the exercise assembly of FIG. 1, the exercise assembly in the curved or deployed position; and

FIG. 7 is an end view of an exemplary mounting member of the exercise assembly of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DISCLOSURE

The exemplary embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative of advantageous exercise assemblies, and systems of the present disclosure and methods/techniques thereof. It should be understood, however, that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the present disclosure, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, details disclosed herein with reference to exemplary exercise assemblies/fabrication methods and associated processes/techniques of assembly and use are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as the basis for teaching one skilled in the art how to make and use the advantageous exercise assemblies/systems and/or alternative exercise assemblies of the present disclosure.

The present disclosure provides improved exercise assemblies, and related methods of use. More particularly, the present disclosure provides improved exercise assemblies that are adjustable, changeable and/or rotatable.

The present disclosure provides for an exercise assembly that can function as a straight pull-up bar in one arrangement, and can also function as a dynamic, range-of-motion exercise assembly in another arrangement. More particularly, the exercise assembly includes an advantageous design that allows users to not only perform straight bar pull-ups, but also allows users to quickly and easily convert the assembly into a two-handled, variable resistance, bicycle-style crank (e.g., a rotating bicycle pull up bar assembly) in which the user rotates two handles of the bar similar to how a cyclist rotates bicycle pedals.

Current practice provides that one conventional exercise is the pull-up, and some users equip a door frame or a training platform with a standard pull-up bar. In exemplary embodiments, the present disclosure provides for advantageous exercise assemblies that are configured and dimensioned to be adjustable, changeable and/or rotatable, and related methods of use, thereby providing a significant operational, commercial and/or manufacturing advantage as a result. By providing such advantageous exercise assemblies, users can quickly and easily utilize their exercise assembly for improved physical fitness purposes. For example, the improved exercise assemblies of the present disclosure can provide users with a pull-up device equipped with advantageous additional features that make it far more versatile and effective than a standard bar, thereby providing users with routes to quickly and effectively strengthen and sculpt key muscle groups, vary their routines, and improve their workouts. The improved exercise assemblies of the present disclosure can strengthen individual muscles as well as strengthen how the muscles work together (e.g., improve fluid motion strength).

In exemplary embodiments, the exercise assembly (e.g., rotating bicycle pull up bar assembly) is an adjustable-length, self-tensioning pull-up bar configured for installation (e.g., in a door frame; or in a free-standing training platform) with an advantageous design that allows a user to convert the straight bar into an S-shaped, two-handled crank, thus permitting the user to perform either standard pull-ups (straight bar configuration) or to rotate/pedal the pull-ups (e.g., by rotating the two handles of the bar up and over its axis) similar to how a cyclist pedals a bicycle. The improved exercise assembly of the present disclosure therefore is both a straight pull-up bar in one arrangement, and a dynamic, demanding, range-of-motion exercise apparatus in another arrangement.

In certain embodiments, the exercise assembly can be fabricated in steel tubing, and having a telescoping, spring-and-twist tensioned, tube-within-tube style bar, with wide-tapered, flat rubber feet or mounts at either end. The bar can include two evenly-spaced handgrip sections (e.g., 6-inch handgrip sections) with cushioned, foam gripping surfaces. These handgrips can also be designed to serve as battery-powered, bio-metric sensors capable of monitoring the user's heart-rate, skin elasticity (hydration), as well as pressure-sensors that will record the weight of the user and the number of repetitions per workout, set, or session. This bio-metric data can be accessible through the user's smartphone or tablet, and the app can enable the user to keep track of progress over time through the creation of a personal profile. In short, the exercise assembly is a pull-up bar that can articulate and move/rotate, and can convert/transform to a straight bar.

The exercise assembly may be locked in the straight-bar configuration for pull-ups, or, through a push-button release of locking joints (e.g., eight pivoting locking joints at strategic points along the bar) can be converted into an S-shaped bar, in which the handgrip sections of the bar, still level but now connected to the main bar by a diagonal strut at either end, form a pair of hand cranks that can be rotated around and over the main bar in an independently cyclical, variable-resistance manner. In certain embodiments, the handles and their supporting diagonal struts are connected by joints not with the main (outer) bar, but instead with a concealed inner bar (e.g., also tubular steel but of a slightly lesser diameter than the outer bar) that can be rotated within, and independently of, the outer sheathing mounted bar. As such, the inner bar (e.g., through the action of the pedal style handles) can be allowed to rotate while the outer sleeve (tube, or bar) functions as the main support and/or connection to the wall (e.g., door frame) or platform. Thus, the crank style handles rotate the inner tube, while the outer tube (in which the horizontal, supporting lengths of the jointed, pivoting struts and handles are concealed) remains fixed. Ring bearings, encased within a malleable material such as reinforced rubber, can serve to separate and keep aligned the inner and outer tubes, and keep the cranking motion smooth. Moreover, a rotating, step-by-step, clicking tension-adjustment dial on the exterior of the bar can adjust, through an interior system of bands, the tension on the bearings—which is to say the resistance between the inner and outer tubes. More tension between the rotating inner tube and the outer fixed tube can result in more resistance to cranking the handles, and less tension can result in lower resistance.

Thus, the exemplary exercise assembly provides users with a pull-up bar (e.g., a home-use pull-up bar) that can be used for straight pull-ups (overhand or underhand) in one arrangement, as well as for an advantageous cranking or pedaling style pull-up workouts in another arrangement (e.g., by moving the crank handles either in unison or in alternation, and against a variety of resistance levels). The design of the exercise assembly essentially converts the straight pull-up bar into a much more demanding apparatus. Easily installed in, and easily removed from, a door frame or free-standing training platform, the internal tensioning system and end mounts (e.g., drillable mounts) can ensure a stable, solid, weight-bearing mount, and may not substantially damage surfaces (e.g., painted surfaces). With the suite of bio-metric monitoring features, users can not only check their heart-rates as they workout, but also keep track of their progress over time. The improved exercise assembly offers tremendous benefits to anyone concerned with, and committed to, improving their own physical fitness. Thus, this advantageous and versatile exercise assembly can be utilized by fitness enthusiasts and athletes of all levels, disciplines, expectations, etc.

Referring now to the drawings, like parts are marked throughout the specification and drawings with the same reference numerals, respectively. Drawing figures are not necessarily to scale and in certain views, parts may have been exaggerated for purposes of clarity.

With reference to FIGS. 1-6, there is illustrated an exemplary embodiment of an exercise assembly 10 according to the present disclosure. In general, exercise assembly 10 is configured and dimensioned to be utilized for physical fitness purposes or the like.

As discussed in further detail below, exercise assembly 10 is adjustable, changeable and/or rotatable, and can easily convert from an undeployed arrangement or position to a deployed arrangement or position, and vice versa.

In general, exercise assembly 10 can function as a straight pull-up bar in one iteration/form (FIG. 1—undeployed arrangement or position), and can also function as a dynamic, range-of-motion exercise assembly in another iteration/form (FIG. 6—deployed arrangement or position). In exemplary embodiments, the exercise assembly 10 includes an advantageous design that permits users to not only perform traditional straight pull-ups (FIG. 1), but also allows users to quickly and easily convert the assembly 10 into a two-handled, variable resistance, bicycle-style crank (e.g., a rotating bicycle pull up bar assembly 10) in which the user rotates two handles of the bar similar to how a cyclist rotates bicycle pedals (FIG. 6).

As shown in FIGS. 1-6, exemplary exercise assembly 10 includes first bar member 12 (outer bar member 12), second bar member 14 (inner bar member 14), and first and second outer (drillable) mounting members 16, 18 (e.g., drilled in).

Second bar member 14 extends from a first end 15 to a second end 17, and includes first handle section 20, second handle section 22, inner shaft 24, first outer shaft 26 and second outer shaft 28.

First handle section 20 includes first and second strut members 30, 32 and a handle member 34 therebetween. Similarly, second handle section 22 includes first and second strut members 36, 38 and a handle member 40 therebetween.

In the undeployed position and as shown in FIG. 1, the first outer shaft member 26 and at least a portion of first strut member 30 is positioned or housed within first mounting member 16. Similarly, the second outer shaft member 28 and at least a portion of second strut member 38 is positioned or housed within second mounting member 18. Inner shaft 24 is positioned or housed within first bar member 12. In some embodiments and in the undeployed position, it is noted that struts 32, 36 may be partially positioned or housed within first bar member 12, and then positioned outside of member 12 when in the deployed position of FIG. 6.

First and second mounting members 16, 18 can include one or more fastener members 19 (e.g., four wall screws 19 each) for mounting the members 16, 18 to surfaces S1, S2 (FIG. 6) (e.g., S1, S2 being side surfaces of a door frame or platform). It is noted that assembly 10 can optionally include mounting members 54 and/or 56 mounted to surface S3 (e.g., top of door frame or top of platform) and/or to surface S4 (e.g., to the ground; back wall; etc.).

In the undeployed position as shown in FIG. 1, the assembly 10 can be locked and utilized for straight pull ups or the like. For example, second bar member 14 can include one or more locking members 42 (e.g., push button locking members 42) that keep the second bar member 14 releasably locked in the straight and undeployed arrangement of FIG. 1. Moreover and as discussed further below, mounting members 16 and/or 18 can include one or more locking tabs or features 44 that releasably lock with an engagement member 46 of shafts 26 and/or 28, thereby preventing shafts 26, 28 from rotating or translating toward first bar member 12 when assembly 10 is desired to be in the undeployed position.

To move the assembly 10 to the deployed position of FIG. 6, a user can move the handle member 34 upwards (e.g., by first pressing locking member 42 of strut 30). This movement can cause shaft 26 to slide toward first bar member 12 (e.g., with engagement members 46 popping out of engagement with tabs 44). The handle member 34 will raise until the hinges or joints 48 between struts 30, 32 and handle member 34 reach a locked position (FIG. 6). In such a position, it is noted that strut 30 is no longer positioned within member 16. Moreover, the engagement members 46 can be positioned within a groove 50 (FIG. 4) of member 16, thereby allowing the shaft 26 to rotate.

Similarly, a user can move the handle member 40 downwards (e.g., by first pressing locking member 42 of strut 38). This movement can cause shaft 28 to slide toward first bar member 12 (e.g., with engagement members 46 popping out of engagement with tabs 44). The handle member 40 will lower until the hinges or joints 48 between struts 36, 38 and handle member 40 reach a locked position (FIG. 6). In such a position, it is noted that strut 38 is no longer positioned within member 18. Moreover, the engagement members 46 can be positioned within a groove 50 of member 18, thereby allowing the shaft 28 to rotate.

A crankset or gearing component 52 can be positioned between shaft 26 and strut 30, and between strut 32 and shaft 24. Similarly, a crankset or gearing component 52 can be positioned between shaft 28 and strut 38, and between strut 36 and shaft 24.

In general, each crankset or gearing component 52 is configured and dimensioned to convert reciprocating motion of the handle sections 20, 22 into circular motion of shafts 24, 26 and 28. More particularly, in the deployed position of FIG. 6, handle section 20 functions as a crank, and the reciprocating motion pattern provided by a user is converted into circular motion of shafts 26, 24 via gearing components 52 of section 20. Likewise, in the deployed position of FIG. 6, handle section 22 functions as a crank, and the reciprocating motion pattern provided by a user is converted into circular motion of shafts 28, 24 via gearing components 52 of section 22.

After using assembly 10 in the deployed position of FIG. 6, a user can position the assembly back in the position of FIG. 1, if desired (e.g., by pressing locking members 42 and moving assembly to position of FIG. 1).

As shown in FIG. 7, ball bearings 58 can be inserted within mounted member 16 and/or 18 and around shaft 26 and/or 28, thereby allowing shafts 26, 28 to rotate smoothly when in the deployed position. The ball bearings 58 can be incased in a covering 60 to keep them in place. This covering 60 can be malleable to allow for contraction and/or retraction.

The malleable covering 60 (e.g., reinforced rubber) can be fixed. The covering 60 can also have several bands/tethers 62 attached to both the covering and the member 16, 18 which does not rotate with shaft 26, 28.

A twisting adjustment sleeve 64 can be placed on the extreme outside of the member 16, 18. This adjustment sleeve 64 can be attached to the inner bands 62. Rotating this sleeve 64 will allow the bands 62 to tighten or loosen around the malleable casing 60 causing the bearings 58 to tighten or loosen, and therefore adding or subtracting resistance to the rotation function of the rotating shafts 26, 28. The adjustment sleeve 64 can have several settings dictating intensity of resistance. Each one can be achieved by twisting the sleeve 64 clockwise to tighten or counter-clockwise to loosen. An audible click can be heard to alert the user of changing intensity. The members 16, 18 can include holes to clean/lube the bearings 58.

In exemplary embodiments, the hand held sections 34, 40 of the bar 14 can contain sensors (e.g., bio-metric sensors able to record heart rate, skin elasticity (hydration); pressure sensors (record weight and repetitions), etc.). This digital interface/sensors can interact with smart devices to create a user profile capable of recording progress. The sensors can be powered by the user rotating the shafts 24, 26 and/or 28 when in the deployed position, with one or more batteries (e.g., positioned in mounts 16, 18 or bar 12) storing such generated power for the sensors.

As such, the present disclosure provides for a straight pull up bar assembly 10 (FIG. 1) that converts two hand held sections 20, 22 into bicycle style handles 20, 22 allowing the user to support one's self with hands and move the sections 20, 22 in a bicycle circular motion.

In one embodiment, bar 14 is approximately 48 inches long measuring a diameter of about one inch. Two sections 20, 22 measuring one foot each can be used as hand holds. One foot sections are to allow for different length arms to easily adjust and still perform an effective workout.

The bar 14 will have the ability to lock in either a straight bar formation (FIG. 1) or in an elongated S formation (FIG. 6) to allow for bicycle style rotation.

The sections of the bar 14 that will slide from straight to S shaped can contain straight struts 30, 38 inside the members 16, 18 that lock into place using a suitable locking mechanism. This can create a mechanical arm like apparatus in different sections of the bar 14. The struts 30, 38 will essentially slide in and out of the members 16, 18 like a sleeve, allowing the entire assembly 10 to maintain its same length (e.g., mounted to a doorway or platform).

The hand held sections 20, 22 of the bar 14 will be independent of members 16, 18 and bar 12, thereby allowing sections 20, 22 to rotate independently of members 16, 18 and bar 12. This will allow the user to rotate the sections 20, 22 while keeping hands fixed in one location.

The assembly 10 can be attached either to a free standing all-in-one platform or doorway, etc. The mounts 16, 18 on both far ends can be of a sleeve design. The inner shafts 26, 28 will be allowed to rotate while the outer sleeve 16, 18 functions as a main support and connection to wall, all-in-one platform, etc.

In exemplary embodiments, the exercise assembly 10 (e.g., rotating bicycle pull up bar assembly 10) is an adjustable-length, adjustable-tensioned pull-up bar assembly 10 configured for installation (e.g., in a door frame; or in a free-standing training platform) with an advantageous design that allows a user to convert the straight bar (FIG. 1) into an S-shaped, two-handled crank (FIG. 6), thus permitting the user to perform either standard pull-ups (straight bar configuration—FIG. 1) or to rotate/pedal the pull-ups (e.g., by rotating the two handles 20, 22 of the bar 14 up and over its axis) similar to how a cyclist pedals a bicycle. The improved exercise assembly 10 of the present disclosure therefore is both a straight pull-up bar in one arrangement (FIG. 1), and a dynamic, demanding, range-of-motion exercise apparatus in another arrangement (FIG. 6).

In certain embodiments, the exercise assembly 10 can be fabricated in steel tubing, and having a telescoping, spring-and-twist tensioned, tube-within-tube style bars 12, 14, with wide-tapered, flat rubber feet or mounts 16, 18 at either end. The bar 14 can include two evenly-spaced handgrip sections 34, 40 (e.g., 6-inch handgrip sections 34, 40) with cushioned, foam gripping surfaces. These handgrips 34, 40 can also be designed to serve as battery-powered, bio-metric sensors capable of monitoring the user's heart-rate, skin elasticity (hydration), as well as pressure-sensors that will record the weight of the user and the number of repetitions per workout, set, or session. This bio-metric data can be accessible through the user's smartphone or tablet, and the app can enable the user to keep track of progress over time through the creation of a personal profile. In short, the exercise assembly 10 is a pull-up bar assembly 10 that can articulate and move/rotate, if desired.

The exercise assembly 10 may be locked in the straight-bar configuration for pull-ups, or, through a push-button release 42 of locking joints 48 (e.g., pivoting locking joints 48 at strategic points along the bar 14) can be converted into an S-shaped bar 14, in which the handgrip sections 34, 40 of the bar 14, still level but now connected to the main bar 14 by diagonal struts 30, 32, 36, 38, form a pair of hand cranks 20, 22 that can be rotated around and over the main bar 12 in an independently cyclical, variable-resistance manner. In certain embodiments, the handles 34, 40 and their supporting diagonal struts 30, 32, 36, 38 are connected by joints 48 not with the main (outer) bar 12, but instead with a partially concealed inner bar 14 (e.g., also tubular steel but of a slightly lesser diameter than the outer bar 12) that includes shafts 24, 26, 28 that can be rotated within, and independently of, the outer sheathing mounted bar 12 and mounts 16, 18. As such, the inner bar 14 (e.g., through the action of the pedal style handles 20, 22) can be allowed to rotate while the outer sleeve 12 and mounts 16, 18 function as the main support and/or connection to the wall (e.g., door frame) or platform. Thus, the crank style handles 20, 22 rotate the inner shafts 24, 26, 28, while the outer tube 12 and mounts 16, 18 (in which the supporting pivoting struts 30, 38 are partially concealed) remain fixed. Ring or ball bearings 58, encased within a malleable material 60 such as reinforced rubber, can serve to separate and keep aligned the shafts 24, 26, 28 and members 12, 16, 18, and keep the cranking motion smooth. Moreover, a rotating, step-by-step, clicking tension-adjustment dial 64 on the exterior of mount 16 and/or 18 can adjust, through an interior system of bands 62, the tension on the bearings 58 which is to say the resistance between the shafts 26, 28 and outer mounts 16, 18. More tension between the rotating inner shaft 26, 28 and the outer fixed mount 16, 18 can result in more resistance to cranking the handles 20, 22, and less tension can result in lower resistance.

Thus, the exemplary exercise assembly 10 provides users with a pull-up bar (e.g., a home-use pull-up bar) that can be used for straight pull-ups (overhand or underhand) in one arrangement, as well as for an advantageous cranking or pedaling style pull-up workouts in another arrangement (e.g., by moving the crank handles 20, 22 either in unison or in alternation, and against a variety of resistance levels). The design of the exercise assembly 10 essentially converts the straight pull-up bar into a much more demanding apparatus. Easily installed in, and easily removed from, a door frame or free-standing training platform, the internal tensioning system 64 and end mounts 16, 18 (e.g., drillable mounts 16, 18) can ensure a stable, solid, weight-bearing mount, and may not substantially damage surfaces (e.g., painted surfaces). With the suite of bio-metric monitoring features, users can not only check their heart-rates as they workout, but also keep track of their progress over time. The improved exercise assembly 10 offers tremendous benefits to users concerned with, and committed to, improving their own physical fitness. Thus, this advantageous and versatile exercise assembly 10 can be utilized by fitness enthusiasts and athletes of all levels, disciplines, expectations, etc.

Although the systems and methods of the present disclosure have been described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, the present disclosure is not limited to such exemplary embodiments and/or implementations. Rather, the systems and methods of the present disclosure are susceptible to many implementations and applications, as will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the art from the disclosure hereof. The present disclosure expressly encompasses such modifications, enhancements and/or variations of the disclosed embodiments. Since many changes could be made in the above construction and many widely different embodiments of this disclosure could be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the drawings and specification shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Additional modifications, changes, and substitutions are intended in the foregoing disclosure. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the disclosure.

Claims

1. A multi-functional exercise assembly, comprising:

at least one tubular element,

an elongated bar that includes a plurality of adjustable joints,

wherein the at least one tubular element and the elongated bar are repositionable so as to function as a pull-up bar in a first position, and to function as a range-of-motion exercise assembly in a second position.

2. The multi-functional exercise assembly of claim 1, wherein the range-of-motion exercise assembly takes the form of a two-handled, variable resistance, bicycle-style crank.

3. The multi-functional exercise assembly of claim 1, wherein the range-of-motion exercise assembly operates so as to support at least one of bear-crawl movement exercises, boxing speed-bag exercises and rock climbing movement exercises.

4. The multi-functional exercise assembly of claim 1, further comprising mounts configured and dimensioned to be mounted with respect to each end of the elongated bar.

5. The multi-functional exercise assembly of claim 1, wherein the elongated bar includes handgrip sections with cushioned, foam gripping surfaces.

6. The multi-functional exercise assembly of claim 5, wherein the handgrip sections include bio-metric sensors that are adapted to monitor at least one of heart-rate, skin elasticity and hydration of a user.

7. The multi-functional exercise assembly of claim 5, wherein the handgrip sections include pressure-sensors that are adapted to record at least one of user weight, number of exercise repetitions per workout, number of exercise repetitions per set, and number of exercise repetitions per session.

8. The multi-functional exercise assembly of claim 5, wherein the handgrip sections include sensors and wherein the sensors include communication elements that communicate sensed date to an electronic device.

9. The multi-functional exercise assembly of claim 1, wherein the elongated bar is dimensioned to pass through the at least one tubular element.

10. The multi-functional exercise assembly of claim 1, wherein the elongated bar defines a first end, a second end, a first handle section, a second handle section, an inner shaft, an outer shaft and a second outer shaft.

11. The multi-functional exercise assembly of claim 10, wherein each of the first handle section and the second handle section includes a first strut member, a second strut member and a handle member therebetween.

12. An exercise method, comprising:

a. providing a multi-functional exercise assembly that includes (i) at least one tubular element, and (ii) a telescoping, spring-and-twist tensioned, tube-within-tube bar;

b. positioning the multi-functional exercise assembly in a first exercise orientation to function as a pull-up bar; and

c. repositioning the multi-functional exercise assembly in a second exercise orientation to support a range-of-motion exercise activity.

13. The exercise method of claim 12, wherein the repositioning step comprises at least one of adjusting, changing or rotating the multi-functional exercise assembly.

14. The exercise method of claim 12, wherein the positioning or the repositioning step comprises detachably mounting the multi-functional exercise assembly with respect to a door frame or training platform to function as a pull-up bar.