FORCE DISTRIBUTING GRIP FOR EXERCISE EQUIPMENT

Abstract

In some embodiments, the current invention relates to a system and/or method to distribute forces and/or arrange the geometry of a grip of exercise equipment to server to strengthen a grasping muscle of the user. For example, the grip may be designed to be held by one or more fingers in partially open and/or an unlocked position. For example, the grip may be designed for different fingers to grasp at different geometries and/or forces to exercise grasping muscles. In some embodiments, the grip has a variable geometry, for example it may be tapered (for example, as a cut off conical section) and/or bulging and/or with an indentation. The grip may be made of elastomer such as artificial polymer, latex and/or silicone. Optionally the grip has a non slip surface. In some embodiments, the grip fits over a handle of a piece of exercise equipment.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION/S

This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 USC § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/888,563 filed 19 Aug. 2019, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention, in some embodiments thereof, relates to a grip for exercise equipment and, more particularly, but not exclusively, to a hand strengthening grip.

Additional background art includes U.S. Design Pat. No. D616,950

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an aspect of some embodiments of the invention, there is provided a grip add on including: a cavity for placing around a handle; a variable thickness body having a variable gripping width for different fingers of a hand grasping the handle wherein: at least one finger position has a first width of between 35 to 150 mm and at least one other finger position has a second width and a ratio of the first width to the second width is greater than 1.1.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the width is greater than 1.5.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the width is greater than 3.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the grip is made of plastic.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the grip has a hardness of between 50A to 70A on a Shore durometer scale.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the grip has a tapered shape.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the cavity is cylindrical with an inner diameter configured to fit a bar of 28 mm.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the cavity is cylindrical with an inner diameter of between 25 to 32 mm.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the grip further includes: a slit facilitating placing the cavity over a bar.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the grip has a tapered shape.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the grip has a shape of a conical section.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the grip has centrally bulging shape.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the grip further includes: an indentation configured to facilitate proper positioning of a thumb.

According to an aspect of some embodiments of the invention, there is provided a method of developing a gripping muscle including: supplying an exercise device with a handle; placing on the handle a grip having a wide portion with a width of between 35 to 150 mm and a narrow portion having a width no more than 0.9 times the width of the wide portion; holding the grip with at least one finger on the wide portion and at least one other finger on the narrow portion; exercising with the device while holding the grip.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the holding includes positioning a pinky on a wider portion than a pointer finger.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the holding includes positioning a pointer finger on a wider portion than a pinky.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the grip has a cavity and the placing includes positioning the handle in the cavity.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the grip includes a slit and wherein the placing includes opening the slit and sliding the handle through the slit into the cavity.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the grip has a tapered shape and wherein the placing includes positioning the tapered shape on the handle with a narrow portion pointed outward for grasping with a pinky.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the grip has a tapered shape and wherein the placing includes positioning the tapered shape on the handle with a narrow portion pointed inward for grasping with a pointer finger.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and/or scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention pertains. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of embodiments of the invention, exemplary methods and/or materials are described below. In case of conflict, the patent specification, including definitions, will control. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and are not intended to be necessarily limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

Some embodiments of the invention are herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. With specific reference now to the drawings in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of embodiments of the invention. In this regard, the description taken with the drawings makes apparent to those skilled in the art how embodiments of the invention may be practiced.

In the drawings:

FIGS. 1A-1D illustrate a tapered grip 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the current invention;

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a method of using a grip in accordance with an embodiment of the current invention;

FIG. 3 is an illustration of a method of adjusting a grip in accordance with an embodiment of the current invention;

FIG. 4A illustrates grips mounted to a barbell in accordance with an embodiment of the current invention;

FIG. 4B illustrates a grip mounted to a handle section of a dumbbell in accordance with an embodiment of the current invention;

FIG. 5A illustrates some anatomy of a hand;

FIGS. 5B and 5C illustrate a potential difference between grasping a constant diameter grip and grasping a variable diameter grip of an embodiment of the current invention;

FIGS. 6A-6O illustrate use of grips on exercise equipment in accordance with embodiments of the current invention;

FIG. 7 illustrates use of a grip in accordance with an embodiment of the current invention while exercising on a bicycle;

FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate grasping of a grip in accordance with embodiments of the current invention; and

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a grip in accordance with an embodiment of the current invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention, in some embodiments thereof, relates to a grip for exercise equipment and, more particularly, but not exclusively, to a hand strengthening grip.

Overview

An athlete and/or a patient undergoing treatment may use exercise equipment to strengthen various aspect of his body. In some embodiments, the current invention relates to a system and/or method to distribute forces and/or arrange the geometry of a grip of the equipment to server to strengthen a grasping muscle of the user. For example, the grip may be designed to be held by one or more fingers in partially open and/or an unlocked position. For example, the grip may be designed for different fingers to grasp at different geometries and/or forces to exercise different fingers equally and/or differentially.

For example, the grip may be designed to strengthen a pinky. Optionally the grip will be beveled so that pinky grasps the grip in a slightly open mode and/or works in cooperation with other fingers. For example, the grip may be larger where it is grasped by the index and ring fingers and smaller where grasped by the pinky. For example, this may be useful for training climbers (who may grip stones with the outside of their hand including the pinky and/or ring finger). For example, the grip may be tapered from a large width at the index finger and/or middle finger down to a smaller width towards the ring finger and/or pinky. Alternatively or additionally, the grip may taper from a large width at the pinky and ring finger to a smaller width at the middle finger and/or pointer. Alternatively or additionally, the grip may include a bulge, for example a bulge may have a large diameter in the middle and/or taper off to the sides, for example the bulge may have a greater width at the middle and/or ring finger than at the pointer and/or pinky. For example, the grip may strengthen the grip of wrestlers and/or American football players and/or Judo players. For example, the grip may encourage proper and/or even development of the muscles of the forearm (for example for body builders). Optionally there may be an indentation on an opposite side of the grip to encourage proper positioning of the thumb and/or allow the thumb to be held close to a certain portion of one or more fingers. Optionally there may be indentations in the grip to encourage proper positioning of other fingers.

In some embodiments, the grip is tapered (for example, it may have the shape of a cut off conical section). The grip may be made of elastomer such as artificial polymer, latex and/or silicone. Optionally the grip has a non slip surface.

In some embodiments, the grip fits over a handle of a piece of exercise equipment such as a weight lifting bar and/or a handle of a variable resistance exercise machine (for example a various resistance cable machine, for example a Nautilus exercise machine) and/or the grip may fit to an exercise bar (for example a pullup bar and/or a gymnastic bar etc.) and/or an oar and/or a paddle and/or a handle bar (e.g. of bicycle etc.) and/or the grip may fit to a therapeutic device. In some embodiments, the grip may be arranged to equalize the work of different fingers and/or encourage the use of lesser used fingers. For example, it may be widest at the middle fingers, less at the ring finger, less at the index finger and/or less at the pinky.

In some embodiments, the grip may hold one or more fingers partially open (e.g. rather than locked at a fully closed grasp). This may encourage the use of the muscles of a finger and/or an upper arm when exercising. The grip may be larger than standard exercise handles (for example the grip may have a variable width and/or diameter that ranges between 25 to 30 mm and/or between 30 to 40 mm and/or between 40 to 50 mm and/or between 50 to 75 mm and/or between 75 to 100 mm and/or between 100 to 200 mm. Optionally the with may vary along the length of the grip. For example, a maximum with may be between 1.1 to 1.4 times the minimum width and/or between 1.4 to 2 times the minimum width and/or between 2 to 4 times the minimum width and/or between 4 to 16 times the minimum width. Optionally the width varies smoothly along the grip. For example, a tangent surface angle may remain within 20 degrees from the axis of the bar being held and/or within 45 degrees. Alternatively or additionally, the tangent surface angle may vary along the surface.

In some embodiments, the grip may be made of hard elastomer (e.g. hardness ranging between 55A to 65A on a Shore durometer scale and/or between 25A to 55A and/or between 50A to 70A and/or between 30 OO to 25A and/or between 65A to 90A and/or between 90A to 50D). Alternatively or additionally, the grip may be made of silicone and/or Latex. Optionally, the grip may have a non-slip surface.

Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not necessarily limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components and/or methods set forth in the following description and/or illustrated in the drawings and/or the Examples. The invention is capable of other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways.

FIGS. 1A-1D illustrate a tapered grip 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the current invention. A grip may have a tapered shape and/or another shape. For example, grip may have a maximum the outer width 110 of between 40 to 150 mm and/or a minim outside width 111 of between 28 to 100 mm. In some embodiments, the grip 100 may include a cavity 108 (optionally in the center of the cross section and/or alternatively eccentric). For example, the width 112 of the cavity 108 may be approximately 28 mm and/or the cavity may be configured to fit a 28 mm weight lifting bar and/or a standard handle and/or a standard handlebar and/or another size. Optionally the inner cavity 108 may have a diameter ranging for example between 25 to 32 mm and/or between 20 to 25 mm and/or between 32 to 35 mm.

In some embodiments, a grip 100 may include a slit 116. For example, slit 116 facilitates positioning the grip 100 onto the bar. Optionally, the grip 100 is made of an elastic material such that the slit may be pulled apart and/or a portion of a handle of an exercise device may be slipped through the slit and that the grip elastically returns to its closed state clenching the handle. For example, the cavity may be slightly smaller than the diameter of the handle thereby closing in on and/or squeezing the handle for example, for a 28 mm handle unstressed the inner diameter of the cavity may range between 27 to 28 mm and/or between 26 to 27 mm and/or between 24 to 26 mm. Optionally the cavity may be sized at between 99 to 100% the size of the handle that it is to fit. Optionally the cavity may be sized at between 97 to 99% the size of the handle that it is to fit. Optionally the cavity may be sized at between 95 to 97% the size of the handle that it is to fit. Optionally the cavity may be sized at between 100 to 102% the size of the handle that it is to fit.

In some embodiments a cross section (e.g. FIG. 1C) may be annular and/or circular. Alternatively or additionally, there may be a different cross section. A thickness of the grip may optionally vary between a minimum thickness 120 that range between 1 to 5 mm and/or between 1 to 10 mm to a maximum thickness (e.g. see maximum thickness 122 of FIG. 1B) that may range for example between 5 to 25 mm and/or between 25 to 75 mm. Optionally the ratio of the maximum and minimum thickness may be range between 1.1 to 1.8 mm and/or between 1.8 to 3 mm and/or between 3 to 10 mm and/or between 1 to 20 mm.

In some embodiments, the a tangent 106 to the outer surface 114 of the grip may make an angle 107 of between 5 to 15 degrees with an axis 102 of the grip and/or between 1 to 5 degrees and/or between 15 to 35 degrees. For example, the surface 114 of the grip may be linear and/or have a constant angle 107 to the axis 102. Alternatively or additionally, the surface of the grip may be irregular and/or uneven. For example, the angle between the surface and the axis may vary along the length of the grip. For example, the angle may vary between −10 to 10 degrees and/or between −30 to 30 degrees and/or between −50 to 50 degrees and/or between −75 to 75 degrees.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a method of using a grip in accordance with an embodiment of the current invention. In some embodiments, a variable width grip is placed over a handle of an exercise device (for example a handle bar and/or a pull up bar and/or a weight bar). Optionally the grip is configured to be grasped with finger and/or hand muscles active. For example, one or more fingers of the grasping hand may be in a partially open position. For example, the grip may be configured to be held with one or more finger muscles and/or hand muscles and/or ligaments in tension. For example, the grip may be configured with the force on the bar supported by one or more finger muscles and/or hand muscles.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of a method of adjusting a grip in accordance with an embodiment of the current invention. In some embodiments, a grip is configured for positioning 331 a finger in a partially open position. For example, a width of the grip may range between 40 to 120 mm. Such a large grip may inhibit a finger from locking around the grip and/or facilitate the use of multiple muscles of the finger, hand and/or forearm to keep the grip from moving with respect to a hand.

In some embodiments, there may one or more indentation in the grip for example to facilitate proper positioning of the hand. For example, a thumb indentation may position the thumb near another finger and/or may facilitate holding the grip in the preferred orientation. Alternatively or additionally, there may be one or more indentations for placement of one or more fingers. Optionally, there may be a thumb indentation placed on one side of the grip and/or finger indentation on an opposing side.

In some embodiments, the grip will be arranged 333 to balance forces among the fingers. For example, the grip may be very large (e.g. between 70 to 150 mm wide) near a pointer and/or middle. Optionally this may make it difficult to grip properly with just these fingers and/or encourage use of the pinky and/or ring finger. Optionally, the grip may be large at the position of a pinky and/or ring finger, for example to encourage use of multiple muscles of those fingers while grasping the grip. Optionally, the grip will be arranged 333 a larger width at the position of the ring finger and pinky than at the pointer and/or middle finger. Alternatively or additionally, the grip will be arranged 333 a larger width at the position of the pointer and/or middle finger than at the ring finger and pinky.

FIG. 4A illustrates grips 400a, 400b mounted to a barbell in accordance with an embodiment of the current invention. For example, tapered grips 400a and 400b are shown mounted to handle sections of an e-z curl barbell 435. Optionally, the grips are arranged with a narrow end oriented outward. For example, when the bar is grasped, the width of the grip at the pinky position will be less than the width of the grip at the position of the middle finger.

FIG. 4B illustrates a grip 400c mounted to a handle section of a dumbbell in accordance with an embodiment of the current invention.

FIG. 5A illustrates some anatomy of a hand. For example, pinky 545 and ring finger 544 are illustrated partially flexed. Holding the finger in this position may involve more muscles than when the figure is fully flexed and/or fully extended. For example, middle finger 543 and pointer 542 are shown extended. In the drawing are illustrated a deep motor nerve, Hamate bone 547, transverse carpal ligament 548, Ulnar nerve 549, Tendon of flexor carpi ulnaris 550, Pisiform bone 551, Superficial sensory branch 552, and Flexor digit minimi 553. In some embodiments, in order to strengthen a digital flexor muscle a grip will be arranged to put tension on a finger in a partially flexed state.

FIGS. 5B and 5C illustrate a potential difference between grasping a constant diameter grip (e.g. a cylindrical grip 500b of FIG. 5B) and grasping a variable diameter grip of an embodiment of the current invention (for example the tapered grip 500a of FIG. 5C). In some cases, when grasping a constant diameter and/or cylindrical grip 500b, the larger fingers (e.g. the ring finger 544 and/or middle finger 453) do most of the work. In some embodiments, a variable diameter grip may bring about more even use of the figures. For example, by giving a smaller diameter grip to the pinky 545 (e.g. by arranging a tapered grip 500a with a narrow end towards the pinky 545 (e.g. outward) the pinky 545 may do a larger portion of the work.

FIG. 6A illustrates use of a grip 600 in accordance with an embodiment of the current invention while exercising on a variable-resistance cable machine 661a. For example, machine 661a includes a rowing machine. Optionally, grip 600 is positioned on a handle 635a of the machine 661a. Optionally grip 600 may be positioned on an oar and/or paddle for rowing and/or paddling.

FIG. 6B illustrates use of a grip in accordance with an embodiment of the current invention while exercising on a dumbbell 637. Optionally, the grip is positioned on a handle of the dumbbell 637. For example, a grip in accordance with the current invention may be used while performing a kneeling one arm row. Alternatively or additionally, a grip in accordance with the current invention may be used with a dumbbell and/or a barbell to perform a bench press and/or a curl and/or a shoulder press and/or a power lift. Alternatively or additionally, a grip in accordance with the current invention may be used with a dumbbell to perform a Triceps Kickback and/or a Lateral Raise and/or a Lying Fly and/or an Upright Row and/or a Stationary Lunge and/or a Toe Raise. Alternatively or additionally, a grip in accordance with the current invention can be used to hold a weight while performing an aerobic exercise such as running and/or walking while holding a weight.

FIG. 6C illustrates use of a grip 600 in accordance with an embodiment of the current invention while exercising on a pullup bar 661b.

FIG. 6D illustrates use of a grip 600 in accordance with an embodiment of the current invention while exercising on a parallel bar 661c.

FIGS. 6E and 6F illustrate use of a grip 600 in accordance with an embodiment of the current invention while exercising on a dumbbell 637. For example, a grip in accordance with the current invention may be used on a dumbbell 637 and/or a barbell while performing a finger curl.

FIG. 6G illustrates use of a grip 601 in accordance with an embodiment of the current invention on a Triceps Rope 635b.

FIG. 6H illustrates use of a grip 601 in accordance with an embodiment of the current invention on a Single Triceps Rope 635c.

FIG. 6I illustrates use of a grip 601 in accordance with an embodiment of the current invention on a Triceps V Bar 635d.

FIG. 6J illustrates use of a grip 601 in accordance with an embodiment of the current invention on a Revolving Lat Pulley Bar 635e.

FIG. 6K illustrates use of a grip 601 in accordance with an embodiment of the current invention on a Nylon Strap Single Pulley Handle 635f (alternatively or additionally it could include Webbed Nylon Pulley Handle, a Nylon Single D Handle, a Fitness Strap Stirrup Handle Cable, a Rope Cable Attachment Handle).

FIG. 6L illustrates use of a grip 601 in accordance with an embodiment of the current invention on a Single Stirrup Handle 635g (alternatively or additionally it could include a Heavy Duty Single Stirrup Handle).

FIG. 6M illustrates use of a grip 601 in accordance with an embodiment of the current invention on a Revolving Curl Bar 635h.

FIG. 6N illustrates use of a grip 601 in accordance with an embodiment of the current invention on a Revolving straight Bar 635i.

FIG. 6O illustrates use of a grip 601 in accordance with an embodiment of the current invention on a Seated Row V Handle 635j (alternatively or additionally it could include a 2 Bar Gym Workout Handle Attachment Stirrup and/or a Stirrup Multi Gym Attachment and/or a Twin Seated Row V Lat Double Stirrup Handle).

In some embodiments, Triceps Rope 635b with grip 601, a Single Triceps Rope 635c with grip 601, a Triceps V Bar 635d with grip 601, a Revolving Lat Pulley Bar 635e with grip 601, a Nylon Strap Single Pulley Handle 635f with grip 601, a Single Stirrup Handle 635g with grip 601, Revolving Curl Bar 635h with grip 601, Revolving straight Bar 635i with grip 601 and/or Twin Seated Row V Lat Double Stirrup Handle 635j with grip 601 may be used for:

• • Pull Downs and/or Pull Back and/or Pull Up and/or Pull Side to develop Triceps and/or Biceps and/or Shoulders and/or Back and/or Chest
  • Cable Exercises to develop Triceps and/or Biceps and/or Shoulders and/or Back and/or Chest
  • Pulley Exercises to develop Triceps and/or Biceps and/or Shoulders and/or Back and/or Chest

For example, Single Stirrup Handle 635g with grip 601 may be used with various equipment including:

• • Cable Crossover Machine
  • Adjustable Pulley Machine
  • Dual Adjustable Pulley Machine
  • High Low Pulley Station
  • Single Pulley Machine
  • Dual Pulley Machine
  • Gym Pulley
  • Cable Pulley Machine
  • Pulley Station
  • Resistance Bands and/or
  • Flexible Cables

In some embodiments, a grip in accordance with the current invention may be arranged with a pinky 545 grasping a large diameter portion of the grip 600 and/or a pointer 542 and/or middle finger 543 grasping a smaller diameter portion of the grip 600. For example, the grip 600 may include a tapered portion with the narrow portion of the taper in the direction of the pointer finger 542.

FIG. 7 illustrates use of a grip 700 in accordance with an embodiment of the current invention while exercising on a bicycle 761. For example, a grip 700 in accordance with the current invention may be used on a handlebar of a bicycle and/or a stationary bicycle and/or an electric bicycle. For example, the grip 700 may strengthen hand muscles while riding. Optionally, grip 700 in accordance with the current invention may have a curved and/or rounded shape. For example, grip 700 has a central bulge. For example, the grip 700 is wider in the middle where it is grasped by the middle finger 543 and/or ring finger 544 than at the ends where it is grasped by the pinky 545 and/or pointer finger 542.

FIG. 8a illustrates use of a grip 800a in accordance with an embodiment of the current invention. For example, grip 800a is a tapered grip with an indentation 863a on a narrow portion for positioning a thumb 541. Optionally, the taper has a narrow end arranged at the thumb 541 and pointer finger 542. Indentation 863a may also help a user bring her thumb 541 close to her pointer finger 542 during exercises.

FIG. 8b illustrates use of a grip 800b in accordance with an embodiment of the current invention. For example, grip 800b is a tapered grip with an indentation 863b on a wide portion for positioning a thumb 541. Optionally, the taper has a wide end arranged at the thumb 541 and pointer finger 542. Indentation 863b may also help a user bring her thumb 541 close to her pointer finger 542 during exercises.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a grip in accordance with an embodiment of the current invention. In some embodiments, a grip is made of an elastic material 920. The elastic material 920 is optionally formed around a cavity. For example, the cavity may be shaped and sized to fit a handle of a piece of exercise equipment. Optionally, a slit 916 through the elastic material 920 leads to the cavity 908. For example, the slit may be configured to facilitate insertion of the handle through the slit into the cavity. For example, the combination of the elastic material 920, slit 916 and cavity 908 may be a receptacle for the handle. Optionally, an outer surface 914 of the elastic material 920 has a variable width that facilitates grasping the hands with a variable sized grasping surface for different fingers. Optionally, grasping surface 914 may be configured to distribute grasping forces amongst a set of fingers and/or to exercise one or more fingers and/or to strengthen a grip and/or to develop a grasping muscle of the hand and/or forearm.

It is expected that during the life of a patent maturing from this application many relevant elastic materials, exercise equipment and handles will be developed and the scope of the terms in the specification is intended to include all such new technologies a priori.

As used herein the term “about” and the term “approximately” refer to ±10% The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “includes”, “including”, “having” and their conjugates mean “including but not limited to”.

The term “consisting of” means “including and limited to”.

The term “consisting essentially of” means that the composition, method or structure may include additional ingredients, steps and/or parts, but only if the additional ingredients, steps and/or parts do not materially alter the basic and novel characteristics of the claimed composition, method or structure.

As used herein, the singular form “a”, “an” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. For example, the term “a compound” or “at least one compound” may include a plurality of compounds, including mixtures thereof.

Throughout this application, various embodiments of this invention may be presented in a range format. It should be understood that the description in range format is merely for convenience and brevity and should not be construed as an inflexible limitation on the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the description of a range should be considered to have specifically disclosed all the possible subranges as well as individual numerical values within that range. For example, description of a range such as from 1 to 6 should be considered to have specifically disclosed subranges such as from 1 to 3, from 1 to 4, from 1 to 5, from 2 to 4, from 2 to 6, from 3 to 6 etc., as well as individual numbers within that range as well as combinations of the stated ranges, for example, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. This applies regardless of the breadth of the range.

Whenever a numerical range is indicated herein, it is meant to include any cited numeral (fractional or integral) within the indicated range. The phrases “ranging/ranges between” a first indicate number and a second indicate number and “ranging/ranges from” a first indicate number “to” a second indicate number are used herein interchangeably and are meant to include the first and second indicated numbers and all the fractional and integral numerals therebetween. When multiple ranges are listed for a single variable, a combination of the ranges is also included (for example the ranges from 1 to 2 and/or from 2 to 4 also includes the combined range from 1 to 4).

It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention, which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable subcombination or as suitable in any other described embodiment of the invention. Certain features described in the context of various embodiments are not to be considered essential features of those embodiments, unless the embodiment is inoperative without those elements.

Although the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.

All publications, patents and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated in their entirety by reference into the specification, to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated herein by reference. In addition, citation or identification of any reference in this application shall not be construed as an admission that such reference is available as prior art to the present invention. To the extent that section headings are used, they should not be construed as necessarily limiting.

Claims

1. A grip add on comprising:

a cavity for placing around a handle;

a variable thickness body having a variable gripping width for different fingers of a hand grasping said handle wherein: at least one finger position has a first width of between 35 to 150 mm and at least one other finger position has a second width and a ratio of said first width to said second width is greater than 1.1.

2. The grip of claim 1, wherein said width is greater than 1.5.

3. The grip of claim 1, wherein said width is greater than 3.

4. The grip of claim 1, wherein said grip is made of plastic.

5. The grip of claim 1, wherein said grip has a hardness of between 50A to 70A on a Shore durometer scale.

6. The grip of claim 1, wherein said grip has a tapered shape.

7. The grip of claim 1, wherein said cavity is cylindrical with an inner diameter configured to fit a bar of 28 mm.

8. The grip of claim 1, wherein said cavity is cylindrical with an inner diameter of between 25 to 32 mm.

9. The grip of claim 8, further comprising:

a slit facilitating placing said cavity over a bar.

10. The grip of claim 1, wherein said grip has a tapered shape.

11. The grip of claim 10, wherein said grip has a shape of a conical section.

12. The grip of claim 1, wherein said grip has centrally bulging shape.

13. The grip of claim 1, further comprising:

an indentation configured to facilitate proper positioning of a thumb.

14. A method of developing a gripping muscle comprising:

supplying an exercise device with a handle;

placing on the handle a grip having a wide portion with a width of between 35 to 150 mm and a narrow portion having a width no more than 0.9 times the width of said wide portion;

holding said grip with at least one finger on said wide portion and at least one other finger on said narrow portion;

exercising with said device while holding said grip.

15. The method of claim 14, further wherein said holding includes positioning a pinky on a wider portion than a pointer finger.

16. The method of claim 14, further wherein said holding includes positioning a pointer finger on a wider portion than a pinky.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein said grip has a cavity and said placing includes positioning said handle in said cavity.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein said grip includes a slit and wherein said placing includes opening said slit and sliding said handle through said slit into said cavity.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein said grip has a tapered shape and wherein said placing includes positioning said tapered shape on said handle with a narrow portion pointed outward for grasping with a pinky.

20. The method of claim 14, wherein said grip has a tapered shape and wherein said placing includes positioning said tapered shape on said handle with a narrow portion pointed inward for grasping with a pointer finger.