HAND-HELD DEVICE FOR EXERCISING AND STABLIZING MUSCLES
Embodiments of the present invention are drawn to a hand held device (a “hand grip” or handle) for exercising and stabilizing muscles. The hand grip can be made from a firm yet deformable material such as rubber, latex, silicon, or any suitable material such as those materials commonly used for sports and exercise equipment. The material can deform slightly due force applied to the hand grip during exercise to improve the comfort of the user. The device can be opened lengthwise to wrap the hand grip around a bar, strap, handle, or other equipment used for exercise. By gripping the device during exercise, the forces applied to the user's upper body are distributed evenly through the user's upper body and core muscles without overstimulating these muscle groups. Using hand grips during exercise can improve the user's posture, prevent injury, and activate and strengthen core and upper body stability muscles.
This application claims the benefit of and priority to and is a continuation-in-part of copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/927,704, Attorney Docket Number BMOT-0001-01U00US, entitled “BRACE WITH STRAP FOR EXERCISING STABILITY MUSCLES,” with filing date Mar. 21, 2018, which claims priority to provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/475,125, Attorney Docket Number BMOT-P001, entitled “BRACE WITH STRAP FOR EXERCISING STABILITY MUSCLES,” with filing date Mar. 22, 2017, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety as if fully set forth below.
FIELDEmbodiments of the present invention generally relate to the field of physical training. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention relate to equipment for performing physical training exercises to strengthen and develop stability muscles and ligaments.
BACKGROUNDMost physical training regiments involve a series of strength training exercises performed with free-weights (e.g., dumbbells, barbells, etc.) or strength training machines (e.g., weight lifting machines or resistance machines) to develop muscles and increase the strength of the person. Strength training has been shown to increase vascular health, promote bone density, prevent muscle loss, reduce resting blood pressure, improve blood flow, help control blood sugar, improve cholesterol levels, and improve balance and coordination.
Strength training with free-weights enables a full range of motion and places greater demand on stabilizing muscles compared to machine strength training. However, free-weights require using proper skill and technique to avoid injury and prevent unbalanced development of muscle groups. Furthermore, strength training with heavier free-weights may require the use of a spotter to avoid severe injury.
Strength training machines solve many of the problems that may occur when training with free-weights. Examples of strength training machines include pull-down machines (e.g., cables and pulleys), leg press machines, leg extension machines, and pec deck machines. Because the range of motion is inherently limited by the configuration of the strength training machine, the risk of injury is greatly reduced. Strength training machines also do not generally require the assistance of a spotter. However, the lack of freedom of movement when using strength training machines means that stabilizer muscles and tendons are not substantially strengthened or developed during machine strength training.
What is needed is a device that promotes the development of stabilizer muscles which includes ligaments and tendons without increasing the risk of injury or unbalanced development of muscle groups.
SUMMARYAn exercise device is disclosed herein. Embodiments of the present invention are drawn to exercise equipment having a hand held device (a “hand grip” or handle) for exercising and stabilizing muscles. The hand grip can be made from a firm yet deformable material such as rubber, latex, silicon, or any suitable material such as those materials commonly used for sports and exercise equipment. The material can deform slightly due force applied to the hand grip during exercise to improve the comfort of the user. The device can be opened lengthwise to wrap the hand grip around a bar, strap, handle (e.g., bike handle), or other equipment used for exercise. By gripping the device during exercise, the forces applied to the user's upper body are distributed evenly through the user's upper body and core muscles without overstimulating these muscle groups. Using hand grips during exercise can improve the user's posture, prevent injury, and activate and strengthen core and upper body stability muscles. By improving posture, exercise forces are distributed downward to the muscles being exercised and not wasted on pushing the body back and forth (e.g., side to side).
According to one embodiment, an exercise equipment including a hand grip made of a deformable material is disclosed. The hand grip includes a plurality of ridges disposed on a top side of the hand grip for accommodating fingers of a user of the exercise equipment, wherein the ridges align and separate the fingers to activate stability muscles of the user during exercise, and a palm grip disposed on a bottom side of the hand grip for accommodating a palm of the user. The hand grip is operable to be opened longitudinally allowing the hand grip to be wrapped around an object.
According to another embodiment, an exercise equipment including a weighted hand grip made of a deformable material is disclosed. The weighted hand grip is made of a deformable material and includes a plurality of finger loops disposed on a top side of the hand grip for accommodating fingers of a user of the exercise equipment, wherein the finger loops align and separate the fingers to activate stability muscles of the user during exercise, a palm grip disposed on a bottom side of the hand grip for accommodating a palm of the user, and a thumb grip disposed on the bottom side of the hand grip for accommodating a thumb of the user.
Embodiments describing exercise equipment including a hand grip made of a deformable material can be used in conjunction with other embodiments described herein, such as those describing an exercise device generally having a strap, a brace, and a ring, and is specially designed to assist in the development of stabilizer muscles, ligaments and tendons. The brace includes four finger straps and a thumb strap for looping around and gripping a user's fingers and thumbs, respectively. When the exercise device is used while exercising, force applied to the brace is evenly distributed to stretch and strengthen the user's hands via the hand grip and the ridges or finger loops thereof. This promotes better form and technique during lifting, which translates into stronger more flexible muscle movement and fewer injuries.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention:
Reference will now be made in detail to several embodiments. While the subject matter will be described in conjunction with the alternative embodiments, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the claimed subject matter to these embodiments. On the contrary, the claimed subject matter is intended to cover alternative, modifications, and equivalents, which may be included within the spirit and scope of the claimed subject matter as defined by the appended claims.
Furthermore, in the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the claimed subject matter. However, it will be recognized by one skilled in the art that embodiments may be practiced without these specific details or with equivalents thereof. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, and circuits have not been described in detail as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects and features of the subject matter.
Brace with Strap Device for Exercising Stability MusclesEmbodiments of the present invention are drawn to an exemplary exercise device generally having a strap, a brace, and a ring. The following discussion describes one such exemplary exercise device.
With regard to
An end of the brace 120 may be inserted through the ring 110 when a free-weight (e.g., dumbbell, barbell, or kettlebell) is placed on the middle of the base strap 105, thereby securing the free-weight to the exercise device 100. The user then places a finger through each loop and is able to lift (palm open and facing upward) the free-weight by applying force to the exercise device 100 while wearing or holding brace 120. For Pilates equipment, a spring or cable can be clipped or otherwise secured to the ring. For stretching, no equipment is necessary; a user can simply place a finger through each loop, grab the base strap with the free hand and pull.
Brace 120 includes four finger straps or bands 125 and a thumb strap or band 130 for looping around and gripping a user's fingers and thumbs, respectively. According to some embodiments, the finger straps are 2-inch loops constructed from 4 4-inch by ½-inch polypropylene rectangles, and a distal end of each loop is heavy-sewn into the middle of each polypropylene rectangle to enhance structural integrity during exercise.
When the exemplary exercise device 100 is used while exercising, force applied to the brace is evenly distributed to stretch and strengthen the user's hands. A key benefit of the exercise device is activating stabilizing muscles of the hands, arms and core stability muscles. This promotes better form and technique during lifting, which translates into the ability to lift smarter, not harder, with greater core stability to avoid injuries. This is especially important for users transitioning from resistance-based strength training equipment to free weights, as their stabilizer muscles have not been used frequently and may be underdeveloped.
The exemplary exercise device 100 can be used in conjunction with a free weight or kettlebell, or other resistance device, such as a fixed-position bar, a resistance band, an adjustable weight, a door or doorframe, a fixed object, a barbell, a dumbbell, or any other object that can be used to provide resistant force. An end of the brace 120 may be inserted through the ring 110 to secure the resistance device to the base strap 105, thereby securing the resistance device to the exercise device 100 for use during exercise.
According to other embodiments, the brace includes individual bands configured to loop around and grip digits of the user's hand. The brace is operable to transmit force from an attached resistance device uniformly through the hand and its arm to exercise stability muscles of the body responsive to hand movement. According to other embodiments, the strap is longer in length, and the brace includes individual bands configured to loop around and grip digits of the user's foot. The brace is operable to transmit force from an attached resistance device uniformly through the foot and its leg to exercise stability muscles of the body responsive to foot movement.
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An arm or bicep curl exercise using an exemplary exercise device according to embodiments of the present invention begins at starting position 710A, where the user's palms are facing upwards, and the user's arms are roughly bent at 90 degrees. To reach ending position 710B, the user curls their arms upward while keeping their elbows roughly stationary. Again, a barbell is shown as the weight. The harness allows the force generated by the user to be distributed evenly throughout the user's hand 710C, thereby strengthening and stretching the hands, and further, strengthening associated stabilizer muscles.
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A pull-up exercise using an exemplary exercise device according to embodiments of the present invention begins at starting position 810A, where the user's arms are maximally stretched while the user hangs from an exemplary exercise device wrapped around and secured to a fixed horizontal bar. To reach ending position 810B, the user grasps the harness and pulls themselves upwards towards the horizontal fixed-position bar. The harness allows the force generated by the user to be distributed evenly throughout the user's hand 810C, thereby strengthening and stretching the hands, and further, strengthening associated stabilizer muscles.
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A one-handed chest press exercise using an exemplary exercise device according to embodiments of the present invention begins at starts at a resting position with both arms lowered. A pair of dumbbells are used as resistance devices. The user then raises one arm to a near lock-out position 1010A. That arm is lowered and the other arm is raised in alternating fashion, as depicted in position 1010B. The harness of the exercise device allows the force generated by the user to be distributed evenly throughout the user's hand 1010C, thereby strengthening and stretching the hands, and further, strengthening associated stabilizer muscles.
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Glovelet 1245 includes divided cavities or loops for inserting fingers, and the user performs exercises while their fingers are inserted into the glovelet 1245. In this way, the glovelet 1245 can enhance the user's comfort while exercising and help ensure that the force applied by the user is evenly distributed across the user's fingers. The glovelet 1245 may be made from nylon, for example, or any material that is relatively strong and flexible, such as plastic, rubber, cloth, leather, etc. According to some embodiments, the rivets 1240 are sensors operable to detect the motion and/or force applied to the exercise device 1100 by the user's hand.
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At step 1301, the sensors of the exercise device detect the presence of a user's hand. The detecting may be accomplished using capacitive sensing between the user's hand and the sensors. At step 1302, according to some embodiments, an exercise is entered or selected to configure the software application. At step 1303, the user performs a first exercise repetition. At step 1304, the sensors provide force and/or motion feedback to the software applications. According to some embodiments, the sensors include an accelerometer for measuring acceleration of the exercise device. At step 1305, the software application determines if the first repetition was optimally performed.
According to some embodiments, determining if the first repetition was optimally performed includes determining a difference between the force measured by each sensor. If the difference in forces is below a predetermined threshold, the repetition is considered optimal. At step 1306, the software application provides feedback to the user. The process 1300 returns to step 1303 and repeats for a second repetition. According to some embodiments, the feedback indicates if the repetition was optimally performed. According to some embodiments, the feedback indicates the difference in force measured by the sensors, and instructs the user to exert more or less force using specific fingers. According to some embodiments, the software application keeps a count of the number of repetitions that are performed optimally.
Embodiments of the present invention as described in
Computer system 1400 may also comprise an optional graphics subsystem 1405 for presenting information to the computer user, e.g., by displaying information on a display device 1410. In one embodiment, the processing and image enhancement of the image data received may be performed, in whole or in part, by graphics subsystem 1405 in conjunction with the processor 1401 and memory 1402, with any resulting output displayed on display device 1410. Computer system 1400 may be a personal computer, such as a desktop or laptop computer, or a mobile computing device, such as a smartphone or tablet, for example.
Additionally, computing system 1400 may also have additional features/functionality. For example, computing system 1400 may also include additional storage (removable and/or non-removable) including, but not limited to, magnetic or optical disks or tape. Such additional storage is illustrated in
Computer system 1400 also comprises an optional alphanumeric input device 1406, an optional cursor control or directing device, and one or more signal communication interfaces (input/output devices, e.g., a network interface card) 1408. Optional alphanumeric input device 1406 can communicate information and command selections to central processor 1401. Optional cursor control or directing device is coupled to bus 1409 for communicating user input information and command selections to central processor 1401. Signal communication interface (input/output device) 1408, also coupled to bus 1409, can be a serial port. Communication interface 1408 may also include wireless communication mechanisms. Using communication interface 1408, computer system 1400 can be communicatively coupled to other computer systems over a communication network such as the Internet or an intranet (e.g., a local area network), or can receive data (e.g., a digital television signal). Sensor subsystem 1407 of the personal exercise device may communicate with using radio frequency (RF) technology, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or any other wireless communication technology in communication interface 1408. Sensors 1407 of the system 1400 can detect the presence of a user's hand, for example, while gripping the exercise device. The detecting may be accomplished using capacitive sensing between the user's hand and the sensors. A specific exercise can be entered or selected to configure a software application executed by processor 1401 in communication with the sensor. The sensors provide force and/or motion feedback to the software applications and can be used to detect and track exercise repetitions. According to some embodiments, the sensors include an accelerometer for measuring acceleration of the exercise device.
Hand-Held Device Accommodating Fingers for Exercising and Stabilizing MusclesWith regard to
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According to some embodiments, handheld exercise device 1500 can be opened lengthwise (e.g., pulled apart or otherwise separated) to removably wrap the hand grip around a bar, strap, handle, or other equipment used for exercise (e.g., an exercise machine with adjustable weights, pulleys, resistance implements, etc.). Similarly, the device can be easily removed. In
In the example of
Hand grip 1700 can be used as an exercise device for performing stretches or body-weight exercises (e.g., pushups, pullups, etc.) to strengthen muscles (e.g., core muscles or upper body), to improve the user's posture, and to activate stability muscles and tendons that support large muscle groups. By separating the user's fingers using ridges 1705, the user's body is brought into alignment during exercise and the user's core muscles groups (e.g., abdominals, abdominal walls) can be targeted to strengthen the muscles. Moreover, hand grip 1700 can prevent over-stimulating of the user's neck and joints by reducing the pressure experience by those parts of the body during exercise. In
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Hand grip 1900 can be used as an exercise device for performing stretches or body-weight exercises (e.g., pushups, pullups, etc.) to exercise muscles (e.g., core muscles or upper body), to improve the user's posture, and to strengthen stability muscles and tendons that support large muscle groups. By separating the user's fingers using ridges 1905, the user's body is brought into alignment during exercise and the user's core muscles groups (e.g., abdominals, abdominal walls) can be targeted to strengthen the muscles. Moreover, hand grip 1900 can prevent over-stimulating of the user's neck and joints by reducing the pressure experience by those parts of the body during exercise. In
Exercise device 1900 depicts in
Embodiments of the present invention are thus described. While the present invention has been described in particular embodiments, it should be appreciated that the present invention should not be construed as limited by such embodiments, but rather construed according to the following claims.
Claims
1. An exercise equipment comprising:
- a hand grip comprising a deformable material;
- a plurality of ridges disposed on a top side of the hand grip for accommodating fingers of a user of the exercise equipment, wherein the ridges align and separate the fingers to activate stability muscles of the user during exercise; and
- a palm grip disposed on a bottom side of the hand grip for accommodating a palm of the user,
- wherein the hand grip is operable to be opened longitudinally allowing the hand grip to be wrapped around an object for performing an exercise using the object.
2. An exercise equipment as described in claim 1, wherein said object is a weight.
3. An exercise equipment as described in claim 1, wherein said object comprises exercise equipment.
4. An exercise equipment as described in claim 1, wherein said object is a bicycle handle.
5. An exercise equipment as described in claim 1, wherein said object is a strap having a buckle for securing a second object to the strap using the buckle.
6. An exercise equipment as described in claim 1, wherein said deformable material comprises rubber.
7. An exercise equipment as described in claim 1, further comprising a thumb loop disposed on the bottom side for gripping a thumb of the user during the exercise.
8. An exercise equipment as described in claim 1, wherein said stability muscles comprise tendons.
9. An exercise equipment as described in claim 1, wherein said ridges comprise enclosed loops for securing and positioning the fingers to the hand grip.
10. An exercise equipment as described in claim 1, wherein said deformable material is weather-resistant.
11. An exercise equipment comprising:
- a weighted hand grip comprising a deformable material;
- a plurality of finger loops disposed on a top side of the weighted hand grip for accommodating fingers of a user of the exercise equipment, wherein the finger loops align and separate the fingers to activate stability muscles of the user during exercise;
- a palm grip disposed on a bottom side of the hand grip for accommodating a palm of the user; and
- a thumb grip disposed on the bottom side of the hand grip for accommodating a thumb of the user.
12. An exercise equipment as described in claim 11, wherein said weighted hand grip is separated longitudinally on one side, wherein the weighted hand grip is separable and can be wrapped around an object to removably secure the weighted hand grip to the object for performing an exercise using the object.
13. An exercise equipment as described in claim 12, wherein said object comprises exercise equipment.
14. An exercise equipment as described in claim 12, wherein said object is a bicycle handle.
15. An exercise equipment as described in claim 12, wherein said object is a strap having a buckle for securing a second object to the strap using the buckle.
16. An exercise equipment as described in claim 11, wherein said deformable material comprises rubber.
17. An exercise equipment as described in claim 11, wherein said stability muscles comprise tendons.
18. An exercise equipment as described in claim 11, wherein said exercise equipment is used to perform an upper body exercise targeting a latissimus dorsi of the user.
19. An exercise equipment as described in claim 11, wherein said exercise equipment is used to perform a core exercise targeting an abdominal wall of the user.
20. An exercise equipment as described in claim 11, wherein said exercise equipment is used to perform an exercise improve a posture of the user.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 2, 2021
Publication Date: Jun 17, 2021
Inventor: Joseph Negron (Los Gatos, CA)
Application Number: 17/190,295