Apparatus for toning a person's buttocks

An apparatus for toning an exerciser's buttocks comprises, a base having a front end region and a rear end region; a seat guide; and a force-transmitting mechanism for supporting the seat guide on the base for guided movement under tension from a raised position, along an forward inclined trajectory in which the seat guide is continuously lowered in elevation to a lowered position. The exerciser sits on the seat guide and controls its downward and upward motion by tensioning and thereby exercising the users gluteus maximus, medius, and gluteus minimus muscles.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

This disclosure generally relates to an exercising apparatus, and, more particularly, to an apparatus for toning and firming a person's buttocks by targeting and strengthening the person's gluteal muscles.

BACKGROUND

Many different types of exercising apparatus have been proposed for the purpose of strengthening a person's muscles. However, few, if any, apparatus have been designed solely for the purpose of toning and firming a person's buttocks, which, with today's sedentary life style, are apt to become flabby and unfirm. Saggy buttocks can also be caused by extreme weight loss, aging, or genetics. The buttocks are, of course, the two rounded portions of a person's anatomy at the posterior of the pelvic region and comprise a layer of fat superimposed on the gluteal muscles, commonly known as glutes, which comprise the gluteus maximus muscle, the gluteus medius muscle, and the gluteus minimus muscle. Toned, firm buttocks can not only boost one's body image, but also can help maintain a person's trunk in an erect posture.

The lack or scarcity of such toning apparatus has led many people to resort to cosmetic surgical procedures, commonly known as buttock lifts, to improve the appearance of their buttocks. However, such procedures are costly and may involve a lengthy recovery period since they typically require removing excess skin and fat from the buttocks, followed by repositioning the remaining skin. As a result, many people who could benefit from such procedures may forego them.

Accordingly, there is a need to tone, firm, tighten and sculpt a person's buttocks without resorting to surgical procedures, preferably by using specially designed apparatus that targets and strengthens the gluteal muscles, especially in the privacy of one's home, or in a gym.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The current invention relates to an apparatus for toning an exerciser's buttocks. The apparatus includes a base having a front end region and a rear end region, a seat guide, and a force-transmitting mechanism. The mechanism supports the seat guide on the base for guided movement under tension from a raised position in which the seat guide is situated at a first higher elevation above the rear end region of the base, along an inclined trajectory in which the seat guide is continuously lowered in elevation and continuously moved toward the front end region of the base, to a second lowered position in which the seat guide is situated at a lower elevation above the base. The seat guide is biased in the upper position.

The user sits on the seat guide, and with a controlled motion allows the seat guide to slowly descend to the lowered position. From there the user allows the seat guide to rise back to the initial raised position. Control over the speed of descent and ascent is through the user tensioning the glutes, thereby exercising them through a repetitive lowering and raising of the seat guide and thus the user's body.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In a preferred embodiment, the platform has a toe guard at the front end region at which the exerciser's toes are positioned during toning. Advantageously, a pair of handles is provided on opposite sides of the mechanism for gripping by the exerciser's hands to assist the exerciser in maintaining balance during toning. The mechanism preferably includes a scissors-type linkage. An elongated channel is provided in the base, and the linkage has a bottom link that is movable along the channel during the guided movement of the seat guide. The mechanism includes a spring to which the bottom link is operatively connected. The spring is adjustably tensioned to provide resistance during movement from the raised to the lowered position, and to provide a restoring force to return the seat guide from the lowered to the raised position.

With reference to the drawings, reference numeral10generally identifies an apparatus for toning and firming an exerciser's buttocks. An exerciser100is depicted inFIGS.4-6, where the operation of the apparatus10is shown in sequence.

The apparatus10includes a base12that rests on the floor, preferably in one's home, or in a gym. The base12has a front end region14, a rear end region16, and a generally planar platform18on which the exerciser100stands during toning. Preferably, a weight-shifter, such as raised toe guard20, is provided at the front end region at which the exerciser's toes are positioned during toning (seeFIGS.4-6). A foot ramp, either open or closed, can also be used. An adjustable seat guide22, for example, a bench seat or the illustrated bicycle seat, is situated adjacent and below the exerciser's buttocks during toning. A pair of handles24is provided on opposite sides of the seat guide22for gripping by the exerciser's hands to assist the exerciser100in maintaining balance during toning.

The apparatus10further includes a force-transmitting mechanism6for supporting the seat guide22on the base12for guided movement under tension from a raised position (FIG.4) in which the seat guide22is situated at a higher elevation above the rear end region16of the base12, along an inclined trajectory in which the seat guide22is continuously lowered in elevation and continuously moved toward the front end region14of the base12by pressure exerted by the exerciser's buttocks, to a lowered position (FIG.6) in which the seat guide22is situated at a lower elevation above the base12. The force-transmitting mechanism is biased to place the seat guide in the upper position.

The mechanism26may include a scissors-type, parallelogram linkage having a bottom link28. An elongated channel30is provided in the base12. The channel30extends between the front14and rear16end regions. The bottom link28is movable along the channel30during the guided movement of the seat guide22. Although not illustrated, the mechanism26is preferably encased in a housing as a safety precaution.

As best shown inFIG.3, the biasing of the mechanism26may be provided by an adjustable tensioning assembly. The assembly may comprise a tensioned, elongated coil spring32, mounted inside the base12within the channel30. The distal end of the spring is operatively connected to block46. Bottom link28is likewise operatively connected to block46. Tension adjustment rod44with knob34has its distal end journaled in block36. The rod is threaded along a portion of its length.

The other end of the spring rests against threaded washer36, which mates with and is constrained to move along the threaded portion of rod44. The washer has a tab38that rides along slot40in guide box42in base12, allowing the washer to travel along the rod in response to turning of the adjustment rod. Accordingly, turning a knob34in one circumferential direction drives the washer towards the block46, tensioning the spring32. Turning the knob34in the opposite circumferential direction backs the washer away from the block46, releasing the tension in the spring32. The spring32provides an adjustable resistance during movement from the raised to the lowered position, and also provides a restoring force to return the seat guide22from the lowered to the raised position.

In use, as shown inFIG.4, the exerciser100stands on the platform18with her toes against the toe guard20. The exerciser's feet are hip distance apart. The exerciser's shoulders are back. The exerciser's buttocks are placed against the seat guide22. The exerciser's hands grip the handles24. The exerciser's core and glutes are engaged. The weight-shifting toe guard or ramp is slanted upwardly toward the front of the unit to place the exerciser's center of gravity slightly off center, with most of the exerciser's weight on her heels, allowing the glutes to be properly engaged. However, the unit can be operated without the toe guard or ramp.

The exerciser100tensions her glutes and presses with her buttocks against the seat guide22against the force of the tensioned spring32. In a controlled movement the exerciser100applies her mass against the seat guide. As shown in the intermediate position ofFIG.5, the linkage26begins to collapse. The exerciser continues to allow the seat guide to slowly and gradually lower in elevation and move toward the front end region14of the base12. The bottom link28has moved forwardly in the channel30. As shown in the lowered position ofFIG.6, the linkage26has further collapsed. The seat guide22has gradually further lowered in elevation and has gradually further moved toward the front end region14of the base12. The bottom link28has moved further forwardly in the channel30. Thus, the seat guide22has been moved along the aforementioned inclined trajectory, targeting and exercising the gluteal muscles and, over time and repeated use, tones, firms, tightens and sculpts the buttocks. With the seat guide in the lowered position, the exerciser100slowly releases the pressure exerted by her buttocks against the seat guide22, allowing the tensioned spring32to slowly return the seat guide22to the raised position in a further controlled motion, further exercising the exerciser's glutes.

In the foregoing specification, specific embodiments have been described. However, one of ordinary skill in the art appreciates that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims below. Accordingly, the specification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative e than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of present teachings.