EXERCISE DEVICE AND METHODS FOR USE

An exercise device for performing abdominal exercise in a supine or seated position includes a middle portion and two end portions, the middle portion being contoured for a comfortable fit around the back of the user's neck, and the end portions serving as hand grips for the user such that the hands are disposed at shoulder width and slightly forward of and above the shoulders when in use. The device has a telescoping construction comprised of three sequential tubular segments of substantially equal length joined together in a telescoping manner and locked in place relative to one another by retractable locking pins. The hand grips can be selectively connected to the middle portion in two different ways, one in which the hand grips are configured to be generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the device and a second in which the hand grips are configured to be generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the exercise device. The device can be used to perform sit-ups and a variety of other exercises from a supine or seated position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

I. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to exercise devices, and more particularly, has reference to a new exercise device enabling a user to perform exercises for firming and toning the abdominal muscles while in a supine or seated position with reduced stress and strain on the user's shoulders, neck and back.

II. State of the Art

Sit-ups are a popular exercise for strengthening and toning the abdominal muscles and as such is the most commonly used abdominal exercise. Sit-ups are typically performed by a person lying upon their back with knees bent and feet flat on the floor. The person then contracts the abdominal muscles to raise the head and upper body off the ground. The person's hands are clasped behind the head with the elbows forward so that the elbows touch the knees when the head and shoulders are lifted.

Conventional sit-ups can strain a persons neck and shoulder muscles due to the stress and pulling forces required in order for the person to continually clasp their hands behind their head. Sit-ups can be made easier by crossing the arms in front of the body and placing the palms on the front of the shoulders. However, such a variation can make the exercise less intense and effective.

Conventional sit-ups also may cause back pain and arching of the lower back, increasing the risk of back injury. For these reasons, some organizations have begun to phase out sit-ups due the high rate of lower back injury.

As an alternative to sit-up type exercises, there are twisting abdominal exercises which are performed by a person while in a standing or upright position. In a torso-twisting exercise, a user typically places a shaft-like device or exercise bar along the back of the neck and resting on the shoulders, with the arms draped over the top of the bar or the hands gripping the ends of the bar extended out at full arm spread. The user then goes through a series of exercise movements, the result of which is to exert tension on the abdominal muscles. In one of these movements, the body is twisted, or rotated, from side to side. In another, the body is bent at the waist while the user attempts to touch one end of the shaft or bar to the opposite foot.

However, such bars have drawbacks. A bar behind the neck puts most of the muscle groups in the upper body out of their natural position. As a result, those muscles can become sore, causing user discomfort which is a disincentive to continue the exercise. It is also very uncomfortable, causing unnecessary strain because the shoulders must be retracted far backwards to accommodate the straight line of the shaft.

The wide hand position involving a full arm spread also puts additional stress on the auxiliary and secondary muscles groups in the shoulders, back and neck. The pectorals (chest muscles), upper trapezius (upper back muscles) and neck muscles all can be stressed, especially if the user's shoulders are tight. The sheer length of the bar, often extending five to six feet, also makes it awkward to use, difficult to transport and store, and unsuitable for use in performing exercises when in a supine or seated position.

Exercises performed in a standing or upright position also do less to isolate the abdominal muscles because more muscle groups are being used than with exercises performed in a supine or seated position. A supine or seated position also is safer for the back and neck when strengthening or stretching muscles because of its friendlier relationship to gravity, particularly when doing exercises that combine force and torque, like many of the traditional abdominal exercises.

A need exists for an exercise device that can be used for performing abdominal exercises while in a supine or seated position, which reduces the stress and strain on the user's shoulders, neck and back when performing the exercises, which is compact and easy to store and transport, which is inexpensive to manufacture, and which can be used to perform a variety of different exercises. The present invention fulfills all of these needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly, and in general terms, the present invention provides a new and improved exercise device for use in performing sit-ups and other abdominal exercise in a supine or seated position, that reduces the stress and strain on a user's neck, shoulders and lower back by keeping the user's hands, head and neck in the proper position for safely and effectively isolating and targeting the abdominal muscles for exercise. The device is small and compact, relatively inexpensive to manufacture, easy to use, and can be quickly and conveniently disassembled for easy storage and travel.

More specifically, and in a presently preferred embodiment, by way of example and not necessary by way of limitation, the present invention is embodied a small hand-held device that can be placed behind a user's neck when performing abdominal exercises in a supine or seated position. It comprises a substantially rigid assembly of predetermined length which includes at its ends a pair of left and right hand grip portions that are held in a laterally spaced position at a distance corresponding to a user's shoulder width by a transversely extending middle portion which is continuous and coplanar with the hand grip portions and is contoured along a plane to fit comfortably around the back of the user's neck and to hold the hand grips slightly forward of and above the user's shoulders when the device is in use. Each of the hand grip portions has a substantially linear central portion bounded by two angled end portions which confine the user's hands to the central portion of the hand grip, the central portions being spaced apart by a distance corresponding to the user's shoulder width so that the user's hands are spaced at shoulder width when grasping the central portions.

In a preferred embodiment, the hand grips are arranged to be generally parallel to the user's shoulders with the palms of the user's hands facing forward when in use. In an alternative embodiment, the hands grips are arranged to be generally perpendicular to user's shoulders with the palms of the user's hands facing inward toward each other when in use. In a presently preferred embodiment of the invention, the hand grips are reconfigurable and reversable allowing the user to choose which of those two hand grip orientations he wishes to use.

In a preferred embodiment, the exercise device is made of lightweight rigid tubular material, such as aluminum or PVC.

In a preferred embodiment, padding is provided around at least the mid-section of the middle tubular portion to protect the surface of the device and to cushion the device against the user's neck, thus enhancing user comfort and reducing skin abrasion when the exercise device is in use.

In a presently preferred embodiment, the hand grip portions are detachably connected to the middle portion. Preferably, the device is constructed out of three telescoping sequential tubular segments of substantially equal length corresponding to the left and right hand grip portions and the middle portion, respectively, each of which are selectively connected to each other by retractable locking pins which lock the telescoping tubular members in place relative to one another.

Preferably, the exercise device has a length of about 26″, and a width of about 5″ to about 6″ when fully assembled. When disassembled, the device can be conveniently and compactly stored in a small storage pouch.

The present invention also is directed to various methods for using the aforementioned exercise device to exercise the abdominal muscles while in a supine or seated position. In one presently preferred method, a user performs sit-up type exercises by grasping the hand grip portions of the exercise device with both hands such that the person's hands are positioned at shoulder width in a laterally spaced position slightly forward and above the user's shoulders, while holding the middle portion of the exercise device against the back of the user's neck above the user's shoulders. From a supine position, the user then contracts the abdominal muscles to elevate the user's back from the floor toward the knees while gripping the exercise device and holding it against the back of the user's neck above the user's shoulders, relaxes the abdominal muscles to lower the user's back to the floor while griping the exercise device and holding it against the back of the user's neck above the user's shoulders, and repeats said contracting and relaxing steps multiple times as desired to exercise the abdominal muscles.

In other preferred method for exercising abdominal muscles, the user places the aforementioned hand-held device behind the user's neck while in a supine or seated position, grasps the hand grip portions of the device with both hands such that the user's hands are positioned at shoulder width in a laterally spaced position slightly forward and above the user's shoulders, while holding the middle portion of the device against the back of the user's neck above the shoulders, and performs an exercise selected from the group consisting of sit-ups, bicycle crunches, elevated leg crunches, Russian twists, the static boat pose, leg raises and reverse crunches, all while grasping the hand grip portions and holding the middle portion against the back of the user's neck above the user's shoulders.

In yet another preferred method, the user performs rowing type exercise with the aid of an elastic resistance band while in a seated position with legs outstretched, by connecting the ends of a resistance band to the exercise device, placing a central portion of the resistance band over the bottoms of the user's feet, grasping the hand grips with both hands with palms facing downward, pulling the exercise device toward the user's chest against the contracting force of the resistance band, relaxing to allow the resistance band to return the exercise device to a position closer to the user's feet, and repeating the pulling and relaxing steps multiple times as desired to simulate a rowing action.

These and other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, features of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As shown in the drawings for purposes of illustration, the invention is embodied in a hand-held exercise device10designed for use in performing abdominal exercises from a supine or seated position while on a floor, exercise mat or other surface. The device10includes a contoured middle portion12for fitting comfortably around the back of the user's neck and a pair of end portions14which are designed to be gripped by the user's hands when in use.

In accordance with the present invention, the end portions14of the device extend away from the middle portion12in opposite directions, preferably along the same plane as the middle portion, and serve as positive hand grips to maintain the user's hands at shoulder width during use. Each end portion14is preferably about the same length as the middle portion12. The hand grips14are designed to be gripped by the user's hands during use, and they are distanced sufficiently apart that the users hands will be maintained at shoulder width when gripping them. Further, in a preferred embodiment, the end portions14are selectively detachable from the middle portion12and can be connected to the middle portion in two different ways, which allows the user to choose between two different hand positions, both at shoulder width, when the device is in use, and to selectively reduce the size of the device for compact storage and transport.

In a preferred embodiment, as best shown inFIGS.1-4, each hand grip14includes a central portion16flanked by two end portions, i.e., an inward end portion18joined to the middle portion12, and an outward end portion20. In a preferred embodiment, the central portion16of each hand grip is relatively straight and generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the exercise device10, such that the palms of the user's hand will face forward when the central portion is gripped by the user's hands during use. In a preferred embodiment, the central portions16are also aligned with each other along a longitudinal axis that is generally parallel to the user's shoulders when in use. Preferably, each central portion16has a width of about 4″ to accommodate the width of a typical user's hand and which is more comfortable on the user's wrist when the user is gripping the device.

The end portions18,20of the hand grips14extend rearwardly at an angle from the central portion16, and serve as the outer boundary or limit confining the user's hands to the central portion of the hand grip. A low bend angle of about 20° relative to the longitudinal axis of the central portion16is preferred for the outward end portion20, while a slightly greater bend angle of about 45° is preferred for the inward end portion18, although variations in the bend angles are permissible. Each end portion18,20is preferably straight with a length of about 1″ to about 2″.

It is preferred that the outward ends22of the outward end portions20be blunt or flat, and fitted with plastic push-in end caps24having rounded or beveled edges for greater safety. The inwardmost ends26of the inward end portions18also can be fitted with plastic end caps, if desired. The inwardmost ends are best shown inFIG.8.

The middle portion12of the exercise device10has a curved center section28terminating in two straight end sections30. The center section28preferably has a centerline radius of about 5″ extending through an arc of about 90° to fit comfortably around the back of the user's neck. The center of curvature is also preferably fixed at or about midway between the hand grips14, so that it will be located directly behind the user's neck when the device10is properly placed for exercising. The straight end sections30preferably have a length of about 2″ to about 3″. The depth of the middle portion is selected to accommodate the distance between the back of the user's neck and a position slightly forward of the user's shoulders where the hand grips will lie when the device10is in use, as best shown inFIG.5. By fitting behind the user's neck while extending slightly forward of and above the user's shoulders, the device10does not require the user's hands and shoulders to be flexed backward when in use, thus relieving the stress and pulling force on the shoulders and neck muscles which can occur when performing conventional sit-ups with the hands clasped behind the user's head. By fixing the user's hand at shoulder width when in use, the device avoids stressing the auxiliary and secondary muscles groups in the user's shoulders, back and neck which can occur if the user's arms were spread.

The present invention allows construction of a device10to fit any size person. In a preferred embodiment, the distance between the front of each hand grip portion14and the back of the middle portion12is about 5″ to about 6″, and more preferably about 5.5″, and the distance between the hand grips14is about 13″ to about 15″, and more preferably about 14″, as measured between the center of each hand grip. The overall length of the device10is preferably no more than about 3′, and more preferably no more than about 30″, as measured along a straight line joining the outermost ends22of the device. In a preferred embodiment, the overall length is about 25″ to about 27″, and most preferably about 26″, as measured along a straight line joining the outermost ends22of the device10. This is sufficient to accommodate most shoulder widths, yet small enough to be easily compacted for storage and transport as described in more detail below. Smaller physiques of women and children may benefit from a slightly different set of measurements for the device.

The device10is preferably constructed of lightweight rigid tubular material, such as metal (for example, aluminum) or plastic (for example, PVC) which results in a light weight, easy to use device which is also easy and inexpensive to manufacture. The tubular construction can best be seen inFIGS.8-10. When using metal such as lightweight tubular aluminum, the outer surface of the metal can be given a smooth finish or it can be given a textured finish to create extra grip for the user's hands, if desired.

The device10is preferably made from hollow tube stock which is circular in cross section, although other shapes can be used if desired. The outside diameter of the tube stock is a parameter that can affect user comfort. The larger the outside diameter, the larger the area over which force is distributed. Hence, a large diameter can prevent soreness due to pressure of the device against the body. The maximum outside diameter is limited by the comfort of the user's hands gripping the device. The outside diameter of the tube stock can be useful when as large as 3″, although an outside diameter of about 2″ is generally the maximum to which most users would become easily accustomed. An outside diameter in the range of about 1″ to about 1¼″ is preferred.

In a preferred embodiment, the device10is constructed out of three telescoping tubing segments that snap together and can be easily connected or disconnected for reconfiguration and for compact storing and transport.

FIG.6shows a preferred telescoping construction for the device10configured such that the left and right side hand grips14are detachable from the middle portion12, each of which is made out of a separate tubing segment. Details of the preferred snap connection for selectively connecting and disconnecting the three segments of this knock-down configuration will be described in more detail later in connection withFIGS.8-10. Suffice it to say at this point that the inward end18of each hand grip portion14is detachably connected to one of the outward ends30of the middle portion12by means of a retractable locking pin32mounted on a leaf spring34disposed in the inward end portion18of each hand grip14. The leaf spring34is preferably made of spring steel or other flexible material. When the leaf spring34is expanded, the locking pin32—which protrudes through a small opening36in the tube wall of the hand grip14—engages a corresponding aligned opening38in the tube wall of the straight end section30of the middle portion12to lock the hand grip and middle portions together. Depressing the pin32compresses the leaf spring34, causing the pin to disengage from the opening38in the middle portion12and allow the hand grip portion14to be detached from the middle portion.

Referring again toFIG.6, which shows the device10broken down into the middle portion12and separate left and right hand grips14, each of those segments preferably has a length in the range of about 9″ to about 11″. Due to their compact size and similar shapes, the disassembled pieces can be arranged adjacent each other and placed inside a flexible fabric or leather carrying pouch40with a draw string closure42as shown inFIG.7. The draw string42can be provided with a movable clip44which can be used as a small handle to carry the pouch40or to adjust the size of the loop46at the end of the drawstring42to close the loop around a user's wrist for carrying. In addition to the storage pouch40as shown, other types of storage containers also can be used to store the disassembled parts of the exercise device10. For example, the storage pouch can be configured as a small backpack (not shown) with straps for carrying on the user's back.

As seen in more detail inFIGS.8-10, the inward ends18of the hand grips14are slidably received in telescoping fashion into the outward ends30of the middle portion12and locked into place with a retractable locking pin or spring button32mounted in the end of the hand grip. The straight construction on the interlocking ends18,30of the hand grips14and middle portion12facilitate the sliding telescoping movement. In a preferred embodiment, the middle portion12has an outside diameter of about 1¼″ and an inside diameter of about 1⅛″ to slidably receive the ends18of the hand grip portions14which are about 1 1/16″ in outside diameter and about 15/16″ in inside diameter. The close clearance between the outside diameter of the hand grip portion14and the inside diameter of the middle portion12provides a snug fit and limits the amount of play and wiggle between the hand grips and the middle portion when the device is assembled. Additional snugness can be achieved by wrapping the inward end portion18of the hand grip14with a sleeve (not shown) prior to insertion into the middle portion12, or by inserting a lining (not shown) into the end30of the middle portion12before inserting the hand grip portion14.

Referring again toFIGS.8-10, the overlapping tube walls in the telescoping sections of the middle and hand grip portions12,14each contain holes36,38which are in a straight radial alignment with each other when the device is fully assembled. In a preferred embodiment, the retractable locking pins32which are mounted the inward ends30of each hand grip portion14are capable of fitting into the holes36,38. The pin32extends through the hole36,38in the wall of the tubular member and is retracted by virtue of being mounted on a flexible resilient V-shaped clip or leaf spring34. When the locking pin32is depressed, such as by ordinary finger pressure, the clip34compresses and the locking pin is pushed down below the hole36, allowing the tubular member of the hand grip portion14to be slidably and telescopically disposed into the end30of the middle portion12. As the sliding movement is continued, the hole36in the hand grip portion14eventually becomes aligned with the hole38in the middle portion12, whereupon the locking pin32pops up into the middle portion hole38and locks the tubular members of the middle and hand grip portions12,14together in that position. In a preferred embodiment, the outside diameter of the locking pin32is made relatively close to the inside diameter of the locking pin holes36,38, to advantageously prevent or limit relative rotation or twisting of the hand grip and middle portions12,14when assembled, thus ensuring that the various portions of the device10remain in their intended and proper alignment during use. Depressing the locking pin32below the hole38in the middle portion12allows the hand grip portion14to be slidably removed from the end30of the middle portion12. The locking pins32are preferably made of metal, but also can be made of other materials such as plastic.

In a presently preferred embodiment, locking pin holes38are provided on both the top and the bottom sides of the middle portion12, radially aligned and spaced 180° degrees apart, as best shown inFIGS.8-10, and the locking pins32are configured to extend through the holes38in opposite directions relative to the exercise device10when the device is fully assembled, as shown inFIGS.1-4. Configuring the pins32and holes38in this manner has at least two advantages. First, it allows the hand grips14to be connected to the middle portion12in two different ways—the regular configuration shown inFIGS.1-4and a reverse or horseshoe configuration as shown inFIGS.11-14where the hand grips14are rotated on axis by 180° relative to the orientation shown inFIGS.1-4. In addition, it allows the hand grips14to be made identical to each other. No separate left or right grips are required. This reduces manufacturing costs and facilitates case of use and assembly by the end user because it is no longer necessary for the user to keep track of which hand grip14fits into which end of the device10.

In the horseshoe configuration as shown inFIGS.11-15, the hand grips14remain co-planar with the middle portion12and continue to position the user's hands at shoulder width during use, but the central portion16of each hand grip is now configured to be generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the exercise device, such that the palms of the user's hands will face inward toward each other when the central portions are gripped by the user's hands during use, as best shown inFIG.15. It will be noted that the user's hands remain at generally the same location slightly forward of and above the user's shoulders as when the hand grips14are arranged as shown inFIGS.1-4. Some users may find this horseshoe configuration to be more comfortable to use due to their physical limitations, while retaining many of the same benefits of reduced stress on the shoulders, back and neck muscles provided by the regular configuration shown inFIGS.1-4.

Referring again toFIGS.1-4, and toFIGS.11-14, in a preferred embodiment, the outer surface of the middle portion12is sheathed with resilient padding48, which is disposed around the middle portion of the device10for part, but not all, of its length, leaving the locking pin holes38exposed. The padding48may be made from a variety of different materials, for example, soft rubber or open cell foam for cushioning and absorbency, or closed cell foam which is sturdier and stiffer but still provides good cushioning, shock absorption and is resistant to mold, mildew and bacteria. The padding48can be wrapped around the tube in one or more layers. The thickness of the padding48can vary from about ⅝″ to about 1⅛″, or more, as desired. The padding48can protect the surface of the tubing and cushion the tube against the user's neck, thus enhancing physical comfort and preventing skin abrasion when the exercise device10is in use. Thicker padding generally provides more cushioning and added comfort for the user. Optionally, a similar or different padding material can be wrapped around hand grip portions14, if desired, to prevent skin abrasions to the user's hands and provide the user with a more comfortable gripping surface.

In a preferred embodiment, the padding48is provided with beveled ends50as shown inFIGS.1-4, to smooth the transition from padded to unpadded areas of the device10. For very thick padding, it may be desirable to form a recessed area52in the central portion of the padding between enlarged ends54, as best shown inFIG.16, to make the padding more form fitting with a cupping effect especially around the back of the user's neck, which may enhance user comfort and resist unwarranted sliding movement of the device10across the back of the user's neck.

The padding48may be sold as a pre-installed part of the exercise device10or as an aftermarket add-on accessory device in the form of a detachable slide-on cylindrical sleeve made of the padding material with a central axial bore sized to closely match the outer diameter of the tubing material.

The exercise device10can be used by a person to perform sit-ups while in a supine position by grasping the device with both hands56—one hand on each hand grip14with palms facing forward—and placing the middle portion12of the device behind the back of the user's neck58resting on the neck above the shoulders60, as best shown inFIGS.17-18. Lying on their back62with knees64bent and feet65flat on the floor as shown inFIG.17, the user then contracts the abdominal muscles to elevate both the upper and lower vertebrae from the floor until everything above the buttocks is not touching the ground and the user is in an upright seated position as shown inFIG.18. The movement66can be made easier by pushing the hands56forward against the hand grips14while the middle portion12is resting on and supporting the back of the user's neck58. The user can then relax the abdominal muscles to lower his back onto the floor as shown inFIG.17, while continuing to hold the exercise device against the back of the user's neck58throughout the entire range of motion. These movements can be repeated multiple times to exercise the abdominal muscles, in a manner similar to traditional sit-ups.

By maintaining the user's hands56at shoulder width and slightly forward and above the user's shoulders60, the exercise device10eliminates strain on the users neck58and shoulders60, and allows the user's shoulders to flex without unduly loading the auxiliary and secondary neck, back and shoulder muscles.

Placing the device10behind the user's neck58also supports the user's neck and keeps the user's hands, head and neck in the proper position for safely and effectively isolating and targeting the abdominal muscles for exercise. It also helps to relieve high compressive lumbar loads and lower back strain when performing sit-ups or other exercise that involve elevating both the upper and lower back from the floor and bending at the waist from a supine toward a seated position in order to strengthen, tighten and tone abdominal muscles. The forward force of the user's arms against the device10can assist in raising the user's neck58and back62from the floor without flexing the neck forward or rounding the upper back each time the user elevates the back from the floor.

In addition to performing these sit-up type of exercises, the exercise device10also can be used to perform a variety of additional exercises from a supine or seated position, thus maximizing the utility of the device as an exercise apparatus. Examples of exercises that can be performed with the device10from a supine position include sit-ups (regular), sit-ups (twists), bicycle crunches and elevated leg crunches. Examples of exercises that can be performed with the device10from a seated position include Russian twists and the static boat pose, as well as leg raises and reverse crunches performed in a Fowler's position. All of these exercises are performed while holding the exercise device10with the hands56on the hand grips14and the middle portion12resting on the back of the user's neck58above the user's shoulders60, as previously described.

The device10also can be used to perform rowing type exercises with the aid of an elastic resistance band68as shown inFIG.19. The ends70of the resistance band68are removably attached to the exercise device10near the junction between the hand grip and middle portions14,12with straps72made of strong woven nylon webbing that are connected to the ends of the resistance band. The straps72are preferably connected to the resistance band68in a permanent manner which can be done in various ways, including for example, by passing the ends70of the resistance band68through grommet holes74on the straps72and terminating the ends of the band with enlarged heads76that are too large in diameter to pass through grommet hole.

While in a seated position with legs78outstretched, the user then places the resistance band68over the bottom of his feet80and grasps the hand grips14in each hand82with palms facing downward, as shown inFIG.19. The user pulls the exercise device10toward his chest against the contracting force of the resistance band68, then relaxes to allow the resistance band to return the exercise device to its original position away from the user's chest and closer to the user's feet80, repeating this motion as many times as desired to simulate a rowing action.

From the forgoing, it will be appreciated that the exercise device10of the present invention reduces the stress and strain on a user's neck, shoulders and back by keeping the user's hands, head and neck in proper exercise position when performing sit-ups and other abdominal exercises in a supine or seated position. Further, the hand grips14can be reconfigured allowing the user to choose between two different hand positions and select the one most comfortable for use, and the device10can be disassembled and reduced in size for compact storage and transport by removing the hand grips14and placing them alongside the middle portion12inside a storage pouch40or other container. The device10is also extremely easy to manufacture and use, and can be used to perform a variety of different exercises.

While several particular forms of the invention have been illustrated and described, it will be apparent that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. Accordingly, it is not intended that this invention be limited, except as by the appended claims.