Portable exercise device for cushioning and supporting the body while exercising

An exercise device for cushioning and supporting a user while exercising and developing arm, leg, back, and abdominal muscles and reducing fat around the stomach and abdominal area. The exercise device has a pair of equally sized rectangular mats including an upper and a lower mat having a hinge connection for folding in half. Said mats have a top surface, a bottom surface, and side edges. The upper mat has two internally positioned flexible shafts, two adjustable straps extend upwardly from the upper mat, and an outwardly extending head support panel. The lower mat has two internally positioned, non-flexible shafts, two adjustable feet straps, and two grasping straps.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to an exercise device, and more particularly, to a portable exercise device for cushioning and supporting the body while developing arm, leg, back, and abdominal muscles and reduce fat around the stomach and abdominal area.

More and more Americans are becoming overweight and obese. During the 1990's, the incidence of people who were either obese or overweight increased regardless of age, education, race or gender. The reason for the increase is two pronged, lack of exercise and diet. Leading more sedentary lives than ever, Americans are also consuming more foods loaded with fat, calories and cholesterol. Much of the increased weight is developed around the stomach area and detracts from the physical appearance of individuals but there is much more to worry about than how that fat around the waist makes one look. Unlike fat around the hips, the fat around and above the waist is the kind associated with an increased risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and some cancers.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,033,742 to Johnson et al. discloses an inflatable sit-up exercise device for cushioning and supporting the body when used by an exerciser doing sit-up type exercises. U.S. Pat. No. 5,931,768 to Amesquita discloses an abdominal and lower back exercise apparatus having and elongated rigid member for positioning between a user's back and a support surface for executing a crunch. U.S. Pat. No. 6,491,608 to Stearns discloses an exercise machine having a platform on which a user is supported in a reclining position. U.S. Pat. No. 6,213,923 to Cameron et al. discloses a back exercise device and method for strengthening the muscles of lower back and abdomen. U.S. Pat. No. 2,533,273 to MacGregor discloses exercising equipment for use in reducing weight of the human body without objectionable loss of weight of the face and neck. U.S. Pat. No. 5,913,757 to Winters discloses a crunch abdomen exercise apparatus to facilitate the crunch abdomen exercise. U.S. Pat. No. 5,871,425 to Gvoich discloses an abdominal exercise device for exercising all of the major muscles comprising the upper and lower abdomen and back. U.S. Pat. No. 5,882,284 to Cayne discloses an abdominal exercising apparatus having a platform having two upwardly extending sidewalls. U.S. Pat. No. 5,776,042 to Szabo discloses an abdominal exercise device having two U-shaped frame members.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to produce a means for cushioning and supporting the body while developing arm, leg, back, and abdominal muscles and reducing fat around the stomach and abdominal area. Accordingly, the invention is an exercise device having two, equally sized, rectangular mats, including an upper and a lower mat, which are hingedly connected together for cushioning and supporting the body while exercising and developing arm, leg, back, and abdominal muscles and reducing fat around the stomach and abdominal area.

It is another object of the invention to provide an exercise device capable of supporting the neck while doing sit-ups. Accordingly, the upper mat of the invention is equipped with two internally positioned, flexible fiberglass shafts which function as a neck support and anchor for two straps which are grasped by the user during sit-up exercises.

It is another object of the invention to provide an exercise device capable of being used for leg lifts and stretches. Accordingly, the lower mat of the invention has two internally positioned, non-flexible shafts with feet straps attached for use during sit ups, leg lifts, and stretches.

It is another object of the invention to provide an exercise device capable of being folded for easy transport and storage. Accordingly, the rectangular mats of the invention conveniently fold up for easy transport and storage.

This invention is an exercise device for cushioning and supporting a user while exercising and developing arm, leg, back, and abdominal muscles and reducing fat around the stomach and abdominal area. The exercise device has a pair of equally sized rectangular mats including an upper and a lower mat having a hinge connection for folding in half. Said mats have a top surface, a bottom surface, and side edges. The upper mat has two internally positioned flexible shafts, two adjustable straps extend upwardly from the upper mat, and an outwardly extending head support panel. The lower mat has two internally positioned, non-flexible shafts, two adjustable feet straps, and two grasping straps.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1illustrates a portable exercise device10for cushioning and supporting a body of a user while exercising and developing arm, leg, back, and abdominal muscles and reducing fat around the stomach and abdominal area.

The exercise device10has two, equally sized, rectangular mats12, including an upper12A and a lower mat12B, which are hingedly connected at a hinge50, for cushioning and supporting the body while exercising and developing arm, leg, back, and abdominal muscles and reducing fat around the stomach and abdominal area. The upper12A and lower mats12B are together preferably sized to be “full length”, allowing a person to lay upon the device10and have the mats extend fully beneath them—from the bottom of their feet to the top of their head. The upper and lower mats12A and12B fold in half along the hinge50for easy transport and storage. The mats12are preferably made in various sizes for accommodating different shaped bodies. In addition, the upper mat12A has three segments121,122,123that allow the upper mat12A to conform to the spine as it is flexed. Further, the lower mat12B has a longitudinal split124that allows the legs to be lifted independently—such as while performing leg lifts.

The exercise device10is capable of supporting the neck while doing sit-ups. The upper mat12A of the invention is equipped with two internally positioned, flexible fiberglass shafts14and two top straps16. The flexible fiberglass shafts support the muscles immediately adjacent to the spine. In addition, the upper mat12A includes an outwardly extending head support panel13. The shafts14function as a neck support and anchor for the two straps16which are grasped by the user during sit-up exercises. The shafts14are preferably two inches in width and are spaced approximately six inches apart within the upper mat12A in order to clear a spine of the user while exercising. The two top straps16, which are preferably adjustable, are made of will give slightly when pulled upwardly thereon by the user, extend upwardly from the upper mat12A. The two straps16each include a handle grip18for comfortable grasping by the user while doing sit-ups.

The exercise device10is also capable of being used for leg lifts and stretches. The lower mat12B of the invention has two internally positioned, non-flexible shafts20, two feet straps22, and two grasping straps24. The two feet straps22, preferably made of nylon, are adjustable and hold a feet of the user during sit-ups, leg-lifts, and stretches. The feet straps22preferably extend across the shins and can adjust to extend over the toes. The grasping straps24are attached along the two feet straps22and are used for leg lifts and hip stretches. The grasping straps24are preferably made of rubber for easily stretching and giving. The grasping straps24also include handle grips18.

To ballast the user while performing sit-ups, the lower mat has a pair of metal tabs25. The metal tabs25can be slid under a door to help keep the lower mat12A anchored against the ground while the user performs sit-ups.

Referring toFIG. 2, the mats12include a top surface30, a bottom surface32, and side edges40. Centrally positioned along the top surface of the mats12centrally between the upper and lower mats12A and12B is a non-skid covering34for preventing of the user from sliding during workouts. In addition, the bottom surface32of the mats12also contains non-skid covering36for preventing the mats12from moving during workouts, shown inFIG. 2.

FIG. 4illustrates the mats12folded into a compact, briefcase-like configuration for easy transport and storage. Both the upper and lower mats12A and12B each include two locking holes38which extend therethrough. The upper and lower mats12A and12B easily fold in half along hinge50. When folded in half, the locking holes of the upper mat12A align with the locking holes38of the lower mat12B. A key44, preferably plastic is inserted within the locking holes for locking and unlocking the upper and lower mats12A and12B together for prohibiting use. A handle42is attached along one of the side edges40of the mats12for easily lifting and carrying the exercise device10.

FIGS. 2 and 3illustrate the exercise device10in use exercising abdominal muscles while doing sit ups. First, a user spreads out the exercise device10on a flat surface. Then, the user then lies with their back downwardly on the upper and lower mats12A and12B such that their buttocks are positioned above the non-skid covering34and their head is positioned above the head support panel13. Then the user positions their feet within the feet straps22and bends their knees as shown. Then the user grasps the handle grips18of the two straps16and performs a sit up, leading with arms, as usual by lifting upwardly using their abdominal muscles to complete and once the abdominal muscle has contracted, slowing lying back downwardly to relax the muscle. The exercise is repeated for as many times as desired.

The exercise device10may be used in numerous ways to accomplish different exercise goals. In particular, the exercise device can be used for performing neck crunches, buttock and thigh stretches, and for working on the chest area. In addition, various adaptations can be made to accommodate people with injuries. For example, if the user needs help, a chair can be used or a trainer will stand over the user. In addition, the mat can be configured as a one-person mat (as shown), or as a two person mat for use by a person that is heavy or injured. Further, the mat can be used such that one person sits across the other person, and they will both get an upper body workout.

In conclusion, herein is presented an exercise device for cushioning and supporting a user while exercising and developing arm, leg, back, and abdominal muscles and reducing fat around the stomach and abdominal area. The invention is illustrated by example in the drawing figures, and throughout the written description. It should be understood that numerous variations are possible, while adhering to the inventive concept. Such variations are contemplated as being a part of the present invention.