Abstract:
A fitness device comprises a waist belt configured to fit around a user&#39;s waist and at least one resilient leg loop member. The resilient leg loop member has a proximal end movably anchored to the waist belt at a posterior position. The resilient leg loop member has an opposite distal end configured for coupling with one of the user&#39;s feet. The fitness device causes a predetermined resistance force to be generated against the user&#39;s movement when the user extends the leg loop member beyond its length at rest. In some embodiments, two resilient leg loop members are provided. Methods of using the exercise device are also described.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/753,327, filed on Jan. 16, 2013, which is incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Fitness enthusiasts still seek better solutions to achieving their goals. As just one example, conventional approaches to exercising the gluteal and other lower body muscles have drawbacks. Some conventional approaches require use of large machines, but such machines are expensive, occupy significant space and can be difficult and/or intimidating to use. In addition, it can be difficult to achieve the proper resistances and to apply them in the proper directions with current approaches, especially when considering a broad class of users having different statures, abilities, and ranges of motion, to name just a few variables. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    Described below is an exercise device that is portable, effective and overcomes some of the other drawbacks of the conventional approaches. 
         [0004]    According to one implementation, the fitness device comprises a waist belt configured to fit around a user&#39;s waist and at least one resilient leg loop member. The resilient leg loop member has a proximal end movably anchored to the waist belt at a posterior position. The resilient leg loop member has an opposite distal end configured for coupling with one of the user&#39;s feet. The fitness device causes a predetermined resistance force to be generated against the user&#39;s movement when the user extends the leg loop member beyond its length at rest. 
         [0005]    The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying figures. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  is a side elevation view of the fitness device according to one embodiment with the waist belt extended to lay flat and showing the leg assembly of two leg resistance members. 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is a schematic side elevation view of the fitness device of  FIG. 1  as worn by the user and in use to perform an exercise. 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is a schematic rear elevation view of the fitness device of  FIG. 1  as work by the user and showing the approximate position of the leg resistance members as positioned for a selected exercise. 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  is an elevation view of the fitness device according to another embodiment that can have one or two leg resistance members. 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view showing a portion of a leg resistance member with a belt loop type attachment for attaching the leg resistance member to the waist belt. 
           [0011]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of showing a portion of a leg resistance member with another belt loop attachment. 
           [0012]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a foot piece. 
           [0013]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of another foot piece as positioned around the user&#39;s foot. 
           [0014]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a portion of the belt showing an implementation with a multi-layer construction. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0015]      FIG. 1  is a side elevation view of a fitness device  100  according to one embodiment as it would appear if stretched end to end or laid flat. The fitness device  100  includes a waist belt  102  and a leg loop assembly  108  that extends from the waist belt  102 . In the illustrated implementation, there are first and second resilient leg loop members  110 ,  112  that are movably anchored along the waist belt  102 . In the illustrated implementation, each leg loop member is independently movable along the waist belt  102 . 
         [0016]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , which is a schematic depiction of a user using the fitness device  100 , the user has fastened the waist belt  102  around her waist by passing a free end  106  through a buckle  104 . Depending upon the specific exercise being performed, and whether the fitness device is provided with one or two leg loop members, the user then positions the loop member(s) as desired and engages it. 
         [0017]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , only the leg loop member  110  is present, and the user has prepared for the selected exercise by kneeling on her right knee and supporting her body with her arms. The user has engaged her left foot in the leg loop member  110  and then extended it against the resistance developed in the leg loop member  110  between the anchor point on the belt  102  and a distal end positioned near or on the user&#39;s foot. Repeatedly extending and retracting the leg, and/or lifting the extended leg, as shown generally by the arrows, are examples of two representative exercises to strengthen the user&#39;s muscles and tone the body, including the gluteus and other lower body muscles. 
         [0018]      FIG. 3  is a schematic view of the user, shown from the rear and in a standing but crouched position, preparing to complete a different exercise with the fitness device  100 . In the  FIG. 3  example, the user has the leg loop member  110  engaged with the left foot and the leg loop member  112  engaged with the right foot. The leg loop members  110 ,  112  have their proximal ends  114 ,  116  positioned at anchor points  122 ,  124 , respectively, along the belt  102 . In some embodiments, and as described elsewhere in further detail, the anchor points are movable along the belt to position the leg loop members  110 ,  112  for proper execution of the selected exercise and the user&#39;s comfort, as well as to accommodate users of different sizes. 
         [0019]    Referring again to  FIG. 1 , in a specific implementation, a first proximal end  114  of the first leg loop member  110  is shown to be coupled to the belt  102  at the anchor point  122  with a belt loop member  126 . Similarly, a second proximal end  116  of the second leg loop member  112  is coupled to the belt  102  at the anchor point  124  with another belt loop member  126 . Of course, it is possible to couple the leg loop members  110 ,  112  to the belt  102  in different ways. 
         [0020]    The leg loop members  110 ,  112  comprise a resistance member  128  (or at least a length of resistance material). In the illustrated implementations, the resistance member  128  is formed to have a loop, and also may have an optional junction  130 . The resistance member  128  is formed of a resilient material or is otherwise configured to provide resistance, at least when extended (in tension). Suitable materials for the resistance member  128  include latex, rubber and other natural and synthetic materials. The materials can be provided in any suitable shape, such as a tubular shape as shown or as a solid cord or flat member, as just some examples. The material and its dimensions can be selected to develop a desired resistance force range for a user of a given size. 
         [0021]    In the illustrated implementation, the loop of the leg loop member  110 , for example, extends from its proximal end  114  to its distal end  118 . Conveniently, a loop of this size can extend under tension to run along the outside of the user&#39;s extended leg, around her foot region and back along the inside of her leg. In this way, exercises can completed over a full range of the user&#39;s motion and the leg loop member does not undesirably impinge against the user&#39;s body. With the leg loop member  110  positioned at the sides of the leg rather than along the front or back of the leg, there is only incidental contact between the leg loop member  110  and the user&#39;s leg as the leg is moved through its cycle, which makes the exercise effort more even and reduces chaffing or other similar effects from direct contact between the leg and an elastic member being repeatedly loaded and unloaded. 
         [0022]    It is also possible to configure the exercise device to have leg loop members with straight sections extending from the belt and terminating in smaller loops. Such smaller loops are sized to accommodate at least the user&#39;s feet. In addition, it is also possible in some implementations to have two leg loop members extend from a single anchor point on the belt. In some cases, the final configuration may affect which exercises can be performed and the useful range of the device. 
         [0023]    As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the fitness device can be used by simply engaging at least one foot, e.g., around the midsection of the foot, with the respective leg loop member  110  or  112 . As shown for the specific implementation of  FIG. 1 , however, the fitness device  100  can have a foot piece  132  on each of the leg loop members  110 ,  112  for securing it to the respective foot, particularly when the leg is relaxed from its extended position. As illustrated, the foot piece  132  includes a body  134  and an adjustable strap  136  with overlapped first and second ends  138 ,  140 , respectively, that are secured together, e.g, by hook and loop fasteners  142 . The body  134  can have a tubular construction that keeps it secured to the respective leg loop member  110  or  112  but allows it to be slid into position as desired. 
         [0024]      FIG. 4  is a side elevation view of a fitness device  200  according to another implementation. The fitness device  200  is similar to the fitness device  100 , but includes only a single leg loop member  210 , and the belt loop member  246  is slightly modified. For convenience, the components of fitness device  200  are identified with reference numerals of the corresponding components of the fitness device  100 , plus  100 . 
         [0025]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a belt loop member  226  showing a portion of a resistance member  228  passing through a resistance member channel  246  that is formed in the belt loop member  226 . The belt loop member  226  can be formed of a loop of material, such as from webbing or other suitable material. As shown, there is a separate belt channel  244  sized for sliding over the belt  202  ( FIG. 4 ). As illustrated, the belt channel  244  can be separated from the resistance member channel, such as by a seam  248 . Alternatively, the belt could be fitted with clips to receive the resistance members, or the resistance members could be directly connected to the belt. 
         [0026]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the belt loop member  126  shown in a slightly exploded state to illustrate details of the construction. A portion of the resistance member  128  is shown passing through a resistance member channel  146 . There is also a separate belt channel  144 . An inner end  152  and an outer end  154  of material are overlapped to form a loop. A resulting area of overlap  156  is reinforced, such as with stitching  158 . In the belt loop member  126 , there are optional wing portions  150  extending from either side. In some implementations, the wing portions can have attached hook and loop fastener material to keep the belt loop member  126  temporarily in place at a desired location along the belt. 
         [0027]    Leg loop members having different sizes or providing for different resistance forces may be substituted. For example, a user can simply unfasten the belt  102 , remove the current belt loop member  126  and thread on a substitute belt loop member with an attached leg loop member of a different size or resiliency. 
         [0028]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the foot piece  132 , which shows the overlapping ends  138 ,  140  of the strap  136  and how they are secured together from another angle.  FIG. 8  is yet another perspective view of the foot piece  132  as arranged around the user&#39;s left foot. 
         [0029]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a portion of the belt  102  showing an implementation having an optional multi-layer construction. As shown, a first layer  170  of a webbing material is aligned and attached to a second layer  172 , such as with stitching, to ensure that the device has sufficient strength and durability. 
         [0030]    In some implementations, such as when the gluteus muscles are the target of the exercise, the anchor points  122 ,  124  are positioned so that the line of action of the resistance members  128  extends along the approximate midline of the buttock, roughly as shown in  FIG. 2 . This position of the anchor point(s) can also be described as at least slightly posterior of the user&#39;s midplane, or at a rear of the user. In the  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 4  embodiments, such positioning is achieved accomplished by sliding each belt loop member  126  or  226  as desired along the length of the belt, such as to the position shown in  FIG. 2 . Positioning the anchor points correctly and maintaining them throughout the exercise is important, and the belt with movable anchor points makes otherwise inconvenient or impossible resistance member directions achievable, especially when the user is unable to use her hands to hold or to adjust the resistance member. For other exercises, the anchor points can be adjusted accordingly to achieve the desired line of action or “pull” with the respective resistance members. 
         [0031]    Although the belt  102 ,  202  has been described as a waist belt, it is noted that the belt can be adjusted to allow it to be worn above the waist or below the waist, such as in the area of the user&#39;s hips. 
         [0032]    In view of the many possible embodiments to which the disclosed principles may be applied, it should be recognized that the illustrated embodiments are only preferred examples and should not be taken as limiting in scope. Rather, the scope of protection is defined by the following claims. We therefore claim all that comes within the scope and spirit of these claims.