Abstract:
An exercise mat may provide markings indicating where a person places their hands in relation to their feet to obtain the alignment necessary to exercise selected muscles of the chest by performing one or more pushups. Other markings on the mat may facilitate the desired positioning of the body for sit-ups and other floor exercises for exercising desired selected muscle groups of the body.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application claims priority from and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/021,540, filed Jan. 16, 2008, by the same inventor and entitled Exercise Mat, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    This disclosure relates generally to exercise equipment and more particularly to an exercise mat adapted to promote the proper form and alignment for pushups, sit-ups and other floor exercises. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    There is a way to trigger each muscle group of the pectoral muscle and a human&#39;s abdominal muscles during pushups and sit-ups as well as other muscle groups when using the mat for multiple floor exercises. In general the anatomy of the pectoral muscles can be divided into four different regions: the inner, outer, lower, and upper. Furthermore, the abdominal muscles of a human body may be broken down into four different areas: upper, middle, lower and the sides of the abdomen (external abdominal obliques). A mat of the present disclosure allows the user to target each of those specific areas by placing their hands wider or closer together during a pushup motion. Similarly with sit-ups the user can target each section of the abdominal muscles by placing their feet and buttocks at certain locations on the mat to position them in relation to each other to work desired muscle groups. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    An exercise mat of the present disclosure may provide markings and measurements indicating where a person places their hands in relation to their feet to exercise selected muscles of the chest more properly, as well as maintaining the necessary alignment of the spine during one or more pushups. The exercise mat disclosed may also provide coded markings and measurements on a region of the mat the user needs to place the buttocks and feet to maximize their workout by targeting each of the areas of the abdominals. These markings and measurements on the mat facilitate the positioning of the body for pushups, sit-ups, and many other exercises. Furthermore, specific alternative embodiments provide, on the opposite side of the mat, an array, or arrangement of circles or other suitable coded markings. Positioned in the center of the mat is a primary circular marking eight inches in diameter. Two inches outside the primary marking is a series of circles six inches in diameter. This pattern continues, with the circles decreasing in diameter by two inch increments as the circles are spread further apart from the center primary circle. A person can be guided by the circles for stretching, lunges, squats, and other floor exercises. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]    For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure, and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which: 
           [0006]      FIG. 1A  is a diagrammatic illustration of an exemplary embodiment of an exercise mat of the present disclosure. 
           [0007]      FIG. 1B  is a diagrammatic illustration of a legend detail of an exemplary embodiment exercise mat of the present disclosure. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a diagrammatic illustration of instructions for an exemplary embodiment of an exercise mat of the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0009]    The present disclosure describes various embodiments of an exercise mat having coded markings on the mat such that the markings correlate cross-back measurements to positions for body parts during exercise. 
         [0010]      FIG. 1A  is a diagrammatic illustration of an exemplary embodiment of an exercise mat of the present disclosure. Mat  100  of the present disclosure may have an area of material twenty four feet six inches squared, six feet six inches in its height and four feet in its width. This amount of area may be preferred so a young child can use the exercise mat but also a fully matured adult of large stature could also use the mat and feel comfortable using it. The twenty four feet six inches of area will allow a much broader range of use among the many different designs of the human body. 
         [0011]    The size of mat  100  maybe adjusted when manufactured to be larger or smaller than mentioned depending on the design choice desired for a particular user. Coded marks  120 ,  130 , on the surface of the mat facilitate proper body alignment during the exercise motions for a push up or sit up, squats, lunges. Coded markings  120 ,  130 , such as for example colors, cross-hatching patterns, dots, ovals, square, circle, hand prints, as well as lines  110 ,  140 ,  142 ,  144 , may be coordinated with legend  150  on exercise mat  100  that correlates or gives a user directions on what each color or other indicator means and what body part a person should place with that certain color during a push up or sit up. 
         [0012]    Directly down the center of mat  100  is a line called the centerline or centering line  110 . Along every twelve inches, or foot, on the centerline is a marking  140  denoting a foot of length. Starting from the top edge  141  of mat  100  on centerline  110  one may count down twelve inches and be at a mark  140  and repeat this pattern to the bottom edge  145  of the mat. 
         [0013]    Every three inches on the centerline  110  there is a mark  142 . The three inch markings  142  are shorter than the half way markings  144  between each foot, but the half way markings  144  are shorter than the foot markings  142 . The lines  144  intersecting at each foot are six inches long horizontally, the lines  144  intersecting at the half way point between each foot are four inches long horizontally, and the line intersecting between the halfway marks of the foot markings are two inches long horizontally. Center line  110  is used to align the user&#39;s feet properly according to the user&#39;s body size during a push up and a sit up. In specific embodiments, the center line as well as the other intersecting lines should be roughly one half of an inch thick. 
         [0014]    For example, a foot and a half down the center line from the top, to the left and to the right horizontal of the centerline  110 , may be a series of color coordinated ovals or other suitable shapes  120  resting next to each other to serve as a guide for hand positions. Not all of the markings are fully exposed; however, five of them are and the remaining fourteen under lap each other. 
         [0015]    In a preferred embodiment only five of the markings  120 , shown in  FIG. 1A  as ovals, in the series may be fully exposed. One of the full shaped ovals  121  is on centerline  110  at a foot and a half down from the top, in the middle of the horizontal arrangement of hand markings  120 . The preferred dimensions of the horizontal arrangement of oval for the placement of the hands may be four inches wide and six inches tall and are oriented vertically on the mat. The other four fully exposed ovals may be as follows: two  123 ,  124  spread fourteen inches apart and centered in accordance with centerline  110 ; the other two  122 ,  125  spread eighteen inches apart in accordance with centerline  110 . Legend  150  maybe provided in the upper right corner of mat  100  to explain markings  120 . 
         [0016]      FIG. 1B  is a diagrammatic illustration of a legend detail of an exemplary embodiment exercise mat of the present disclosure. On the inside of the fully exposed ovals spread fourteen inches apart may be three under-lapping ovals  158   a ,  158   b ; they eventual under-lap the fully exposed center oval  121  of the horizontal arrangement. Between the fully exposed ovals spread at fourteen inches and eighteen inches may be an under-lapping oval  156   a ,  156   b . On the outsides of the fully exposed oval spread at eighteen inches may be three under-lapping ovals  154   a ,  154   b . Each may be under-lapping by approximately half their shape more or less. In the total arrangement there may be nineteen ovals. One on the center line and nine to its right and nine to its left. The spacing of ovals, or other coded markings, correlates to the cross back measurement of an exerciser. 
         [0017]      FIG. 2  is a diagrammatic illustration of instructions for an exemplary embodiment of an exercise mat of the present disclosure. Graphical explanation  210  of markings  120  may be provided by instructions  200 , together with written instructions  220 . Instructions  200  may be included in legend  150  or may be provided as a separate inclusion with the purchase of mat  100  or both. 
         [0018]    The ovals  120  may be placed on mat  100  so that a human can put his hands on those designated areas, align his or her feet with the center line, and perform one or more pushups. The pectoral muscles may be described as having four different regions: the inner, outer, lower, and upper. Mat  100  allows the user to target each of those specific areas by placing their hands wider or closer together during a push up motion. Other body positions such as tilting the chest up or down, keeping the chest higher or feet higher during a push up with the desired spread of the hands will allow the user to target the lower portions of the chest, the upper portions of the chest, the outer portions of the chest and inner portions of the chest. 
         [0019]    On average a small child (boy or girl) has a cross back measurement of fourteen inches. The two shapes  156   a ,  156   b  as a destination point for the user&#39;s hands, spread at fourteen inches apart are for a user who has a cross back measurement of twelve through fifteen inches. These shapes  156   a ,  156   b  spread at fourteen inches are there for people of that stature. 
         [0020]    During a standard pushup a person may position their hands at about shoulder width apart and on the markings  120  suitable for exercising the desired muscles. They can then move their hands closer together to target the inner chest or they can move their hands further apart from that point to target the outer portions of pectoral muscles. It may be helpful for the person using the mat to understand how to tilt the chest to target the upper or lower portions of the chest muscles while the hands are at a desired position on the mat. By understanding how to use the mat, the user can focus more attention on the upper-outer, upper-middle, lower-outer, lower-middle. This will help develop the best muscle growth, strength, and balance in those specific areas. 
         [0021]    On an average, a man or woman has a cross back measurement of eighteen inches. On the exercise mat  100  may be placed two of the shapes  154   a ,  154   b  at eighteen inches apart specifically for the hands of adults to be placed during a standard push up. If an adult with a cross back measurement of eighteen inches would like to work the inner portion of the chest all they have to do is use a few of the shapes closer to the center line; if they want to work the muscle groups on the outer part of pectoralis major, for example, they can place there hands on the other three under-lapping shapes  156   a ,  156   b  outside the shapes spread  123 ,  124  nine inches form the center line. The user places their hands on any of the circles no matter what size their body, align their feet with the center line and bends their elbows, lowering the chest and then straightening their arms to complete a push up and be confident that they are aligned for the best pushup of their body&#39;s ability. 
         [0022]    Table 1 provides a convenient reference guide to convert from clothing sizes to measurements in inches to help determine which markings on the mat to use. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
             
               
               
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Human Sizes and Measurements 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Misses Sizes 
                 5′5″-5′6″ 
               
               
                   
                 Back waist length 
                 15½-17¼ 
               
               
                   
                 Misses Sizes 
                 5′2″-5′3″ 
               
               
                   
                 Back waist length 
                 14½-15¾ 
               
               
                   
                 Junior Sizes 
                 5′4″-5′5″ 
               
               
                   
                 Back waist length 
                     15-16¼ 
               
               
                   
                 Junior Petite 
                 5′1″ 
               
               
                   
                 Back waist length 
                     14-15¼ 
               
               
                   
                 Young Junior Sizes 
                 5′1″-5′3″ 
               
               
                   
                 Back waist length 
                 13½-15¾ 
               
               
                   
                 Woman Sizes 
                 5′5″-5′6″ 
               
               
                   
                 Back waist length 
                 17¼-18     
               
               
                   
                 Girl Sizes 
               
               
                   
                 Back waist length 
                 11½-14¼ 
               
               
                   
                 Gils Plus 
               
               
                   
                 Back waist length 
                 12½-14¾ 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Cross Back 
               
               
                 Woman&#39;s 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Extra small 
                 Small 
                 Medium 
                 Large 
                 1 X 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 14-14½ 
                 14½-15 
                 16-16½ 
                 17-17½ 
                 17½-18½ 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Men&#39;s 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 Extra 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 Extra 
               
               
                 Small 
                 Medium 
                 Large 
                 Extra Large 
                 Large 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 15½-16 
                 16½-17 
                 17½-18 
                 18-18½ 
                 18½-19 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Child Sizes 
               
             
          
           
               
                 2 
                 4 
                 6 
                 8 
                 10 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 9¼ 
                 9¾ 
                 10¼ 
                 10¾ 
                 11¼ 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Child Sizes Cont 
               
             
          
           
               
                 12 
                 14 
                 16 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 12 
                 12¼ 
                 13 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Inches 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Men&#39;s Outseam 
                   
               
               
                   
                 5′4″-5′7″ 
                 37-39½ 
               
               
                   
                 5′8″-5″11 
                 40-42½ 
               
               
                   
                 5′11″½-6′2″ 
                 43-45½ 
               
               
                   
                 6′3″ and over 
                 46 
               
               
                   
                 59-61 
                   39½ 
               
               
                   
                 Boys 
               
               
                   
                 62-64 
                 41 
               
               
                   
                 36-38 
                 25 
               
               
                   
                 65-68 
                   44½ 
               
               
                   
                 38-42 
                 26 
               
               
                   
                 43-47 
                   30½ 
               
               
                   
                 48-51 
                 33 
               
               
                   
                 52-55 
                   34½ 
               
               
                   
                 56-58 
                 37 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Little Girls 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Small 
                  3 
                  4 
               
               
                   
                   
                 19-19½ 
                 21-21¼ 
               
               
                   
                 Medium 
                  5 
                  6 
               
               
                   
                   
                 23- 
                 26 
               
               
                   
                 Large 
                 6x 
               
               
                   
                   
                   27⅜ 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Girls 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Small 
                  7 
                  8 
               
               
                   
                   
                   29½ 
                   31⅛ 
               
               
                   
                 Medium 
                 10 
                 12 
               
               
                   
                   
                   32⅝ 
                   34⅜ 
               
               
                   
                 Large 
                 14 
                 16 
               
               
                   
                   
                   36⅛ 
                   37¾ 
               
               
                   
                 Extra Large 
                 18 
                 20 
               
               
                   
                   
                   39⅜ 
                 41 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0023]    Specific alternative embodiments provide, on the opposite side of the mat, an array, or arrangement of coded markings. Positioned in the center of the mat is a primary circular marking eight inches in diameter. Two inches outside the primary marking is a series of circles six inches in diameter. This pattern continues, with the circles decreasing in diameter by two inch increments as the circles are spread further apart from the center primary circle. A person can be guided by the coded markings for stretching, lunges, squats, and other floor exercises. 
         [0024]    Exercise mat  100  is versatile because not only can one do a pushup properly and in alignment but also another shape, or oval  130  may be printed on the mat as a destination point for the buttocks during a sit up. Directly above the three foot mark may be a bigger oval shape six inches tall and eight inches wide. This shape is there for a user to sit down on, place their feet out in front of them on any of the markings on the center line and perform a sit up, crunch or the like. 
         [0025]    The human&#39;s abdominal muscle is generally classified into four sections: upper, middle, lower and the obliques. When the user sits down on the bigger shape  130  on mat  100 , puts his feet out in front of him or her on centerline  110 , they will be able to remember which marking they used and which worked the best in targeting the different regions of the abdominals during a sit up; furthermore, they are confident that the body is inline by using centerline  110 . 
         [0026]    The material of mat  100  may preferably be water resistant, resilient, tear resistant, flexible and lightweight. Mat  100  is preferably made out of water resistant material so that bodily fluids such as perspiration, extracted from body during exercise, can easily be wiped away. Closed cell foam materials or rubber are preferred for water resistance. Examples of closed cell materials include but are not limited to neoprene, silicone, PVC, nitrile, EVA, EPDM viton and XLPE. Solid rubber material include, for example, EPPM, butyl, Flexmat and fluourosilicon. Alternatively, open celled materials such as for example polyether, polyester, melamine, Filter foam, high density urethane, natural sponge and PE may be used. Additional alternative materials may include but not be limited to EM/RFI, shielding, polycarbonate, plastic films, kaplon, cork, nomex and adhesive coatings. The materials may be treated with a fungus inhibiting substance to help maintain freshness. 
         [0027]    The mat is preferably made from flexible material such that the mat may be selectively rolled up for storage and unrolled for use. Specific embodiments provide one or more fasteners, such as ties, Velcro, snaps and the like, attached to the mat to maintain the mat in a rolled-up state when fastened. Other specific embodiments provide a kit consisting of a floor exercise mat as described herein, a carrier for carrying the mat to various locations such as back and forth from a gym or from a closet to a den, and a set of instructions that explain to a user how to understand and use the markings and how the coded markings correlate to the proper position of a body part on the mat for a desired exercise. 
         [0028]    The markings of the present exercise mat may be printed directly onto the substance of mat  100  or alternatively the markings may be printed on a slipcover that is disposed over a cushioned pad or mat. The material of the slip cover may be washable fabric. Mat  100  may be a simple sheet of fabric, plastic, rubber or of the materials described herein such that the sheet is simply laid on the floor or on top of an existing exercise mat for use. Alternatively, mat  100  may be a pad of cushioning closed cell foam, for instance, with the markings as described herein printed on the pad. Another alternative embodiment is that mat  100  is a slipcover with the markings such that the slipcover can be disposed over an existing pad for comfort of use or may be use directly on the floor or simply put on an existing pad. 
         [0029]    The preferred mat  100  is resilient and cushioning to be absorbent of the shock the body places on mat  100  during human performance. A persons feet, hands, or buttock are going to be constantly putting pressure in one area or mat  100  for a period of time during an exercise routine; therefore, the mat may be made from durable and shock absorbing material. Mat  100  is also preferably flexible so that it can be rolled up for storage when it is not in use. Another preferred quality of the material that mat  100  may be made from may be tear resistance. This exercise mat will be able to be moved from one area of a room to another. During the handling of the mat, it should not tear. It may be tear resistant and durable. 
         [0030]    Child&#39;s play and rough housing should not be able to destroy the mat. The mat may be lightweight and flexible. Since the mat may be used any where, the mat may preferably be made out of a material that is light weight giving it easy portability. Its flexibility may allow the mat to be folded in any fashion, or rolled into a tube, for easy storage and so that the mat will take up less room if desired. 
         [0031]    Many modifications and other embodiments of the exercise mat will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which this disclosure pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that this description is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.