Abstract:
The present invention relates to an exercise device for maintaining balance and inducing an isometric muscular exercise of an exerciser. The device includes a back-supporting posterior brace adapted to support a back of the exerciser in an upright position. The device further includes two hand-engaging members extending from the back-supporting posterior brace, the hand-engaging members being symmetrically opposed in relation to the back-supporting posterior brace and formed to be engaged by respective hands of the exerciser. Optionally, each hand-engaging member includes a respective elongated arm portion angularly extending forward from the back-supporting posterior brace and in front of the exerciser.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
         [0001]    (Not Applicable)  
         STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT  
         [0002]    (Not Applicable)  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    The present invention generally relates to the field of exercise machines, specifically an apparatus for stabilizing an exerciser&#39;s balance while engaging in lunge exercises, maintaining back posture in an upright position, inducing a cardiovascular workout, and flexing an exerciser&#39;s arms, legs and shoulders.  
           [0004]    An exerciser who seeks to exercise the leg muscles traditionally utilizes a lunge exercise as part of a routine training program. Such lunge exercises initially require that the exerciser step forward with the first foot while maintaining the position of the second foot, and kneel down extremely low to the ground. In this position, the first foot is extended as far forward from the exerciser&#39;s torso as possible while the first knee is bent at a substantially right angle away from the ground. Also in this position, the second foot is extended as far behind the exerciser&#39;s torso as possible while the second knee is substantially bent toward the ground. Due to the downward force exerted by positioning the exerciser&#39;s body in this position, a substantial portion of the exerciser&#39;s weight is placed upon the first leg muscles while the second leg and foot are used as the only means of stabilizing the exerciser&#39;s balance. In this position, unfortunately, disproportionate emphasis is placed on exercising the leg muscles. This lunge exercise is completed by repeatedly alternating each of the exerciser&#39;s legs in succession for an optional number of repetitions.  
           [0005]    In other words, when viewing an exerciser from a distance, the exerciser appears to be walking in long strides while dropping one of his or her knees close to the ground while the other leg and knee bear a majority of the exerciser&#39;s weight.  
           [0006]    There are several deficiencies in using the traditional lunge exercise which may be improved upon. First, when the exerciser performs the lunge exercise, the positioning of the legs to the extreme posterior and anterior of the exerciser&#39;s torso tends to invoke poor posture. In this respect, the exerciser may inadvertently arch the back forward with each step of the lunge exercise. This phenomenon occurs because the exerciser subconsciously makes the exercise easier by shifting the center of gravity forward such that less resistance is placed upon the forward-extended leg by moving the torso and head slightly forward. Alternatively, the exerciser may inadvertently arch the back too far back in an attempt to maintain proper posture, and subsequently cause excessive strain to the lower back. It is well known that arching one&#39;s back and placing undue strain on the lower back during exercises may ultimately lead to poor posture and other back problems. For example, fitness trainers discourage commonly used exercises such as the sit-ups because undue strain is placed upon the back of the exerciser&#39;s neck and there is a high potential for the exerciser to injure the lower back during such an exercise. Such potentially debilitating effects as a result of daily lunge exercises may be even more damaging to athletes who are constantly engaging in physical activity and must continually maintain the utmost superior health. Thus, there is a need for safe and effective exercises and exercise devices which maintain proper posture and reduce the likelihood of injury from such exercises.  
           [0007]    Second, when the exerciser is lunging in close proximity to the ground, it is difficult to maintain balance. In the lunge position, each of the exerciser&#39;s legs is extended in the extreme posterior and anterior position. In this fully extended lunge position, the exerciser tends to lose balance. To compensate for this loss of balance, the exerciser may not be able to fully extend each of the legs to the extreme posterior and anterior positions. Therefore, the strides of the lunge exercise may be relatively short to compensate for this problem. Additionally, the exerciser may attempt to counteract the loss of balance by other means. It is an inherent human reaction to maintain balance by extending one&#39;s arms laterally. By doing so, it becomes easier to maintain equilibrium and prevent the exerciser from falling to the side. However, even using one&#39;s arms is not entirely effective since the exerciser tends to experience greater difficulty in maintaining balance after engaging in a lunge exercise for an extended period of time. Ideally, the lunge exercise may be improved upon to provide longer strides while maintaining balance.  
           [0008]    Third, a disproportionate amount of emphasis is placed upon exercising the legs and knees when engaging in the lunge exercise. In this respect, a large portion of the exerciser&#39;s body weight is used as resistence in the lunge exercise and as a result, the lunge exercise can quickly become too difficult to continue. Many times, even exercisers having truly toned bodies experience difficulty in engaging in the traditional lunge exercise for long periods of time. Furthermore, most exercisers would like to complete a full body workout by performing upper body exercises, including arm exercises. Because the traditional lunge exercise fails to workout other portions of the body, the exerciser must do other exercises and perhaps, spend a longer amount of time exercising. Some exercisers incorporate modify the traditional lunge exercise by placing dumbbells on the shoulders or neck to provide an additional workout. This is very dangerous modification which may cause neck injuries. In this respect, there is a need for a safe and effective device were conceived which provides a more balanced full body workout.  
           [0009]    Fourth, traditional exercises such as the lunge exercise require the exerciser to extend and retract the muscles to produce the workout. For individuals who have suffered muscular injuries, their range of motion is limited and it is difficult, if not impossible, to perform traditional exercises. For example, once a patient injures a knee, the patient becomes highly susceptible to further knee injuries and it is very difficult and dangerous to place excessive strain upon the previously injured knee. Such a traditional lunge exercise may cause the exerciser to risk further injuries. Additionally, it is difficult to regain physical strength in the lower body with such a knee injury because the exerciser has such a limited range of motion. Thus, in physical therapy, isometric exercises are typically used to rebuild muscle strength and to regain flexibility. Such isometric exercises are performed by tensing a muscle in a stationary position and continuing to hold the muscle in such a position for a predetermined period of time. Through several repetitions, the muscle is exercised without requiring the arm, leg or other body part to be unduly extended. For knee injury patients, physical therapists rehabilitate the patients&#39; knees by either placing the patient on a machine which exercises the knees for them, or requiring the patient to step forward and backward while holding a stationary object, such as a doorknob. Such machines and stationary objects are used to help the patient keep their balance. Thus, extreme care must be taken in extending a knee injury patient&#39;s range of motion and there is a need for a safe and effective device which assists such patients who have a limited range of motion in rehabilitation while allowing for the patients to engage in isometric exercises.  
           [0010]    Accordingly, there is a need for an exercise device which assists exercisers in performing a lunge exercise and resolves the deficiencies related to such an exercise by promoting proper posture, assisting an exerciser to maintain balance and to produce a fuller body workout, and developing an isometric exercise in combination with such resolutions.  
         BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0011]    The present invention specifically addresses and alleviates the above-identified deficiencies in the art. In this regard, the exercise device ensures that the exerciser maintains proper posture during lunge exercises, helps maintain balance, invokes a full-body workout, and allows the exerciser to engage in an isometric exercise.  
           [0012]    In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an exercise device for maintaining balance and inducing an isometric muscular exercise of an exerciser. The device includes a back-supporting posterior brace adapted to support a back of the exerciser in an upright position. The device further includes two hand-engaging members extending from the back-supporting posterior brace, the hand-engaging members being symmetrically opposed in relation to the back-supporting posterior brace and formed to be engaged by respective hands of the exerciser. Optionally, each hand-engaging member includes a respective elongated arm portion angularly extending forward from the back-supporting posterior brace and in front of the exerciser. Optionally, each hand-engaging member further includes a hand-grip portion engaged to the respective arm portion. The hand-grip portion is engageable by the respective hand of the exerciser. The hand-grip portion is in communication with the respective arm portion. The handgrip portion is adjustably extendable from the arm portion for selectively positioning the hand-engaging members to a length adapted to arms of the exerciser.  
           [0013]    In use, the exerciser wears the exercise device such that the back-supporting posterior brace properly supports the exerciser&#39;s back in an upright position. To secure the exercise device to the exerciser&#39;s torso, the exerciser may then adjustably wrap at least one of the straps around the exerciser&#39;s anterior torso. In one embodiment of the present invention, the exerciser may also use at least one of the straps to hold the anterior flaps together at the anterior portion of the exerciser&#39;s torso. In one embodiment of the present invention, the exerciser may then adjust the hand-grip portion to a desirable length that is complementary to the length of the exerciser&#39;s arm. Once the exercise device is properly adjusted and mounted to the exerciser&#39;s torso, the exerciser may then begin a lunge exercise. The exerciser places one foot forward while keeping the other foot stationary and then lunges in a downward direction with the forward foot. While lunging forward, the exerciser attempts to maintain a completely upright position. To help maintain this position, the exerciser continually holds the hand-engaging members with both hands and subsequently tenses the arm muscles as a way of re-centering one&#39;s balance. For example, if the exerciser lunges forward and loses balance by falling too far to the left, the exerciser may then counteract that loss of balance by placing additional force upon the rightmost hand-engaging member and vice versa. In this respect, the exerciser is engaging in an isometric arm exercise by continually tensing and un-tensing the arm muscles in response to a loss of balance. At the same time, the exerciser is repetitively lunging forward with alternating feet. Advantageously, the use of the exercise device allows the exerciser to optionally engage in longer strides, thereby providing the exerciser with the option of engaging in long or short strides according to their preference. Additionally, through several repetitions, the exerciser not only works the upper, lower, and trunk portions of the body, but also allows for a cardiovascular workout thereby creating a truly full body safe and effective workout.  
           [0014]    The exercise device is an especially useful device for physical therapists who have patients with a decreased ability to perform traditional exercises. Patients who have suffered from arm injuries or other injuries generally have a decreased range of mobility which decreases their ability to lift weights, extend their arms to the fullest, or place excessive strain on injured muscles. Similarly, patients with lower body injuries, such as knee injuries, also cannot engage in traditional exercises without risking further injury to their body. Additionally, patients who suffer from back injuries are generally bedridden for an extensive period of time and at some point, must maintain a regimen of exercises to ensure that the patient&#39;s muscles do not atrophy from lack of use. These injured patients are even more sensitive to further back injuries and it is especially important to protect the back when performing exercises. Patients suffering from knee injuries may use the exercise device by distributing their weight away from the knees to the exercise device via the upper body muscles and still exercise the lower body. In this respect, the patient may engage in short strides while counteracting any loss of balance by gripping the hand-engaging members of the exercise device. Thus, the exercise device eliminates the need for the exerciser to hold stationary objects and also induces an upper body isometric exercise at the same time. By wearing the exercise device, physical therapists may incorporate the device into patients&#39; daily regimen to help the patient exercise both the lower body and upper body muscles with less effort and less danger than a traditional lunge exercise.  
           [0015]    It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide an exercise device for maintaining balance and inducing an isometric muscular exercise of an exerciser. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0016]    These as well as other features of the present invention will become more apparent upon reference to the drawings wherein:  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 1 is a side-perspective view showing a back-supporting posterior brace having anterior flaps and straps disposed thereon and having hand-engaging members extending forward from the back-supporting posterior brace of a first embodiment of the exercise device made according to the present invention.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 2 is a side view showing an exerciser wearing the exercise device pictured in FIG. 1, gripping the hand-engaging members and stepping forward in a lunge exercise with a first embodiment of the exercise device pictured in FIG. 1 made according to the present invention.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 3 is a side-perspective view showing an exerciser gripping the hand-engaging members and lunging in a downward direction with a first embodiment of the exercise device pictured in FIG. 1 made according to the present invention.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 4 is a back view showing the back-supporting posterior brace and the hand-engaging members mounted thereon of a first embodiment of the exercise device pictured in FIG. 1 made according to the present invention.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the hand-grip portion engaging with the respective arm portion of a second embodiment of the exercise device pictured in FIG. 1 made according to the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0022]    The detailed description, as set forth below in connection with the appended drawings, is intended as a description of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, and is not intended to represent the only form in which the present invention may be constructed or utilized.  
         [0023]    Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for the purposes of illustrating preferred embodiments of the present invention only, and not for the purposes of limiting the same, FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the isometric exercise device  10  made according to the present invention. The isometric exercise device  10  may include a back-supporting posterior brace  12 . When worn by the exerciser, the brace  12  should support the exerciser&#39;s back by providing support at a point beginning about the exerciser&#39;s lower back and continuing to provide support for a substantial portion of the exerciser&#39;s back. The brace  12  may provide support for the entire back or only the lower back depending on the shape and size of the brace  12 . In this respect, the brace  12  should be formed of a semi-rigid material, such as plastic, which is sufficiently rigid to maintain the exerciser&#39;s back in an upright position. Additionally, the brace  12  should be formed to complement the shape and contour of the exerciser&#39;s back to provide the exerciser with comfortable support. In this respect, the brace  12  may be lined with a comfort liner formed of a soft material, such as neoprene, foam or gel, which provides a cushion between the exerciser&#39;s back and the brace  12 .  
         [0024]    The exercise device  10  may also include first and second anterior flaps  14  and  16 . Preferably, the flaps  14  and  16  should be engaged to the back-supporting posterior brace  12 . The flaps  14  and  16  may be hingedly connected to the brace  12  but the connection type is not critical as long as the flaps  14  and  16  are adjustable to the size of the torso of an exerciser. The flaps  14  and  16  can be formed of the same material as the brace  10 , but the flaps may be formed of a different material that is softer and more readily shapable to the size and shape of the exerciser&#39;s torso. For example, the flaps may be formed of a cloth, cotton or nylon material that is sufficiently flexible to wrap around the torso of an exerciser. Additionally, the flaps  14  and  16  may also provide a comfort liner disposed on the inner surface of the flaps  14  and  16 , the liner providing a moldable barrier between the flaps  14  and  16  and the torso of the exerciser. Such liner may also be formed from neoprene, foam, gel or other soft material mounted on the inner surface of the flaps  14  and  16  via an adhesive.  
         [0025]    In one embodiment having the flaps  14  and  16  engaged to the brace  12 , the exercise device  10  may be formed with a substantially cylindrical shape when the flaps  14  and  16  are connected to each other. In this respect, the cylindrical shape of the exercise device  10  complements the approximate size and shape of the exerciser&#39;s torso when the exercise device  10  is worn by the exerciser. By forming the exercise device  10  in a substantially cylindrical shape, a body vest is formed such that the exerciser is able to wear the exercise device by wrapping the body vest around his or her torso.  
         [0026]    Preferably, straps  18  may be disposed on the flaps  14  and  16  for securing the flaps  14  and  16  together against the torso of the exerciser. The straps  18  may be adjustable in size by the exerciser and may be formed as a nylon strap with a clasp, a hook and loop strap, belt or other device which is sufficient to adjustably wrap the exercise device  10  around the torso of the exerciser and secure the exercise device  10  in place during movement. Furthermore, the exercise device  10  may be formed with only one strap  18  but the exercise device  10  may alternatively be formed with several straps  18  to provide enhanced support in keeping the flaps  14  and  16  together. It is anticipated that the straps  18  may be formed by connecting the straps  18  directly to the brace  12 . In this respect, the exercise device  10  can be formed without flaps  14  and  16  and the straps  18  alone may be used to secure the exercise device  10  to the exerciser&#39;s torso.  
         [0027]    Hand-engaging members  21  may be provided to allow the exerciser to grip the members  21  with their respective hands. The hand-engaging members  21  should be engaged to the brace  12  at a central point. However, each hand-engaging member  21  may be connected to the brace  12  at different mounting points, such as the lateral sides of the brace  12 . The hand-engaging members  21  should be engaged to the brace  12  via a fastener or alternatively, the hand-engaging members may be directly connected to the brace  12  such that the brace  12  and the hand-engaging members form a unitary piece. Additionally, the hand-engaging members may be connected to the brace  12  via a base bar  24 , the base bar  24  being connected to the brace  12 . In this respect, the base bar  24  provides additional support and may flex in response to stress exerted upon the hand-engaging members by the exerciser. The base bar  24  may be formed as an elongated tubular member which is mounted at a central point with the brace  12  and connected to both hand-engaging members  21 . The base bar  24  and the hand-engaging members  21  may be formed from plastic or another material which is capable of withstanding force exerted upon it by the exerciser when the exerciser is performing exercises. Furthermore, the base bar  24  and the hand-engaging members  21  may be tubularly shaped. In this respect, the base bar  24  and the hand-engaging members may be formed by connecting standard polyvinyl chloride (“PVC”) plastic pipes together. It is contemplated that the base bar  24  and the hand-engaging members  21  may be formed from the same material and unitarily formed as a single piece. It is further contemplated that the hand-engaging members  21  and the base bar  24  may be pivotally or hingedly engaged to each other via an adjustable hinge or joint for adjusting the height and direction of the hand-engaging members  21 .  
         [0028]    The hand-engaging members  21  may also be provided with an elongated arm portion  20  which is engaged to the brace  12  directly or via a base bar  24 . Each hand-engaging member should angularly extend forward from the brace  12  and in front of the exerciser. At the end of the arm portion  20  extending forward in front of the exerciser, a hand-grip portion  22  may be formed which angularly extends upwards to allow the exerciser to grip the hand-grip portion  22  with the respective hands. The hand-grip portion  22  and the elongated arm portion  20  may also be formed using PVC plastic pipes or may be unitarily formed. Preferably, the hand-grip portion  22  terminates at a point and is shaped to complement the exerciser&#39;s hands. In this respect, the hand-grip portion  22  may be formed with contours and ridges molded to the shape of an exerciser&#39;s hand wrapped around the hand-grip portion  22 . It is further contemplated that the hand-grip portion  22  may be fitted with a rubber, plastic or similar molding to provide extra traction and to prevent the exerciser&#39;s hands from accidentally slipping off.  
         [0029]    Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for the purposes of illustrating preferred embodiments of the present invention only, and not for the purposes of limiting the same, FIG. 2 shows a first embodiment of the isometric exercise device  10  made according to the present invention. An exerciser is shown in FIG. 2 wearing the exercise device  10  and holding the hand-grip portions  22  with the respective hands while stepping forward with one foot and using the other foot for balance. Advantageously, the exerciser&#39;s back is in a completely upright position while engaging in the exercise. Additionally, the back-supporting brace  12  with the anterior flaps  14  and  16  are secured around a male exerciser&#39;s torso. However, it is contemplated that the exercise device  10  may be formed with a unisex design which permits the exercise device  10  to be worn by both males and females. In this respect, the anterior flaps  14  and  16  may be adjusted to provide sufficient support and comfort for both male and female exercisers by adjusting the length of the straps  18  to a desired length depending on the size of the exerciser&#39;s torso, specifically, the chest area.  
         [0030]    Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for the purposes of illustrating preferred embodiments of the present invention only, and not for the purposes of limiting the same, FIG. 3 shows a first embodiment of the isometric exercise device  10  made according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, a female exerciser is wearing the exercise device  10  and gripping the hand-grip portions  22  of the hand-engaging members  21  while engaging in a lunge exercise. Advantageously, the exerciser&#39;s back is in a completely upright position while lunging in close proximity to the ground. Furthermore, the brace  12  is engaged to the exerciser with the anterior flaps  14  and  16  secured snugly around the exerciser&#39;s torso via the straps  18 . By extending a foot forward and lunging downward, the exercise device  10  assists the exerciser in maintaining balance by continually shifting weight upon the hand-engaging members  21  when the exerciser&#39;s balance is offset or lost.  
         [0031]    Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for the purposes of illustrating preferred embodiments of the present invention only, and not for the purposes of limiting the same, FIG. 4 shows a first embodiment of the isometric exercise device  10  made according to the present invention. In the rear-perspective view of FIG. 4, an exerciser is wearing the exercise device  10  and gripping the hand-grip portions  22  while engaging in the lunge exercise. The base bar  24  shown in FIG. 4 is mounted to the brace  12  tangentially such that the base bar  24  extends laterally from the brace  12 . It is contemplated that the base bar  24  will be mounted to the brace  12  via bolts  30 . However, the mounting device used is not critical and another type of fastener, clip or adhesive may be used to attach the base bar  24  to the brace  12  so long as such mounting device is sufficiently strong enough to withstand any force exerted upon the hand-engaging members  21  by the exerciser. Additionally, the base bar  24  is engaged to the arm portions  20  of the hand-engaging members  21 . The base bar  24  and the arm portions  20  may be connected via a first elbow  26 . The elbows  26  maybe formed using PVC pipe elbows which engage with the arm portions  20  and the base bar  24 . Similarly, an elbow  28  may engage the arm portions  20  to the hand-grip portions  22  such that the hand-grip portions angularly extend upwards and/or inwards toward the center of the exerciser&#39;s torso.  
         [0032]    Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for the purposes of illustrating preferred embodiments of the present invention only, and not for the purposes of limiting the same, FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of the isometric exercise device  10  made according to the present invention. An enlarged cross-sectional view of one of the hand-engaging members  21  is shown in FIG. 5. In the second embodiment of the exercise device  10 , the hand-grip portion  22  angularly extends upwards and slidably engages with the arm portion. Advantageously, the adjustable hand-grip portion  22  allows exercisers of varying arm lengths to comfortably wear the exercise device  10  without undue strain. To facilitate the adjustable hand-grip portion  22 , the arm portion  20  defines a plurality of apertures  30 . The apertures  30  should be spaced evenly throughout a length of the arm portion  20  to allow the exerciser  10  to selectably adjust the hand-grip to the desired length. Furthermore, the hand-grip portion  22  may be fitted with at least one fastener  32  which extends from the hand-grip portion  22  such that the fastener  32  can engage with the apertures  30  and lock the hand-grip portion  22  in a fixed position. The fastener  32  formed upon the hand-grip portion  22  shall extend through one of the apertures  30  and prevent the hand-grip portion from sliding out of the arm portion  20 . The type of fastener  32  is not critical so long as the hand-grip portion  22  may be selectably adjustable by the exerciser to a fixed position during exercises. The fastener may be formed as a pop-up tab which prevents the hand-grip portion from sliding when the tab is engaged to the aperture  30 . Alternatively, the hand-engaging members may comprise an adjustable track wherein grooves are cut into the hand-grip portion  22 , such grooves being sized and shaped to engage with a complementary groove on a sleeve of the arm portion  20 . The embodiment having the track and complementary sleeve allows the hand-grip portion to slide into the arm portion  20  and retract such that the hand-grip portion  22  will not rotate. However, it is contemplated that the handgrip portion  22  may rotate about an axis located on the arm portion  20  such that the exerciser can adjust the hand-grip portion  22  to a position that is comfortable to the exerciser&#39;s wrists, hands, and arms. Alternatively, the track and sleeve configuration may be incorporated with the apertures  30  and the fastener  32  such that both the grooves and the fastener allow the hand-grip portion  22  to slidably engage with the arm portion  20  of the hand-engaging members  21 .  
         [0033]    Additional modifications and improvements of the present invention may also be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Thus, the particular combination of parts described and illustrated herein is not intended to serve as limitations of alternative devices within the spirit and scope of the invention.