Abstract:
A training device, including a frame having an interior opening and at least one support means, at least one piece of conditioning equipment supported on the frame by the support means, at least one resistance harness coupled to the frame, wherein the at least one resistance harness has a portion thereof selectively attachable to a user, and a cardiovascular exercise machine disposed within the interior opening of the frame.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/488,416, filed May 20, 2011 and entitled SYSTEM, METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING AND CONDITIONING, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Training and conditioning are often tedious, time-consuming tasks. Generally, a long list of separate exercises must be performed, one after another. Because these exercises must be completed one at a time, users are forced to concentrate on one muscle or muscle group while other muscle groups are left inactive. This often makes training and conditioning routines lengthy and monotonously repetitive. 
         [0003]    In addition, training one muscle or muscle group at a time makes it difficult, or sometimes impossible, to develop certain skills. For instance, while punching bags are useful for developing endurance, the fact that both the bag and the user must remain stationary makes it difficult to develop other skills, such as coordination and timing. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    According to one exemplary embodiment, a system, method and apparatus for facilitating physical training and conditioning are disclosed. The apparatus can include a frame having an interior opening and at least one support means, at least one piece of conditioning equipment supported on the frame by the support means, at least one resistance harness coupled to the frame, wherein the at least one resistance harness has a portion thereof selectively attachable to a user, and a cardiovascular exercise machine disposed within the interior opening of the frame. The method can include exercising on a cardiovascular exercise machine disposed within the frame of a training device, engaging at least one piece of conditioning equipment coupled to the frame of the training device, and being subjected to a resistance coupled to the frame of the training device, wherein the resistance comprises forces acting opposite to the direction of the cardiovascular exercise machine. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]    Advantages of embodiments of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments. The following detailed description should be considered in conjunction with the accompanying figures in which: 
           [0006]      FIG. 1  is a cutaway view of an exemplary embodiment of a training and conditioning device. 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a training and conditioning device. 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is a front view of an exemplary embodiment of a training and conditioning device. 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  is a rear view of an exemplary embodiment of a training and conditioning device. 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a training and conditioning device. 
           [0011]      FIG. 6  is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a training and conditioning device. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0012]    Aspects of the present invention are disclosed in the following description and related figures directed to specific embodiments of the invention. Those skilled in the art will recognize that alternate embodiments may be devised without departing from the spirit or the scope of the claims. Additionally, well-known elements of exemplary embodiments of the invention will not be described in detail or will be omitted so as not to obscure the relevant details of the invention. 
         [0013]    As used herein, the word “exemplary” means “serving as an example, instance or illustration.” The embodiments described herein are not limiting, but rather are exemplary only. It should be understood that the described embodiments are not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. Moreover, the terms “embodiments of the invention”, “embodiments” or “invention” do not require that all embodiments of the invention include the discussed feature, advantage or mode of operation. 
         [0014]    Generally referring to  FIGS. 1-4 , a method and apparatus for facilitating physical training and conditioning is disclosed. The method and apparatus can accomplish this facilitation by combining one or more distinct training tools, providing an integrated, comprehensive strength and timing development experience. The method, and apparatus can be used to train or condition for any desired sport or physical activity, for example boxing. 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a training device  100 . Training device  100  can include a frame  102 . Frame  102  can be constructed of any desired material, for example wood, plastic, or metals such as steel or aluminum. Frame  102  can be solid, or it can be constructed of, for example, round, square, or rectangular tubing. Frame  102  can be any desired size, for example approximately ninety-six inches long, approximately eighty-six inches high, and approximately thirty-three inches wide. Frame  102  may be constructed in any shape, for example a rectangular cuboid. Additionally, frame  102  may include any number of supports, interior or exterior, such as triangular supports in the corner joints of frame  102  to provide frame  102  with stability and increase its weight bearing ability. 
         [0016]    Still referring to the exemplary embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1 , training device  100  can include one or more harnesses, such as waist harness  104 , shoulder harness  106 , or any other type of harness adapted to secure to a user, for example a chest harness or arm harnesses. Waist harness  104 , shoulder harness  106 , and any other harnesses can be attached to frame  102  using cords  108 . Cords  108  can be constructed of rope, chain, or any type of elastic material, for example rubber, and can be removably attached to frame  102  using any desired attachment method. Training device  100  can also contain conditioning equipment, for example speed bag  110 , heavy bag  112 , or any other desired conditioning equipment. Training device  100  can be adapted for use with a treadmill  114 , any other type of cardiovascular exercise machine, or any other type of exercise machine. Frame  102  can be sized to fit around or attach to treadmill  114 , or any other type of exercise machine. Training device  100  may also include support handles  118  which may, for example, extend around heavy bag  112  and may allow the user to grab hold in order to provide a break from the resistance that cords  108  may supply. 
         [0017]      FIG. 2  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of training device  100 . Training device  100  can include support arms  202  and  204 . Support arms  202  and  204 , similar to frame  102 , may be constructed from any desired material, for example wood, plastic, or metals such as steel or aluminum. Support arms  202  and  204  can be solid, or can be constructed of, for example, round, square, or rectangular tubing. Support arms  202  and  204  can be any desired size. For example, support arm  204  may be constructed of hollow, square, aluminum bars, and may be approximately twenty-two and one-fourth inches high and approximately sixty-two and one-fourth inches long. Similarly, support arm  204  may, for example, be constructed of hollow, square, aluminum bars and may be approximately ninety-six inches long and approximately fifty inches high. Support arms  202  and  204  may include additional vertical supports. For example, support arm  202  may have one additional vertical support located approximately twenty-eight and one-half inches from the right edge of support arm  202 , as viewed in  FIG. 2 , and support arm  204  may have two vertical supports located approximately twenty-one inches from each side of frame  102 . 
         [0018]      FIG. 2  further illustrates an exemplary embodiment which includes flanges  208  and  210 . Similar to frame  102 , both flanges  208  and  210  may be constructed of any desired material, in any shape, and may be permanently or removably affixed to frame  102 . For example, flange  210  may be constructed from rectangular, aluminum tubing as a U-shaped bracket. One exemplary U-shaped bracket may measure approximately thirty three inches along its base and may have at least two arms measuring approximately twenty and one-half inches in length. Training device  100  may also incorporate additional training elements, such as pull-up bar  212  and dip bar  214 . Pull-up bar  212  and dip bar  214  and may be constructed, in any desired shape, from any material, such as wood, plastics or metals and may be attached to training device  100  at any desired location. 
         [0019]    Flanges  208  and  210  are further depicted in  FIGS. 2-4 . As depicted in  FIGS. 2 and 4 , flange  210  may be coupled to frame  102 , such that both arms of flange  210  may extend outwards, perpendicularly, from the rear face of frame  102 . In contrast, flange  208  may be a single hollow, square, steel bar measuring approximately twenty-four inches in length affixed to extend perpendicularly from the front face of frame  102 . This exemplary configuration of flange  208  may be depicted in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . Flanges  208  and  210  may be removably affixed, or permanently affixed to frame  102 . 
         [0020]      FIG. 3  illustrates an exemplary front view of training device  100 . Frame  102  may have a substantially rectangular appearance when viewed from the front with a protrusion extending from a point substantially midway along its top edge. Frame  102  may have support arms  202  and  204  and may further provide support means for training equipment, such as heavy bag  112 , such that heavy bag  112  is disposed in front of the user while the user utilizes training device  100 . It is envisioned that support arms  202  and  204  may be coupled to, or a part of frame  102 , such that frame  102  may form a desired enclosure for training device  100  either in conjunction with, or regardless of, support arms  202  and  204 . It is envisioned that support arms  202  and  204  may be either permanently or removably attached to frame  102 . If coupled to frame  102 , support arms  202  and  204  may be coupled exteriorly or interiorly to frame  102 . Support arm  202  may be coupled to a first side of frame  102  and support arm  204  may, in turn, be coupled to the opposite side of frame  102 , such that support arms  202  and  204  secure the user within training device  100  to the extent desirable. 
         [0021]    Still referring to the exemplary embodiment depicted in  FIG. 3 , side arms  202  and  204  can assist a user to remain within training device  100  while using the device. Side arm  202  can be positioned lower than side arm  204  to facilitate a user&#39;s entry into and exit from training device  100 . Alternatively, side arm  204  can be positioned lower than side arm  202  in order to facilitate egress to and from training device  100  on the opposite side. However, it is envisioned that side arm  202  and  204  can be any desired height. For example, side arm  202  can be approximately twenty-two and one-fourth inches tall, and side arm  204  can be approximately fifty inches tall. As mentioned, frame  102  may include any number of supports, such as horizontal supports extending along the entirety of the front face. 
         [0022]      FIG. 4  depicts a rear view of an exemplary embodiment of training device  100 . Training device  100  may include pull-up bar  210  and dip bar  214 . Pull-up bar  212  may be an aluminum rod, coupled to both arms of flange  210  and extending therebetween. Dip bar  216  may, for example, be disposed at the rear of frame  102  and coupled to frame  102  approximately fifty inches off the ground. In this exemplary configuration, pull-up bar  212  may be positioned approximately thirty-six and one-half inches above the dip bar. Alternatively, pull-up bar  212  may be located approximately eighty-six and one-half inches from the ground. Further, dip bar  214  may include handles  216 , which may be constructed in any desirable shape from any desirable material. For example, handles  216  may be aluminum rectangular cylinders, measuring approximately five inches in height and one approximately one inch in diameter. Handles  216  may be coupled to dip bar  214  and may be positioned approximately twenty-six and one-half inches from frame  102 . 
         [0023]      FIG. 5  illustrates a side view of an exemplary embodiment of frame  102 , including side arm  204 .  FIG. 6  illustrates another side view of an exemplary embodiment of frame  102 , including side arm  202 . 
         [0024]    A user can use training device  100  to perform a training and conditioning regimen. A user wearing waist harness  104  and shoulder harness  106  can use cords  108  to secure himself or herself to frame  102 . The user can then activate treadmill  114  and use the resistance provided by cords  108  to engage in resistance running. While the user is resistance running he or she can simultaneously utilize any other equipment attached to frame  102 , for example speed bag  110  and heavy bag  112 , alone or in combination. Engaging in multiple exercises simultaneously can assist the user in building coordination and timing skills. The user can modify the equipment attached to frame  102  to accommodate any changes in skill level, for example by adding or changing the weight or size of speed bag  110  or heavy bag  112 , or by changing cords  108  to provide more or less resistance as desired. If a user becomes fatigued, the user may grab support handles  116  in order to reduce the effect of the resistance and to stabilize him or herself while he or she recovers. In this way, training device  100  can provide a user-adjustable, comprehensive, time-saving, safe, and skill-building training and conditioning experience. 
         [0025]    The foregoing description and accompanying figures illustrate the principles, preferred embodiments and modes of operation of the invention. However, the invention should not be construed as being limited to the particular embodiments discussed above. Additional variations of the embodiments discussed above will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. 
         [0026]    Therefore, the above-described embodiments should be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. Accordingly, it should be appreciated that variations to those embodiments can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.