Patent Publication Number: US-10758771-B1

Title: Sports training system and method

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 15/475,019 filed on Mar. 30, 2017, and further claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 62/545,153, filed on Aug. 14, 2017, both hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to sports training devices, and more particularly to a sports training device and method. 
     DISCUSSION OF RELATED ART 
     Exercise and physical training devices are replete in the prior art. With the advent relatively inexpensive and durable resistance band materials, resistance band exercising devices are becoming more popular. Several prior art resistance band exercising devices are disclosed in such prior art references as: US 2017/0028244 to Schreiber et al. on Feb. 2, 2017; US 2006/0265910 to Lampley on Nov. 30, 2016; and my previous patent applications 2013/0333097 published on Dec. 19, 2013; US 2012/0283077 Published on Nov. 8, 2011; US 2015/0057135 published on Feb. 26, 2015; and 2016/0101309 published on Apr. 14, 2016. None of these prior art devices teaches or suggests resistance that not only decreases as a person&#39;s leg retracts but that also can be set to cease or cut-off at a certain point in the travel of the leg, minimizing strain on ancillary or non-primary muscles. Further, none of the prior art devices allows for a wide range of connection points with the shoe that maximizes the number of different exercises and drills that can be performed. None of the prior art devices includes resistance adjustments both at the lower and upper ends of the resistance bands. 
     Therefore, there is a need for a physical training system that allows for the resistance applied to a person&#39;s legs to be reduced to zero or nearly zero at any adjustable point along the path of leg travel of the exerciser. Such a needed device would further allow a wide range of possible connection points between the person&#39;s torso and shoes, and would include adjustments for the length and resulting resistance between the top and bottom ends of each resistance band. The present invention accomplishes these objectives. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present device is a physical training system for use by a person, such as an athlete or exerciser, that includes a belt adapted for fixing around the waist of the person. Preferably the belt includes a loop-type fastening material on both an inside surface and an outside surface thereof. A cooperative hook-type fastening material is fixed with the inside surface of the belt at a first end and an opposing second end. The belt also preferably includes a buckle mechanism adapted to receive the first and second ends, of the belt therethrough. 
     The belt includes a plurality of belt extension straps that each have a belt connecting mechanism at a top end thereof and a connection loop at a bottom end thereof. Each belt extension strap is adapted for fixing with the belt at any location therearound and preferably includes a length adjustment mechanism. 
     Two shoes are adapted for wearing on the person&#39;s feet, each shoe including at least four attachment loops at opposing quadrants of the shoe, and preferably a rear attachment loop and additional attachment loops around the inner and outer edges. 
     A plurality of elastomeric bands are selectively fixable between the connection loop of any of the belt extensions straps and the attachment loops of the shoes. 
     A shoulder harness having a pair of shoulder straps is included, each connectable with the belt at opposing ends of the shoulder strap. Each shoulder strap has at least one of the connection loops and rigid rings, and preferably includes at least one shoulder pad having at least one slot formed therethrough for receiving the shoulder strap therethrough. Each shoulder pad is thereby adjustable along the shoulder strap. 
     Each shoulder strap includes the loop-type fastening material on both an inside surface thereof and an outside surface thereof, and the cooperative hook-type fastening material on an inside surface thereof at a first end thereof, whereby the first end and a second end of each shoulder strap can be looped around the belt and positioned as desired on the person&#39;s torso, a vertical position of the belt on the person being established thereby. 
     At least one set of position straps are preferably included that can be fixed at any location along either one of the shoulder straps or the belt to indicate a proper adjustment position of one of the shoulder straps or the belt for the person. The position straps in each set are all of a common color, with the color the position straps of each set being unique for each person sharing the physical training system. As such one person knows where to position the buckle mechanism and/or length of the shoulder straps prior to use. 
     In preferred embodiments, the physical training system further includes a plurality of shoe extension straps each fixable at an upper end thereof with the second end of any of the elastomeric bands, and selectively fixable at a lower end thereof with any of the attachment loops of either shoe. At least one of the shoe extension straps preferably further includes a second length adjustment mechanism, such as a buckle mechanism. As such, in use, with the person wearing the belt and shoes, and with the plurality of elastomeric bands stretched between the connection loops of the belt extensions straps and the attachment loops of the shoes, the person while walking or running experiences resistance as each leg extends into a fully extended position. Conversely, the person experiences a reduction or cessation of resistance as each leg retracts into a non-extended position. 
     In preferred embodiments, the physical training system further includes a plurality of shoe extension straps each fixable at an upper end thereof with either end of any of the elastomeric bands, and selectively fixable at a lower end thereof with any of the attachment loops of either shoe. At least one of the shoe extension straps preferably further includes a second length adjustment mechanism. 
     As such, in use, with the person wearing the belt and shoes, and with the plurality of elastomeric bands stretched between the connection loops of the belt extensions straps and the attachment loops of the shoes, the person while walking or running experiences resistance as each leg extends into a fully extended position. Conversely, the person experiences a reduction or cessation of resistance as each leg retracts into a non-extended position. 
     Preferably each attachment loop of each shoe includes a strap member fixed at a lower end thereof with the shoe, preferably with a strap member attachment mechanism such as the hook-and-loop type fastening material, mechanical snaps, mechanical buckle mechanisms, or the like. An upper end of each strap member terminates in a loop that is adapted for selective fixing with an end of any of the elastomeric bands. 
     In some embodiments, the attachment loop and any associated strap member are color-coded so that the person knows which attachment loops to use for particular exercises. Further, a rigid metal or plastic ring may be included that traverses the connection loop of each belt extension strap for facilitating the connection of the connection loop with any of the elastomeric bands. In some embodiments, such a rigid ring may also be included traversing one or more of the attachment loops of each shoe. Preferably each end, of the elastomeric bands includes a selectively removable hook adapted for fixing with any of the attachment loops of the shoes, the connection loops of the belt extension straps, or the upper ends of the shoe extension straps. 
     In some embodiments the belt further includes a buckle cover having the hook-type fastening material on an inside surface thereof and adapted for fixing with the belt to cover the buckle mechanism. Such a buckle cover further includes the loop-type fastening material on an outside surface thereof, such that each belt extension strap may be fixed with the belt at the buckle cover, either on one side of the belt or another, or on both. 
     The present invention is a physical training system that allows for the resistance applied to a person&#39;s legs to be reduced to zero at any adjustable point along the path of leg travel of the exerciser. The present device further allows a wide range of possible connection points between the person&#39;s torso and shoes, and provides for adjustments to the length and resulting resistance between the top and bottom ends of each resistance band. Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a side elevational view of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a front-perspective view of shoes and shoe extension straps of the invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of some of the component parts of the invention, resistance bands thereof shading for different colors; 
         FIG. 5  is a front elevational view of a belt and hip pads of the invention; 
         FIG. 6  is an exploded perspective view of one of the shoes of the invention; 
         FIG. 7  is an exploded, partially cut-away perspective view of the belt and belt extension straps of the invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a partial front view of a shoulder harness of the invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a partial rear view of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 10A  is a partial perspective view of the belt and two alternate embodiments of the belt extension straps; 
         FIG. 10B  is a front view of an alternate embodiment of the belt extension strap; 
         FIG. 10C  is a rear view of the belt extension strap of  FIG. 10B ; 
         FIG. 11  is a partial perspective view of the invention, illustrated with a short shoe extension strap and a long shoe extension strap; 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a foot strap of the invention; 
         FIG. 13  is a top plan view of an object strap of the invention, illustrated as fastened to an object; 
         FIG. 14  is a partial perspective view of a container of the invention, illustrated while holding items such as weights and being dragged by a pair of the elastomeric bands; 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective view of a container of the invention that takes the form of a backpack having a plurality of the connection loops included thereon; and 
         FIG. 16  is a perspective view of a hand strap of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Illustrative embodiments of the invention are described below. The following explanation provides specific details for a thorough understanding of and enabling description for these embodiments. One skilled in the art will understand that the invention may be practiced without such details. In other instances, well-known structures and functions have not been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description of the embodiments. 
     Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words “comprise,” “comprising,” and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited to.” Words using the singular or plural number also include the plural or singular number respectively. Additionally, the words “herein,” “above,” “below” and words of similar import, when used in this application, shall refer to this application as a whole and not to any particular portions of this application. When the claims use the word “or” in reference to a list of two or more items, that word covers all of the following interpretations of the word: any of the items in the list, all of the items in the list and any combination of the items in the list. When the word “each” is used to refer to an element that was previously introduced as being at least one in number, the word “each” does not necessarily imply a plurality of the elements, but can also mean a singular element. 
       FIGS. 1-4, 8 and 9  illustrate a physical training system  10  for use by a person  20 , such as an athlete or exerciser. The physical training system  10  provides additional resistance for exercises such as walking, jogging, running, and various leg and balance exercises, as well as some arm and upper body exercises. 
     A belt  30  is adapted for fixing around the waist  25  of the person  20 . The belt  30  is preferably resilient and includes an internal resilient stiffener  190  ( FIG. 7 ) within an outer flexible nylon or polypropylene fabric or web sleeve  31  of the belt  30  to aid in maintaining the belt  30  in a circular shape while in-use. Alternately, the belt  30  is made from a resilient material such as a resilient plastic or rubber material. 
     Preferably the belt  30  further includes at least two hip pads  150  ( FIG. 5 ) that each have at least one slot  155  therethrough adapted for receiving the belt  30  therethrough. As such, with the belt  30  inserted into each of the slots  155 , each hip pad  150  may be adjusted to any location around the belt  30  to cushion forces on the person&#39;s hips  27  that pull down on the belt  30  during use. Such hip pads  150  are preferably made from a resilient foam material, or the like. 
     Preferably the belt  30  includes a loop-type fastening material  160  ( FIG. 7 ) on both an inside surface  34  and an outside surface  36  thereof. A cooperative hook-type fastening material  170  is fixed with the inside surface  34  of the belt  30  at a first end  32  and an opposing second end  38 . The belt  30  also preferably includes a buckle mechanism  35  adapted to receive the first and second ends  32 , 38  of the belt  30  therethrough. 
     As such the person  20  may initially fit the belt around his waist  25  and then set the ends  32 , 34  of the belt  30  for a snug but comfortable fit. Thereafter the buckle mechanism  35  may be selectively separated mechanically to quickly unfasten or re-fasten the belt  30 . As a person&#39;s waist size changes he can separate one or more of the ends  32 , 38  from the inside surface  34  of the belt  30  to make an adjustment to the diameter of the belt  30  around his waist  25 . The person  20  may wear the belt  30  with the buckle mechanism in the back ( FIG. 5 ) or in the front ( FIG. 8 ), as desired. 
     The belt  30  includes a plurality of belt extension straps  40 . In some embodiments, each belt extension strap  40  includes a belt connecting mechanism  50  ( FIG. 2 ) at a top end  48  of the belt  40  and a connection loop  60  at a bottom end  42  of the belt  40 . Each belt extension strap  40  is adapted for fixing with the belt  30  at any location therearound and preferably includes a length adjustment mechanism  70 , such as a buckle mechanism  71  ( FIG. 2 ). The belt connecting mechanism  50  at the top end  48  of each belt extension strap  40  preferably includes the hook-type fastening material  170  on an inside surface  44  thereof, which is adapted for fixing about the loop-type fastening material  160  on the inside surface  34  and on the outside surface  36  of the belt  30  to fix the belt extension strap  40  at a desired location on the belt  30  ( FIG. 7 ). 
     In some embodiments the belt extension strap  40  takes the form of an alternate extension strap  400  ( FIGS. 10B, 10C ) that includes one of the connection loop  60  fixed to a central portion of the extension strap  40 , includes the loop-type fastening material  160  at one end, and does not include the buckle mechanism  71 , such that the extension strap  40  can be looped around the belt  30  and its own opposing ends to affix to the belt  30  at a desired location. Preferably each belt extension strap  40  is made from a nylon strap or webbing material, or the like. 
     In some embodiments of the invention, the belt  30  and any of the belt extension straps  40  may further include an auxiliary tension ring  180  fixed therewith, such that external lateral forces may be applied to the auxiliary tension ring  180  to further enhance the physical training of the person  20 . For example, a coach may attach a strap or rope (not shown) to one or more of the auxiliary tension rings  180  to pull against the person  20  walking away from the coach. In alternate embodiments the belt extension strap  40  is fixed to a belt extension fastener  340  ( FIG. 10A ) that is adapted for fixing with the belt  30 , the length of the belt extension strap  40  being sufficient to loop around the inside surface  34  of the belt  30  to present a first length  341  to the person  20 , and when not looped around the belt  30  presenting a second length  342  to the person  20 . 
     Two shoes  80  are adapted for wearing on the person&#39;s feet  22 , each shoe  80  including an outer side  86 , an inner side  84 , a rear end  89 , a front end  81 , a top side  88 , and a bottom side  82 . Each shoe  80  includes at least four attachment loops  90  that include an inner/front attachment loop  91  attached with the shoe  80  proximate the front end  81  of the shoe  80  on the inner side  84  thereof, an inner/rear attachment loop  92  attached with the shoe  80  proximate the rear end  89  of the shoe  80  on the inner side  84  thereof, an outer/front attachment loop  93  attached with the shoe  80  proximate the front end  81  of the shoe on the outer side  86  thereof, and an outer/rear attachment loop  94  attached with the shoe  80  proximate the rear end  89  of the shoe  80  on the outer side  86  thereof. Each shoe may further include a rear attachment loop  98 , and other attachment loops  40  as necessary for providing multiple physical training options as discussed below. Such shoes  80  are preferably made with materials well-known in the art for running shoes, tennis shoes, track shoes, or the like. While the term “shoe” is used herein, it is understood that “shoe” could mean any type of footwear or article that is attached to footwear either permanently or temporarily. In some embodiments the shoe  80  can take the form of a shoe cover (not shown) that is worn over an existing shoe and that includes the attachment loops  90 . 
     A plurality of elastomeric bands  100  each have a first end  102  and an opposing second end  108 . The first end  102  of each elastomeric band  100  is selectively fixable with the connection loop  60  of any of the belt extensions straps  40 . Similarly, the second end  108  of each elastomeric band  100  is selectively fixable with any of the attachment loops  90  of the shoes  80 . Some of the elastomeric bands  100  may be made with different elasticities than other of the elastomeric bands  100 , and preferably all elastomeric bands  100  having common elasticities have the same color or indicia  440  ( FIG. 14 ), allowing the person  20  to easily differentiate between elastomeric bands  100  having different elasticities. Some of the elastomeric bands  100  may be made having different lengths (not shown) to accommodate people of different heights or ages. The elastomeric bands  100  are preferably made with an elastomeric rubber material, a coiled spring material, or the like. 
       FIGS. 8, 9 and 11  illustrate a shoulder harness  300  having a pair of shoulder straps  310 , each connectable with the belt  30  at opposing ends  315  of the shoulder strap  310 . Each shoulder strap  310  has at least one of the connection loops  60  and one rigid, preferably metal ring  130 , and preferably includes at least one shoulder pad  320  having at least one slot  325  formed therethrough for receiving the shoulder strap  310  therethrough. Each shoulder pad  320  is thereby adjustable along the shoulder strap  310 . Each shoulder strap  310  is made from a nylon strap or webbing material, or the like, and each shoulder pad  320  is preferably made from a resilient foam material or the like. 
     Each shoulder strap  310  preferably includes the loop-type fastening material  160  on both an inside surface thereof and an outside surface thereof, and the cooperative hook-type fastening material  170  on an inside surface thereof at a first end thereof, whereby the first end and the second end of each shoulder strap  310  can be looped around the belt  30  and positioned as desired on the person&#39;s torso, a vertical position of the belt  30  on the person being established thereby. The alternate belt extension straps  400  ( FIGS. 10A-10C ) may also be attached to such a shoulder strap  310 . A logo strap  350  ( FIG. 8 ) having the hook-type fastening material on a bottom side thereof may be placed along either shoulder strap  310  for displaying a logo or other indicia (not shown). 
       FIG. 8  illustrates a pair of position straps  330 , each strap  330  adapted to be fixed at any location along either one of the shoulder straps  310  or the belt  30  to indicate a proper adjustment position of one of the shoulder straps  310  or the belt  30  for the person  20 . Such position straps  330  mark the custom location, by person  20 , on the belt  30  or shoulder strap  310  to adjust the length thereof. The position straps  330  in each set are all of a common color, with the color the position straps  330  of each set being unique for each person sharing the physical training system  10 . As such one person  20  knows where to position the buckle mechanism  35  and/or length of the shoulder straps  310 . 
     Similarly, a plurality of strap keepers  335  ( FIG. 10A ), such as straps of the hook-and-loop type fastening material  160 , 170 , can be included to secure the ends  35  of the belt  30  in place, or the ends  315  of the shoulder straps  310  in place, and prevent their becoming dislodged from the belt  30  or shoulder strap  310  during use. 
     The shoulder straps  310  cross at the back of the person  20  but can be substantially parallel as they are looped over the shoulders of the person  20  in the front (as is typical for use by a man), or crossed once at the front (as is typical for use by a woman), as illustrated in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , depending on the comfortable use thereof by the person  20 . 
     In preferred embodiments, the physical training system  10  further includes a plurality of shoe extension straps  140  each fixable at an upper end  148  thereof with the second end  108  of any of the elastomeric bands  100 , and selectively fixable at a lower end  142  thereof with any of the attachment loops  90  of either shoe  80 , or directly to the shoe  80  itself through stitching or other means, in which case the top end of the shoe extension strap takes the form preferably of one of the connection loops  60  with or without the rigid ring  130 . At least one of the shoe extension straps  140  preferably further includes a second length adjustment mechanism  72 , such as a buckle mechanism  74  ( FIGS. 2  and  7 ). In such an embodiment an elastomeric or malleable keeper strap (not shown) is included for retaining extra length of the shoe extension strap  140  to prevent same from flapping around during running or jogging. Some of the shoe extension straps  140  can be made of a resilient rubber material, a rigid material, or the like. 
     As such, in use, with the person wearing the belt  30  and shoes  80 , and with the plurality of elastomeric bands  100  stretched between the connection loops  60  of the belt extensions straps  40  and the attachment loops  90  of the shoes  80 , the person  20  while walking or running experiences resistance as each leg extends into a fully extended position  26 . Conversely, the person  20  experiences a reduction or cessation of resistance as each leg retracts into a non-extended position  24 . Preferably one of the connection loops  60  is positioned anteriorly on the belt  30  for use with the elastomeric bands  100  that terminate at the front end  81  of the shoes  80 , and preferably one of the connection loops  60  is positioned posteriorly on the belt  30  for use with the elastomeric bands  100  that terminate at the rear end  89  of the shoes  80 . 
     Based on the exercise to be done, such as jogging, for example, the person  20  can adjust the belt extension straps  40  and shoe extension straps  140  such that the resistance bands  100  are just taut when the person&#39;s knee is at a top point in his stride. Preferably the front-most attachment loops  91 , 93  can be used to connect the resistance bands  100  with a forward part of the belt  30 , and the rear-most attachment loops  92 , 94  can be used to connect the resistance bands  100  to a rearward part of the belt  30 . The two front-most attachment loops  91 , 93  may be connected to a single resistance band  100  via two of the shoe extension straps  140 , the two shoe extension straps  140  forming an inverted V-shape (not shown). 
     Alternately, for use with, for example, physical therapy applications, the resistance bands  100  and/or shoe extension straps  140  connect with the shoes  80  closer to a central location along the inner and outer sides  89 , 86  of the shoes  80 , and the belt extension straps  40  and shoe extension straps  140  are adjusted such that the resistance bands  100  are just taut when the person&#39;s knee is only slightly raised. This would provide minimal resistance to those who are learning how to walk again after an accident, for example. 
     Alternately, for strenuous and rapid directional-changing exercises, such as the so-called “three-cone” drill performed by professional football players during practice, the person  20  can adjust the belt extension straps  40  and shoe extension straps  140  to tighten-up the resistance bands  100  to provide more resistance through a greater range of leg motion. For such an exercise the resistance bands  100  and/or shoe extension straps  140  connect with the shoes  80  closer to a central location of the shoe  80  along the inner and outer sides  89 , 86  thereof. 
     Preferably a short shoe extension strap  361  ( FIG. 11 ) is included for connecting with the front most connection loops  91 ,  93  of the shoe  80 , while long shoe extension straps  362  are fixed with the opposing rear attachment loop  92  attached with the shoe  80  proximate the rear end  89  of the shoe  80 . As such, when the person  20  is walking the elastomeric bands  100  connected to the short shoe extension strap  361  except more force on the front end  81  of the shoe  80  than on the rear end  89  of the shoe  80 , such that the person  20  is encouraged to land each foot on a ground surface at the heal  21  of his foot  22 . Accordingly, the short and long shoe extension straps  361 , 362  may be swapped to encourage the person  20  to land each foot  22  on the ground surface at the balls  23  of his foot  22 . 
     Preferably each attachment loop  90  of each shoe  80  includes a strap member  110  fixed at a lower end  112  thereof with the shoe  80 , preferably with a strap member attachment mechanism  220  such as the hook-and-loop type fastening material  160 , 170 , mechanical snaps, mechanical buckle mechanisms, or the like. An upper end  118  of each strap member  110  terminates in a loop  120  that is adapted for selective fixing with the second end  108  of any of the elastomeric bands  100 . Such a plurality of strap members  110 , when not in use for physical training of the person  20 , may be cinched together with a conventional shoelace  200  to further aid in keeping the shoe  80  in place on the person&#39;s foot  22 . Alternately, each strap member  110  may be fixed to the shoe with a two-part mechanical fastener (not shown) such as the hook-and-loop fastening material, magnets, mechanical snaps, or the like. 
     In some embodiments, the attachment loop  90  and any associated strap member  110  are color-coded so that the person  20  knows which attachment loops  90  to use for particular exercises. For example, the two attachment loops  90  closest to the front end  81  of each shoe  80  may be colored red, which in separate instructions (not shown) may indicate that such attachment loops  90  are used for exercises requiring flexion of the ankle and exercising of the calve and shin muscles, such as track workouts, box jumps, wide receiver routes, plyometric exercise, and the like. Alternately, the rear-most attachment loops  90  may be colored blue, which in separate instructions (not shown) may indicate that such attachment loops  90  are used for exercises requiring quick change of direction movement, such as quarter back drills, basketballs drills, so-called “three-cone” drills, and the like. 
     Preferably a rigid metal or plastic ring  130  traverses the connection loop  60  of each belt extension strap  40  for facilitating the connection of the connection loop  60  with any of the elastomeric bands  100 . In some embodiments, such a rigid ring  130  may also be included traversing one or more of the attachment loops  90  of each shoe  80 . 
     In some embodiments the belt  30  further includes a buckle cover  210  ( FIG. 7 ) having the hook-type fastening material  170  on an inside surface  214  thereof and adapted for fixing with the belt  30  to cover the buckle mechanism  35 . Such a buckle cover  210  further includes the loop-type fastening material on an outside surface  216  thereof, such that each belt extension strap  40  may be fixed with the belt  30  at the buckle cover  210 , either on the inside surface  34  or on the outside surface  36  of the belt  30  separately, or on both surfaces  34 , 36  as shown with a folding buckle cover  210 . Without such a buckle cover  210 , the belt extensions straps  40  would not be easily affixed to the belt  30  at the location of the buckle mechanism  35  if such a location for one of the belt extension straps  40  was desired. 
     Preferably at least one appendage strap  370  is fixable around one of the person&#39;s appendages, such as an ankle or wrist. Each appendage strap  370  has at least one of the connection loops  60  and rigid rings  130  fixed therewith, such that one of the elastomeric bands  100  may be fixed with the connection loop  60  of any of the at least one appendage strap  370 . As with the extension strap  400 , the appendage strap  370  includes the loop-type fastening material  160  on both sides, except for one end that has the hook-type fastening material  170 , so that the appendage strap may be easily secured around the person&#39;s arm, wrist, leg, ankle, or the like. In some embodiments the appendage strap  370  further includes a foot strap  380  fixed at opposing ends  385  thereof to opposing sides of the appendage strap  370  ( FIG. 12 ). When used with the at least one appendage strap  370  fixed to the person&#39;s wrist, and with at least one of the elastomeric bands  100  fixed between the appendage strap  370  and either the shoulder harness  300 , the belt  30 , or one of the shoes  80 , the person  20  performs resistance exercises by stretching the elastomeric band  100  by extending his arm. 
     An object strap  390  ( FIG. 13 ) may be included for fixing to an object  15 , such as a pole or the like. Such an object strap  390  has at least one of the connect loops  60 , such that the person  20  can attach one of the elastomeric bands  100  between the belt  30  or the shoulder harness  300  and the object  15  to perform exercises. 
     In some embodiments a container  410  ( FIG. 14 ) is included for holding items  18 , such as unused elastomeric bands  100  and weights  19 . As such the person  20  can attach one or more of the elastomeric bands between the belt  30 , the shoulder harness  300 , or one of the shoes  80  and the container  410  to perform exercise by dragging the container  410  along the ground surface  14 . In some embodiments the container  410  takes the form of a backpack  420  ( FIG. 15 ) adapted for holding the items  18 , the backpacking including at least one of the connection loops  60  and rigid rings  130 , such that the person  20  can attach one of the elastomeric bands  100  between the backpack  420  and the belt  30 , shoulder harness  300 , appendage strap  370 , or one of the shoes  80  to perform exercises. When the physical training system  10  is not in use, the components can be stored in the backpack  420  and conveniently carried. 
     A hand strap  430  ( FIG. 16 ) or handle may be included for holding by the person  20 , the handle strap  430  having at least one of the connection loops  60  and rigid rings  130  for attaching to one of the elastomeric bands  100 . As such the person  20  can exercise by connecting at least one of the elastomeric bands  100  between the handle strap  430  and belt  30 , shoulder harness  300 , appendage strap  370 , or one of the shoes  80  to perform resistance exercises with his arms and legs. 
     Preferably each end  102 , 108  of the elastomeric bands  100  includes a selectively removable hook  230  ( FIG. 6 ) adapted for fixing with any of the attachment loops  90  of the shoes, the connection loops  60  and rigid rings  130  of the belt extension straps  40 , the connection loops and rigid rings  130  of the shoulder harness  300 , or the upper ends  148  of the shoe extension straps  140 . It is understood that either end  102 , 108  of the elastomeric bands  100  may be attached with any of the attachment loops  90 , connection loops  60 , rigid rings  130 , or shoe extension straps  140 ; that is, the orientation of the elastomeric bands  100  does not affect how the physical training system  10  is used. 
     While a particular form of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will be apparent that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the buckle mechanism  35  of the belt  30  may be any other conventional belt mechanism as is known in the art and, while not as convenient to use as that described herein, would also function adequately to maintain the connection loops  60  at the height of the person&#39;s hips or waist  25 . Likewise, various materials, colors and appearances of shoes  80  could be utilized as is known in the art. Similarly, any of the connection loops  60  described herein may include the rigid rings  130  or not, or may include a carabiner clip (not shown), D-ring (not shown), or other clip or attachment device as is known in the art. Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention be limited, except as by the appended claims. 
     Particular terminology used when describing certain features or aspects of the invention should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being redefined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics, features, or aspects of the invention with which that terminology is associated. In general, the terms used in the following claims should not be construed to limit the invention to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification, unless the above Detailed Description section explicitly defines such terms. Accordingly, the actual scope of the invention encompasses not only the disclosed embodiments, but also all equivalent ways of practicing or implementing the invention. The above detailed description of the embodiments of the invention is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed above or to the particular field of usage mentioned in this disclosure. While specific embodiments of, and examples for, the invention are described above for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the invention, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. Also, the teachings of the invention provided herein can be applied to other systems, not necessarily the system described above. The elements and acts of the various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. 
     All of the above patents and applications and other references, including any that may be listed in accompanying filing papers, are incorporated herein by reference. Aspects of the invention can be modified, if necessary, to employ the systems, functions, and concepts of the various references described above to provide yet further embodiments of the invention. 
     Changes can be made to the invention in light of the above “Detailed Description.” While the above description details certain embodiments of the invention and describes the best mode contemplated, no matter how detailed the above appears in text, the invention can be practiced in many ways. Therefore, implementation details may vary considerably while still being encompassed by the invention disclosed herein. As noted above, particular terminology used when describing certain features or aspects of the invention should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being redefined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics, features, or aspects of the invention with which that terminology is associated. 
     While certain aspects of the invention are presented below in certain claim forms, the inventor contemplates the various aspects of the invention in any number of claim forms. Accordingly, the inventor reserves the right to add additional claims after filing the application to pursue such additional claim forms for other aspects of the invention.