Patent Publication Number: US-9427622-B2

Title: Resistance training device and method

Description:
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present disclosure relates to a physical training device and method. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a resistance-based physical training device and method. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Some exercises are performed without the use of supplemental equipment. For example, a person may perform sit-ups or crunches to strengthen his or her abdominal muscles without the use of supplemental equipment. However, sit-ups and crunches may only work a limited region of the abdominal muscles. As another example, a person may walk, jog, or run without the use of specialized equipment. 
     Other exercises may be performed with supplemental equipment. The supplemental equipment may be designed to enhance the workout and/or to make the workout more comfortable. One such piece of supplemental equipment is the TRX® suspension training device available from Fitness Anywhere, LLC of San Francisco, Calif. The TRX® device is inelastic and requires the user to suspend his or her body weight, such as by as leaning or hanging from the device. However, these movements may put unwanted pressure on the user&#39;s joints and make the user unstable. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure provides a resistance-based physical training device and method. The device includes an inelastic support strap located above a user and an elastic resistance strap coupled to the support strap. The method involves pulling the resistance strap, which resists or opposes the pulling movement to provide a unique, fun, effective, efficient, and total-body workout. 
     According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a physical training device is disclosed, the device being coupled to a support located above a user. The device has a top end located near the support and a bottom end located near the user. The device includes an inelastic support strap located near the top end of the device, the support strap hanging vertically downward from the support, and an elastic resistance strap coupled to the support strap, the resistance strap having a first end with a first handle, a second end with a second handle, and a middle portion between the first and second ends. 
     According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, a physical training device is disclosed. The device includes an elastic resistance strap having a first end, a second end, and a middle portion between the first and second ends, a first handle coupled to the first end of the resistance strap, and a second handle coupled to the second end of the resistance strap, each of the first and second handles including an inner loop that is configured to receive the user&#39;s hand and an outer loop around the inner loop that is configured to receive the user&#39;s foot, the inner loop being distinct from the outer loop. 
     According to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, a method is disclosed for use with a physical training device, the device including an inelastic support strap and an elastic resistance strap having first and second handles. The method includes the steps of: coupling the elastic resistance strap to the inelastic support strap, the inelastic support strap having a top end coupled to a support located overhead and a bottom end hanging freely beneath the support; and pulling the first and second handles of the elastic resistance strap. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this disclosure, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention itself will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of an exemplary physical training device shown hanging from a ceiling, the device including a support strap and a resistance strap with handles; 
         FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of the device of  FIG. 1  shown hanging from a beam, the device further including an extension strap above the support strap; 
         FIG. 3A  is a front or rear elevational view of the support strap of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3B  is a side elevational view of the support strap of  FIG. 3A ; 
         FIG. 3C  is a partial side elevational view of the support strap of  FIG. 3B ; 
         FIG. 4  is a front or rear elevational view of another support strap; 
         FIG. 5A  is an assembled, front elevational view of the resistance strap and the handles of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5B  is an exploded, front elevational view of the resistance strap and one of the handles of  FIG. 5A ; 
         FIG. 5C  is a top perspective view of the handle of  FIG. 5B ; 
         FIG. 6  is a front perspective view of another handle; 
         FIG. 7  is a front perspective view of yet another handle; 
         FIG. 8A  is a front perspective view of still yet another handle shown in an open configuration; 
         FIG. 8B  is a front perspective view of the handle of  FIG. 8A  shown in a closed configuration; 
         FIG. 9A  is a front perspective view of the device of  FIG. 1  in use, the user standing with his or her arms raised; 
         FIG. 9B  is a front perspective view similar to  FIG. 9A , the user squatting with his or her arms bent; 
         FIG. 10A  is a front perspective view of the device of  FIG. 1  in use, the user sitting with his or her arms raised; and 
         FIG. 10B  is a front perspective view similar to  FIG. 10A , the user crunching downward with his or her arms bent. 
     
    
    
     Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplifications set out herein illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     A physical training device  10  is provided that hangs vertically downward from a horizontal support toward a user  100 . Device  10  includes a first or top end  11  located near the horizontal support and a second or bottom end  12  located near user  100 . 
     Top end  11  of device  10  is coupled to the horizontal support at a location above user  100 . In one embodiment, the horizontal support is a ceiling C or another overhead surface, as shown in  FIG. 1 . In this embodiment of  FIG. 1 , device  10  includes hook  14 , illustratively a carabiner, that hooks securely but removably into mount  16  on ceiling C. In another embodiment, the horizontal support is a beam B or another overhead structure, as shown in  FIG. 2 . In this embodiment of  FIG. 2 , device includes loop  18  that wraps around beam B. For flexibility of usage, device  10  may include both hook  14  and the removable loop  18 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, user  100  has full freedom of movement beneath the horizontal support (e.g., beam B, ceiling C). Rather than having to mount device  10  into a door frame or onto a door knob, for example, where the vertical door jamb and the door may obstruct movement, device  10  may be mounted to a horizontal support (e.g., beam B, ceiling C) that lacks underlying obstructions. Specifically, device  10  may lack obstructions within a cylindrical region that spans vertically from the horizontal support to the ground, the device  10  defining the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical region, and the cylindrical region having an obstruction-free radius of at least 20 inches, 30 inches, 40 inches, 50 inches, or more, from the longitudinal axis. If device  10  were to be hung in a standard door frame, the obstruction-free radius around device  10  may be less than 20 inches, such as about 12 inches or 18 inches, for example. 
     Top end  11  of device  10  includes a first, flexible, inelastic support strap  20  coupled to hook  14 . Support strap  20  is shown further in  FIGS. 3A-3C . Support strap  20  may be constructed of two adjacent strips  22 ,  24 , of flexible, inelastic material, such as nylon webbing. The inelastic material of support strap  20  should maintain a substantially fixed length when pulled by user  100 . An exemplary support strap  20  is about 25 inches to about 35 inches in length L S , and more specifically about 30 inches in length L S , for example. However, the length L S  of support strap  20  may vary depending on the height of the horizontal support (e.g., beam B, ceiling C) above user  100 . An exemplary support strap  20  is about 1 inch to about 3 inches in width W S , and more specifically about 1.5 inches in width W S . 
     Strips  22 ,  24 , of support strap  20  are sewn together at spaced-apart seams  26  to define a plurality of vertically-spaced loops  28  therebetween, as shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B . The illustrated support strap  20  includes nine vertically-spaced loops  28 , although the number of loops  28  may vary. Also, the illustrated support strap  20  includes loops  28  spaced substantially evenly from end to end, although the location of and spacing between each loop  28  may vary. For example, in  FIG. 4 , another support strap  20 ′ is shown with four loops  28 ′, including one loop  28 ′ at the top end of support strap  20 ′, three loops  28 ′ at the bottom end of support strap  20 ′, and no loops in the middle of support strap  20 ′. 
     Between adjacent seams  26 , one strip of support strap  20  (e.g., strip  24 ) may be longer than the other strip of support strap  20  (e.g., strip  22 ), such that the longer strip  24  is forced outward, as shown in  FIG. 3C . If the shorter strip  22  is about 3 inches in length L S1 , for example, the longer strip  24  may be about 3.5 inches in length L S2 , or more, making the longer strip  24  more than about 15% longer than the shorter strip  22 . In use, the longer strip  24  is forced outward to make the corresponding loop  28  larger and more easily accessible. 
     Bottom end  12  of device  10  includes a second, flexible, elastic resistance strap  30  removably coupled to support strap  20 . Resistance strap  30  is shown further in  FIGS. 5A-5B  and extends from left end  32  to right end  34 . Resistance strap  30  may be constructed of rubber or another suitable elastomeric material that stretches by a noticeable amount (e.g., 1 inch, 3 inches, 5 inches, or more) when pulled by user  100  and returns to its original, natural state when released. Resistance strap  30  may be in the shape of round exercise tubing, as shown, or a flat band, for example. When at rest, an exemplary resistance strap  30  is about 40 inches to about 60 inches in total length, and more specifically about 50 inches in total length, for example. Thus, when resistance strap  30  is at rest and supported halfway between left end  32  and right end  34 , as shown in  FIG. 5A , resistance strap  30  may extend vertically downward from support strap  20  by about 25 inches to each end  32 ,  34 . If support strap  20  is about 30 inches in length L S  ( FIG. 3A ), for example, and each half or side of resistance strap  30  is about 25 inches in length ( FIG. 5A ), support strap  20  may contribute more length to device  10  than resistance strap  30 . However, the length of resistance strap  30  may vary. It is also understood that one end of resistance strap  30  (e.g., left end  32 ) may be pulled further downward than the other end of resistance strap  30  (e.g., right end  34 ), and vice versa. 
     In the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 1 , resistance strap  30  is removably coupled to support strap  20  via hook  36 , illustratively another carabiner, and an intermediate strap  38 . In one embodiment, intermediate strap  38  is constructed of a flexible, inelastic material, like the nylon webbing of support strap  20 . In another embodiment, intermediate strap  38  is constructed of a rigid material, such as plastic or metal. Intermediate strap  38  may be integrally coupled, mechanically coupled, or otherwise coupled to hook  36 . In use, hook  36  hooks securely into loop  28  of support strap  20 , as shown in  FIG. 1 , and resistance strap  30  extends through intermediate strap  38 , as shown in  FIGS. 5A and 5B . 
     According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, user  100  may quickly and easily couple hook  36  into a desired loop  28  of support strap  20  to adjust the height of resistance strap  30  above the ground. Resistance strap  30  may be raised relative to support strap  20  and the ground by inserting hook  36  into a desired loop  28  located near top end  11  of device  10 , and resistance strap  30  may be lowered relative to support strap  20  and the ground by inserting hook  36  into a desired loop  28  located near bottom end  12  of device  10 . In one example, a tall user  100  may raise resistance strap  30  relative to support strap  20  and the ground, while a short user  100  may lower resistance strap  30  relative to support strap  20  and the ground. As another example, user  100  may raise resistance strap  30  relative to support strap  20  and the ground to increase resistance for one exercise (e.g., a standing exercise) and may lower resistance strap  30  relative to support strap  20  and the ground to decrease resistance for another exercise (e.g., a seated exercise). 
     Optionally, device  10  may further include one or more extension straps  50  to alter the length of device  10 . In  FIG. 2 , extension strap  50  is located above support strap  20 , but it is also within the scope of the present disclosure to locate extension strap  50  beneath support strap  20  (e.g., between support strap  20  and resistance strap  30 ). Without extension strap  50  in place, as shown in  FIG. 1 , device  10  is relatively short in overall length. On the other hand, with extension strap  50  in place, as shown in  FIG. 2 , device  10  is relatively long in overall length. In one example, a short user  100  may use extension strap  50  to lengthen device  10 , while a tall user  100  may remove extension strap  50  to shorten device  10 . As another example, user  100  may use extension strap  50  to reach a high ceiling beam B, but may avoid using extension strap  50  to reach a standard-height ceiling C. An exemplary extension strap  50  is capable of lengthening device  10  by about 10 inches to about 20 inches, and more specifically by about 15 to about 18 inches, for example. However, the size of extension strap  50  may vary depending on the height of the horizontal support (e.g., beam B, ceiling C) above user  100 . Also, it is within the scope of the present disclosure to provide device  10  with a plurality of extension straps  50  of different sizes. 
     With resistance strap  30  at rest, ends  32 ,  34 , of resistance strap  30  may come to rest near the head or shoulders of user  100 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . For an adult user  100  that is about 5.5 feet tall, for example, device  10  may be adjusted to position ends  32 ,  34 , of resistance strap  30  about 4.5 feet, 5 feet, or 5.5 feet from the ground. As discussed above, adjusting device  10  may involve selecting a different loop  28  of support strap  20  and/or using or excluding an extension strap  50 , for example. 
     According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a plurality of resistance straps  30  are provided, each resistance strap  30  having a different level of resistance. The level of resistance may be altered by varying the thickness of each resistance strap  30 . The plurality of resistance straps  30  may include, for example, a thin-walled tube that supports less than 10 lbs. of maximum resistance, a medium-walled tube that supports more than 10 lbs. of maximum resistance, and a thick-walled tube that supports more than 20 lbs. of maximum resistance. In this manner, user  100  may select a resistance strap  30  having a desired level of resistance. 
     Device  10  further includes handles coupled to resistance strap  30 . Specifically, device  10  includes a left handle  42  coupled to left end  32  of resistance strap  30  and a right handle  44  coupled to right end  34  of resistance strap  30 , as shown in  FIGS. 5A and 5B , where “left” and “right” are described and illustrated herein from the perspective of user  100 . In the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 5C , each handle  42 ,  44 , defines an aperture  46 , which is optionally surrounded by a metal grommet  48 , for receiving the corresponding end  32 ,  34 , of resistance strap  30 . Also, each end  32 ,  34 , of resistance strap  30  may be enlarged or knotted, as shown in  FIG. 5B , to prevent resistance strap  30  from slipping through each aperture  46 . 
     Each handle  42 ,  44 , includes a hand grip portion  60  and a foot grip portion  62 . In the illustrated embodiment of  FIGS. 5A-5C , hand grip portion  60  is defined by a first, inner loop  64  of material having a handle bar  66 . Inner loop  64  may be constructed of a flexible, inelastic material, like the nylon webbing of support strap  20 . Handle bar  66  may wrap around the material of inner loop  64  and may be constructed of plastic, metal, or another suitable material. It is also within the scope of the present disclosure that handle bar  66  may be padded for comfort and improved grip. Handle bar  66  should be sized to fit within the gripped hand of user  100 . An exemplary handle bar  66  may be about 3 inches to about 6 inches in width W H , and more specifically about 4.5 inches to about 5 inches in width W H , such as about 4.75 inches in W H . To accommodate handle bar  66 , the perimeter of inner loop  64  may span about 12 inches to about 18 inches, and more specifically about 14 inches. 
     In the same illustrated embodiment of  FIGS. 5A-5C , foot grip portion  62  is defined by a second, outer loop  68  of material that surrounds inner loop  64  and is distinct from inner loop  64 . Outer loop  68  and inner loop  64  may be constructed of the same flexible, inelastic material, such as nylon webbing, and may be joined together using grommet  48  or another suitable fastener, as shown in  FIG. 5C . Outer loop  68  should be sized to receive the foot of user  100 . Thus, the perimeter of outer loop  68  may span about 20 inches to about 25 inches, and more specifically about 22 inches. Because inner loop  64  is distinct from outer loop  68 , handle bar  66  on inner loop  64  (which is normally centered within outer loop  68 ) may shift upward and/or sideways to accommodate the foot of user  100  within outer loop  68 . Unlike hand grip portion  60 , foot grip portion  62  need not include a handle bar. Instead, the foot or shoe of user  100  may be placed directly against the material of outer loop  68 . 
     Another handle  42 ′,  44 ′, is shown in  FIG. 6 . Like handle  42 ,  44  ( FIG. 5C ), handle  42 ′,  44 ′ ( FIG. 6 ) includes a hand grip portion  60 ′ and a foot grip portion  62 ′. However, unlike handle  42 ,  44  ( FIG. 5C ), which includes distinct inner and outer loops  64 ,  68 , handle  42 ′,  44 ′ ( FIG. 6 ) includes a continuous loop  70 ′ arranged in a “figure-8” shape. Handle bar  66 ′ is centrally located on loop  70 ′ along the intersection between hand grip portion  60 ′ and a foot grip portion  62 ′. 
     Yet another handle  42 ″,  44 ″, is shown in  FIG. 7 . Like handle  42 ,  44  ( FIG. 5C ), handle  42 ″,  44 ″ ( FIG. 7 ) includes a hand grip portion  60 ″ and a foot grip portion  62 ″. However, unlike handle  42 ,  44  ( FIG. 5C ), which includes distinct inner and outer loops  64 ,  68 , handle  42 ″,  44 ″ ( FIG. 7 ) includes a single, outer loop  68 ″. Handle bar  66 ″ spans the entirety of outer loop  68 ″ and is fixedly coupled to outer loop  68 ″. 
     Still yet another handle  42 ′″,  44 ′″, is shown in  FIGS. 8A and 8B . Handle  42 ′″,  44 ′″, includes a single, outer loop  68 ′″, that may be snapped open ( FIG. 8A ) and closed ( FIG. 8B ). Handle bar  66 ′″ is slideably coupled to outer loop  68 ′″ to define either hand grip portion  60 ′″ ( FIG. 8A ) or foot grip portion  62 ′″ ( FIG. 8B ). With handle bar  66 ′″ positioned horizontally on outer loop  68 ′″ ( FIG. 8A ), handle bar  66 ′″ may receive a gripped hand. By contrast, with handle bar  66 ′″ positioned vertically on outer loop  68 ′″ ( FIG. 8B ), the now-exposed region of outer loop  68 ′″ may receive a foot. 
     In operation, when resistance strap  30  is stretched by pulling downward on handles  42 ,  44 , resistance strap  30  resists or opposes the pulling movement. The resistance from resistance strap  30  provides a unique, fun, effective, efficient, and total-body workout. The resistance from resistance strap  30  also enhances the workout. Over the same amount of time, user  100  may burn as many calories using device  10  as if he or she had run a long distance at a fast, 6-minute-mile pace. Thus, device  10  may have a larger metabolic impact than long-distance running Device  10  has been shown to boost the metabolism of user  100  for 1 day, 2 days, or more. Therefore, even if user  100  only works out with device  10  during 3 days or 4 days of a week, user  100  may maximize his or her metabolism over the entire week, for example. 
     In  FIGS. 9A and 9B , for example, user  100  bends his or her elbows and pulls downward on handles  42 ,  44 , to stretch resistance strap  30 , which works the muscles of the upper body (e.g., arms, shoulders). Additionally, user  100  bends his or her knees and squats downward to simultaneously work the muscles of the lower body (e.g., abdominal core, quad region). Compared to standard squats, device  10  enables user  100  to work more muscles in a shorter period of time. 
     In  FIGS. 10A and 10B , as another example, user  100  bends his or her elbows and pulls downward on handles  42 ,  44 , from a seated position to stretch resistance strap  30  even further, which works the muscles of the upper body (e.g., arms, shoulders). Additionally, user  100  tightens his or her abdominal core muscles to simultaneously work the lower body. Compared to standard crunches, device  10  enables user  100  to work more muscles in a shorter period of time. Although standard crunches may work a limited region of the abdominal muscles, for example, device  10  may work the abdominal muscles, oblique muscles, pectoral muscles, and muscles near the ribs, hips, and lower back. 
     User  100  may perform a wide variety of exercises with device  10 . For example, user  100  may perform anaerobic exercises with device  10  (e.g. leg lifts, squats, arm pulls) to gain strength, to build new lean tissue, and to improve flexibility. User  100  may also perform aerobic exercises with device  10  (e.g., jumping jacks, kicks, running in place) to improve cardiovascular health, to improve endurance, and to burn calories and fat. It is understood that these anaerobic and aerobic benefits may be realized by the same exercise motion. For example, an anaerobic, strength-building motion with device  10  may cause a muscle to break down, and then the body may aerobically burn calories and fat to repair the muscle. 
     Also, user  100  may grip device  10  in a variety of ways. For example, user  100  may hold the hand grip portions  60  of handles  42 ,  44 , or user  100  may rest his or her feet against the foot grip portions  62  of handles  42 ,  44 . Also, user  100  may hold handles  42 ,  44 , apart in different hands ( FIGS. 9A and 9B ) or together in the same hand for double the resistance ( FIGS. 10A and 10B ). 
     Additionally, user  100  may position his or her body in a variety of ways when using device  10 . For example, user  100  may manipulate device  10  from a standing position ( FIG. 9A ), a squatting position ( FIG. 9B ), a seated position ( FIGS. 10A and 10B ), while lying down (e.g., a plank position, a cycling position), or from another position. Providing user  100  with full freedom of movement beneath device  10 , as shown, facilitates these different positions. For example, user  100  may be positioned behind device  10  ( FIGS. 9A and 9B ), in front of device  10 , to the side of device  10  (FIG.  10 A), or directly beneath device  10  ( FIG. 10B ) without interference from a vertical door jamb, a door, or another obstruction. 
     Also, user  100  may use device  10  in combination with other exercise equipment, such as gliders, body bars, weights, treadmills, and other equipment. For example, user  100  may lift arm weights while performing leg lifts with his or her foot in device  10 . 
     Furthermore, user  100  may operate device  10  in a variety of settings. For example, user  100  may operate device  10  in a group class setting with a live instructor, optionally a certified instructor, and other class members. In this class setting, a plurality of devices  10  may be spaced apart and hung from the ceiling of a fitness center for simultaneous use by the instructor and the class members. As another example, user  100  may operate device  10  individually, such as at home. In this at-home setting, user  100  may follow along with a web-based instruction session or a recorded instruction video, for example. 
     Device  10  may accommodate a wide range of users  100 . For example, as discussed above, the total length of device  10 , the elevation of device  10  above the ground, and the resistance of device  10  may be customized to accommodate the abilities, limitations, and goals of each particular user  100 . 
     Device  10  may be sold in a kit. The kit may include support strap  20 , a plurality of resistance straps  30 , optionally with pre-attached handles  42 ,  44 , and a plurality of extension straps  50 . The kit may also include written instructions for safely and properly assembling and using device  10 . The kit may further include a recorded instruction video for at-home use, as discussed above. 
     While this invention has been described as having exemplary designs, the present invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.