Abstract:
An exercise mat may include a first portion having first and second opposed ends in a longitudinal direction. The first portion has a lateral dimension in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. A second portion of the mat has first and second opposed ends in the longitudinal direction. The first end of the second portion may face in a direction of the second end of the first portion. The second portion has a lateral dimension in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The lateral dimension of the first portion may be about 50% to about 100% greater that the lateral dimension of the second portion.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0001]     The present invention is directed generally to exercise mats and systems. More particularly, the present invention is directed to portable exercise mats and systems for facilitating various exercises, including wide-arm pushups.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     Conventional exercise mats are typically rectangular in shape. In order to minimize floor space during exercise, such mats are typically sized such that their width is slightly wider that the shoulder-to-shoulder distance of an average adult. Some rectangular mats are made smaller in order to more closely match the shoulder-to-shoulder distance of petite women or youths. Other rectangular mats are made wider and/or longer to accommodate larger men.  
         [0003]     The aforementioned conventional mats may be used for sit-ups and various other exercises. However, if used for push-ups, these conventional mats may not be wide enough to provide a position for a user&#39;s hands. For example, if a user performs wide-arm push-ups, the user&#39;s hands will be off the mat and in contact with a floor. It should be understood that the purpose for using the exercise mat may have been to avoid contact with a dirty floor or otherwise undesirable surface.  
         [0004]     While some conventional mats may include marketing or advertising indicia, such mats do not include indicia centered along a length of the mat and/or indicia symmetrically spaced on opposite sides of such a centerline. It may be desirable to provide such indicia to aid a user with alignment of the torso, hands, feet, or the like.  
         [0005]     It may be desirable to provide an exercise mat having a wide portion for accommodating a user&#39;s hands during exercises where the user&#39;s arms and hands are extended away from the torso.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     According to various aspects, the present disclosure is directed to an exercise mat including a first portion having first and second opposed ends in a longitudinal direction. The first portion has a lateral dimension in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. A second portion of the mat has first and second opposed ends in the longitudinal direction. The first end of the second portion may face in a direction of the second end of the first portion. The second portion has a lateral dimension in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The lateral dimension of the first portion may be about 50% to about 100% greater that the lateral dimension of the second portion.  
         [0007]     In accordance with various aspect, the present disclosure is directed to an exercise mat including a first portion having first and second opposed ends in a longitudinal direction. The first portion has a lateral dimension in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. A second portion of the mat has first and second opposed ends in the longitudinal direction. The first end of the second portion may face in a direction of the second end of the first portion. The second portion may taper from the first end thereof to the second end thereof. The second portion has a minimum lateral dimension in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The lateral dimension of the first portion may be about 50% to about 100% greater that the minimum lateral dimension of the second portion.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary exercise mat in accordance with various aspects of the invention.  
         [0009]      FIG. 2  is a front view of the exercise mat of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0010]      FIG. 3  is a front view of another exemplary exercise mat in accordance with various aspects of the invention.  
         [0011]      FIG. 4  is a front view of yet another exemplary exercise mat in accordance with various aspects of the invention.  
         [0012]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an exemplary exercise system in accordance with various aspects of the invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0013]     An exemplary embodiment of an exercise mat  10  is illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The exercise mat  10  may include a first end  12  and a second end  14 . The first and second ends  12 ,  14  may be disposed at opposite ends of a longitudinal dimension  16  of the mat  10 . The mat  10  may also include a longitudinal centerline  18  extending in a direction of the longitudinal dimension  16  (i.e., a longitudinal direction).  
         [0014]     The mat  10  may comprise a first end portion  30  and a second end portion  50 . According to various aspects, the first end portion  30  may extend from the first end  12  of the mat  10  toward the second end portion  50 . The first end  12  and the first end portion  30  may have a lateral dimension  32  extending between a first side  40  and a second side  42 . The lateral dimension  32  may be substantially constant along an entire longitudinal dimension  36  of the first end portion  30 .  
         [0015]     According to various aspects, the second end portion  50  may extend from the second end  14  of the mat  10  toward the first end portion  30 . The second end portion  50  may have a maximum lateral dimension  52  extending between a third side  60  and a fourth side  62 . The maximum lateral dimension  52  may be substantially constant along at least a portion of a longitudinal dimension  56  of the second end portion  50 .  
         [0016]     According to various aspects, the lateral dimension  32  may be sized to be slightly larger than a width of a torso of a human being. The maximum lateral dimension  52  may be greater than the lateral dimension  32 . For example, the maximum lateral dimension  52  may be selected such that a user can at least partly extend his or her arms and still have his or her hands in contact with the mat  10 . According to various aspects, the maximum lateral dimension  52  of the second end portion  50  may be about 50% to about 100% greater than the lateral dimension  32  of the first end portion  30 . For example, in some aspects, the maximum lateral dimension  52  may be about 75% greater than the lateral dimension  32 .  
         [0017]     The mat  10  may comprise a first tapered side  70  and a second tapered side  72 . In some aspects, the first tapered side  70  may connect the first and third sides  40 ,  60 , and the second tapered side  72  may connect the second and fourth sides  42 ,  62 . According to some aspects, the mat  10  may comprise a third tapered side  74  and a fourth tapered side  76 . The third tapered side  74  may connect the third side  60  and the second end  14 , while the fourth tapered side  76  may connect the fourth side  62  and the second end  14 .  
         [0018]     It should be appreciated that, in some aspects, the first and second tapered sides  70 ,  72  may comprise a portion of the first end portion  30  and/or a portion of the second end portion  50 . In some aspects, the first and second tapered sides  70 ,  72  may comprise a portion of the mat  10  independent of the first and second end portions  30 ,  50 .  
         [0019]     It should be appreciated that, in some aspects, the first and second ends  12 ,  14  may have substantially the same lateral dimension, for example, if the third and fourth tapered sides  74 ,  76  are eliminated. In other aspects, the first and second ends  12 ,  14  may have different lateral dimensions. In any event, the lateral dimension of the second end  14  should not exceed the maximum lateral dimension  52 , although in some aspects, the second end  14  may have a lateral dimension substantially equal to the maximum lateral dimension  52 .  
         [0020]     The mat  10  may include indicia to facilitate proper alignment by a user during exercise, for example, when doing push-ups. In some exemplary aspects, the mat  10  may include first indicia  80  substantially centered on the second end portion  50  with respect to the maximum lateral dimension  52 . The first indicia  80  may comprise a line, or it may comprise a shape such as, for example, a diamond (as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ), circle, square, rectangle, triangle, or any desired shape.  
         [0021]     Second indicia  82  and third indicia  84  may be substantially symmetrically disposed on opposite sides of the first indicia  80  in reference to the maximum lateral dimension  52 . Each of the second and third indicia  82 ,  84  may comprise at least one marking such as, for example, a line segment or shape. According to various aspects, if different sizes and/or shapes are used, matching sizes and shapes may be substantially symmetrically disposed on opposite sides of the first indicia  80 .  
         [0022]     The mat  10  may include fourth indicia  86  substantially centered on the first end portion  30  with respect to the lateral dimension  32 . The fourth indicia  86  may comprise a line, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , or it may comprise a shape such as, for example, a diamond, circle, square, rectangle, triangle, or any desired shape. The central indicia  80 ,  86  and/or the symmetrical locations of second and third indicia  82 ,  84  may facilitate a user&#39;s determination of proper hand, torso, and/or foot alignment on the mat  10 .  
         [0023]     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , another exemplary embodiment of an exercise mat  110  is shown. The exercise mat  110  may include a first end  112  and a second end  114 . The first and second ends  112 ,  114  may be disposed at opposite ends of a longitudinal dimension  116  of the mat  110 . The mat  110  may also include a longitudinal centerline  118  extending in a direction of the longitudinal dimension  116  (i.e., a longitudinal direction). According to various aspects, the first end  12  may have a lateral dimension  132 .  
         [0024]     According to various aspects, the mat  110  may comprise a wide portion  150 . The wide portion  150  may extend from the second end  114  of the mat  110  toward the first end  112 . The wide portion  150  may have a maximum lateral dimension  152  extending between a first side  160  and a second side  162 . The maximum lateral dimension  152  may be substantially constant along at least a portion of a longitudinal dimension  156  of the wide portion  150 .  
         [0025]     According to various aspects, the lateral dimension  132  may be sized to be slightly larger than a width of a torso of a human being. The maximum lateral dimension  152  may be greater than the lateral dimension  132 . For example, the maximum lateral dimension  152  may be selected such that a user can at least partly extend his or her arms and still have his or her hands in contact with the mat  110 . According to various aspects, the maximum lateral dimension  152  of the second end portion  150  may be about 50% to about 100% greater than the lateral dimension  132  of the first end portion  130 . For example, in some aspects, the maximum lateral dimension  152  may be about 75% greater than the lateral dimension  132 .  
         [0026]     The mat  110  may comprise a first tapered side  170  and a second tapered side  172 . In some aspects, the first tapered side  170  may connect the first end  112  and the first side  160 , and the second tapered side  172  may connect the first end  112  and the second side  162 . According to some aspects, the mat  110  may comprise a third tapered side  174  and a fourth tapered side  176 . The third tapered side  174  may connect the first side  160  and the second end  114 , while the fourth tapered side  176  may connect the second side  162  and the second end  114 .  
         [0027]     It should be appreciated that, in some aspects, the first and second tapered sides  170 ,  172  may comprise a portion of the wide portion  150 . In some aspects, the first and second tapered sides  170 ,  172  may comprise portion of the mat  110  independent of the wide portion  150 .  
         [0028]     It should be appreciated that, in some aspects, the first and second ends  112 ,  114  may have substantially the same lateral dimension, for example, if the third and fourth tapered sides  174 ,  176  are eliminated. In other aspects, the first and second ends  112 ,  114  may have different lateral dimensions. In any event, the lateral dimension of the second end  114  should not exceed the maximum lateral dimension  152 , although in some aspects, the second end  114  may have a lateral dimension substantially equal to the maximum lateral dimension  152 .  
         [0029]     The mat  110  may include indicia to facilitate proper alignment by a user during exercise, for example, when doing push-ups. In some exemplary aspects, the mat  110  may include first indicia  180  substantially centered on the wide portion  150  with respect to the maximum lateral dimension  152 . The first indicia  180  may comprise a line, or it may comprise a shape such as, for example, a diamond (as shown in  FIG. 3 ), circle, square, rectangle, triangle, or any desired shape.  
         [0030]     Second indicia  182  and third indicia  184  may be substantially symmetrically disposed on opposite sides of the first indicia  180  in reference to the maximum lateral dimension  152 . Each of the second and third indicia  182 ,  184  may comprise at least one marking such as, for example, a line segment or shape. According to various aspects, if different sizes and/or shapes are used, matching sizes and shapes may be substantially symmetrically disposed on opposite sides of the first indicia  180 .  
         [0031]     The mat  110  may include fourth indicia  186  proximate the first end  112  and substantially centered with respect to the lateral dimension  132 . The fourth indicia  186  may comprise a line, as shown in  FIG. 3 , or it may comprise a shape such as, for example, a diamond, circle, square, rectangle, triangle, or any desired shape. The central indicia  180 ,  186  and/or the symmetrical locations of second and third indicia  182 ,  184  may facilitate a user&#39;s determination of proper hand, torso, and/or foot alignment on the mat  110 .  
         [0032]     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , another exemplary embodiment of an exercise mat  210  is shown. The exercise mat  210  may include a first end  212  and a second end  214 . The first and second ends  212 ,  214  may be disposed at opposite ends of a longitudinal dimension  216  of the mat  210 . The mat  210  may also include a longitudinal centerline  218  extending in a direction of the longitudinal dimension  216  (i.e., a longitudinal direction).  
         [0033]     The mat  210  may comprise a first end portion  230  and a second end portion  250 . According to various aspects, the first end portion  30  may extend from the first end  212  of the mat  210  toward the second end portion  250 . The first end  212  and the first end portion  230  may have a lateral dimension  232  extending between a first side  240  and a second side  242 . The lateral dimension  232  may be substantially constant along an entire longitudinal dimension  236  of the first end portion  230 .  
         [0034]     According to various aspects, the second end portion  250  may extend from the second end  214  of the mat  210  toward the first end portion  230 . The second end portion  250  may have a maximum lateral dimension  252  extending between a third side  260  and a fourth side  262 . The maximum lateral dimension  252  may be substantially constant along at least a portion of a longitudinal dimension  256  of the second end portion  250 .  
         [0035]     According to various aspects, the lateral dimension  232  may be sized to be slightly larger than a width of a torso of a human being. The maximum lateral dimension  252  may be greater than the lateral dimension  232 . For example, the maximum lateral dimension  252  may be selected such that a user can at least partly extend his or her arms and still have his or her hands in contact with the mat  210 . According to various aspects, the maximum lateral dimension  252  of the second end portion  250  may be about 50% to about 100% greater than the lateral dimension  232  of the first end portion  230 . For example, in some aspects, the maximum lateral dimension  252  may be about 75% greater than the lateral dimension  232 .  
         [0036]     It should be appreciated that, in some aspects, a portion of the first and second sides  240 ,  240  may comprise a portion of the first end portion  230  and a portion of the second end portion  250 . In some aspects, a portion of the first and second sides  240 ,  240  may comprise a portion of the mat  210  independent of the first and second end portions  230 ,  250 .  
         [0037]     It should be appreciated that, in some aspects, the first and second ends  212 ,  214  may have different lateral dimensions. In some aspects, for example if tapered sides were added between the second end  214  and the third and fourth sides  260 ,  262 , the first and second sides  212 ,  214  may have substantially the same lateral dimension. In any event, the lateral dimension of the second end  214  should not exceed the maximum lateral dimension  252 , although in some aspects, the second end  214  may have a lateral dimension substantially equal to the maximum lateral dimension  252 .  
         [0038]     The mat  210  may include indicia to facilitate proper alignment by a user during exercise, for example, when doing push-ups. In some exemplary aspects, the mat  210  may include first indicia  280  substantially centered on the second end portion  250  with respect to the maximum lateral dimension  252 . The first indicia  280  may comprise a line, or it may comprise a shape such as, for example, a diamond (as shown in  FIG. 4 ), circle, square, rectangle, triangle or any desired shape.  
         [0039]     Second indicia  282  and third indicia  284  may be substantially symmetrically disposed on opposite sides of the first indicia  280  in reference to the maximum lateral dimension  252 . Each of the second and third indicia  282 ,  284  may comprise at least one marking such as, for example, a line segment or shape. According to various aspects, if different sizes and/or shapes are used, matching sizes and shapes may be substantially symmetrically disposed on opposite sides of the first indicia  280 .  
         [0040]     The mat  210  may include fourth indicia  286  substantially centered on the first end portion  230  with respect to the lateral dimension  232 . The fourth indicia  286  may comprise a line, as shown in  FIG. 4 , or it may comprise a shape such as, for example, a diamond, circle, square, rectangle, triangle, or any desired shape. The central indicia  80 ,  86  and/or the symmetrical locations of second and third indicia  282 ,  284  may facilitate a user&#39;s determination of proper hand, torso, and/or foot alignment on the mat  210 .  
         [0041]     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , an exemplary exercise system  500  is shown. The exercise system  500  may comprise any one of the aforementioned exercise mats  10 ,  110 ,  210  and a recording media  510 . The exercise mat  10 ,  110 ,  210  may be manipulated, for example, by rolling up, folding, or the like, into a bundled configuration, which may be more convenient for transporting, storing, or the like. A band  512  such as, for example, a string, elastic band, cloth band, or the like, may be wrapped around the bundled mat to maintain such a configuration.  
         [0042]     According to various aspects, the recording media  510  may comprise a compact disc (CD), video compact disc (VCD), digital video disc (DVD), video cassette, audio cassette, or any known media. The recording media  510  may contain audio and/or visual explanations and/or demonstrations of various exercises that may be performed on the mat. For example, the media  510  may describe the relationship between the various indicia  80 ,  82 ,  84 ,  86 ,  180 ,  182 ,  184 ,  186 ,  280 ,  282 ,  284 ,  286  on the respective mat  10 ,  110 ,  210  and provide instructions for various exercises that associate the placement of various body parts with certain indicia to maximize the effectiveness of a workout.  
         [0043]     It should be appreciated that the second end portion  50 ,  250  and/or end portion  150  may have edges that are more or less rounded than those illustrated. In some aspects, one or more of those corners may be squared off. It should also be appreciated that the second end portion  50 ,  250  and/or end portion  150  may have a shape different from those illustrated, such as, for example, a circle, an oval, or the like.  
         [0044]     One skilled in the art would appreciate that the mat  10 ,  110 ,  210  may be constructed of any known material. For example, in accordance with a user&#39;s desires, the mat  10 ,  110 ,  210  may be cushioned, firm, soft, etc.  
         [0045]     In use, a user positions his or her body over the mat  10 ,  110 ,  210  such that at least the user&#39;s shoulders and arms are positioned over the second end portion  50 ,  250  or end portion  150  in the maximum lateral dimension  52 ,  152 ,  252 . The user&#39;s body may extend in the longitudinal direction of the mat  10 ,  110 ,  210  such that the user&#39;s feet may be positioned proximate the first end  12 ,  112 ,  212 .  
         [0046]     According to various aspects, the user may use the various indicia to assist with aligning his or her torso, hands, feet, toes, etc. The user may align his or her hands with a pair of indicia substantially equally spaced symmetrically on opposite sides of the longitudinal centerline of the mat. It should be appreciated that different pairs of indicia may be used to position the user for various exercises designed to target different muscles. The media  510  may describe and/or demonstrate such positioning and exercises.  
         [0047]     It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the exercise mats and systems of the present invention without departing from the scope of the invention. Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only.