Abstract:
A weighted, impact-absorbing, elongate fitness ball configured to facilitate strength training, body-shaping, rehabilitation, and various other exercise workouts. The elongate fitness ball has a generally oblong shape with tapered ends that facilitate holding and manipulating by hand while working with the fitness ball.

Description:
[0001]    A weighted, impact-absorbing, exercise object configured to facilitate strength training, body-shaping, rehabilitation, and various other fitness workouts. The elongate ball has a generally oblong shape with tapered ends that facilitate holding and manipulating by hand while working with the ball. In addition to its oblong form factor, the elongate fitness ball comprises a soft, compressible construction combined with surface features and/or textures that further enhance grip-ability, making the elongate fitness ball easy to hold and manipulate with either one or both hands while performing fitness exercises. Such characteristics make the elongate fitness ball especially effective for users with limited upper body or hand strength, for elderly users, and for rehabilitation exercises. The elongate fitness ball finds utility when used as a weight/resistance to build upper body strength, as additional mass when performing endurance training, and as a balance-challenge for core and stability improvement. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES 
         [0002]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the elongate fitness ball. 
           [0003]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the elongate fitness ball. 
           [0004]      FIG. 3  is a view of a standing user holding the elongate fitness ball in a crosswise grip. 
           [0005]      FIG. 4  is a view of a user holding the elongate fitness ball in a lengthwise grip. 
           [0006]      FIG. 5  is a view of a supine user holding the elongate fitness ball in a crosswise grip. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the elongate fitness ball  10  (hereafter, fitness ball) is generally oblong and includes a major diameter D that tapers to two equal and opposite ends  11 . The fitness ball  10  is symmetric crosswise, lengthwise, and rotationally around a longitudinal centerline, and thus provides a multiplicity of gripping positions tailored to either and both hands. The major diameter D provides a large volumetric capacity so that the fitness ball  10  can be constructed with a wide variety of weights depending on the density of a filler material. For example, the fitness ball  10  is constructed to weigh 10 pounds and this weight is indicated by indicia  12 . In addition, the fitness ball may include different surface textures and features that further enhance the fitness ball&#39;s inherent handle-ability. One embodiment, offered as an example only, has a major diameter ranging from 20-24 inches, and an overall length (from end to end) in the range of 10-14 inches. Diameters and lengths may vary widely depending at least on a particular application or intended age/strength group. Similarly, fitness ball weight may vary, with exemplary embodiments ranging from 2-20 pounds. Lesser or greater weights may also be utilized for specialized applications. 
         [0008]    The fitness ball  10  may be constructed with an outer skin filled by a separate filler material, and may also have a unitary construction from a single material such as solid polyurethane or other dense, resilient material. Various synthetic materials can be formulated to provide the resilience and density necessary to meet the weight and toughness requirements, and may be molded or cast to provide surface features for gripping and holding the fitness ball during exercises. 
         [0009]    Alternatively, the fitness ball may be constructed to have multiple components. The fitness ball may have an outer skin comprising a resilient, flexible material, for example, rubber, nylon, and various other synthetic materials and combinations thereof. Skin material may be formulated and/or treated to provide tackiness, durometer, and stiffness such that the fitness ball is easily gripped by a user. Similarly, various surface finishes and treatments can be employed to increase handle-ability. For example, the fitness ball may have dimpled or pebbled surface, a roughened “sandpaper” finish, as well as other surface features such as striations, corrugations, and patterns. 
         [0010]    A multiple-component fitness ball may include an inner core material formulated or selected to provide a specific density needed to attain a preferred overall weight. Various inner materials may be used, for example, synthetic gel, sand, steel shot, etc. Such inner materials are not only dense but also provide impact absorption, making the fitness ball “dead” or unsuitable for bouncing, which can be preferable for many exercises. Alternatively, one or more embodiments may include one or more inflated compartments within the fitness ball. 
         [0011]    Additional components, compositions, and construction schemes are easily envisioned by one having skill in the art and are considered to be within the intent if the instant invention. As one example, a fitness ball may have an outer skin of one material, one or more inner layers of varying materials, thickness, and structure, and yet a different fill material. 
         [0012]    The enhanced grip-ability of the fitness ball may be utilized to both aid and to challenge a user while performing training movements. The oblong shape combined with rotational, crosswise and lengthwise symmetries of the fitness ball facilitates easy handling of the fitness ball and enables a user to perform movements that would difficult and perhaps impossible with other type of weights. Even a wholly symmetrical medicine ball cannot be handled as easily as the fitness ball since, for the most part, the large and constant diameter of a medicine ball forces a user to press inward from both sides to support the weight of the medicine ball. Typically, when used for exercise, a medicine ball is only gripped between the opposite open hands which requires significant inward force. In contrast, the oblong shape of the fitness ball facilitates the engagement of a user&#39;s fingers to support and maneuver the fitness ball. A user may grip the fitness ball at various positions extending away from the major diameter until the hand seats comfortably and securely around the tapered end. Larger hands may grip nearer to the major diameter—smaller hands may be comfortable further towards the ends. 
         [0013]    The surface of the fitness ball may be configured to further improve grip-ability of the fitness ball. For example, a textured surface may provide a more secure grip than a smooth surface. An embodiment of the fitness ball may have a pebbled surface or a rough, striated or “sandpaper” texture. Dimples or longitudinal grooves may also be employed to maximize grip-ability. Additionally, the skin material itself may be formulated to provide tackiness and a high coefficient of friction. 
         [0014]    The superior grip-ability and easy handling characteristics of the fitness ball allow for expanded utilization of the fitness ball. The fitness ball can be employed in a large variety of exercise motions that would be difficult, if not impossible, to perform when using a more conventional weight object. For example, since the fitness ball is more easily maneuvered by hand movements, the fitness ball can be passed from hand to hand and from one side to another as an integral part of an exercise movement. Some exercise may require the fitness ball be passed from one hand to another behind a user&#39;s back or around the user in a circular path. Such movements are difficult with spherical weights due to a lack of grip-able features. Also, these movements may be especially challenging with odd-shaped weights like barbells or dumbbells because they lack the symmetry provided by the fitness ball. 
         [0015]    Even complex movements that require unusual coordination are made easier with the fitness ball. For example, users can pass the fitness ball around and between the legs, even alternating between the legs while performing a supine bicycling movement. It is understood by fitness professionals that adding weights to a wide range of body movements improves body tone and overall fitness and the fitness ball&#39;s grip-ability and ease of handling allow it to be added to a very wide range of movements and permit use by people with a wide range of fitness levels. 
         [0016]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , the fitness ball  10  can be handled easily, even with arms at full extension. The tapered ends  11  enable the user to support the fitness ball with the fingers, in addition to the sideways pressure exerted by contracting the pectoral muscles. Users having less-developed pectoral muscles, or simply wanting to avoid over-development of the pectorals, can perform straight-arm strength and endurance training using the fitness ball. Improved handle-ability enables a user to train with a heavier fitness ball and still perform difficult, complex movements. 
         [0017]    Turning now to  FIG. 4 , a user is depicted in a lunge position holding the fitness ball  10  lengthwise. The fitness ball in the lengthwise position provides a variety of gripping positions ranging from the larger major diameter (for large hands) to the smaller tapered ends (for smaller hands). In addition, holding the fitness ball lengthwise takes advantage of the rotational symmetry along the longitudinal axis. Such advantage is demonstrated even more clearly in  FIG. 5 , in which the user in the supine position is passing the fitness ball  10  from hand to hand underneath the legs. Changing hands, especially blindly as between/underneath the legs or behind the back, is made easier when the ball presents the same, symmetrical form to both hands. The unique shape of the fitness ball facilitates complex, dynamic exercises in which the fitness ball is passed from hand to hand—even behind the back and under the legs as shown in  FIG. 5 .