Patent Description:
The present invention relates to fitness equipment, and more particularly, to a belt for performing hip thrust and glute bridge exercises that has a simple structure, facilitates easy storage, and provides convenient operation.

The advanced development of society is causing the lives of people of the present day to become increasingly busy and stressful. In particular, general office workers are mostly unable to find the time to go outdoors to exercise, meaning the majority are only able to make use of the little time they have after work hours to do simple callisthenic exercises to strengthen and stretch muscles and increase the body's metabolism function. Hip thrusts and glute bridges are one such type of callisthenic exercises.

Hip raising exercises such as the hip thrust and glute bridge are widely believed to be useful in strengthening the gluteal and hamstring muscles and, more generally, the muscles of the legs, hips and lower back. These exercises are limited however, by the inability to readily increase the difficulty of the exercises by the addition of moderate weights. Due to the hip-raising nature of these movements, effective devices or machines that allow for loading of a user's hips during the exercises have yet to be developed. Thus, there is a need in the art for an effective means of increasing the difficulty of hip raising exercises through the addition of moderate weights to the exercise. Examples of such exercises devices (belt, band ecc) intended to training muscles of some parts of human body as gluteus, hip, legs, torso and others are discloses in documents <CIT> and <CIT>.

Document <CIT> discloses a belt suitable for hip thrust, comprising: a flexible supporting pad having a first face and a second face; a flexible belt having a first face, a second face, a first end and a second end; wherein the second face of the flexible belt is disposed on the first face of the flexible supporting pad, and the first end and second end of the flexible belt extend from the flexible supporting pad and have a length sufficient to secure a weight or an elastic band and fold over onto the flexible supporting pad; a first loop fastener disposed on the first face of the flexible belt disposed on the flexible supporting pad; first hook fasteners disposed on the first face of the flexible belt at each of the first end and the second end; a second hook fastener disposed on the second face of the flexible belt at the first end; when the first end of the flexible belt is folded, the first loop fastener at the first end engages the first hook fastener and, when the second end of the flexible belt is folded, the first loop fastener on the second end engages the second hook fastener on the first end.

The present invention is directed to a hip thrust belt according to claim <NUM> and to a method of loading and performing a hip raising exercise with a hip thrust belt according to claim <NUM>. Additional features and embodiments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.

The present invention is used to increase the effort required to perform hip thrust and glute bridge style exercises. In recent years, hip raising exercises such as the hip thrust and glute bridge have been widely adopted by fitness enthusiasts to improve physical conditioning.

An exerciser performs glute bridge exercises by lying on a floor with his or her legs and arms outstretched. The user then bends his or her knees upwardly until they are touching or within a few centimeters of the user's outstretched fingertips. This is the starting position. To perform the exercise, the exerciser then raises his or her hips until his or her back and legs are elevated in a straight line from the shoulders (on the ground) to the knees (elevated) and thereafter returns to the rest position. The related hip thrust exercise is similar except that an exerciser starts the exercise by sitting on the floor with his or her shoulder resting on an elevated surface, typically a weight bench, rather than on the floor. It should be noted that the arms are not used to perform these exercises. All effort comes from the motion of raising the hips. Hip thrust and glute bridge style exercises are believed to primarily work the gluteal and hamstring muscles and, more generally, to improve leg, hip and lower back strength. The difficulty of these exercises may be increased by holding a weight across the hips.

The present invention provides a belt, referred to as a hip thrust belt, which allows a user to easily load their hips with weights in order to increase the effort required to perform hip thrust and glute bridge style exercises. The hip thrust belt has a simple structure that can accommodate a variety of weights as commonly found in home or commercial gyms, facilitates easy storage, and provides convenient operation.

The hip thrust belt of the present invention features a flexible supporting pad, upon which is disposed a flexible belt. A variety of weights such as dumbbells, barbell weight plates, kettlebells and bags filled with sand or metal shot, may be suspended from opposing ends of the belt. Elastic bands may also be used in place of weights. Hook and loop (Velcro) style fasteners are used to secure the weights to the flexible belt. The flexible supporting pad, to which the flexible belt is attached, is configured to lay or rest across a user' hips, such that the weights suspended from the flexible belt hang along the sides of the user's hips. The flexible supporting pad may use hook and loop fasteners to allow the supporting pad to be folded over the flexible belt. Alternatively, magnets may be used in place of the hook and loop fasteners on the flexible supporting pad to secure the pad when folded over the flexible belt.

The flexible supporting pad may also be equipped with a layer of high friction, anti-slip material on the face of the pad which rests across a user's hips to better secure the pad, i.e. to prevent slipping of the pad on a user's body during exercise. Similarly, the flexible belt may be equipped with high friction, anti-slip layers of material to better secure the weights.

The hip thrust belt disclosed in the present invention is not only structurally simple but also facilitates storage and carrying thereof. When in use, coupled with dumbbells or other weights hung on the outer sides of a user's hip, the hip thrust belt enables using the weight of the dumbbells to increase the resisting force on the user as they raise their hips when performing hip thrust or glute bridge exercises, thereby improving the exercising effect on the user's midriff and hip muscles.

To enable a further understanding of said objectives and the technological methods of the invention herein, a brief description of the drawings is provided below followed by a detailed description of the preferred embodiments.

The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. The invention however, may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

The hip thrust belt <NUM> of the present invention assists an exerciser or user in holding a weight across the user's hips when performing glute bridge or hip thrust style exercises. Referring to <FIG>, the hip thrust belt <NUM> includes a flexible supporting pad <NUM> and a flexible belt <NUM>. The flexible supporting pad <NUM> has a first face <NUM>, a second face <NUM>, a midline or first axis <NUM>, a first edge <NUM> and a second edge <NUM>. The midline or first axis <NUM> divides the flexible supporting pad <NUM> into a first side 16A and a second side 16B. The flexible belt <NUM> has a first face <NUM>, a second face <NUM>, a first edge <NUM> and a second edge <NUM>, and a first end 13A and a second end 13B.

The hip thrust belt of the present invention makes use of hook and loop style fasteners, comprising hook fasteners and loop fasteners, which are pressed together to form a connection between fabric elements. Hook and loop fasteners are commonly known by the trade name "Velcro.

The flexible supporting pad <NUM> of the hip thrust belt <NUM> includes a first hook fastener <NUM> disposed on the first face <NUM>, on the second side 16B, adjacent to the first edge <NUM>. A first loop fastener <NUM> is disposed on the first face <NUM> on the first side 16A, adjacent to the second edge <NUM>.

In the exemplary embodiment, the second face <NUM> of the flexible belt <NUM> is disposed on the first face <NUM> of flexible supporting pad <NUM> on the first side 16A of the flexible supporting pad <NUM>, intermediate the midline or first axis <NUM> and the first loop fastener <NUM>. Alternatively, the flexible belt <NUM> may also be disposed on the second side 16B of the flexible supporting pad <NUM> intermediate the midline or first axis <NUM> and the first hook fastener <NUM>. In the exemplary embodiment, the flexible belt <NUM> is disposed on the flexible supporting pad <NUM>, such that the first end 13A and the second end 13B of the flexible belt <NUM> extend equidistantly from a midpoint <NUM> of the flexible supporting pad, i.e. the flexible belt <NUM> is centered, lengthwise, on the flexible supporting pad <NUM>.

The flexible belt <NUM> includes a first hook fastener <NUM> of preset length provided on the first face <NUM> of the flexible belt <NUM> at a section overlapping the flexible supporting pad <NUM>. A first loop fastener <NUM> of preset length is provided on the first face <NUM> of the flexible belt <NUM> at the first end 13A and the second end 13B of the flexible belt <NUM>. A second hook fastener <NUM> of preset length is provided on the second face <NUM> of the flexible belt <NUM> at each of the first and second ends 13A and 13B of the flexible belt <NUM>. Each of the first and second ends 13A and 13B of the flexible belt <NUM> has a length that is preset to extend beyond the corresponding side of the flexible supporting pad <NUM> and is sufficient to secure a weight and be folded over onto the flexible supporting pad <NUM>.

Because the hip thrust belt <NUM> of the present invention is primarily structured from the flexible supporting pad <NUM> and the flexible belt <NUM>, not only is the structure simple, but it also provides the choice of using either a folding up method or a rolling up method to facilitated storage of the hip thrust belt <NUM> and carrying thereof.

With reference to <FIG>, when in use, the hip thrust belt <NUM> of the present invention allows two dumbbells <NUM> to be respectively placed on the flexible belt <NUM> on either end <NUM> of the flexible supporting pad <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, whereupon the first loop fastener <NUM> at one end 13A of the flexible belt <NUM> is press fastened on the first hook fastener <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, causing one of the dumbbells <NUM> to be wrapped round and securely fastened on one end 19B of the flexible supporting pad <NUM>.

With continued reference to <FIG>, the first loop fastener <NUM> at the second end 13B of the flexible belt <NUM> is then press fastened on the second hook fastener <NUM> on the first end 13A, thereby causing the other dumbbell <NUM> to be wrapped round and securely fastened on the other end 19A of the flexible supporting pad <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>.

In actual use, the width of the flexible supporting pad <NUM> is at least twice (or more than double) the width of the flexible belt <NUM> and the flexible belt <NUM> is disposed on one side (either 16A or 16B) of the flexible supporting pad <NUM> adjacent the midline or first axis <NUM>, which enables folding over the other side of the flexible supporting pad <NUM> toward the side provided with the flexible belt <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, thereby enclosing the first and second faces, <NUM> and <NUM>, of the flexible belt <NUM> and preventing the first and second ends, 13A and 13B, of the flexible belt <NUM> from arbitrarily coming loose.

With reference to <FIG>, the hip thrust belt <NUM> together with the dumbbells <NUM> on the two ends, 19A and 19B, of the flexible supporting pad <NUM> enables placement of the flexible supporting pad <NUM> on a user's lower abdomen area causing the dumbbells <NUM> to be correspondingly disposed and hang on the outer sides of the user's hips. The weight of the dumbbells <NUM> on the two ends 19A and 19B of the flexible supporting pad <NUM> increases the resisting force on the user as they raise their buttocks to straighten up their body, thereby improving the exercising effect and effectiveness on the user's midriff and hip muscles.

It is understood that when the user is using the hip thrust belt <NUM> of the present invention in a lying down position, the flexible supporting pad <NUM> is placed on the user's lower abdomen area, and then the flexible belt <NUM> is used to successively wrap around and securely fasten the two dumbbells <NUM> to the two sides of the flexible supporting pad <NUM>. After finishing use of the dumbbells <NUM>, the user only needs to successively pull apart the first and second ends, 13A and 13B, of the flexible belt <NUM> from the flexible supporting pad <NUM> to quickly remove the dumbbells <NUM>. The hip thrust belt <NUM> of the present invention can also be used with barbell weight plates <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>; or with kettlebells <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>; or with sandbags equipped with loops <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>; or with elastic bands <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. These types of weights are attached to the hip thrust belt <NUM> by threading or sliding the first and second ends, 13A and 13B, of the flexible belt through the holes in barbell weight plates or the handles of kettlebells or the loops of sandbags so equipped.

With reference to <FIG>, in the hip thrust belt <NUM> of the present invention, the width of the flexible supporting pad <NUM> is more than double the width of the flexible belt <NUM>, and the flexible belt <NUM> may be disposed adjacent to either side of the midline or first axis <NUM> of the flexible supporting pad <NUM>. In an alternative embodiment, the flexible supporting pad <NUM> is provided with at least one first magnetic member 14A disposed adjacent to the first edge <NUM>, which corresponds to at least one second magnetic member 14B disposed adjacent to the second edge <NUM>, where the magnetic members 14A and 14B are configured with opposite poles so as to secure the two sides, 16A and 16B, of the flexible supporting pad <NUM>, when the sides are folded over to secure the flexible belt <NUM>.

In another embodiment of the hip thrust belt <NUM> of the present invention, either a portion of the second face <NUM> of the flexible supporting pad <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, or the entirety of the second face <NUM>, may be provided with a layer of anti-slip material <NUM>. The layer of anti-slip material <NUM> is used to increase friction between the hip thrust belt <NUM> so as to reduce the likelihood of the hip thrust belt <NUM> arbitrarily shifting during the process of performing hip thrust exercises.

With reference to <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, the flexible belt <NUM> may also be provided with layers of anti-slip material <NUM>, where the anti-slip material is disposed on the first face <NUM> of the flexible belt <NUM> in between the loop fasteners <NUM> at each of the first end 13A and the second end 13B of the flexible belt <NUM> and the hook fastener <NUM> at approximately the center or midpoint <NUM> of the flexible belt <NUM>. The anti-slip material layer <NUM> is used to improve the retention of dumbbells <NUM>, or other weights, thereby reducing that likelihood of the dumbbells, or other weights, arbitrarily shifting during the process of performing hip thrust exercises.

The hip thrust belt <NUM> of the present invention has a simple structure that facilitates storage and carrying. When in use, coupled with weights hung on the outer sides of a user's hip, the hip thrust belt <NUM> enables using the weights to increase the resisting force on the user as they raise their buttocks to straighten up their body while performing hip thrust exercises, thereby improving the exercising effect on the user's gluteal and hamstring muscles. In addition, first and second layers of anti-slip material may be used to prevent the possibility of the hip thrust belt and weights from arbitrarily shifting during the process of repeatedly straightening up the body, which correspondingly increases reliability and safety during use. The hip thrust belt of the present invention will generally be made of fabric materials and its component parts assembled by means of sewing. Those skilled in the art will understand that flexible non-fabric materials may be used in place of fabrics for all or some of the component parts of the hip thrust belt and that adhesives, rivets or other means of attachment may be used in place of sewing.

The hip thrust belt <NUM> of the present invention is intended to be used while performing hip raising exercises such as glute bridges and hip thrusts. To perform a glute bridge exercise, an exerciser or user first lays on a floor with his or her legs and arms outstretched. The exercise then places the hip thrust belt <NUM> of the present invention across his or her hips. The exerciser then bends his or her knees upwardly until they are touching or within a few centimeters of the user's outstretched fingertips. This is the starting position. To perform the exercise, the exerciser then raises his or her hips until his or her back and upper legs are elevated in a straight line from the shoulders (on the ground) to the knees (elevated) and thereafter returns to the rest position. The related hip thrust exercise is similar except that an exerciser starts the exercise by sitting on the floor and then leans his or her shoulder on an elevated surface which is typically a weight bench. After placing the hip thrust belt <NUM> of the present invention across his or her hips, the exerciser raises his or her hips until his or her back and upper legs are inline. It should be noted that the arms are not used to perform these exercises. All effort comes from the motion of raising the hips. Hip thrust and glute bridge style exercises are believed to primarily work the gluteal and hamstring muscles and, more generally, to improve leg, hip and lower back strength.

This invention is a hip thrust belt that may be industrially applied to the performance of hip strengthening exercises which are useful for general strength and conditioning and for rehabilitative purposes. The hip thrust belt of the present invention comprises a flexible supporting pad coupled to a flexible belt. Hook-and-loop fasteners are provided on the belt to secure the ends of the belt to dumbbells or other weights including barbell weight plates and kettle bells. The hip thrust belt allows the weights to hang on the outer sides of the user's hip and thereby increases the effort required to perform hip raising exercises.

Claim 1:
A hip thrust belt, comprising:
a flexible supporting pad (<NUM>) having a first face (<NUM>) and a second face (<NUM>);
a flexible belt (<NUM>) having a first face (<NUM>), a second face (<NUM>), a first end (13A) and a second end (13B);
wherein the second face (<NUM>) of the flexible belt is disposed on the first face (<NUM>) of the flexible supporting pad (<NUM>), and the first end (13A) and second end (13B) of the flexible belt (<NUM>) extend from the flexible supporting pad (<NUM>) and have a length sufficient to secure a weight or an elastic band (<NUM>) and fold over onto the flexible supporting pad (<NUM>);
a first hook fastener (<NUM>) disposed on the first face (<NUM>) of the flexible belt (<NUM>) disposed on the flexible supporting pad (<NUM>);
first loop fasteners (<NUM>) disposed on the first face (<NUM>) of the flexible belt (<NUM>) at each of the first end (13A) and the second end (13B);
a second hook fastener (<NUM>) disposed on the second face (<NUM>) of the flexible belt (<NUM>) at each of the first and second ends;
when the first end of the flexible belt is folded, the first loop fastener (<NUM>) at the first end engages the first hook fastener (<NUM>) and, when the second end of the flexible belt is folded, the first loop fastener (<NUM>) on the second end engages the second hook fastener (<NUM>) on the first end; and
wherein the flexible supporting pad (<NUM>) includes a first hook fastener (<NUM>) disposed on the first face (<NUM>) above the midline and a first, corresponding, loop fastener (<NUM>) disposed on the first face (<NUM>) below the midline, wherein the flexible supporting pad (<NUM>) can be folded and secured in the folded condition by the first hook fasteners (<NUM>) engaging the first loop fasteners (<NUM>).