Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B21/00—Exercising apparatus for developing or strengthening the muscles or joints of the body by working against a counterforce, with or without measuring devices
  • A63B21/02—Exercising apparatus for developing or strengthening the muscles or joints of the body by working against a counterforce, with or without measuring devices using resilient force-resisters
  • A63B21/055—Exercising apparatus for developing or strengthening the muscles or joints of the body by working against a counterforce, with or without measuring devices using resilient force-resisters extension element type
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B21/00—Exercising apparatus for developing or strengthening the muscles or joints of the body by working against a counterforce, with or without measuring devices
  • A63B21/40—Interfaces with the user related to strength training; Details thereof
  • A63B21/4027—Specific exercise interfaces
  • A63B21/4033—Handles, pedals, bars or platforms
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B21/00—Exercising apparatus for developing or strengthening the muscles or joints of the body by working against a counterforce, with or without measuring devices
  • A63B21/40—Interfaces with the user related to strength training; Details thereof
  • A63B21/4027—Specific exercise interfaces
  • A63B21/4033—Handles, pedals, bars or platforms
  • A63B21/4035—Handles, pedals, bars or platforms for operation by hand
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B21/00—Exercising apparatus for developing or strengthening the muscles or joints of the body by working against a counterforce, with or without measuring devices
  • A63B21/40—Interfaces with the user related to strength training; Details thereof
  • A63B21/4041—Interfaces with the user related to strength training; Details thereof characterised by the movements of the interface
  • A63B21/4043—Free movement, i.e. the only restriction coming from the resistance
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B23/00—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for particular parts of the body
  • A63B23/035—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for particular parts of the body for limbs, i.e. upper or lower limbs, e.g. simultaneously
  • A63B23/03516—For both arms together or both legs together; Aspects related to the co-ordination between right and left side limbs of a user
  • A63B23/03533—With separate means driven by each limb, i.e. performing different movements
  • A63B23/03541—Moving independently from each other
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B23/00—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for particular parts of the body
  • A63B23/035—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for particular parts of the body for limbs, i.e. upper or lower limbs, e.g. simultaneously
  • A63B23/12—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for particular parts of the body for limbs, i.e. upper or lower limbs, e.g. simultaneously for upper limbs or related muscles, e.g. chest, upper back or shoulder muscles
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B23/00—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for particular parts of the body
  • A63B23/035—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for particular parts of the body for limbs, i.e. upper or lower limbs, e.g. simultaneously
  • A63B23/12—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for particular parts of the body for limbs, i.e. upper or lower limbs, e.g. simultaneously for upper limbs or related muscles, e.g. chest, upper back or shoulder muscles
  • A63B23/1209—Involving a bending of elbow and shoulder joints simultaneously
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B41/00—Hollow inflatable balls
  • A63B41/125—Large inflatable balls primarily used as body supports for exercising, e.g. balancing
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B2208/00—Characteristics or parameters related to the user or player
  • A63B2208/02—Characteristics or parameters related to the user or player posture
  • A63B2208/0228—Sitting on the buttocks
  • A63B2208/0233—Sitting on the buttocks in 90/90 position, like on a chair
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B2225/00—Miscellaneous features of sport apparatus, devices or equipment
  • A63B2225/09—Adjustable dimensions
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B2225/00—Miscellaneous features of sport apparatus, devices or equipment
  • A63B2225/62—Inflatable
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B23/00—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for particular parts of the body
  • A63B23/035—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for particular parts of the body for limbs, i.e. upper or lower limbs, e.g. simultaneously
  • A63B23/03516—For both arms together or both legs together; Aspects related to the co-ordination between right and left side limbs of a user
  • A63B23/03533—With separate means driven by each limb, i.e. performing different movements

Definitions

• the present invention relates generally to an exercise apparatus for home, gym, travel, and therapeutic use, and more precisely to a light weight, mobile and storable exercise apparatus allowing anaerobic, stability and flexibility exercise in substantially any plane of motion.
• Such integrated exercise equipment allows a user to exercise multiple muscle groups using the same piece of equipment, and may support toning and range-of-motion exercises, rather than traditional strengthening or muscle building.
• the Bow-flex apparatus of has been developed for home environments.
• the Bow-flex apparatus includes a heavy bench and upright tower structure having a directional pulley system that allows the user to exert force against the resistive rods in the tower in downward planes of motion.
• the force exerted by the user against the resistive rods in the tower, by means of cables and pulleys allows for only direct linear resistance.
• the need to provide such a large, heavy bench and tower in order to ensure structure and user stability has designated unquestionably that the Bow-flex is a non mobile, home only, static device, which has thus far been used and marketed only as a home specific non mobile exercise apparatus. While a large, heavy piece of equipment may be acceptable for stand alone home gym use, which typically focuses on anaerobic and range of motion use, such equipment is unacceptable for travel, mobility, flexibility, stability, or gym use.
• the present invention is a lightweight, portable, and easily storable exercise apparatus.
• the exercise apparatus comprises an assembly that may be formed in any shape and which may, for example, be inflatable pressurized or coated with a soft or spongy material.
• the assembly is formed in a round, oval or cylindrical shape so as to provide for the additional benefit of core stability functionality.
• the assembly may be formed from plastic, vinyl, rubber, any other elastic or semi-elastic material or any combination of materials, including in combination with leather, or other soft or padded materials.
• the assembly may be formed from a harder semi-rigid or rigid material and may include a soft, cushioned, malleable or forgiving coating.
• the assembly may include ribs, nibs or other protrusions located along portions of its periphery, such as, for example, to provide additional lateral stability, or massage to the surface of the user in contact with the assembly.
• the assembly includes one or more apertures located in or running through a portion of the assembly.
• the apertures may be cylindrical or have an elliptical, triangular, square, rectangular or any other shaped cross-section.
• the exercise apparatus also includes one or more flexible rods that may be inserted into the aperture.
• Each flexible rod has a cross-section matching that of the aperture and may be held in place by friction, grooves, pins or some sort of mounting or interlocking element or elements located along a portion of the flexible rod and/or located within the aperture, such as, for example, a screw mount, or a pin and groove assembly.
• the assembly may include a solid core structure that may be incorporated within the aperture or that may be inserted within the aperture prior to insertion of the one or more flexible rods.
• the solid core structure may be constructed from a single rigid or semi-rigid element or multiple rigid or semi-rigid elements.
• the solid core structure may be formed from a rigid plastic material shaped as a cylinder which is then glued within the aperture for permanent fixation therein or held within the aperture through friction.
• the solid core structure may have an aperture that goes extends its entire length or for only part or parts of the length of the solid core structure.
• each side of the solid core structure may include an aperture that extends 1/3 of the way through its length leaving a solid middle portion that extends for 1/3 of the length of the solid core structure.
• the solid core structure may be secured in place, by any means, such as, for example, by securing flanges to one or both sides of the solid core structure after insertion within the assembly.
• a pair of flexible rods may then be inserted within the solid core structure and held in place by any of a variety of method.
• the flexible rods may be held in place using pin and groove elements contained on the flexible rods and/or within the solid core structure.
• the flexible rods may be held in place using a tightening device for securing the flexible rods.
• the ends of the solid core structure may extend beyond the surface of the assembly and may include one or more slits or grooves running a portion of the length of the solid core structure.
• Each of the flexible rods may include rings, hooks, apertures or other attachment elements for the attachment of one or more handles or other user interaction elements.
• a sleeve having one or more attachment elements may be coupled to the flexible rod.
• the sleeve may be coupled to the flexible rod using one or more pins, bolts, screws, or other securing device, or it may include grooves on an inside portion to correspond to grooves on the outside portion of the flexible rods for coupling by screwing the sleeve onto the flexible rod.
• the attachment elements may be located at different positions on the sleeve or flexible rod so as to provide for various resistance levels depending on where the user interaction elements are attached or where on the flexible rod the sleeve is located.
• the user may utilize the user interaction elements for exercising the arms, legs, abdomen, back or most any other part of the user's body.
• the assembly is able to support both the user and the flexible rods, there is no need for either a bench assembly or a resistance element/weight element support structure assembly.
• the assembly can be adjusted and positioned to support a user in a prone, supine, sitting, kneeling or other position so as to enable the user so positioned to access and interact with the user interaction elements attached to the sleeve or flexible rods.
• This user interaction may include pulling the user interaction elements toward the user, in arcular directions, parallel to the user's body or any other direction against the resistance provided by the flexible rods.
• the resistance generated and provided by the flexible rods in conjunction with the assembly allows the user to exercise while maintaining the stability of the flexible rods.
• the opposing force to the flexible rods generated by the inner core structure of the assembly provides stability to the flexible rods.
• the force generated by each of the flexible rods or by a first portion of the flexible rod that bends the inner core structure about the fulcrum/center point of the assembly is compensated for and brought into equilibrium by force generated by the other flexible rod or the other portion of the flexible rod on the same inner core structure in equal but opposite force and movement.
• the exercise apparatus includes an assembly formed from an elastic, rubber-like material having an aperture running through a central axis.
• This aperture which extends from one side of the outer surface of the assembly to the other along a central axis, has inserted therein a hardened inner core structure having two sides with an aperture on each side running toward the midpoint of the inner core structure along a central tubular axis.
• the apertures in the inner core structure each accommodates a flexible rod which may be inserted within each of the apertures.
• Each of the flexible rods has attachment elements along its length which act as connection points for resistance load transmission through an interaction element that may be coupled to the flexible rod using the attachment elements.
• a collar or sleeve having attachment elements or an attachment track may be coupled to the flexible rods.
• the coupling of the flexible rods to the inner core structure acts as a load transmitting element from the flexible rods to the assembly.
• the exercise apparatus is also constructed and arranged to allow the assembly to act as an ergonomic bench pad or platform for the user.
• Another aspect of the present invention is embodied in an exercise apparatus having the features described above and also provides for the full body anaerobic, flexibility, and stability capabilities of a standard "Swiss Ball” or “Exercise Ball”, with the added benefit of use as, and to the maximum capacity for multiple exercises, flexibility and stability, not limited to any particular physical movements.
• the full body anaerobic and stretch exercise ball fitness therapeutic apparatus can be inflated using a small air pump compressor, and used at gyms/therapy, at home and during travel. All muscle groups can be incorporated and exercised.
• Some of the many exercises which can be performed anaerobically with tension/resistance rods attached are chest press, incline/decline chest press, chest fly, incline/decline chest fly, back pull over wide/close, back rows wide/close, shoulder press, shoulder raises anterior/posterior, abdominal/upper/lower/oblique, lower back, thighs, butt, hips, triceps extension wide/close/reverse, triceps kick back, biceps curls wide/close/reverse, biceps preacher curl, leg extension, leg curl, leg press, calf raise, hip abduction/adduction, squat.
• Figure 1 shows an assembly of the exercise apparatus in an inflated view according to an embodiment of the present invention.
• Figure 2 shows the assembly of Figure 1 in a 3 A cross-sectional view along a plane defined by ring A.
• Figures 3 a and 3b show full and cross sectional views of an inner core, including along plane B-B, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
• Figure 4 shows an assembled assembly and solid core structure, including flexible rods, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
• Figure 5 shows various flexible rods of the exercise apparatus of Figure 4.
• Figure 6 shows the assembled exercise apparatus of Figure 4, with a sleeve positioned on the flexible rod.
• Figure 7 shows the exercise apparatus with a sleeve positioned on the flexible rod of Figure 6, with an interaction element coupled to the sleeve.
• Figures 8a - 8d show an interaction element coupled to various positions on the sleeve of Figure 7.
• Figure 9 shows interaction elements according to other embodiments of the present invention.
• Figure 10 shows an assembled exercise apparatus with a user situated in a supine position, according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
• Figure 11 shows a side view of the assembled exercise apparatus of Figure 10 with a user situated in a seated position and with the flexible rods in a flexed position.
• Figures 12a-12j show various exercises that may be performed according to the present invention.
• the assembly 2 is inflatable and is comprised of an elastic material such as vinyl and is inflatable using valve 4 which may be connected to a pump for inflating and/or deflating.
• the valve 4 may be similar to a standard high quality "Swiss" or "Exercise” ball valve.
• the valve 4 of the assembly maybe adaptable to a standard small, light weight electric air pump and/or a standard foot pump for inflation.
• the assembly 2 also includes an aperture 6 running through a central axis 8.
• the assembly 2 may include ribs 10 and/or nibs 12 or other protrusions located along portions of its periphery.
• the typical structure for the assembly 2 according to the present invention measures approximately 45 cm, 55cm, 65cm, 75cm, and 85cm diameters at proper inflation levels but can be over- or under-inflated at the user's discretion.
• FIG. 2 there is shown the assembly of Fig. 1 in a 3 A cross-sectional view along a plane defined by ring A.
• the assembly 2 may be molded from a first section 20 and an almost identical second section 22, in this case, each section is in the shape of a half circle.
• the first section 20 has a first circular aperture 24 at its center point 26.
• the second section 22 has an identical second circular aperture 28 at its center point 30.
• the first section 20 also includes valve 4 for inflation of the assembly 2.
• the first section 20 may be formed with a first cylindrical tube portion 32 extending from the first circular aperture 24 for a distance equal to the length of the radius of the assembly 2.
• the second section 22 section may be formed with a second cylindrical tube portion 34 extending from the second circular aperture 28 for a distance equal to the length of the radius of the assembly 2.
• the first cylindrical tube portion 32 and the second cylindrical tube portion 34 may be coupled using any known coupling method, such as, for example, welding, fusing, bonding or gluing.
• the first section 20 may be formed with a first cylindrical tube portion 32 extending from the first circular aperture 24 for a distance equal to the length of the diameter of the assembly 2, and the second section 22 would then be formed without any cylindrical tube portion, but instead, the first cylindrical tube portion 32 would be coupled to the second circular aperture 28 around its periphery by any known coupling method.
• the first cylindrical tube portion 32 may be coupled to the second circular aperture 28 by welding, fusing, bonding or gluing.
• the first periphery 36 of the first section 20 and the second periphery 38 of the second section 22 may then be coupled using one of the methods described above, thereby completing the assembly.
• the assembly will then have the structure as shown in Fig. 1.
• An inner core 40 is formed from a cylindrical piece of polyurethane or any other solid material, such as, for example, graphite, plastic, wood or metal. As shown in Figure 3b, a cross-section of the inner core of Figure 3 a can be seen as viewed across points B-B as shown in Figure 3 a.
• the inner core 40 includes the first center bore 42 extending lengthwise approximately 1/3 of its length, and a second center bore 46 extending lengthwise approximately 1/3 of its length.
• Each of the first center bore 42 and the second center bore 46 may include screw grooves, or some other securing element, for purposes of securing the flexible rods that are inserted into the bores, provided that the flexible rods include corresponding screw grooves, or other securing element.
• the inner core 40 is positioned within the aperture 6 running through the central axis 8 of the assembly 2.
• the inner core 40 may include flanges 50 that are inserted into the first center bore 42 and the second center bore 46 to secure the inner core 40 within the aperture 6.
• One or more flexible rods 54 may be positioned within the first center bore 42 and/or the second center bore 46 of the inner core 40.
• the interior circumference 52 of the flanges 50 may be rubberized to prevent slippage of flexible rods 54 after they are inserted into the inner core 40.
• the flanges 50 may include snap fittings or grooves positioned along their interior circumference 52 to provide for the securing of the flexible rods 54 using corresponding features on the flexible rods 54.
• the flexible rods 54 may be secured firmly on both sides of the air filled ball by means of the inner core 40, which sits firmly inside of ball. The flexible rods 54 are held in place by both friction and angular friction pressure. The greater the flexion, the more pressure is placed on the inner attachment points of the rods. As the tension increases, the rods tighten inside the inner core fitting.
• the inner core 40 may be stored separately from the assembly 2.
• the inner core 40 may be positioned within the aperture 6 of the assembly 2 during inflation. At the point just prior to optimal inflation, the inner core 40 will fit semi firmly within the aperture 6.
• the assembly 2 may then be brought to its optimal inflation level. As the assembly 2 fills with air, the increasing pressure from within the assembly 2 will force the walls of the aperture 6 against the inner core 40, thereby securing it in place.
• the flexible rods 54 may be provided in a variety of diameters and lengths, depending on the level of resistance required.
• flexible rod 60 has a diameter of 0.75 inch and a length of 3.5 feet
• flexible rod 62 has a diameter of 0.75 inch and a length of 4 feet
• flexible rod 64 has a diameter of 1.25 inch and a length of 3.5 feet
• flexible rod 66 has a diameter of 1.25 inch and a length of 4 feet.
• each of flexible rods 60, 62, 64 and 66 has certain flex and tension characteristics that depend on both their diameter and length that determine the resistance provided.
• a desired resistance may be achieved by the proper selection of flexible rods.
• the present invention is adaptable to changing requirements over time by simply changing the resistance rod that are used.
• the flexible rods 60, 62, 64 and 66 may be made from hexamethaline, i.e., extruded nylon rods, which offer variable resistance measured in terms of pounds per flexion during full range of motion. Range of motion is defined as flexing a straight flexible rod at given length to 90 degrees. At the point of 90 degree flexion, full weighted resistance is measured and achieved.
• hexamethaline i.e., extruded nylon rods
• the sleeve 70 may be placed over a first end 72 of the flexible rod 54 and may be coupled thereto using screw 74 inserted into the first end 72 of the flexible rod 54.
• some other fastening element or method may be used, such as, for example, bolts, pins, screws, glue, rubber grommets or gaskets.
• the sleeve 70 is formed from a cylindrically shaped resilient piece of composite material that either has two open ends or a single open end.
• the sleeve 70 may be made from graphite, plastic, metal, wood or a composite material.
• the sleeve 70 may be coupled to the flexible rod 54 using a compression ring at either or both ends of the sleeve 70.
• the sleeve 70 is approximately 16 inches in length, although it may be any length that does not substantially interfere with the flexing of the flexible rod 54.
• the sleeve 70 includes a number of equally spaced attachment rings 76 integral to the sleeve 70.
• the attachment rings 76 may be formed with the sleeve 70 and from the same material as the sleeve 70. Alternatively, the attachment rings 76 may be formed from some other material and coupled to the sleeve 70, or the sleeve may include a track in place of the attachment rings 76.
• each of the attachment rings 76 is designed by calibrating the tension or force generated based on the specific distance from the attachment ring to the meeting point between the flexible rod 54 and the opening of the inner core 40, and the measured weight of resistance of the flexible rod 54 when pulled upon as the flexible rod 54 is flexed.
• the handle can be used, unilaterally (with one hand, held in center) or bilaterally (with two hands, held on outside grip), held in over or under hand position.
• FIG 7 there is shown the exercise apparatus with a sleeve positioned on the flexible rod of Figure 6, with an interaction element coupled to the sleeve.
• An interaction element in the form of a handle 80 having a cable 82 coupled thereto may be attached to a first attachment ring 84 of the sleeve 70 using a spring biased ring 86.
• the cable 82 may be coupled to a track located on the sleeve 70.
• the handle 80 may be replaced with another type of interaction element , such as, for example, a cord, a sling or a leg adapter.
• the cable 82 may include an anti coil tube 88, which measures out the cable 82 and also prevents the cable 82 from being tangled near the point of exercise movement.
• stoppers 85 may be included, which may be used to prevent the cable 82 from loosening, both at rest and during flexion of the flexible rod 54, to prevent coiling of the cable 82, and to maintain a constant tension upon the anti coil tube 88 and handle 80.
• the spring biased ring 86 may be used to adjust the length of the cable 82 to compensate for the change in distance to the user when the spring biased ring 86 is moved to different attachment rings.
• the handle 80 may be repositioned on the sleeve 70 by moving cable 82 to a second attachment ring 90. This may be accomplished by pressing on the lever portion of the spring bias clip 86 and detaching from the first attachment ring 84, followed by attachment to the second attachment ring 90 by pressing the lever portion downward against the second attachment ring 90. As shown in Figure 8b, the same procedure may be followed to move the cable 82 to a third attachment ring 92 or to the other attachment ring 94.
• the interaction element may be provided in the form of a three-in-one handle 98.
• the three-in-one handle 98 may be used, unilaterally (with one hand, held in the center) or bilaterally (with two hands, held on the outside grip, or held in over or under hand positions).
• the interaction element may be provided in the of a foot attachment strap 99 for use in lower body exercise movements.
• FIG. 10 there is shown an assembled exercise apparatus with a user situated in a supine position, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
• a user 100 is shown in a supine position supported on assembly 102 which is inflatable, with the user's left arm 104 in an at rest position 106 and the user's left hand 108 gripping a first interaction element 110 in the form of a first handle 112, and the user's right arm 114 in a first flexed position 116 and the user's right hand 118 gripping a second interaction element 120 in the form of a second handle 122.
• the first handle 112 is coupled to a first cable 124 which in turn is coupled to a first attachment ring 126 via a first spring biased clip 128.
• the first attachment ring 126 is located on a first sleeve 130 that is coupled to a first flexible rod 132.
• the first flexible rod 132 is insertably coupled to a first side 134 of an inner core 136 of assembly 102.
• the second handle 122 in turn is coupled to a second cable 138 which is coupled to a second attachment ring 140 via a second spring biased clip 142.
• the second attachment ring 140 is located on a second sleeve 144 that is coupled to a second flexible rod 146.
• the second flexible rod 146 is insertably coupled to a second side 148 of the inner core 136 of assembly 102.
• the first flexible rod 132 remains unflexed and there is little or no tension being applied to the user's left arm 104. This is in contrast to the user's right arm 114 which, when moved to a first flexed position 116, generates some tension on the second flexible rod 146 and resistive force to the user's right arm 114.
• the flexible rods provide a range of movement and flexibility throughout the full range of motion of user 100.
• the exercise apparatus may be used to perform a multitude of resistance, stability, and flexibility exercises and movements.
• the invention is used in a manner similar to the way a standard "Swiss Ball” or Exercise Ball” is used, with the difference being that the present invention has an inner core running through its central axis, with flexible rods extending therefrom.
• the inner core acts as a pivot/leverage and containment structure during resistance exercise movements.
• the larger the diameter of the flexible rod the greater the resistance to the user 100 as the flexible rod is flexed.
• the resistance may be converted to a comparable weight measure that can be referred to as tension measured in pounds during flexion.
• FIG 11 there is shown a side view of the assembled exercise apparatus of Figure 10 with a user situated in a seated position and with the flexible rods in a flexed position.
• User 100 is shown in seated position 160 performing a shoulder press exercise.
• This seated position 160 and other similar secondary positions allow the user 100 to target smaller muscle groups, while performing upper body exercises, with the exception of leg exercises, which recruit larger muscle groups during such exercises.
• Muscles that are used during upper body exercises in such secondary positions include, (lower, medial, lateral, back), Trapezius, Deltoids, Biceps, Triceps, Extensors, Brachiradialis, Palmaris Longus, Abdominis, Obliques and Flexors.
• Muscles that are used during lower body exercises when in such secondary positions include Gluteus Medius and Maximus, Adductors and Abductors, Quadriceps, Sartorius, Tibalis, Soleus, Gastrocnemius, Semitendinosus, Bicep Femoris.

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• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Orthopedic Medicine & Surgery (AREA)
• General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Biophysics (AREA)
• Rehabilitation Tools (AREA)

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• 2004
  • 2004-06-03 US US10/859,840 patent/US20050043155A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2004-06-04 EP EP04754408A patent/EP1641539A2/en not_active Withdrawn
  • 2004-06-04 WO PCT/US2004/017797 patent/WO2004110561A2/en active Application Filing
  • 2004-06-04 JP JP2006515208A patent/JP2007526004A/ja active Pending
  • 2004-06-04 AU AU2004247098A patent/AU2004247098A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2004-06-04 CA CA002528276A patent/CA2528276A1/en not_active Abandoned

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