EP2228099B1 - Fitness training device - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has two wings (4,5) which are mounted at the ends (2,3) of an elongated support (1) with reciprocal distance in a common plane. The support is equipped with an anchoring device for mounting the support to the shoulder height in front of the chest of the user. The anchoring device is formed by one or multiple belts (7,8). The wings are made of rigid material, particularly of plastic plates.

Description

The present invention relates to a fitness training apparatus having two wings mounted at the ends of an elongate, spaced apart support in a substantially common plane.

In classic fitness training, a muscle training of the desired body parts is always preceded by cardiovascular training in order to prepare and strengthen the body for strength training. For example, treadmills, bike trainers, rowing machines, crosstrainer, stepper, etc. are used.

The various successive training methods require a lot of time, especially for the training of much-noticed "problem areas", such as abdominal, thigh and buttock muscles ("stomach, leg, bottom"). In conventional cardiovascular training, these problem areas primarily address the legs, and all other zones must then be time-consuming strengthened or tightened by specific muscle group training.

A device of the type mentioned with rigid wings is from the WO 2006/058105 A1 known. The known device is exclusively hand-held and is supported behind the head on the shoulders or held free from the stomach. Both variants require deliberate handling and stabilization of the device during swinging, which detracts from concentrated training; Moreover, the device tempts to any uncontrolled training movements, making it unsuitable for efficient problem-zone training.

The invention has as its object to provide a device for fitness training, which overcomes these disadvantages and in particular enables a more efficient problem zone training. This object is achieved with a device of the aforementioned type, which is characterized according to the invention in that the carrier with an anchoring device equipped for fastening the carrier at about shoulder height in front of the chest of a user.

The device of the invention thus allows for the first time a cardiovascular or endurance training, in which the core muscles perform the main dynamic work, so that in the process mainly exactly those muscle groups are trained, which concern the said problem areas. The user mounts the wearer in an upright position in front of the chest at about the top of his chest, places his hands behind the wearer and alternately turns the upper body alternately to the left and right in front of the lower body while the knees rest on the ground with their knees slightly bent , The wings generate a speed-dependent air resistance and ensure a corresponding load on the torsional movement of the fuselage. By anchoring in front of the chest, the device does not require conscious handling and stabilization which would distract from the actual training, instead the user can fully concentrate on the torsional movement of the upper body. The torsional movement can be prolonged, e.g. to music, which has the effect of cardiovascular or endurance training. The torsional movement stresses the abdominal, hip and lower back muscles, while the slightly bent knee posture simultaneously trains the thigh and gluteal muscles. As a result, the problem areas are already effectively trained in endurance training, resulting in a great time savings.

The training may be performed both "indoor" and "outdoor", and even walking, whereby the rhythmic upper body movement may be synchronized with the stepping action (i.e., right arm and left foot, left arm, and right foot). Here, the gluteal muscles are particularly stressed.

In addition, the attachment of the training device in front of the chest in connection with the back bearing of the hands on the wearer leads to a natural straight posture of the spine, which leads in an extremely advantageous manner at the same time to a tightening of the spinal musculature, in particular when the user slightly raises the upper body and ensures a particularly spinal-sparing workout.

The carrier and the wings can be made correspondingly lightweight, so that they do not represent the spine burdening weight; only their air resistance counteracts the torso torsion. The speed of the torsional movement is up to the user. Due to the low weight and the simple construction of the device, the training can also be performed very well by older people and leads to an energizing of the active musculoskeletal system. If desired, the training can be performed even while sitting or kneeling, while still achieving all the beneficial effects on the trunk muscles.

The anchoring device for fastening the carrier in front of the breast can be of any type per se, for example in the form of straps which can be attached to the shoulders, a vest connected to the wearer, etc. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the anchoring device is provided by one or more anchoring means several straps is formed. This variant is inexpensive to manufacture and easy to create by the user.

It is particularly advantageous if two straps are provided which are crossed over the back of the user and extend over the chest side regions without being crossed. This design is comfortable to wear and does not restrict mobility in any way.

In a first preferred embodiment of the invention, the wings can be made of rigid material, preferably of plastic plates.

In an alternative, particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the wings are formed by struts, which are provided with a flexible covering. This results in a lightweight, easily dismantled construction.

It is particularly advantageous if each wing has at least two approximately parallel, the carrier crossing struts, on the projecting ends of each a clothing web is pushed, preferably by means of end flaps of the clothing web. This allows for easy disassembly of the device for transport and a quick assembly for training.

Another preferred feature of the invention is that the mutual distance of the struts is variable, more preferably by at least one of the struts in different transverse bores of the carrier is selectively inserted. As a result, the clothing can be used not only in a streamlined state, but also in a slightly loosened state, whereby the fabric swings back and forth accordingly when swinging the device back and forth, which leads to a delayed onset of air resistance. As a result, in the reversal phase of the torsional movement, in which a load of the musculature already takes place due to the initiation of the countermovement, initially only a small resistance is presented to the user, which makes the load on the muscles even during the movement.

Optionally, the carrier may be centrally provided with a plate for engagement with the chest of a user to prevent twisting of the carrier about its longitudinal axis during exercise, if desired.

Furthermore, it is particularly advantageous if, according to a further preferred feature of the invention, the carrier is padded at least in the middle in order to enable a gentle contact of the carrier in the chest area.

To adapt to different users, it is particularly advantageous if the carrier is adjustable in length, preferably telescoping.

For easy application of the straps and also to adapt to different body sizes, it is expedient if the straps are adjustable in length.

According to a further preferred variant of the invention, the wings are detachably mounted on the carrier. This allows a space-saving disassembly of the device for storage and for transport.

In a first preferred embodiment of the invention, the carrier is rod-shaped and rigid, preferably separable into plug-in parts. This variant is particularly simple and well suited for the discussed torsion training.

An alternative embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the carrier is rod-shaped and has two joints, which allow pivoting of the ends of the carrier together with the wings at least to the legs of a "U". With this variant, a further form of training can be exercised, in which the arms can be moved periodically forward and sideways in a horizontally extended posture, or with a horizontal upper arm and a vertical forearm, in order to perform a "butterfly" -like training of the chest. , Shoulder, upper arm and upper back muscles to allow.

It is particularly advantageous if the pivotable ends are separately adjustable in length, preferably telescoping to allow adaptation to different body sizes.

In each of the aforementioned embodiments, it is particularly advantageous if, according to a further feature of the invention, each wing is provided with at least one retaining loop or a preferably rotatable handle. As a result, the wings can be better grasped with the hands.

In an advantageous embodiment, each wing has an area of 0.25-2 m ² , preferably 0.5-1 m ² , which has been found in practical experiments as a good compromise between manageability and sufficient air resistance.

For the same reason, it is particularly expedient if the carrier in the extended state between the wings has a length of 0.5-2 m, preferably 0.7-1 m.

As already mentioned, the device according to the invention can be extremely lightweight, e.g. made of wood or light metal, such as aluminum. Particularly preferably, the carrier and the wings are made of plastic, which allows a simple and inexpensive production.

• die Fig. 1 und 2 eine erste Ausführungsform der Erfindung in der Verwendungsstellung in der Vorderansicht bzw. Rückansicht;
• die Fig. 3 und 4 eine zweite Ausführungsform der Erfindung in der Rückansicht bzw. Draufsicht;
• die Fig. 5 und 6 eine dritte Ausführungsform der Erfindung in der Rückansicht bzw. Draufsicht; und
• die Fig. 7 bis 9 eine vierte Ausführungsform der Erfindung in der Rückansicht (Fig. 7), der Draufsicht in einer ersten Betriebsstellung (Fig. 8) und der Draufsicht in einer zweiten Betriebsstellung (Fig. 9).

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the drawings show

• the Fig. 1 and 2 a first embodiment of the invention in the use position in the front view and rear view, respectively;
• the 3 and 4 a second embodiment of the invention in the rear view and plan view, respectively;
• the FIGS. 5 and 6 a third embodiment of the invention in the rear view and plan view, respectively; and
• the Fig. 7 to 9 A fourth embodiment of the invention in the rear view ( Fig. 7 ), the plan view in a first operating position ( Fig. 8 ) and the plan view in a second operating position ( Fig. 9 ).

The in the Fig. 1 and 2 illustrated device for fitness training comprises an elongated support 1, which carries at its two ends 2, 3 each have a rigid wing 4, 5. The carrier 1 is substantially rod-shaped and rigid and extends in the example shown between the wings 4, 5 over a length of 0.5 to 1.5 m, preferably 0.7 to 1 m. The wings 4, 5 have an area of 0.1 to 1.5 m ² , preferably 0.25 to 1.5 m ² , particularly preferably 0.5 to 1 m ² , for example 60 cm x 90 cm.

The carrier 1 and the wings 4, 5 are made of lightweight material. For example, for the carrier 1 a thin-walled plastic tube with a diameter of about 5 cm and for the wings 4, 5 plastic plates, e.g. made of polystyrene or hard foam, used with a thickness of about 2-3 mm or more. The outline shape of the wings 4, 5 is essentially arbitrary, e.g. rectangular, square, circular, elliptical, aircraft wing-shaped, star-shaped, etc., since their air resistance depends essentially only on their surface area. The surface area should preferably be symmetrical about the point of application of the ends 2, 3 in order to avoid the initiation of a tilting moment about the axis of the carrier 1 during the training movement.

In particular, the wings 4, 5 can also be printed and, e.g. serve as an advertising medium.

For gentle installation of the carrier 1 on the chest and also to prevent inadvertent rotation of the carrier 1 about its longitudinal axis, the carrier 1 with a plate 6 (FIG. Fig. 3 ), which is preferably padded.

If on the other hand just a particularly universal applicability of the training device is desired, may alternatively the plate 6 about the longitudinal axis of the carrier 1 rotatably mounted on this. Optionally, such a rotatable mounting of the plate 6 may also be equipped with locking means for locking the plate in different rotational positions.

To anchor the carrier 1 in front of the user's breast, two straps 7, 8 are used in the example shown, which straps are crossed over the back of the user and run straight over his chest side regions. The straps 7, 8 may be equipped with closing and / or buckles 9 for length adjustment.

Closures are dispensable when the buckles 9 come to rest on the lateral chest areas of the user for the length adjustment, since they can be easily grasped there for lashing the carrier 1 after the user has slipped the device with loosened straps 7, 8.

The ends of the straps 7, 8 running over the chest side regions are preferably mounted on the carrier 1 farther inwards or closer to one another than the ends of the straps 7, 8 extending over the back of the user.

For training, the user straps the carrier 1 about at shoulder height in front of the chest, places his hands from behind the side of the carrier 1 (see Fig. 1 and 2 ) and moves the upper body with the arms - twisting the abdominal area - in rapid succession alternately to the left and right (torsion), wherein the air resistance of the wings 4, 5 provides a speed-dependent counterforce for the torsional movement.

The embodiment of the 3 and 4 shows further optional details of the training device (for clarity, straps 7, 8 not shown here). Thus, the carrier 1 may be adjustable in length, for example by telescoping its ends 2, 3 with respect to its central portion 11. With the help of fixing elements 12, such as pins, notches, snaps, etc., the ends 2, 3 are locked in the desired extension position.

As in Fig. 4 are shown, the wings 4, 5 inserted into end-side slots 14 of the ends 2, 3 and fixed there by means of screws, bolts, welds or splices, thumbscrews 15 and so on. In this way can also be a detachable connection be realized between the wings 4, 5 and the carrier 1 in order to remove the wings for transport and storage purposes, for example by means of wing nuts or thumbscrews.

The FIGS. 5 and 6 show a further embodiment of the device of the invention (for clarity belts 7, 8 not shown), in which the carrier 1 has two joints 16, by means of which the ends 2, 3 together with the wings 4, 5 to the legs of a "U" can be pivoted (arrow 17), or even beyond.

The pivotable ends 2, 3 can in turn be adjustable in length, for example, by appropriate subdivision into telescoping parts 2 ', 2 "and 3', 3", (arrows 18, 19). The lying between the joints 16 middle portion of the carrier 1 is as in the 3 and 4 The telescopic adjustments can be locked in each case by corresponding fixing elements 22 to 25. The support 1 is here padded with a sleeve 26 made of soft plastic ,

The carrier 1 and / or the wings 4, 5 are provided with loops or handles 13, which are gripped, for example, with outstretched arms so that the backs of the hands away from the wings 4, 5. Optionally, if handles are used, they can be rotatably mounted on the carrier 1 or the wings 4, 5.

The wings 4, 5 are also provided in addition to the loops 13 with other loops 27, 28, which serve to grasp with vertically upwardly angled forearm: The forearm is passed through the lower loop 27 and the upper loop 28 grasped by hand, the back of the hand from the wing 4, 5 points away.

With the help of in the FIGS. 5 and 6 In addition to the embodiment shown in FIGS Fig. 1 and 2 shown use also a butterfly-like upper body workout are performed. For this, the arms are after gripping the wings 4, 5 on the loops 13 and 27 and 28, overcoming the air resistance of the wings 4, 5 of a laterally outstretched horizontal position alternately or simultaneously pivoted back and forth.

The Fig. 7 to 9 show yet another embodiment, which is characterized by very low weight, easy disassembly and pleasant training feeling. Each wing 4, 5 is formed here by two parallel, the carrier 1 crossing struts 29, 30 and 31, 32, to which clothing tracks 33, 34 and 35, 36, for example, plastic foil or tissue webs, are attached. The clothing webs 34-36 have, for example, end tabs 37, which are pushed onto the ends of the struts 29-32 projecting from the carrier 1.

The mutual distance of the struts 29 - 32 is changeable, for example by these slidably mounted or slidably mounted on the carrier 1 sliding or - as shown - are optionally inserted into different transverse bores 38 of the carrier 1. In this way the covering tracks can either be taut ( Fig. 8 ) or slightly loosened or loose ( Fig. 9 ) are mounted so that they can resonate when swinging the carrier 1 accordingly. In addition, the distance of the wings 4, 5 can thus also be varied - provided corresponding transverse bores 38.

Alternatively, the struts 29 - 32 could also be provided with a fixed spacing and the clothing webs 33 - 36 with different tabs or fastening means for anchoring to the struts 29 - 32.

The embodiment of the Fig. 7 - 9 with flexibly covered wings 4, 5 can of course with the in the Fig. 1 to 6 shown different variants of the carrier 1 are combined, for example with an articulated carrier. 1

The invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments, but includes all variants and modifications that fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (15)

1. Fitness training device with two wings (4, 5), which are mounted on the ends (2, 3) of an elongated support (1) spaced from one another to lie in a substantially common plane, characterised in that the support (1) is fitted with an anchoring device (7, 8) for fastening the support (1) at approximately shoulder height in front of the chest of a user.
2. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that the anchoring device (7, 8) is formed by one or more straps.
3. Device according to claim 2, characterised in that two straps (7, 8) are provided, which are crossed over the back of the user and are uncrossed over the side regions of the chest.
4. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the wings (4, 5) are made from rigid material, preferably plastic plates.
5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the wings (4, 5) are formed by struts (29-32), which are provided with a flexible tensioning web (33-36).
6. Device according to claim 5, characterised in that each wing (4, 5) has at least two approximately parallel struts (29-32), which cross the support (1) and onto the projecting ends of which a respective tensioning web (33-36) is slid, preferably by means of end flaps (37) of the tensioning web (33-36).
7. Device according to claim 6, characterised in that the mutual spacing of the struts (29-32) is variable, preferably in that at least one of the struts (29-32) can be inserted selectively into different transverse holes (38) of the support (1).
8. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the support (1) is provided with a plate (6) in the centre to rest against the chest of the user.
9. Device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the support (1) is padded (6, 26) at least in the centre.
10. Device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the support (1) is adjustable in length, preferably in a telescoping manner.
11. Device according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that the wings (4, 5) are detachably mounted on the support (1).
12. Device according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterised in that the support (1) is bar-shaped and rigid, preferably can be dismantled into plug-in parts.
13. Device according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterised in that the support (1) is bar-shaped and has two joints (16), which allow the ends (2, 3) of the support to pivot together with the wings (4, 5) at least to form the legs of a "U".
14. Device according to claim 13, characterised in that the pivoting ends (2, 3) are separately adjustable in length, preferably in a telescoping manner.
15. Device according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterised in that each wing (4, 5) is provided with at least one holding strap (13, 27, 28) or a preferably rotatable grip.

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