GB2403917A

GB2403917A - Upper body exercise device

Info

Publication number: GB2403917A
Application number: GB0316890A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Adam Lipscomb
Original assignee: TIN INTERNAT Ltd
Current assignee: TIN INTERNAT Ltd
Priority date: 2003-07-18
Filing date: 2003-07-18
Publication date: 2005-01-19
Anticipated expiration: 2023-07-18
Also published as: WO2005011818A1; GB2403917B; GB0316890D0

Abstract

An exercise device comprises an elongate guide rail 12 having a longitudinal axis and hand supports 34 slideably supported by the guide rail. The hand supports are slideable along a first side of the guide rail. A second side of said guide rail that is opposite to the first side is provided with a pivot support 24. The pivot support defines a pivot axis 30 that extends transverse to the longitudinal axis. When using the exercise device to perform a press-up exercise, a user can rock the guide rail about the pivot axis during the upward and/or downward movement of the exercise to obtain an enhanced press-up exercise.

Description

24039 1 7

EXERCISE METHODS AND DEVICES

The invention relates to exercise methods and devices and particularly to enhanced methods of exercising to increase upper body strength and devices for use in such exercises.

The press-up exercise is commonly used as an exercise to improve and strengthen the pectoral, tricep and deltoid muscles. However, due to the rigidity of the exercise movement, only certain portions of the muscles are isolated, depending amongst other things on the width of placement of the hands, and only those portions are effectively exercised.

The performance of a press-up exercise is illustrated by Figures 1 to 3. Essentially, the exerciser places his/her hands on the ground, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. With his/her feet acting as a pivot point, the exerciser lowers his/her upper body towards the ground, as shown in Figure 3. The hands and feet do not move during the lowering of the upper body, which is accomplished primarily by bending the elbows.

The conventional press-up exercise provides a very limited range of movement. It is an object of the invention to provide the possibility of exercise involving much greater movement so as to provide the possibility of improved exercising.

The invention provides an exercise device comprising an elongate guide rail having a longitudinal axis, hand supports slideably supported by said guide rail so as to be slideable along a first side of said guide rail and a pivot support for a second side of said guide rail that is opposite said first side, said pivot support having a pivot surface extending transverse to said longitudinal axis such that said guide rail is pivotable about a pivot axis defined by said pivot surface.

The invention also includes an exercise device comprising elongate guide means having a longitudinal axis, two hand support means arranged to be movable along said guide means such that, in use, during a press-up I exercise an exerciser's hands placed on said hand support means can move outwardly in opposite directions from a start position guided by said elongate guide means during a downward movement of the exerciser's body from said start position, and pivot means for said elongate guide means, said pivot means being arranged for supporting said guide means, in use, such that during a press-up, the exerciser can pivot said guide means about a pivot axis that extends transverse to said longitudinal axis and substantially in the lengthways direction of the exerciser's body.

The invention also includes a method of exercising a human body comprising supporting said body in a starting position by placing the hands on hand supports connected with an elongate guide that is supported on a pivot, placing the feet on a support surface, lowering an upper portion of said body I towards said hand supports by at least bending the elbows, moving the hand supports guided by said elongate guide during at least a part of said lowering movement and moving said hand supports generally inwardly generally opposite to said outward movement during an upward movement of said body obtained by flexure of the arms to return said body to said starting position and further comprising rocking said elongate guide on said pivot during at least one of said lowering movement and upward movement.

In order that the invention may be well understood, an embodiment thereof, which is given by way of example only, will now be described with reference to the drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic front view of an exerciser at the start of a conventional press-up exercise; Figure 2 is a schematic side view of the exerciser in the position of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a schematic view of the exerciser showing a lowered position of the exerciser during the press-up exercise.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of an exercise device according to the invention; Figure 5 is a side elevation of the exercise device in a first operational mode; Figure 6 is a side elevation of the exercise device in a second operational mode; Figure 7 is an end elevational view of the exercise device showing a I hand support for the exercise device; and Figures 8, 9 and 10 are sequential views showing the performance of an exercise with the exercise device in the first operational mode.

Referring to Figures 4 to 6, an exercise device 10 comprises an elongate guide rail 12. The guide rail 12 is generally I-shaped in cross section, although bars of other shape may be used. Preferably, the guide rail is made from a light metal alloy that provides both strength and resistance to distortion and/or corrosion. The exercise device 10 also comprises a base 14 that has two upwardly projecting support blocks 16 on which the underside of the guide rail 12 seats. The connection between the guide rail 12 and the base 14 via the support blocks 16 is releasable. In a simple embodiment, the connection is made by means of bolts that engage threading provided in the underside of the guide rail 12, although, of course any suitable releasable connection arrangement can be used.

The underside of the guide rail 12 is also provided with a triangular section pivot support 24, which is situated midway between the ends of the guide rail. The pivot support 24 has a pivot edge defined by the apex of the triangle. The pivot edge extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 26 (Figure 5) of the guide rail. Thus, as indicated by the arrow 32 in Figure 5, with the pivot edge engaging a support surface 28, such as the floor of a gymnasium, the guide rail 12 can pivot about a pivot axis 30 (Figure 4) that extends generally perpendicular and parallel to the longitudinal axis 26. It will be appreciated that the pivot edge may comprise a substantial radius. It will also be appreciated that the pivot support 34 may alternatively have a i circular or semi-circular crosssection. The pivot support 34 may be fixed to or releasably securable to the guide rail 12.

Two hand supports 34 are supported on the upper side of the guide rail 12 so as to be slideable along the rail. Each hand support 34 comprises a generally flat pad 36 that is provided with a rigid handle 38. The pads 36 typically comprise a rigid plastics or metal plate having a spongy material on its upper surface. The spongy material is covered by a sheet of leather, plastics or cloth. The handles 38 have a generally arch-like shape and extend between opposite sides of the respective pads 36. In use, the exerciser can place his/her hands on the pads 36 or may grip the handles 38.

As shown in Figure 7, the pads 36 are connected to an arcuate member 40 that is shaped to curve around the upper side of the guide rail 12.

A roller system 42 is secured to the arcuate member 40 between the arcuate member and the upper side of the guide rail 12. The rollers, wheels or balls of the roller system 42 bear against the upper side of the guide rail 12 so that the hand supports 34 can slide easily along the guide rail. A locking device (not shown), which may be a cam lock, can be provided so that a user can optionally lock the hand supports 34 in user selected positions on the guide rail 12.

The pads 36 are secured to the respective arcuate members 40 in such a way that each pad can rotate about a vertical axis 44 (Figure 7) in order that the handles 38 can be arranged parallel with the longitudinal axis 26, as shown in Figures 4 to 6, or transverse to the axis 26, as shown in Figure 7.

This allows the user to select a comfortable hand grip position and/or tune exercises to meet his/her requirements. It will, of course, be appreciated that it is not essential that the pads are rotatable and they may instead be non rotatably secured to the arcuate members 40.

An end stop 50 is provided at each end of the guide rail 12 to limit the outward sliding movement of the hand supports 34 along the guide rail 12.

The end stops 50 may be fixed as shown. Alternatively, each end of the guide rail may be provided with a series of holes in its upper side for receiving an end stop in the form of a pin having an enlarged head. This would allow the user to select the range of sliding movement of the hand supports 34 to suit his/her requirements.

One or more resistances, for example tension springs (not shown), could be connected between the hand supports 34 to provide a resistance to outward movement thereof. The resistances can be adjustable or fixed.

Use of the exercise device 10 to perform a press-up exercise will now be described with reference to Figures 8 to 10. For this exercise, the base 14 is removed and the guide rail 12 is supported on the support surface 28 by means of the pivot support 24.

Figure 8 shows the exerciser 100 at a start position for the press-up exercise. In the start position, the hands 102 are placed on the hand support pads 36 so as to be positioned more or less below the shoulders 104. From the side, the position of the exerciser 110 will be similar to that shown in Figure 2.

Figure 9 shows the exerciser 100 part of the way down during the downward movement of the press-up exercise. In this position, the exerciser's arms 106 have flexed, thereby lowering the upper body towards the support surface 28. As the downward movement has been made, the exerciser has moved the pads 36 laterally outwardly with respect to the lengthways direction of his/her body by sliding them along the guide rail 12. The hands 102 move in opposite directions and substantially perpendicular to the body's length so that the distance between them is increased as compared with the start position shown in Figure 8.

Figure 10 shows the exerciser 100 having completed the downward movement of the press-up exercise. In this position, the arms 106 have flexed still further to the extent that the forearm 106f and upper arm 106u are substantially at right angles to one another. During the movement from the position shown in Figure 9 to the position shown in Figure 10, the exerciser has slid the hand supports 34 further apart to positions abutting, or substantially abutting, the respective stops 50. During this movement, the exerciser 100 has also twisted his/her body so as to pivot the guide rail 12 on the pivot support 24. As a result of this movement, one end of the guide rail has moved towards the support surface 28 and the opposite end has moved up and away from the support surface 28. It will be appreciated that while the twisting movement of the exerciser has been described solely in conjunction with the movement from the Figure 9 to the Figure 10 position, the twisting movement could start at any time earlier in the exercise.

The movements shown in Figures 8 to 10 are then repeated in reverse to complete the press-up exercise. It will be understood that as the pressup exercise is repeated, the exerciser can alternate the direction of twist so that the left- and right-hand ends of the guide rail are alternately rocked upwards and downwards during the press-up exercise.

It will be understood that an exerciser using the exercise device 10 can add similar pivotting movements of the body and lateral movements of the hands when carrying out other standard exercises such as the chest-fly motion.

It will be appreciated that the exercise device 10 allows an exerciser to add movement to various standard exercises. The press-up exercise as illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 is a relatively rigid movement that isolates an exercises a small muscle area. By providing the lateral movement of the hands that can be obtained carrying out the press-up exercise in either of the conditions shown in Figures 5 and 6, the muscles targetted by the press-up exercise are more effectively worked. In particular, a greater movement of the pectoral muscle is obtained so that the entire muscle can be worked during the press-up exercise. A press-up exercise using the exercise device 10 in the operational mode shown in Figure 6 can be completed in the same way as the exercise described with reference to Figures 8 to 10, but without the twisting movement of the body.

The provision of the pivot support 24 allows a far greater range of movement to be added to the exercises performed. The use of a pivotting, twisting movement provides a progression from simple "plank" exercises to complex movements that provide a stability rich environment for the worked muscles and joints which, in turn, promotes proprioception of the muscles and neuro-muscular efficiency, in turn leading to joint and core stability. Core exercises are those that recruit one or more muscle areas (i.e. chest, back, shoulders, hips or thighs) and involve two or more primary joints (multijoint exercises).

Proprioception is similar to balance in that it provides a sense of joint position and movement. It is the ability of a muscle to respond to abnormal positions and situations. After injury, proprioception, like strength and flexibility is impaired. Because the exercise device 10 permits exercises with a range of movements that promote proprioception, it is not only suitable for those wishing to build muscle, but can also be used to speed recovery from injury, making it suitable for use in sports injury clinics and the physiotherapy environment.

It will be appreciated that the exercise device provides the possibility of a simple and relatively inexpensive apparatus that has a wide range of uses, including home use by the amateur, use in gymnasiums, health clubs and by sports people, as well as in physiotherapy and injury-recovery environments.

In the embodiment, there is only a single guide rail 12. It will be appreciated that there may be a plurality of parallel rails to support and guide the hand supports 34. As an alternative to having the hand supports 34 mounted externally on a guide rail system, the guide rail could comprise a generally U-shaped member with the roller system housed internally of the U shaped member and the pads and/or handles mounted on a support projecting from a lengthways extending slot defined between respective inwardly projecting flanges that extend along the free ends of the sides of the U-shaped member.

It will also be appreciated that the hand supports could take the form of handles, without a pad, or a pad without handles. It is to be understood that while it is preferable to provide the exercise device with a base, such as the base 14, this is not essential.

Claims

1. An exercise device comprising an elongate guide rail having a longitudinal axis, hand supports slideably supported by said guide rail so as to be slideable along a first side of said guide rail and a pivot support for a second side of said guide rail that is opposite said first side, said pivot support having a pivot surface extending transverse to said longitudinal axis such that said guide rail is pivotable about a pivot axis defined by said pivot surface.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said guide rail is arranged to be releasably secured to a non-pivotable base.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1, or 2, wherein said pivot support has a substantially triangular cross-section.

4. A device as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said hand supports are provided with a locking device whereby each can be locked in a user selected position on the guide rail.

5. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said pivot support is releasably securable to said guide rail.

6. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein each said hand support comprises a handle that can be gripped by a user and said hand supports are rotatable between positions in which they are aligned with said longitudinal axis and positions in which they extend transversely of said axis.

7. An exercise device comprising elongate guide means having a longitudinal axis, two hand support means arranged to be movable along said guide means such that, in use, during a press-up exercise an exerciser's hands placed on said hand support means can move outwardly in opposite directions from a start position guided by said elongate guide means during a downward movement of the exerciser's body from said start position, and pivot means for said elongate guide means, said pivot means being arranged for supporting said guide means, in use, such that during a press-up, the exerciser can pivot; said guide means about a pivot axis that extends transverse to said longitudinal axis and substantially in the lengthways direction of the exerciser's body.

8. A device as claimed in claim 7, wherein said guide means comprises a single I-section bar.

9. A device as claimed in claim 7 or 8, further comprising base means, said guide means being releasably securable to said base means for use without pivoting movement about said pivot axis. a

10. A device as claimed in claim 7, 8 or 9, wherein said pivot means has a substantially triangular cross-section.

11. A device as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 10, further comprising resistance means for providing a resistance to said outward movement.

12. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said pivot axis extends substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal axis.

13. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said pivot axis extends in a plane that is substantially parallel to the plane of said longitudinal axis.

14. A method of exercising a human body comprising supporting said body in a starting position by placing the hands on hand supports connected with an elongate guide that is supported on a pivot, placing the feet on a support surface, lowering an upper portion of said body towards said hand supports by at least bending the elbows, moving the hand supports guided by said elongate guide during at least a part of said lowering movement and moving said hand supports generally inwardly generally opposite to said outward movement during an upward movement of said body obtained by flexure of the arms to return said body to said starting position and further comprising rocking said elongate guide on said pivot during at least one of said lowering movement and upward movement.

15. A method as claimed in claim 14, wherein a pivot axis defined by said pivot extends in a lengthways direction of said human body.

16. An exercise device substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 4 to 7.

17. A method of exercising substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 8 to 10.