GB2456776A

GB2456776A - Swimming training method and apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2456776A
Application number: GB0801147A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Martin Charles Woodward
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-01-23
Filing date: 2008-01-23
Publication date: 2009-07-29
Also published as: GB0801147D0

Abstract

In a small pool, a swimmer 10 is restrained by a line 13 from which weights 15,16 are suspended, the number of strokes needed by that swimmer to swim a predetermined distance is known, the swimmer swims that number of strokes while being held substantially stationary relative to the ground by the line 13. Minor weights 16 can be added or subtracted to adjust the total weight to the weight and ability of a particular swimmer. The apparatus may comprise a harness, worn by the swimmer, to which the line is attached. The line may be held at an elevated position and pass over a pulley.

Description

"EXERCISE METHOD AND APPARATUS" This invention relates to an exercise method and apparatus, and more particularly to a method by which a swimmer can simulate distance swimming while remaining stationary and apparatus for use in the same.

Large swimming pools are expensive to install and to maintain and relatively few owners have space for them, especially in urban environments. Small pools do not provide sufficient length for swimming more than a few strokes before having to turn around, which is an altogether different experience than when swimming in open water. t0

A solution to this problem has been to provide small pools in which the swimmer swims against a strong current induced by ajet of water, using the same number of strokes as when swimming a distance while remaining stationary relative to the ground. This however is an expensive option both in terms of installation and operation. Other proposals have included restraining a swimmer by an elastic medium. While relatively cheap this is a "one size fits all" solution. A weak swimmer will be too much restrained while a strong swimmer may be insufficiently restrained.

An object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus which is easily adapted to a particular swimmer's capabilities. Another object is to provide a method whereby swimming a predetermined distance can be simulated while the swimmer remains stationary relative to the ground.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided a method by which a swimmer can simulate distance swimming while remaining stationary, the method comprising attaching to a swimmer one end of a line at the other end of which is a suspended weight, varying the weight while the swimmer is swimming until the swimmer is substantially stationary relative to the ground and noting the weight thus applied to be used on a subsequent occasion involving the same swimmer.

The method may include the further steps of noting the number of strokes used by an unrestrained swimmer to swim a predetermined length and replicating that number of strokes while the swimmer is subsequently restrained by said line and weight to replicate the swimming of said predetermined length while the swimmer is substantially stationary relative to the ground.

The unrestrained swimmer may swim in open water or a relatively large swimming pooi at a first location and the restrained swimmer may swim in a relatively small swimming pool at a second location. In this way the owner of a small pool can replicate swimming in a large one.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention apparatus for use in cariying out the method of the preceding three paragraphs may comprise a body harness to be worn by the swimmer, a line attached at one end to the harness, a pulley over which the line passes at IS an elevated position at one end of the pool in which the swimmer is swimming and a plurality of weights of different values which can be selectively attached to or mounted on the other end of the line after it has past over the pulley to be suspended by the line.

One of said weights may be substantially heavier that the others, representing a minimum weight which will restrain a poor and/or lightweight swimmer and the other weight or weights may be relatively lighter to provide for fine adjustment of the total weight.

Said other weights may be each of 0.5kg.

Said other end of the line preferably terminates in a stop or platform and each of the weights may be slotted so that the weights can be piled one-above-another on the stop or platform with the line received into their slots.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of non-limitative example with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 diagrammatically illustrates a swimmer in a small pool having attached to him or her the apparatus of the invention.

Referring to the drawing, a swimmer 10 is swimming in a pool 11 approximately 8 metres in length. The swimmer wears a harness or belt 12 to which is attached one end of a line 13 which passes around a pulley 14 at an elevated position above one end of the pool 11. A main weight 15 is suspended from the pulley 14 by the other end of the line 13. On top of the main weight 15 is a smaller weight 16. The latter has been added finely to adjust the total weight to the strength of the swimmer 10 so that the total weight restraining the swimmer is sufficient to prevent forward movement while insufficient to drag the swimmer backwards. It will be obvious that between strokes the swimmer will tend to be dragged backwards and that during a powerful stroke he or she will tend to move forwards. The weights are adjusted until these two tendencies cancel each other out and the swimmer remains substantially stationary relative to the ground. I5

Suppose that the swimmer 10 owns the 8 metre long pool 11 but has an exercise regitne requiring a swim of 200 metres. If unrestrained the swimmer would have to swim 25 pool lengths, turning on reaching each end of the pool. The act of turning interrupts the continuity of the swim and gives an artificial result, especially if the swimmer rests or pushes off from the side of the pool.

In accordance with the present invention the number of strokes needed to swim 200 metres can be counted while swimming in open water or a much larger pool. Returning to his or her own pool the swimmer swims the same number of strokes while restrained by the apparatus of the invention and thus accurately replicates the longer swim.

The main weight 15 is sufficient to restrain a small, poor swimmer such as a child.

Additional weights 16 can be added in increments of, say, 0.5 kg to adjust the total weight to the particular swimmer 10. A heavy, strong swimmer will require more weight than a lighter, less strong swimmer.

To enable the weights 15, 16 to be piled on top of one another each may have a radial slot which receives the line 13. The suspended end of the line 13 may have a stop or platform on which the weight 15 rests or the weight 15 may be permanently attached to the line, only the "fine adjustment" weight or weights 16 being removeable.

Claims

CLAIMS: I. A method by which a swimmer can simulate distance swimming while remaining stationary, the method comprising attaching to a swimmer one end of a line at the other end of which is a suspended weight, varying the weight while the swimmer is swimming until the swimmer is substantially stationary relative to the ground and noting the weight thus applied to be used on a subsequent occasion involving the same swimmer.
2. A method as claimed in claim 1 including the further steps of noting the number of strokes used by an unrestrained swimmer to swim a predetermined length and replicating that number of strokes while the swimmer is subsequently restrained by said line and weight to replicate the swimming of said predetermined length while the swimmer is substantially stationary relative to the ground.
3. A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the unrestrained swimmer swims in open water or a relatively large swimming pool at a first location and wherein the restrained swimmer swims in a relatively small swimming pool at a second location.
4. Apparatus for use in carrying out the method of any one of the preceding claims, the apparatus comprising a body harness to be worn by the swimmer, a line attached at one end to the harness, a pulley over which the line passes at an elevated position at one end of the pool in which the swimmer is swimming and a plurality of weights of different values which can be selectively attached to or mounted on the other end of the line after it has past over the pulley to be suspended by the line.
5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein one of said weights is substantially heavier that the others, representing a minimum weight which will restrain a poor and/or lightweight swimmer and the other weight or weights are relatively lighter to provide for fine adjustment of the total weight.
6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, where said other weights are each of 0.5kg.
7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 or claim 6, wherein said other end of the line terminates in a stop or platform and each of the weights is slotted so that the weights can be piled one-above-another on the stop or platform with the line received into their slots.
8. A method by which a swimmer can simulate distance swimming while remaining stationary substantially as hereinbefore described.
9. Apparatus for carrying out the method claimed in any one of claims 1, 2, 3 or 8 Jo substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawing.