GB2477565A

GB2477565A - Resistance exercise device

Info

Publication number: GB2477565A
Application number: GB1002079A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Matthew Lee Januszek
Original assignee: Escape Fitness Ltd
Current assignee: Escape Fitness Ltd
Priority date: 2010-02-09
Filing date: 2010-02-09
Publication date: 2011-08-10
Also published as: GB201002079D0

Abstract

A resistance exercise device comprises a support frame configured for connection to by of one or more resistance bands 40 and anchoring means (32, figure 2) for preventing movement of the support frame when a force is applied thereto by one or more resistance bands 40. The support frame comprises a first elongate frame member 4 arranged to define a first support axis and a second elongate frame member 6 arranged to define a second support axis. The support frame further comprises a plurality of connectors 20a-b defining a plurality of mounting points along the first and second frame members 4,6 configured for connection to by one or more resistance bands 40. The first and second frame members 4,6 may define vertical support axis. The support frame may include a third elongate frame member 8 connected between the first and second frame members, which defines a horizontal support axis. The anchoring means (32) may comprise removable weights (34) forming ballast member on a base section (30). The ballast member may include a removable cover (35) to obscure the weights (34) from view.

Description

A RESISTANCE EXERCISE DEVICE

An increasingly popular form of fitness exercise involves resistance training.

Resistance training utilises elastic "resistance" bands to provide a simulated form of weight training. Traditional free weight techniques adapted for use with resistance bands have become a part of commonly used training routines, focusing on improvements in muscular strength and power production.

Resistance bands provide a variable elastic potential' when stretched, with increased stretching of the band increasing the resistance that is applied. This variable load provides a unique form of exercise which varies from the constant loading of traditional weight lifting apparatus, with the muscles under load having to work increasingly harder as the extension progresses. As such, this form of exercise is particularly advantageous for speed and plyometric training.

Resistance bands require an anchoring point against which the band may be stretched to perform the majority of exercises. An anchoring point may be formed by placing the centre of the band underneath the feet, with the feet anchoring the band and enabling both ends of the band to be lifted and stretched for example to perform bicep curls. It is also known to provide fixed structural anchoring points for attaching one end of a band. For example attachments are provided for connecting resistance bands to door frames or similar structures. However, single fixed anchoring points of this kind only allow a limited number of exercises to be performed.

Adjustable resistance band attachment posts are known, comprising a vertical post having an attachment point for connecting a resistance band. The attachment point is slidáble up and down the post and lockable in a number of vertical positions.

Adjustable attachment posts improve on the fixed attachment devices, but remain limited in the number of exercise they can facilitate. In addition, such supports require large and bulky bases, usually filled with sand, to prevent toppling of the post in use. Due to their size and weight these bases can obstruct access to the attachment post, and inhibit movement of the posts for transit or positional adjustment within a gym.

It is therefore desirable to provide an improved resistance exercise device which addresses the above described problems and/or which offers improvements generally.

In an embodiment of the invention there is provided a resistance exercise device comprising a support frame configured for connection to by of one or more elongate resistance exercise bands. The resistance exercise device further comprises anchoring means for preventing movement of said support frame when a force is applied thereto in use by said one or more elongate resistance exercise bands. The support frame comprises a first elongate frame member arranged to define a first support axis and a second elongate frame member arranged to define a second support axis. The support frame further comprises a plurality of connectors defining a plurality of mounting points along the first and second frame members configured for connection to by said one or more elongate resistance exercise bands.

The plurality of mounting points defined by the connectors along the first and second support axes enable connection of one or more resistance bands to multiple points along a plurality of axes. This facilitates a greatly increased number of exercises to be performed using the resistance bands by enabling the bands to be stretched away from frame from multiple vertical and lateral angles thereby defining multiple force vectors. Rather than alternately performing an exercise changing limbs between exercise sets, as is required if only a single attachment point is provided, both limbs may be exercised simultaneously using multiple attachment points.

The resistance exercise device may further comprise a third elongate frame member arranged to define a third support axis, the plurality of connectors also defining a plurality of mounting points along the third frame member. Providing an additional third support axis increases further the range of exercises which may performed using the resistance exercise device.

The first and second frame members may define vertical support axes interconnected and horizontally spaced by the third frame member which defines a horizontal support axis. In this way, a stretching range extending 360° in both the horizontal and vertical planes is achievable, whereas or a single support axis, only a maximum stretch range of approximately 160° in the vertical plane is achievable.

Each of the frame members includes a plurality of fixed connectors arranged along the length thereof and defining a plurality of fixed mounting points. Providing a plurality of fixed connectors ensures that specific exercises can be precisely replicated by selection of predetermined mounting points. In addition, fixed mounting points obviates the requirement for moving parts and as such simplifies and reduces the cost of the exercise device.

Thq resistance exercise device may comprise a base section including a ballast member comprising the anchoring means. The ballast member prevents movement of the exercise device when forces are applied to it in use by the resistance bands.

The ballast member may comprise a plurality of removable weight members selectively removable from the base section to vary the ballast. As such, the weights may be removed for transit or to make the exercise device easier to move for repositioning within a gym. The ballast member may also include a removable cover to obscure the weight members from view, thereby preventing unauthorised removal of the weights which could lead to the frame being unstable and therefore a safety hazard.

The base section may comprise at least one box section, at least a portion of said box section being removable and comprising the ballast member cover. The base section preferably comprises a plurality of ballast members arranged along a plurality of base frame members.

The plurality of connectors may comprise a plurality of eyes configured for connection to by a corresponding hook or catch provided on the one or more elongate resistance exercise bands.

In an alternative embodiment, at least one of the connectors may be slideably mounted to at least one of the first and second frame members and moveable between a plurality of positions along the length thereof to define said plurality of mounting points.

The present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the following illustrative figures in which: Figure 1 is a respective view of a resistance exercise device according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a front view of the resistance exercise device of Figure 1 with the ballast cover removed; Figure 3 shows the resistance exercise device of Figure 1 with resistance bands connected.

Referring to Figure 1, a resistance exercise device 1 comprises a frame 2 formed from a plurality of elongate frame members, The elongate frame members are preferably formed from hollow section steel, although they could be formed from other materials. The frame 2 is upstanding, self supporting and substantially box shaped.

A front frame section 3 is formed by first front vertical frame member 4, second front vertical frame member 6 and horizontal upper cross member 8. A rear frame section 5 is provided to support and maintain the front frame section 3 in a vertical orientation in use. The rear frame section 5 comprises rear vertical frame members 7 interconnected by horizontal cross members 9. The rear vertical frame members 7 are spaced from and connected to the front vertical frame members 4,6 by cross members 15, 17, and by the base section 10. A further cross member 12 is positioned rearward of the front frame section 3, and interconnects the side cross members 15.

A base section 10 comprises side base portions 1 0a and I Ob which interconnect the front vertical frame members 4, 6, and the rear vertical frame members 7 at their lower ends. A rear base portion I Oc interconnects the rear vertical frame members 7. Feet 19 are connected to the base of each of vertical frame members 4,6,7 to support and stabilise the frame..

Each of the base portions lOa-lOc comprises a hollow elongate box section 3lforming a structural frame member, a removable cover 35, and a weight section 32. The weight section 32, as shown in Figure 2, provides ballast for preventing movement, and in particular toppling of the frame 2 when forces are applied to the frame 2 in use, and obviates the requirement to secure the feet 19 to the floor, thereby making the resistance exercise device 1 easy to reposition. The weight section 32 comprises a plurality of removable weights 34, which are mounted within the box section 31. The removable weights may be selectively removed to vary the ballast for the frame 2, or for repositioning or transit of the resistance exercise device 1. The removable cover 35 is placed over the box section 31 and weight section 32 to obscure the weight section 32 from view, and to give the base sections 1 0a -1 Oc the appearance of normal structural frame members.

The upper cross member 8 defines the height of the frame 2. The height is selected such that it is greater than the height of an average person, but such that the upper cross member 8 is within reach of said average person. As such the upper cross member 8 is an overhead cross member.

A plurality of U-shaped eye connectors 20 are attached to the frame 2. The eye connectors 20 are configured for connection to corresponding hooks or catches provided on resistance bands 40, as shown in Figure 3. A plurality of connectors 20a are provided at regular intervals along the length of the first vertical front frame member 4, and define a plurality of mounting points for connection to a resistance band arranged along a first vertical support axis defined longitudinally along the 1 5 length of the frame member 4. A plurality of connectors 20 are similarly connected along the length of the second front vertical frame member 6, defining a plurality of mounting points arranged along a second vertical axis defined longitudinally along the length of the second front frame member 6.

The horizontal upper cross member 8 also includes a plurality of connectors 20c regular spaced along its length defining a plurality of mounting points arranged along an overhead horizontal axis defined longitudinally along the length of the second front frame member 6. The horizontal support axis interconnects the first and second vertical support axes. At the centre of the cross member 8, two of the connectors are radially offset to provide an alternative mounting angles.

The rearward horizontal cross member 12 is also provided with a plurality of connectors 20d, regularly positioned along its length to define a plurality of mounting points arranged along a second horizontal axis defined longitudinally along the length of the rearward cross member 12. The cross member 12 is curved, such that a curved horizontal mounting axis is defined, with the connectors each extending in varying radial directions.

As shown in Figure 3 the resistance bands 40 comprise a resilient band 42 formed from a resilient material such as rubber. A handle 46 is provided at a first end of the resistant band 42 for gripping by a user. A connector 44 is provided at the opposing second end of the band 42 for connection to the frame 2. The handle 46 is configured to be gripped in use for stretching the resistant band 42.

The connector 44 is a clip connector having a hook section 47 and a sprung latch section 48, and is similar in construction to a karabiner clip. The hook section 47 is configured to be hooked through one of the eye connectors 20 to connect the resistance band 40 to the frame 2. Specifically, the hook section 47 of the connector 44 is inserted into the eye 20 with the latch section 47 moved to an open position.

The latch section 48 then returns to its original closed position under the action of the spring, closing the opening to the hook section and in doing so holding the hook in place on the eye connector 22, In the arrangement shown in Figure 3, a first resistance band 40 is connected to the first front vertical frame member 4, and a second resistance band 40 is connected to the second front vertical frame member 6. As such, the resistance bands 40 are laterally spaced by the lateral separation of the frame members 4 and 6, Selection of the specific one of the connectors 20a and 20b defines the attachment height of the resistance bands. To perform an exercise, the handles 46 of the resistance bands 40 are gripped and the resistance bands are stretched away from the frame members 4 and 6, with the frame 2 anchoring the connector ends of the bands 40 to enable them to be stretched.

As the resistance band 40 is stretched away from the anchoring point a specific force vector is defined. The force vector is determined by the position of the anchoring point defined by the specific selected connector 20, and by the height of the user and the height at which they hold the handle 46 relative to their body, and the distance away from the frame 2 that the user stands. As the band is pulled away from the connector, it may be pulled in a straight line, or through an arc, such that both the magnitude and direction of the force vector may vary during the exercise.

In the arrangement shown in Figure 3 the bands 40 are connected to connectors 20a and 2Db at approximately at waist height. In this position may for example be used to perform a seated press, for exercising the pectoral muscles. Connection of the resistance bands 2 to alternative connectors 20a and 2Db located towards the base of the frame members 2 and 6 provides a lower anchoring point, enabling the resistance bands 40 to be stretched upwards to perform for example a bicep curl. Attachment of the bands 40 to the connectors 20a and 20b towards the top of the frame members 2 and 6 allows downward stretching of the bands, for example to perform triceps extensions.

As the frame members 2 and 6 define a vertical support axis, and the bands 40 must be stretched away from the frame members 2 and 6, a user cannot stretch the bands directly downwards when connected to the front frame members 4,6. Therefore, connectors 20c are provided along the upper horizontal cross member 8. Connection of the bands to the upper connectors 20c allows the bands to be stretched in a wider range of vertical directions, for performing exercises such as lateral pull downs.

While the bands 40 shown in Figure 3 are connected to connectors 20a and 2Db at corresponding heights, this is not essential. Instead, for example, a first band 40 may be connected to a lower connector 20a of the first front frame member 4, while a second band 40 is connected to an upper connector of the second frame member 6, therefore requiring opposing diagonal forces to be applied. A wide range of exercise may be performed by connecting one or more resistance bands to any combination of one or more of the connectors 20a to 20d of the frame 2.

It will be appreciated that if further embodiments various modifications to this specific arrangements described above and shown in the drawings may be made.

For example, while the connectors are described as being a hook and eye arrangement, any suitable connection combination may be utilised. In addition, while a vertical upstanding frame arrangement is described, the frame members may define alternative support axis, for example with the frame members all being horizontal, and providing a plurality of alternatively oriented horizontal mounting axis fixed to the floor. Furthermore, while base section is described as comprising box sections into which the weights are mounted, the weights may alternatively be hung over a base frame member, or removabley mounted in any suitable way.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A resistance exercise device comprising: a support frame configured for connection to by of one or more elongate resistance exercise bands; and anchoring means for preventing movement of said support frame when a force is applied thereto in use by said one or more elongate resistance exercise bands; wherein the support frame comprises a first elongate frame member arranged to define a first support axis and a second elongate frame member arranged to define a second support axis, the support frame further comprising a plurality of connectors defining a plurality of mounting points along the first and second frame members configured for connection to by said one or more elongate resistance exercise bands.
2. The resistance exercise device of claim 1 further comprising a third elongate frame member arranged to define a third support axis, the plurality of connectors also defining a plurality of mounting points along the third frame member.
3. The resistance exercise device of claim 2 wherein the first and second elongate frame members define vertical support axes interconnected and horizontally spaced by the third elongate frame member which defines a horizontal support axis.
4. The resistance exercise device of any preceding claim wherein each of the elongate frame members includes a plurality of fixed connectors arranged along the length thereof and defining a plurality of fixed mounting points.
5. The resistance exercise device of any preceding claim further comprising a base section including a ballast member comprising the anchoring means. -10-
6. The resistance exercise device of claim 5 wherein the ballast member comprises a plurality of removable weight members selectively removable from the base section to vary the ballast.
7. The resistance exercise device of claim 6, wherein the ballast member includes a removable cover to obscure the weight members from view.
8. The resistance exercise device of claim 7 wherein the base section comprises at least one box section, at least a portion of said box section being removable and comprising the ballast member cover.
9. The resistance exercise device of any preceding claim wherein the plurality of connectors comprises a plurality of eyes configured for connection to by a corresponding hook or catch provided on the one or more elongate resistance exercise bands.
10. The resistance exercise device of any one of claims I to 3 wherein at least one of the connectors is slideably mounted to at least one of the first and second elongate frame members and moveable between a plurality of positions along the length thereof to define said plurality of mounting points.
11. The resistance exercise device of any preceding claim fttrther comprising one or more elongate resistance exercise bands connected respectively to one of more of the a plurality of connectors.
12. A resistance exercise device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and/or as shown in figures 1 to 3.