GB2517968A

GB2517968A - An exercise device

Info

Publication number: GB2517968A
Application number: GB1315926.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Aidan Patrick Kilgannon
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-09-06
Filing date: 2013-09-06
Publication date: 2015-03-11
Also published as: WO2015032937A1; GB201315926D0

Abstract

An exercise device (10) for performing a variety of exercises thereon or supported thereby comprises a polyhedral unit (11) having a ground engageable base (12) and upstanding angled sides (13), and at least two flat surfaces (14) on the unit (11), which surfaces (14) lie in planes which are parallel to the plane in which the base (12) lies. There are three flat surfaces (14), being a lower flat surface (15), a middle flat surface (16) and an upper flat surface (17), which upper flat surface (17) defines the top (18) of the unit (11). The lower flat surface (15), middle flat surface (16) and upper flat surface (17), form steps (18), (19) and (20), respectively in differing directions on the unit (11). The shape of the device (10) facilitates the performing of a wide variety of exercises thereon, both indoors and outdoors, with no adjustment of the device (10) being required.

Description

An exercise device This invention relates to an exercise device for performing a variety of exercises thereon or supported thereby and, in particular, to a ground engageable device on which a particular exercise can be S performed at different levels.

Ground engageable exercise devices are known for performing a variety of exercises thereon or supported thereby.

The Reebok® Step (Reebok® is a registered trade mark of Reebok International Limited, London, United Kingdom) is an exercise device in the form of a ground engageable step, which has three adjustable height levels to vary the intensity of one's workout. The user steps on and off the device usually in time to music. The user can step at a walking' pace for a basic workout or add lifts, squats and lunges to his session to engage a!! the muscles in his lower body and torso. Working out on a Reebok® Step will result in an improvement in cardiovascular fitness, lower body muscle tone, while at the same time burning calories.

However, the types of exercises that can be perfonned using the Reebok® Step are somewhat limited.

The TRX® Home Suspension Training Kit (TRX® is a registered trade mark of Fitness Anywhere LLC, San Francisco, California, U.S.A.) includes a pair of suspension straps, connectable to an anchor unit, which is suspended from the top of a door or other suitable anchor point, both indoors or outdoors. A hand or foot retaining loop is attached to the free end of each suspension strap. Once installed a variety of exercises can be performed, which make use of the user's body weight. A full body workout can be performed resulting in strengthening of the user's chest and arms, an increase in flexibility and endurance and the development of a rock-solid core.

However, a disadvantage of the TRX® Home Suspension Training Kit is that a suitable location for suspending it needs to be available.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome the disadvantages of the devices hereinbefore described.

Thus, the invention provides an exercise device for perfonning a variety of exercises thereon or supported thereby, the exercise device comprising a polyhedral unit having a ground engageable base and upstanding angled sides, and at least two flat surfaces on the unit, which surfaces lie hi planes which are parallel to the plane in which the base lies.

An advantage of the device hi accordance with the invention is that it provides a variety of different heights and positions for the user to use. Thus, a wide range of exercises at different levels may be performed.

As a user improves he can increase the difficulty of an exercise, depending on where a particular exercise is performed and how much of his own body weight he has to lift.

A further advantage of the device is that it is ready for use at all times and does not need to be adjusted, for a particular exercise.

Furthermore, as the device is free standing it does not need to be tied down or supported in any way. Thus, it can be located on any S relatively flat surface, either indoors or outdoors.

Preferably, the unit has three flat surfaces, being a lower flat surface, a middle flat surface and an upper flat surface.

The provision of three flat surfaces pennits the user to carry out the same exercise at three different heights.

Tn one embodiment of the invention, the fiat surfaces form steps in differing directions on the unit.

An advantage of this feature is that stepping exercises can be performed using one or more of the steps, with no prior adjustment being required.

Tn a further embodiment of the invention, tile upper surface defines the top of the unit.

An advantage of having the upper surface on the top of the device is that it can be used for various exercises, without the rest of the device impeding the user.

In a further embodiment of die invention, differently angled sides are arraiiged together so as to provide support surfaces for a user's hands, in use.

The polyhedral shape of the device provides a number of different S possibilities for the user to position his hands when doing push ups against the device.

In a frirther embodiment of the invention, a foot engageable angled side slopes inwardly from the ground engageable base to meet the lower flat surface.

An advantage of the foot engageable angled side is that a user can support lumself against the device when performing exercises, which require the feet to be flexed downwards from the ankle.

In a frirther embodiment of the invention, a band is attachable to the polyhedral unit so as to provide extra resistence for a user.

An advaniage of a band is that the user can perform exercises, such as band rows, using the device and attached band.

Preferably, the unit is rotationally moulded from polyethylene material.

Rotational moulding is an economical method of producing a one-piece device.

In a frirther embodiment of the invention, the exterior of the unit is made from a rubberised non-slip plastomer material.

The use of a non-slip plastomer has health and safety advantages, as the user is less likely to slip when exercising on the device, S particularly as he starts to perspire.

The invention will be further illustrated by the following description of embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. I is a perspective view of a device hi accordance with the invention; Fig. 2 is a plan view of the device of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the device of Fig. I, in use for a first exercise; Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the device of Fig. 1, in use for a second exercise; Fig. 5 is a side view oftlie device of Fig. 1, in use for a third exercise; and Fig. 6 is a front elevation of the device of Fig. 1, hi use for a fourth exercise.

Referring to Fig.!, there is illustrated generally at 10, an exercise device, in accordance with the invention, for perfonning a variety of exercises thereon or supported thereby, the exercise device 10 comprising a polyhedral unit 11 having a ground engageable base 12 and upstanding angled sides 13, and at least two flat surfaces 14 on the unit 11, which surfaces 14 lie hi planes which are parallel to the plane in which the base 12 lies.

There are three flat surfaces 14, being a lower flat surface 15, a middle flat surface 1 6 and an upper flat surface 17, which upper flat surtäce 17 defines top 1 8 of the unit 11. The lower flat surface 15, middle flat surface I 6 and upper flat surface I 7, form steps I 8, 19 and 20, respectively in differing directions on the unit 11.

Referring to Fig. 2, the exercise device of Fig. 1 is viewed froni above. The angled sides 13 are joined together at various angles and these differently angled sides 13 are arranged together so as to provide support surfaces for a user's hands, in use. Two such support surfaces 21 and 22 are around opposite corners 23 and 24 of middle flat surface 16. Support surface 21 includes middle flat surface 16, angled side 25 and angled side 26, where they converge at corner 23. Support surface 22 includes middle flat surface 16, angled side 26 and angled side 27, where they converge at corner 24.

A foot engageable angled side 28 slopes inwardly from the ground engageable base 12 to meet the lower flat surface I 5.

The exercise device 10 is manufactured with a non-slip plastomer exterior 29 and a foam core (not shown).

The following is a non-exhaustive list of exercises, which can be performed using the exercise device 10: Tricep dips Glute bridges Side plank Superman Hand walkouts Single/Double calf raise Bicycle twist Side step up Prone cobra Reverse crunches Neck holds Box jumps Squats: Split squats Squat thrusts Press ups: Scapula press ups Normal press ups I 1⁄4pressups Rear foot up lunge Front foot up lunge I & 1/4 lunge 1 & 1/4 squat Squat no lockout Hamstring press ups single leg and double leg Figs, 3-6 illustrate some examples of exercises being perfoned on the device 10.

In Fig. 3 a user 30 is performing a tricep dip while supporting himself on the corner of upper flat surface 17 and angled side 25 of the device 10.

in Fig. 4 user 30 is performing a press up and is supporting himself on the upper flat surface 17 of the device 10.

in Fig. 5 user 30 is using the foot engageable angled side 28 to perform a full range squat.

In Fig. 6 user 30 has one foot resting on lower flat surface 15 to perform a split squat lunge.

Claims

Claims: - 1. An exercise device for performing a variety of exercises thereon or supported thereby, the exercise device comprising a polyhedral unit having a ground engageable base and upstanding angled S sides, and at least two flat surfaces on the unit, which surfaces lie in planes which are parallel to the plane in which the base lies.
2. An exercise device according to Claim 1, having three flat surfaces, being a lower flat surface, a middle flat surface and an upper flat surface.
3. An exercise device according to Claim 2, wherein tile flat surfaces fonn steps in differing directions on the unit.
4. An exercise device according to Claim 2 or 3, wherein the upper surface defines the top of the unit.
5. An exercise device according to any preceding claim, wherein differently angled sides are arranged together so as to provide support surfaces for a user's hands, in use.
6. An exercise device according to any one of Claims 2 to 5, wherein a foot engageabie angled side slopes inwardly from the ground engageable base to meet the lower flat surface.
7. An exercise device according to any preceding claim, wherein a band is attachable to the polyhedral unit so as to provide extra resistance for a user.
8. An exercise device according to any preceding claim.S wherein the unit is rotationally moulded from polyethylene material.
9. An exercise device according to any one of Claims 1 to 7, wherein the exterior of the unit is made from a rubberised non-slip plastomer material.
10. An exercise device according to Claim I for performing a variety of exercises on or supported thereby, substantially as hereinbefore described with particular reference to and as illustrated iii the accornpanyiug drawiugs.