GB2574125A

GB2574125A - A support apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2574125A
Application number: GB1906429.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Dalzell Andrew
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2018-05-04
Filing date: 2019-05-07
Publication date: 2019-11-27
Also published as: GB201906429D0; GB201807403D0

Abstract

A support apparatus 1 for use during plyometric exercise, such as jumping and press-ups, to support a portion of the weight of the user comprising a resilient body 2 that is permeable to water. The body may be a platform and there may be drainage means, such as apertures or channels, extending from an upper portion 4 to a lower portion 5 of the bench. The body may have an outer layer, a cushioning shock absorbing layer and a base layer, also having fluid drainage means (figure 2). The outer layer may be resilient to impact by a user's shoe, such as studs or blades, for example it may be a layer of artificial grass. The body may be coupled to a frame 17 and a trolley (figure 5) and may be nestable with other support apparatus (figure 4). Also disclosed is a plyometric support apparatus having a resilient body comprising a base layer and an outer layer of synthetic grass. The water permeability reduces the chance of the user slipping, allowing the device to be used in wet conditions, such as outdoors in the rain.

Description

A SUPPORT APPARATUS

The present invention relates to a support apparatus and in particular to a support apparatus for use during plyometric exercise to improve health and fitness.

Plyometric exercise apparatus’ and the benefits to one’s health and fitness of using such are well known. Plyometric exercises, also known as jump training, is a form of exercise which involves the rapid and repeated stretching and contraction of the muscles and is designed to increase muscular explosive power. Training with conventional plyometric exercise apparatus has substantially increased in popularity within athletic strength and conditioning programmes within the growing health and fitness market. A benefit of plyometric exercise is that it can be done irrespective of the individual’s ability and is not solely confined for sports specific training. One such plyometric exercise apparatus is commonly referred to as a plyometric box to be used in conjunction with box jump exercises, depth jump exercises and/or stepping exercises. In the case of the box jump an individual faces the plyometric box and performs a two footed jump onto the upper surface of the plyometric box and subsequently performs a two-footed jump or steps off the upper surface to the ground. This sequence is repeated. Alternatively, plyometric boxes are also commonly utilised by individual’s during other conventional bodyweight exercises such as push ups or abdominal sit-ups/crunches wherein the upper surface of the plyometric box is utilised as a raised supporting platform for at least a portion of the lower limbs of the individual.

Conventionally, plyometric boxes comprise of a wooden box. Alternatively, the conventional plyometric box comprises a wooden and/or metal frame supporting a rigid platform. There have been many attempts to alleviate health and safety concerns associated with the conventional plyometric box. These include the utilisation of a high density sponge covered with a polyurethane sheet to provide an individual with a reduced impact force placed upon the joints of the lower limbs upon landing on the jump platform. Other attempts have included the utilisation of foam layer extending across the perimeter of the rigid platform in order to reduce the risk of injury to a user if they fail to land correctly on the top of the plyometric box and/or slip of the edge of the plyometric box.

However, as the health benefits to an individual from outdoor training become known it is becoming ever more popular of gym establishments to seek to bring the outdoors indoors and/or more applicably take the indoors outdoors. A disadvantage of taking gym equipment outdoors is that they are not typically designed for all weather use; especially wet weather. In particular plyometric boxes are conventionally not designed for use outdoors in wet conditions and the conventional attempts to reduce the conventional health and safety risks merely exacerbate the risk of injury to the user when the conventional plyometric box is utilised in wet conditions. Furthermore, it is becoming more and more popular to incorporate plyometric exercises into the training schedules of athletes; for example, footballers. However, traditional plyometric boxes are not designed to withstand the forces applied to them should a user be wearing studded footwear; it is a common problem that studs penetrate and rip the conventional outer layers of traditional plyometric boxes and cause a lack of surefootedness upon landing on the conventional apparatus. This presents users of the equipment, such as footballers whereby group fitness training is generally carried out in circuits, with a cumbersome task of having to remove their studded footwear, then utilise the conventional plyometric box and then replace their studded footwear prior to moving onto the next exercise. Not only is this cumbersome to the individual involved in the plyometric exercise but it also slows the team training circuit considerably. Furthermore, as noted previously plyometric boxes are not designed for outdoor use especially in wet conditions. Once the outer surface of the conventional plyometric box becomes wet this presents an increased risk of injury to the user. When utilising the conventional plyometric box in wet conditions, water traditionally gathers upon the surface of the box and aquaplaning during the landing phase of a jump is common. This dramatically increases the risk of injury to a user due to slipping from the platform.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved arrangement of a plyometric box which can be used in both wet and dry environments.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a support apparatus for use during plyometric exercise to support at least a portion of the weight of a user comprising:

a resilient body wherein, the resilient body is permeable to water and/or other fluids.

Advantageously, having a resilient body which is configured to be permeable to water and/or other fluids enables a user to utilise the support apparatus both indoors and outdoors and within all weather conditions.

Further advantageously, having a resilient body which is permeable to water and/or other fluids provides that water or other fluids do not pool on the surface of the resilient member and reduces the risk of aquaplaning while the apparatus is in use in wet conditions. This provides a more efficient and safer training apparatus beyond that found within the prior art.

Ideally, the support apparatus is a fitness apparatus.

Preferably, the resilient body is configured to define a platform.

Ideally, the main plane of the platform is substantially parallel to the ground.

Ideally, the resilient body is configured to enable water to penetrate through an upper portion of the resilient body and through a lower portion of the resilient body.

Ideally, the resilient body is configured to enable water to penetrate through an upper portion of the resilient body and through a lower portion of the resilient body, the flow of water and/or other fluids being in a substantially vertical direction.

Preferably, the resilient body comprises drainage means extending from an upper portion of the resilient body to a lower portion of the resilient body.

Advantageously, not only does this drainage means reduces the risk of aquaplaning upon the upper surface of the resilient body while the apparatus is in use in wet conditions, the drainage means further enables quick drying of the resilient body.

Preferably, the resilient body comprises an outer layer.

Ideally, the outer layer is configured to be permeable to water and/or other fluids.

Ideally, the resilient body comprises a shock absorbing layer.

Ideally, the shock absorbing layer is configured to be permeable to water and/or other fluids.

Preferably, the resilient body comprises a base layer.

Ideally, the base layer is configured to be permeable to water and/or other fluids.

Most preferably, the resilient body comprises an outer layer, a shock absorbing layer and a base layer, wherein the outer layer is layered on the shock absorbing layer and the shock absorbing layer is layered on the base layer.

Preferably, all of the layers of the resilient body extend across the same extent of the resilient body.

Ideally, all of the layers of the resilient body extend to substantially similar longitudinal and latitudinal positions of the resilient body.

Preferably, all of the layers of the resilient body extend to identical longitudinal and latitudinal positions of the resilient body.

Advantageously, the coextensive nature of the resilient body layers enables the user to utilise the entirety of the resilient body when performing plyometric exercises and provide the user with a uniform protection to reduce the risk of shin injuries sue to missed jumps and to reduce the impact during the landing phase of a jump.

Further advantageously, this coextensive nature provides a user with further surefootedness beyond that of conventional prior art plyometric boxes, whereby a foam material is present along the outer perimeter only and wherein the depression of the foam contrasted with the rigid center provides the user’s feet with a potentially angled landing of which the user can easily slip from the conventional raised platform.

Ideally, the layers of the resilient body are coupled to one another by binding means.

Preferably, the binding means extends along a portion of the perimeter of the resilient body.

Ideally, the binding means is a permanent connection between the layers of the resilient body.

Alternatively, the binding means is a non-permanent connection between the layers of the resilient body.

Preferably, the binding means provides an additional reinforcement along the perimeter to prevent the layers of the resilient body becoming loose over time and/or separating from one another.

Preferably, the binding means is an elongated bar.

Ideally, the elongate bar is fastened to the resilient body.

Preferably, the elongate bar is fastened to the base layer of the resilient body.

Ideally, the outer layer is an impact resilient layer.

Preferably, the outer layer is deformable.

Preferably, the outer layer is an impact resilient layer configured to be resilient with respect to the forces applied by an individual upon landing on the resilient body.

Ideally, the outer layer is an impact resilient layer configured to withstand the impact of ground penetrating means present on an individual’s shoe or boot, such as but not limited to studs and/or blades or the like.

Preferably, the outer layer comprises drainage means.

Ideally, the drainage means of the outer layer is a plurality of apertures.

Ideally, the drainage means of the outer layer is a plurality of channels or weep holes for the drainage of water and/or other fluids.

Preferably, the shock absorbing layer comprises drainage means.

Ideally, the drainage means of the shock absorbing layer is a plurality of apertures, channels or weep holes.

Preferably, the drainage means of both the outer layer and the shock absorbing layer are in fluid communication with one another.

Preferably, the base layer comprises drainage means.

Ideally, the drainage means of the base layer is a plurality of apertures.

Ideally, the drainage means of the base layer is a plurality of channels or weep holes for the drainage of water and/or other fluids.

Most preferably, the drainage means of the outer layer, the shock absorbing layer and the base layer are in fluid communication with one another such that water and/or other fluids can easily pass from the outer layer upon entry into the resilient body to the base layer upon exit out of the resilient body.

Preferably, the outer layer further comprises gripping means.

Ideally, the gripping means comprises protrusions extending a short distance from a portion of the outer layer.

Preferably, the gripping means comprises protrusions extending a short distance from a portion of the surface of the outer layer which opposes the surface abutting the shock absorbing layer.

Preferably, the protrusions are synthetic grass fibers.

Ideally, the protrusions of the gripping means are ribs or dimples.

Preferably, the protrusions of the gripping means are deformable.

Ideally, the outer layer comprises synthetic grass fibers fastened to a backing material.

Preferably, the backing material is formed of woven fibers.

Preferably, the resilient body is formed of fibrous material.

Most preferably, the resilient body is formed of a plurality of fibrous materials of varying densities and/or cross-sectional shapes.

Ideally, the resilient body is raised a distance of the ground and coupleable to a framework.

Preferably, the framework comprises at least two leg portions.

Ideally, the at least two leg portions of the framework extend from the resilient body in a downward direction, most preferably, which is perpendicular to the main plane of the resilient body.

Preferably, at least two leg portions of the framework extend from a lower portion of the resilient body in a downward direction, most preferably, which is perpendicular to the main plane of the resilient body.

Ideally, the at least two leg portions of the framework extend from the base layer of the resilient body.

Preferably, the at least two leg portions of the framework extend from opposing ends of the resilient body.

Alternatively, the at least two leg portions of the framework extend from a portion of the binding means.

In the alternative, the at least two leg portions of the framework extend from a portion of the binding means, the portion of the binding means being substantially parallel to the main plane of the resilient body.

Preferably, the leg portions extend from either the base layer of the resilient body or from a portion of the binding means at one end to a ground abutment surface at the other end.

Ideally, the framework comprises at least two leg portions, the at least two leg portions extending from either the resilient body or from a portion of the binding means at one end to a ground abutment surface at the other end.

Preferably, the framework comprises reinforcing means extending between the at least two leg portions.

Advantageously, this reinforcing means provides enhanced structural rigidity to the at least two leg portions and also provides further structural support of the framework.

Ideally, the reinforcing means are reinforcing members.

Preferably, a portion of the support frame at least in part encloses a portion of the resilient body.

Ideally, the framework comprises a base member disposed at a position proximal to the ground abutment surface of the at least two leg portions opposing that of the end of the at least two leg portions coupled to the resilient body or the binding means.

Preferably, the base member extends between the at least two leg portions of the framework.

Ideally, the base member is coupled to a portion of the at least two leg portions

Preferably, the base member is a base plate.

Ideally, coupling means are provided between the base member and a trolley mechanism.

Preferably, the trolley mechanism comprises a plurality of wheels and a handle.

Ideally, the resilient body is permeable to water and/or other fluids wherein the other fluids are liquid.

a resilient body, the resilient body comprising a base layer and an outer layer, wherein the outer layer of the resilient body is formed of artificial grass.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a kit having plurality of support apparatus as described above, wherein the individual support apparatus within the plurality of support apparatus are nestable within one another.

Preferably, at least one of the plurality of nestable support apparatus having a base member disposed at a position proximal to the free end opposing that of the end coupled to the resilient body portion.

a resilient body portion and means for movement of the support apparatus.

A method of manufacturing a fitness apparatus for use during plyometric exercise to support at least a portion of the weight of a user, the method comprising the steps of: binding an outer layer of artificial grass to a base layer to form a resilient member.

The skilled man will appreciate that all preferred or optional features of the invention described with reference to only some aspects or embodiments of the invention may be applied to all aspects of the invention.

It will be appreciated that optional features applicable to one aspect of the invention can be used in any combination, and in any number. Moreover, they can also be used with any of the other aspects of the invention in any combination and in any number. This includes, but is not limited to, the dependent claims from any claim being used as dependent claims for any other claim in the claims of this application.

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing which shows by way of example only one embodiment of an apparatus in accordance with the invention.

Figure 1 is a support apparatus in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a cross sectional view of the support apparatus as shown in figure 1 along A-A.

Figure 3 is a support apparatus in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention wherein the present invention further comprises a base plate.

Figure 4 is a kit of support apparatus as claimed.

Figure 5 is a third embodiment of the present invention further having a trolley mechanism.

In the drawings and most specifically figures 1 and 2, there is shown a support apparatus indicated generally by the reference numeral 1 for use during plyometric exercise to support at least a portion of the weight of a user. The support apparatus having a resilient body 2 which is permeable to water and/or other fluids (not shown). Having a resilient body 2 which is permeable to water and/or other fluids (not shown) enables a user to utilise the support apparatus 1 both indoors and outdoors and within all weather conditions. Further, having a resilient body 2 which is permeable to water and/or other fluids (not shown) provides that the water and/or other fluids (not shown) do not pool on the surface 3 of the resilient member 2 and reduces the risk of aquaplaning while the apparatus 1 is in use in wet conditions; thus, providing a more efficient and safer training apparatus beyond that found within the prior art.

The resilient body 2 is configured to define a platform which is substantially parallel to the ground to which the support apparatus 1 is placed. The resilient body 2 is configured to enable water to penetrate through an upper portion of the resilient body (generally indicated by the numeral 4) and through a lower portion of the resilient body (generally indicated by the numeral 5). The flow of water and/or other fluids (not shown) being in a substantially vertical direction. The resilient body 2 has a drainage mechanism 6 extending from an upper portion of the resilient body 4 to a lower portion of the resilient body 5. Not only does this drainage mechanism 6 reduce the risk of aquaplaning upon the upper surface of the resilient body 4 while the apparatus is in use in wet conditions, the drainage mechanism further enables quick drying of the resilient body 2.

The resilient body 2 comprises an outer layer 7 (see figure 2). The outer layer is permeable to water and/or other fluids (not shown). The resilient body 2 further has a shock absorbing layer 8 (see figure 2). The shock absorbing layer 8 is permeable to water and/or other fluids (not shown). The resilient body 2 further has a base layer 9 (see figure 2). The base layer 9 is permeable to water and/or other fluids (not shown). Specifically, the resilient body 2 comprises an outer layer 7, a shock absorbing layer 8 and a base layer 9, wherein the outer layer 7 is layered on the shock absorbing layer 8 and the shock absorbing layer 8 is layered on the base layer 9.

As can be seen from figure 2, all of the layers (7,8,9) of the resilient body 2 extend across the same extent of the resilient body and more specifically extend to substantially similar longitudinal and latitudinal positions of the resilient body 2. The coextensive nature of the resilient body layers (7,8,9) enables the user to utilise the entirety of the resilient body 2 when performing plyometric exercises and provide the user with a uniform protection to reduce the risk of shin injuries sue to missed jumps and to reduce the impact during the landing phase of a jump. Further, this coextensive nature provides a user with further surefootedness beyond that of conventional prior art plyometric boxes, whereby a foam material is present along the outer perimeter only and wherein the depression of the foam contrasted with the rigid center provides the user’s feet with a potentially angled landing of which the user can easily slip from the conventional raised platform.

The layers (7,8,9) of the resilient body 2 are coupled to one another by a binding element 10 which extends along a portion of the perimeter 11 of the resilient body 2. The binding element 10 is a permanent connection between the layers (7,8,9) of the resilient body 2. Alternatively, the binding element 10 is a non-permanent connection between the layers (7,8,9) of the resilient body 2. The binding element 10 provides an additional reinforcement along the perimeter 11 to prevent the layers (7,8,9) of the resilient body 2 becoming loose over time and separating from one another. The binding element 10 is an elongated bar fastened to the base layer 9 of the resilient body 2.

The outer layer 7 is an impact resilient layer and is deformable. The outer layer 7 is an impact resilient layer which is resilient with respect to the forces applied by an individual upon landing on the resilient body and more specifically, configured to withstand the impact of ground penetrating components present on an individual’s shoe or boot, such as but not limited to studs and/or blades or the like (not shown).

The outer layer 7 further has drainage components 12. These drainage components 12 of the outer layer 7 can take the form of a plurality of apertures, channels or weep holes to enable the drainage of water and/or other fluids (not shown).

The shock absorbing layer 8 also has drainage components 13. These drainage components 13 of the shock absorbing layer 8 can take the form of a plurality of apertures, channels or weep holes to enable the drainage of water and/or other fluids (not shown). The drainage components 13 of the shock absorbing layer are in fluid communication with the drainage components 12 of the outer layer 7.

The base layer 9 also has drainage components 14. These drainage components 14 of the base layer 9 can take the form of a plurality of apertures, channels or weep holes to enable the drainage of water and/or other fluids (not shown). The drainage components 13 of the shock absorbing layer are in fluid communication with the drainage components 14 of the base layer 9. It will be appreciated that the drainage components of the outer layer 12, the drainage components of the shock absorbing layer 13 and the drainage components of the base layer 14 are in fluid communication with one another such that water and/or other fluids (not shown) can easily pass from the outer layer 7 upon entry into the resilient body 2 to the base layer 9 upon exiting of the resilient body 2.

The outer layer 7 further comprises gripping members 15. The gripping members 15 are deformable protrusions extending a short distance from a portion of the surface 16 of the outer layer 7 which opposes the surface 17 abutting the shock absorbing layer 8. In an embodiment not shown in the drawings the protrusions of the gripping members 15 are ribs or dimples (not shown). As shown within the drawings the protrusions of the gripping members 15 are synthetic grass fibers. As shown in the drawings, the outer layer 7 has synthetic grass fibers 15 fastened to a backing material 16. The backing material 16 is formed of woven fibers.

The resilient body 2 is raised a distance of the ground and coupleable to a framework 17. The framework 17 has at least two leg portions 18. The at least two leg portions 18 of the framework 17 extend from a lower portion 5 of the resilient body 2 in a downward direction, which is perpendicular to the main plane of the resilient body 2. The leg portions 18 extend from the lower portion 5 of the resilient body 2 either from the base layer 9 of the resilient body 2 or from a portion of the binding element 10 at one end to a ground abutment surface 19 at the other.

The framework 17 further has reinforcing members 20 extending between the at least two leg portions 18. The reinforcing members 20 provide enhanced structural rigidity to the at least two leg portions 18 and also provides further structural support of the framework 17. In a second embodiment (see figure 3), the framework 17 has a base member 21 disposed at a position proximal to the ground abutment surface 19 of the at least two leg portions 18 opposing that of the end of the at least two leg portions 18 coupled to the resilient body 2 or the binding element 10. The base member 21 extends between the at least two leg portions 18 of the framework 17. The base member 21 is coupled to a portion of the at least two leg portions 18 and is a base plate.

In a third embodiment of the support apparatus 1, coupling components are provided between the base member 21 and a trolley mechanism 22. The trolley mechanism 22 having a plurality of wheels 23 and a handle 24. The plurality of wheels 23 and a handle 24 providing the support apparatus 1 with ease of movement (see figure 5).

A kit of a plurality of the support apparatus 1 is also provided. The support apparatus 1 are nestable within one another (see figure 4)

In relation to the detailed description of the different embodiments of the invention, it will be understood that one or more technical features of one embodiment can be used in combination with one or more technical features of any other embodiment where the transferred use of the one or more technical features would be immediately apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art to carry out a similar function in a similar way on the other embodiment.

In the preceding discussion of the invention, unless stated to the contrary, the disclosure of alternative values for the upper or lower limit of the permitted range of a parameter, coupled with an indication that one of the said values is more highly preferred than the other, is to be construed as an implied statement that each intermediate value of said parameter, lying between the more preferred and the less preferred of said alternatives, is itself preferred to said less preferred value and also to each value lying between said less preferred value and said intermediate value.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description or the following drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing a disclosed function, or a method or a process of attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may separately, or in any combination of such features be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A support apparatus for use during plyometric exercise to support at least a portion of the weight of a user comprising: a resilient body wherein, the resilient body is permeable to water and/or other fluids.

2. A support apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein, the resilient body is configured to define a platform.

3. A support apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein, the resilient body is configured to enable water to penetrate through an upper portion of the resilient body and through a lower portion of the resilient body.

4. A support apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein, the resilient body comprises drainage means extending from an upper portion of the resilient body to a lower portion of the resilient body.

5. A support apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein, the resilient body comprises an outer layer, a shock absorbing layer and a base layer, wherein the outer layer is layered on the shock absorbing layer and the shock absorbing layer is layered on the base layer.

6. A support apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein, all of the layers of the resilient body extend to substantially similar longitudinal and latitudinal positions of the resilient body.

7. A support apparatus as claimed in claim 5 or claim 6 wherein, the layers of the resilient body are coupled to one another by binding means.

8. A support apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein, the binding means extends along a portion of the perimeter of the resilient body.

9. A support apparatus as claimed in anyone of claims 5 to 8 wherein, the outer layer is an impact resilient layer.

10. A support apparatus as claimed in claim 9 wherein, the outer layer is an impact resilient layer configured to withstand the impact of ground penetrating means present on an individual’s shoe or boot, such as but not limited to studs and/or blades or the like.

11. A support apparatus as claimed in anyone of claims 5 to 10 wherein, the outer layer, the shock absorbing layer and/or the base layer comprise drainage means.

12. A support apparatus as claimed in 13 when dependent on claim 12 wherein, the drainage means of both the outer layer and the shock absorbing layer are in fluid communication with one another.

13. A support apparatus as claimed in claim 11 or claim 12 wherein, the drainage means of the outer layer, the shock absorbing layer and the base layer are in fluid communication with one another such that water and/or other fluids can easily pass from the outer layer upon entry into the resilient body to the base layer upon exit out of the resilient body.

14. A support apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 13 wherein, the drainage means of the outer layer, shock absorbing layer and/or the base layer is a plurality of apertures, channels or weep holes for the drainage of water and/or other fluids.

15. A support apparatus as claimed in anyone of claims 5 to 14 wherein, the outer layer further comprises gripping means.

16. A support apparatus as claimed in claim 15 wherein, the gripping means comprises protrusions extending a short distance from a portion of the outer layer.

17. A support apparatus as claimed in claim 16 wherein, the protrusions of the gripping means are deformable.

18. A support apparatus as claimed in anyone of claims 5 to 17 wherein, the outer layer comprises synthetic grass fibers fastened to a backing material.

19. A support apparatus as claimed in anyone of the preceding claims wherein, the resilient body is formed of a plurality of fibrous materials of varying densities and/or cross-sectional shapes.

20. A support apparatus as claimed in anyone of the preceding claims wherein, the resilient body is raised a distance of the ground and coupleable to a framework.

21. A support apparatus as claimed in claim 20 wherein, the framework comprises at least two leg portions, the at least two leg portions extend from either the resilient body or from a portion of the binding means at one end to a ground abutment surface at the other end.

22. A support apparatus as claimed in claim 21 wherein, the framework comprises a base member disposed at a position proximal to the ground abutment surface of the at least two leg portions opposing that of the end of the at least two leg portions coupled to the resilient body or the binding means.

23. A support apparatus as claimed in claim 22 wherein, coupling means are provided between the base member and a trolley mechanism.

24. A support apparatus for use during plyometric exercise to support at least a portion of the weight of a user comprising: a resilient body, the resilient body comprising a base layer and an outer layer, wherein the outer layer of the resilient body is formed of artificial grass.

25. A kit having plurality of support apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the individual support apparatus within the plurality of support apparatus are nestable within one another.

26. A method of manufacturing a support apparatus for use during plyometric exercise to support at least a portion of the weight of a user, the method comprising the steps of: binding an outer layer of artificial grass to a base layer to form a resilient member.