WO2014083365A1

WO2014083365A1 - System and method of exercising and stretching the torso muscle groups of the body, using as its main force resistance, the weight of the user

Info

Publication number: WO2014083365A1
Application number: PCT/GR2013/000055
Authority: WO
Inventors: Andreas Pappas
Original assignee: Andreas Pappas
Priority date: 2012-11-30
Filing date: 2013-11-28
Publication date: 2014-06-05
Also published as: GR1008188B

Abstract

A system and method for exercising and stretching of the body and in particular, the muscle groups of the torso, which use as force resistance the weight of the user, in which the fore and aft longitudinal levers, through the concurrent exercise of force from the legs and torso of the user on respective platforms that are mounted on said levers rotate on pivots and through rods apply leverage that diverges said levers, in such a manner that the central platform is displaced vertically upwards, guided by concave axes with slide vertically in respective concave guides, overcoming the weight of the user which is exercised on the central horizontal longitudinal axis, raising the mid area of the user's body respectively. With the decrease of force from the legs and torso on the platforms, and the concurrent contraction of the user, folding of the fore and aft longitudinal levers and their respective platforms takes place, returning the central horizontal longitudinal axis and respective platform, and the user up to the initial position of the exercise.

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD OF EXERCISING AND STRETCHING THE TORSO MUSCLE GROUPS OF THE BODY, USING AS ITS MAIN FORCE RESISTANCE, THE WEIGHT OF

THE USER.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[001] The present invention is related to a system and a method of exercising and stretching the torso muscle groups of the body, using as its main force resistance, the weight of the user.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[002] A plethora of exercise apparatuses have been invented that use mechanical or resilient or elastic force resisters (springs, coils, rubber bands, etc.) or use the weight of the user's body to provide the required resistance during exercise. The majority of these operate incrementally and have significant limitations with regards to functionality, the support they provide to the user's body during the exercise, as well as the total efficacy of the executed exercise, but also the exercised muscle groups. [003] Generally, most system and methods in the prior art, do not adapt to the particularities of the body of each user, and consequentially each user's muscles are stressed differently and at a different breadth, according to their height and/or weight and body type. This can have a variety of undesired effects on the supporting bone structure of the exercised region, especially pertaining to the fore (upper and lower) and aft (lumbar) abdominal muscles and the respective lumbar vertebrae.

[004] More particularly in the prior art, and according to documents US 7,125,366, US 7,232,405, and US 7,381,171, inventions are described for the exercise of the abdominal muscles which apart from exercising only the upper abdominals, do not respond to the particular anthropometric characteristics of each user as these are described below.

[005] In other inventions, such as US 6,162,153, the user's weight contributes in the exercise but it is not the main resistance means during use, and does not adapt according to the user's weight. In said invention, the main resistance force is provided by resilient force resisters and the torso supports, the seat and the leg support base do not change position with regards to one another.

[006] Also, US 4,534,553 presents and invention that operates with the use of force generated by the users legs as a motive force, similar to a bicycle, to supplement the exercising of the abdominals, by using a linkage with an eccentrically mounted disk that conveys motion reciprocally from the pedals, to a torso support and vice versa. Said invention, does not exercise the lumbar muscles effectively as only the weight of the upper body is transferred through the eccentric disk on the foot pedals, thus creating a resistance to the rotation movement of the pedals (the main portion of the weight lies on the seat). Also, the variation of the variation of the seat angle with regards to the torso support does not align with a concurrent variation of the feet angle in relation to said seat. While in said invention, there is a variation of the exercised force from the torso support, it is not adjustable according to height or other special characteristics of the user, especially from the torso and up.

[007] Respectively, US 5,583,485 describes an exercise machine which comprises two longitudinal levers on a static base, and aims to exercise the back with the supplementation of the users weight and a pneumatic resistance. During the described exercise, the user raises their body by extending the legs and by pulling with their arms. Throughout the whole exercise, and despite the presence of ample upper and lower back support, the fore and aft abdominal muscles can't be exercised in an isotonic manner, as the angle between the upper and lower torso does not change.

[008] US 5,100,131, describes an exercise and stretching machine, in which its static part comprises the user's seat and the feet support while containing a mechanical resister means (hydraulic or pneumatic) connected to the mobile and the static part of the machine. Said invention has limited efficacy as during the execution of its main exercise, the legs remain immobile. Also to exercise the antagonistic muscle group (fore or aft), the user must completely change positions on the machine. Of similar approach is US 6,966,872 as well as US 6,971,977, with the exception in the second, that in the extension position, the user no longer leans on the seat and all his weight has been transferred to the rear base support.

[009] Concordantly, in US 5,833,590, a respective apparatus is presented, this time with a varying seat according to the motion of the rear torso support. While the bodily weight and the height of the user affect the use of the apparatus, the main resistance is provided through a hydraulic resister and damper and there is limited usability with regards to the legs and the lower abdominals. Even in the case of added resilient force resisters as described in the document, the force that is exercised on the legs is not analogous to the weight of the user.

[010] US 5,352,171 presents an exercise machine for the exercising the back muscles, which uses as a main force resister the weight of the user, is adjustable according to the user's height and according to desired levels of resistance. During the exercise, the user by extending the upper back and arm muscles (trapezius and brachii triceps) overcomes the resistance presented, which is in proportion to the force exercised by their weight, through a lever linkage. Said invention does not exercise the lower torso muscles, and despite being adjustable to the user's height, does not take under consideration other anthropometric characteristics as those mentioned below.

[011] Of similar approach is also US 5,527,249 in which, despite the use of a force proportional to the user's weight as the main resistance, through a rolling lever linkage, only the arms are used for the exercise, without the engagement of the abdominals or the legs of the user.

[012] A further sample of similar approach in the art is US 5,527,250, which presents an exercise machine with a configurable seat, back support and leg support. The goal of said invention, as described in the document, is the simulation of the motion and exercise done by a horse rider, which is the exercise of extending the legs and the simultaneous contraction of the lumbar muscles. In this invention, the leg supports have resilient force resisters, wholly independent of the weight or the characteristics of the user. While for the main part of the body, the weight affects the applied force, as in the aforementioned inventions, in this particular one, the legs don't contribute proportionally, accepting only the force from the resilient force resisters.

[013] While various inventions in the prior art operate with a proportion of the user's weight as the main resistance force, they do not effectively confront the issue of the different distribution of weight on the body and how this is influenced by the different body types of each user, but also of the remaining anthropometric characteristics, especially in achieving the above exercises.

[014] In more detail, the majority of exercise machines concern users that belong to an average of the above characteristics, or only to highly specialized categories. An overweight user, whose aforementioned characteristics do not fall within those the machine is designed for, may not be able to use it effectively. This can potentially bear the danger of incurring the user's injury. Also, their weight distribution profile may vary widely in relation to another person with exactly the same weight. Respectively, the power of each user varies widely according to their age, as well as the sensitivity of the joints and their range. A proportional sensitivity may be present in users that have undergone an injury and wish to parameterize their exercise to their individual needs, without adding stress to a part of their body.

[015] Further, the majority of exercise machines, in general, focus mainly on one muscle group during the execution of the one cycle of the occurring exercise. Especially for exercise machines that operate on the lower torso muscles (abdominals and lumbar), said exercise occurs in only one of the two muscle groups within a cycle, without exercising its antagonistic group. Especially for the lower torso muscles, focusing only on the fore abdominals and absence of exercising the lumbar muscles can bring about discomfort, back pain and/or long term problems in body posture or spinal cord condition.

[016] Four main challenges remain unanswered in their total, in the field. The concurrent exercise of the upper and lower fore abdominals, the approach of which, despite being attempted partly by some inventions in the art, has not been solved successfully. The cyclic and overall exercising of the fore and aft abdominal muscle groups, concurrently during the respective operation of each group (agonist/antagonist). The combination of the above, with the combination of the user's body weight and especially the distribution of the load to the muscles that are called on to support it, especially when this is done concurrently for the upper and lower body (relation of lower torso and upper torso, relation of lower torso and legs). The potential to exercise said muscle groups with an increased number of repetitions, with the concurrent and proportional dispersal of the produced work to the two major groups, without the excessive exercise of either.

[017] The so called "Double Crunches" are considered one of the best and more effective exercises known to the art of physical exercise, which also presents particular difficulties to execute for the majority of trainees and especially for those that train infrequently.

[018] On the contrary, due to the progressively limited time that is available to the trainee for exercising, what is being attempted is the maximal increase of produced work during the exercise, and its completion, in the shortest possible time. While this may have a number of positive effects on frequent trainees, it could have the reverse effects on infrequent trainees.

[019] The difficulty infrequent trainees meet during the course of isolated exercises for the upper and lower abdominals disincline them from taking advantage of the benefits they may provide as core strengthening exercises. Especially for overweight individuals, that may be more in need of said exercises, a particular difficulty is encountered in executing said exercises and the available inventions, fail to cover these needs.

Many trainees pay more attention to the fore abdominal muscles in relation to the aft lumbar ones. It is generally easier to consider that the fore abdominals are more important than a muscle group we don't have visual contact with, and we don't particularly pay attention to, especially if it doesn't cause a problem. Also, the aesthetic result of exercising the lower back muscles is relatively smaller in comparison with the effect exercising the fore abdominals have in appearance and psychology of the trainee.

[020] But the lumbar muscles support the body weight that is carried by the spinal cord, surround the lumbar intervertebral disks and maintain the alignment in a position fit to support our weight, and their importance cannot be overestimated. [021] The above and more inventions of the prior art for the exercise of the muscles of the fore and aft lower torso region that operate with the use of the user's weight or with other force resisting elements, achieve the exercise of parts of the upper or lower muscle groups (but not both concurrently), or the fore or aft (but not cyclically).

[022] For the effective cover of these needs, a rapprochement of the systems and methods of exercising said muscles is needed, as well as their smoother, supported and milder exercise, in a manner in tune with their acclimatization and the capabilities of each particular user's body.

[023] In view of the aforementioned significant limitations presented by the inventions of the prior art, a new system and method of exercise and stretching are needed to overcome these and other limitations, and confer the following advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[024] The main scope of the invention is to provide a novel system and method of exercise and stretching, which ensure a more effective exercising for the user by exercising the whole fore and aft muscle groups of the lower torso (upper and lower abdominals concurrently, upper and lower lumbar muscles concurrently) in every cycle of the main exercise.

[025] Said scope is achieved with the use of sub-platforms, platforms, pivoting levers, transmission rods, concave axis sliding vertically in concave guide that allow the user to transit reciprocally from an approximately fetal position to an approximately over-extended position, simultaneously exercising said muscle groups.

[026] Increased efficiency is achieved by the exercise of these muscles concurrently (during a full cycle of the exercise).

[027] Increased efficiency is also achieved by applying less load per muscle per exercise cycle, and also exercise the antagonist muscle groups on the diametrically opposed phase of each exercise cycle, by conferring cumulatively the same total work as that of more intense exercise focused on only a few muscles, and by having a positive result that more muscles are exercised, in the sensitive area of the abdominals and lumbar muscles .

[028] Increased efficiency is also achieved by allowing for a milder exercise, especially for users that fall out of the range of usual high intensity exercises due to profile, weight, age or other anthropometric characteristics.

[029] A further scope of the invention is to provide a system of exercise and stretching that is adaptable to each user (including the aforementioned categories), given the differentiation and particularities of anthropometric characteristics (physical profile and weight distribution), age variation, athletic condition, as well the sensitivity that has risen from potential injuries they have suffered.

[030] This is achieved by the exercise and stretching system via means of adjustable elements of parameterization to the particular characteristics of the user, in which the exercised forces are a function of the user's weight, the adjustable transmission rods for the adjusting of the angle between the levers and their terminal positions, as well as the platforms which are adjusted according to the height of the user, and the adjustment of the weight distribution of the user (center of gravity positioning) on the platform throughout the main exercise. [031] Another scope of the invention is to provide a method of exercising and stretching that significantly decreases the potential of injuring the user while maintaining an exercise equal in total intensity, especially for individuals that exercise infrequently or face particular challenged when exercising.

[032] This is achieved by allowing the disaggregation of the total produced work to various muscle groups and, many repetitions with minor load on the muscles and the continuous exercise of antagonistic muscle groups (of the lower torso in particular), during a cycle of the main exercise. A further scope of the invention is to provide a method of exercising and stretching which concurrently exercises the whole range of lumbar lower torso muscles, as well as the gluteus maximus muscles.

[033] This is achieved by the cyclical use of antagonistic muscle groups of the lower torso as well as the gluteus maximus muscles during the main exercise. During the phase of the system's unfolding, this is achieved by pressing through the back and legs on the platforms, the weight of the user being exercised on the central longitudinal axis is overcome and the axes are raised vertically. After the user has reached an approximately over-extended position by releasing the lumbar muscles the user may return up to an approximately fetal position, by alternating the muscle group used with its antagonist, thus exercising the muscles more efficiently and more completely.

[034] An additional scope of the invention, is to provide a method of exercising and stretching which allows a multitude of complementary exercised beyond the main, but also different types of exercises (isotonic and isometric) during their execution.

[035] This is achieved with the use of sub-platforms and support elements for the hands and feet, for the exercising in parallel or collaterally additional muscles groups (chest, upper back, arms, etc.).

[036] Additionally, stopping the motion during the exercise, at any point beyond the balance point, and especially close to the two terminal positions (folding or extension), the user alternates the isotonic exercise to isometric holding said position with the respective muscles for as long as he/she desires, taking advantage of the widely accepted benefits of both types of main exercises, either to the cardiovascular performance and muscular function or to muscular toning and firming.

[037] A further advantage of the method of exercising and stretching is that it provides significantly decreased loads on the intervertebral disks during the exercise of the fore or aft abdominal muscles by the constant support the platforms offer to the spinal cord throughout the main exercise. Additionally, for the achieving of the exercise and the extraction of the maximal benefits from it, no excessive convexity towards the back of the spine is demanded, and even at the occurring limited convexity, no particular load bearing of the spine is demanded, as the upper body's weight is distributed on the aft longitudinal platform.

[038] These together with other scopes, features and advantages that characterize the invention are achieved by a system and method having the main features as defined in the respective claims and will become evident upon examination of the ensuing detailed description of the preferred embodiments where reference numbers respond to respective items throughout. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[039] Fig. la depicts a side view of a preferred embodiment of exercise and stretching system (100), constructed according to the principles of the invention.

[040] Fig. lb depicts a section view of the lower mid part of Fig. la, with the concave guide (56), and its respective concave axis (45), including element (55).

[041] Fig. 2 depicts a side view of the system (100) in an intermediate position without a user, and safety (60) engaged with the lugs (52) of lever (41).

[042] Fig. 3 depicts a side view of the system (100) in an intermediate position with a user seated on platform (10), and safety (60) engaged with the lugs (52) of lever (41).

[043] Fig. 4 depicts, a side view of the system (100) in an intermediate position with a user seated on platform (10), and safety (60) disengaged from the lugs (52) of lever (41), and receded parallel to fore platform (11). [044] Fig. 5 depicts a side view of the system (100) with a user in a transitive position between the terminal positions of system (100), during the extension or folding phase.

[045] Fig. 6a depicts a side view of the system (100) with a user in an extended position and the platforms (11) at an obtuse angle relative to their initial position in Fig. 1.

[046] Fig. 6b depicts a section view of the lower mid part of Fig. 6a, depicting the concave guide (56), and its respective concave axis (45), including element (55).

[047] Fig. 7 depicts a side view of the system (100) with a user in a folded position

[048] Fig. 8 depicts a side view of an embodiment of system (100) in which the aft lever (41) is longer and sliding guide (12) is placed on platform (11), and aft lever (41) has a different curvature and length than fore lever (41), which in turn comprises contact elements (70) directly on it.

[049] Fig. 9 depicts a side view of an embodiment of system (100), in which aft platform (11) also comprises of a sub-platform (14) and in which contact elements (70) are seated on said sub- platform (14). [050] Fig. 10 depicts the range of motion and the terminal positions of the exercise system (100) and the relationships between the axes, levers and platforms as their position changes.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[051] The present invention in its whole, comprises a system (100) which further comprises a base (50), a transmission mechanism and longitudinal platforms (10) and (11) for the contact of the user with the system (100).

[052] As depicted in Fig. 1, the base (50) comprises of seating points with the floor (51), pivots (59) of the longitudinal levers (41) of the transmission mechanism, and a plurality of concave guides (56) for the vertical sliding of an equal number of concave axes (45). [053] Also, the base (50) may contain a number of longitudinal axes containing stationary, configurable, returnable or sliding elements for the support of the feet of the user for the easy access of the user to the main exercise according to their height (not shown). Said elements are employed when the user chooses not to use the securing mechanism (60) of the longitudinal levers (41) for their retaining in an intermediate position as shown in Fig. 3.

[054] As shown in Fig. 1, the transmission mechanism comprises of a plurality of fore (41), aft (41) and central longitudinal axes (42), and contains pivots (59) of levers (41) on immobile points, pivots (47) of adjustable transmission rods (48) on axis (42), pivots (49) of said rods (48) on levers (41), adjustable rods (48) for the reciprocal transmission of the motion of levers (41) to and from the central longitudinal axes (42), and a plurality of concave guides (56) for the vertical sliding of an equal number of concave axes (45).

[055] The length of transmission rods (48) may be adjustable (through turnbuckles, etc.) so that the user may predefine the terminal positions of folding or extension of the system (100). Through the adjustment of the length of the rods (48), the angle between the levers (41) and platforms (11) is adjusted, in relation to the central horizontal axis (42) and respective platform (10). Users with specific demands that are for example not accustomed to the exercise environment or demand adjustment of the operational limits of the system (100), by acting on rods (48), may adjust the relation of levers (41) with respective platforms (11) and the angle between platforms (11) and the central horizontal axis (42), as well as the relationship of each with the other, throughout the range of motion, which is respectively adjusted.

[056] The levers (41) and axis (42) may contain respective platforms (11) and (10), for the contact with the user's body, and said platforms may be further pivotally connected to each other through pivots (13) and with levers (41) via sliding guides (12). In Fig. 1, platforms (11) are pivotally connected to axis (42) on pivots (13) while the sliding guides (12) are employed to reciprocally guide platforms (11) respectively to the motion of levers (41). Platform (10) may further be of any suitable shape to allow the full range of motion and arc of platforms (11) pivoting on pivots (13).

[057] As shown in Fig. 9, platforms (11) may further comprise a plurality of sub-platforms (14), one end of which is pivotally connected (15) to their respective platforms, and may allow a particular range of pivoting. Their other end may fashion a variety of force resisters to progressively withstand the force moving sub-platforms (14) closer or further to a coaxially aligned position with their respective platforms (11). Especially for the aft platform (11), this may allow for a more close following of the user's vertebrae during the range of motion of system (100), providing even more support, and further allowing the exercise of the lower trapezius muscles. For the fore platform (11), this may allow the exercising of the leg gastrocnemius muscles, as well as the muscles surrounding the tibia. Additionally, respective sub-platforms may be included in platform (10) (not shown).

[058] The platforms (10) and (11), and/or sub-platforms (14) may further contain contact elements (70) with the user's body.

[059] By adjusting the sliding guides (12) position through increasing the length or curvature of levers (41), the relation of the forces transferred to and from said levers (41) is also adjusted. In this manner a large plethora of different force relations may be achieved, according to the resistance desired from axes (42) and respective platforms (11) but also according to the relation between them, either during the user's extension or contraction. [060] Fig. 8 depicts the system (100) with one of the levers (41) elongated, and the sliding guide (12) placed on the platform (11) and positioned between lever (41) and platform (11). In this configuration, the relation of the fore platform (11) with the axis (42) is differentiated from the relation of the aft platform (11) with the axis (42). This creates an asymmetry of the degree of angle change between the respective platforms (10) and fore lever (41), as well as the potential for further differentiation of possible exercises.

[061] The levers (41) and platforms (11) may also comprise support elements (81) for the hands and/or feet, which are connected via mechanical force resisters (springs, etc.), and/or resilient force resisters (rubber bands, etc.) with their respective aft and fore levers or platforms. The position of said elements (81) may be adjusted according to the motion of the respective platforms (11) and levers (41) and/or independently according to the exercise executed, and may be pivotally connected to their base, with or without additional resistance from additional mechanical force resisters (springs, etc.), and/or resilient force resisters (rubber bands, etc.)

[062] The transmission mechanism may further comprise a plurality of concave axes (45) that slide vertically within concave guides (56) in the base, and are respectively connected with a force resister element (55) (resilient or mechanical, rubber bands, springs, pneumatic dampers or viscous dampers, etc.) to resist and/or contain the system in its folded position, when no user is seated on it and the resisting of the force exercised during the axes (45) movement, and securing its far end position during extension. The perpendicular relation of axis (45) and axis (42) aims to ensure that axis (42) maintains its horizontal orientation throughout the available motion of system (100). The two ends of force resister (55) may be seated within each axis (45) and at the bottom of each concave guide (56) of the base respectively. Alternatively, the mounting of the force resister (55) may take place in the outer area of concave axes (45) and concave guides (56) or even on the lower side of axis (42) and guides (56). Said resisting means (55) may be under contractive tension independently of the position of the concave axis (45) within the concave guide (56).

[063] The axis (42) may further comprise a securing mechanism (60) for securing the levers (41) in a position for easy access from the user. Said mechanism (60) is depicted as a rod, the proximal end of which is pivotally connected with the fore platform (11) and the distal end may engage with respective lugs (52) which exist on the respective lever (41). At the proximal pivot point, mechanism (60) may further contain a torsion spring (not shown) which, when not engaged, guides it to a position parallel to the platform (11) according to the user's preferences. As long as the mechanism (60) is engaged, when the user seats on platform (10), the system (100) will not fold further. The result of engaging the securing mechanism (60) may be achieved with a variety of mechanisms including lever linkages, pivots and springs or other force resisters, as well as screws, widely known to the art.

[064] Fig. 2 depicts the system (100) secured with securing mechanism (60) and in Fig. 3, the user has taken a position of the initiation of the main exercise. It is pointed out that when the user extends the system (100) further than the secured position during use, securing mechanism (60) will disengage automatically and remain disengaged until the user engages it again. After the securing mechanism (60) is disengaged, the user may proceed to move towards the further folding of the system (100), according to desire, up until the position shown in Fig. 7, or move towards extension as further described. [065] In Fig. 4, the user has exercised simultaneous force on the fore and aft platform (11), which is transferred to levers (41) and through rods (48) to axis (42) and the platform (10), bringing the system (100) in a position of balance between the user's weight and the force exercised on platforms (11), while securing mechanism (60) is disengaged. A user of heavier weight would have to exercise proportionally greater force on the platforms (11) to achieve the < same result.

[066] From this position, the user may further press the platforms (11) and advance to an extended position, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6 or a further folded position as shown in Fig. 7.

[067] As depicted in Fig. 5, proceeding with extension, the platform (10) is raised vertically and the user can reach up to the position of full extension, Fig. 6, exhausting the mechanical limits of the system (100). The breadth of the available motion during the main exercise is exclusively defined by the capabilities of the user, without the danger of loss of control or excessive extension.

[068] Summarily, the levers (41) through the simultaneous exercise of force from the legs and torso of the user on platforms (11) and/or sub-platforms (14), rotate on pivot points (59) and through rods (48) increase the angle of the levers (41) in such a manner that the axis (42) and the platform (10) is displaced vertically upwards, guided by the concave axes (45) which slide vertically in concave guides (56), overcoming the weight of the user which is exercised on the central axis (42) and the platform (10), and raising the lower torso and pelvis area of the user respectively.

[069] As shown in Fig. 10, during the extension phase, the levers (41) diverge from each other and axis (42), and respectively, the distal ends of platforms (11) diverge from each other while they pivot (13). Correspondingly, during the contraction/folding phase, levers (41) converge towards each other and axis (42) and the distal ends of platforms (11) converge towards each other while they pivot (13).

[070] Throughout the extension of the user's body from the position depicted in Fig. 4, up to the position depicted in Fig. 6, the user exercises the dorsal muscles of the lower torso, and provided respective support elements (81) are employed, the opportunity exists to also exercise the muscles of the arms and upper back, and/or the leg quadriceps.

[071] By reversing this motion, the levers (41) and platforms (11), through the simultaneous decrease of exercised force from the legs and torso of the user, rotate on pivots (59) and through rods (48) decrease the angle between levers (41) and platforms (11) in such a manner that the weight exercised on the central axis (42) through platform (10), displaces it vertically downwards, guided by the concave axes (45), which slide vertically in concave guides (56), folding the levers (41) and platforms (11), hence returning the user to the folded end of the exercise as depicted in Fig. 7.

[072] From the position of extension, Fig. 6, up to the position depicted in Fig. 7, the system (100) brings the user progressively to the folding of his/her body, simultaneously activating in the course, the upper and lower abdominal muscles, the antagonists of those employed during the extension phase. Said resetting of the position is assisted by the weight of the user exercised on platform (10), making the simultaneous exercise of the upper and lower abdominals easier and more accessible, especially to the groups that exercise infrequently or are facing challenges.

[073] In this manner, a full cycle of the main exercise that may be performed with system (100) is completed. The user may repeat the cycle as many times as desired, choosing each time the breadth of motion. Also, stopping the motion at any time and position (beyond the balance point) during the execution of the exercise, and especially close to the extension end and folding end, the user automatically converts the exercise from isotonic to isometric, keeping the activated muscles in that position for as long as desired.

[074] It is considered noteworthy for the further elucidation of the dynamics of the system (100) to explicate the effect of the users' own weight (legs and upper body weight) as counterforces on the platforms (11) and in relation to the force transmitted to and from the central platform (10). When a user has rested his upper body on the aft platform (11) and his legs on the fore platform (11) a resistance to the pivoting forces exerted through the platforms (11) is counter exerted by the user's weight on platform (10), without any muscle flexing. This equilibrium represents a dynamic balance between weight distribution and the system's (100) leverage, as depicted in Fig. 4. This balance point will be different according to the individual weight of the user and its distribution on their body, and also his/her height. If the user chooses to flex beyond this balance point towards the extended position, the front leg and back muscle groups are activated. Vice versa, if the user chooses to flex beyond the balance point towards the fetal position, the abdominal and back leg muscles are activated.

[075] The aforementioned variations can be applied in any number of combinations, without altering the functional characteristics of the invention. Also, the variation shown in Fig. 8 as well as those arising from the detailed description of the system (100) and its constituents do not limit the possible embodiments of the system (100) or the type or combination of exercises possible through its use.

[076] It is also noted that, during the duration of- the main exercise, the weight of the users comprises the main, and potentially the only resistance to their motion and the execution of the exercise. All the force resisting elements which the system (100) and its components may fashion are complementary and optional, and they provide specific added characteristics and advantages to the system's (100) operation and specific added utility to the user. The use of the system (100) throughout the breadth of the main exercise, as described above, is entirely achievable, without the use of any resister elements apart from the user's bodily weight.

[077] A wide variety of ancillary equipment and sensors widely known to the art may be added to levers (41), axis (42), platforms (11) (10), sub-platforms (14) or on other parts of the system (100) as providing additional usability to the user while performing possible exercises. These may contain but are not limited to, support bases for audiovisual or computing electronics (TV, personal computer, speakers, tablet PCs, etc.). Also a variety of equipment with a complementary functionality to the possible exercises may be present, such as repetition/calorie/time meters and/or heartbeat, weight, body mass index, physical condition meters, etc.

[078] The system (100) and its components, may be fashioned from any materials comply with its functional specification and the desired results that are described herein, whether for the rigid items, or the flexible. The mentioned force resister elements or force damping elements may be fashioned in any manner obvious to those skilled in the art.

[079] The above referenced embodiments are only illustrative and the present invention is limited only by the claims that follow.

Claims

CLAIMS: The claimed invention is:

1. A system (100) for exercising and stretching of the body comprises:

two longitudinal simultaneously diverging and simultaneously converging levers (41) pivotally connected to a base (51) on pivots (59);

two longitudinal simultaneously diverging and simultaneously converging aft and fore platforms (11) to accommodate the upper and lower body of a user, with distal ends seated on sliding guides (12) of the said levers (41) and proximal ends, pivotally connected to a central horizontal axis (42) via pivots (13);

a platform (10) to accommodate the pelvic area of the user, being seated on the said central horizontal axis (42); said horizontal axis (42) being mounted on a vertical concave axis (45);

two independently lengthwise adjustable transmission rods (48), one end of which being pivotally connected to the said horizontal axis (42) on pivots (47) and the other end of which being pivotally connected to the said respective lever (41) on pivots (49); said transmission rods' (48) length determines the terminal divergent and convergent positions of each lever (41) and (42) and the respective positions of the platforms (11) and (10), and determines the angle between the levers (41) and platforms (11), and determines the terminal position of the vertical concave axis (45) in concave guide (56); a concave axis (45) being vertically slidable in the concave guide (56) for ensuring the maintenance of the horizontal orientation of the axis (42) and platform (10); and

a vertical force resisting means (55) having an upper point fixed within the vertical concave axis (45) and a lower point fixed on the bottom of the concave guide (56); said vertical resisting means (55) being under contractive tension independently of the position of the said concave axis (45) within the said concave guide (56).

2. The system (100) for exercising and stretching of the body according to Claim 1, wherein the sliding guides (12) are fashioned on the platforms (11).

3. The system (100) for exercising and stretching of the body according to Claim 1, wherein the levers (41) comprise elements (70) for contacting with the user's body.

4. The system (100) for exercising and stretching of the body according to Claim 1, wherein the platforms (11) comprise elements (70) for contacting with the user's body.

5. The system (100) for exercising and stretching of the body according to Claim 1, wherein the vertical resisting means (55) upper point is fixed externally on the vertical concave axis (45) and the lower point is fixed externally on the bottom of the concave guide (56).

6. The system (100) for exercising and stretching of the body according to Claim 1, wherein the levers (41) and platforms (11) comprise support elements (81) for the hands and feet of the user, being connected via mechanical force resisters with the said aft and fore levers (41) and platforms (11).

7. The system (100) for exercising and stretching of the body according to Claim 1, wherein the aft platforms (11) comprise a plurality of force resisting sub-platforms (14), one end of which being pivotally connected (15) to the said platforms (11) for enabling a specific range of pivoting and supporting the head and neck of the user.

8. The system (100) for exercising and stretching of the body according to Claim 1, wherein the fore platforms (11) comprise a plurality of force resisting sub-platforms (14), one end of which being pivotally connected (15) to the said platforms (11) for enabling specific range of pivoting and exercising the leg muscles.

9. The system (100) for exercising and stretching of the body according to Claim 1, wherein the axis (42) comprises a securing mechanism (60) for securing the levers (41) in a position for easy access from the user, having a proximal end pivotally connected with the fore platform (11) and a distal end for the engagement with and disengagement from the lugs (52) of levers (41).

10. A method for exercising and stretching of the body providing the steps of:

engaging of the securing mechanism (60) with the lugs (52) through pivoting divergently the platforms (11) and levers (41) for easy access from the user;

sitting of the user on the horizontal central platform (10) and placing the user's upper body on the aft platform (11) and the lower body on the fore platform (11);

disengaging of the securing mechanism (60) from the lugs (52) by the user through the concurrent pushing force exercised by the user's torso and legs on the platforms (11) diverging said platforms (11) and lever (41);

pivoting divergently of levers (41) and platforms (11) with regards to each other and the horizontal axis (42) through the concurrent pushing force exercised by the user's torso and legs on the platforms (11) simultaneously raises transmission rods (48), raises the horizontal axis (42), the central platform (10) and the user's pelvis vertically upwards through the vertical concave axis (45) sliding in concave guide (56);

pivoting convergently of the levers (41) and the platforms (11) with regards to each other and the horizontal axis (42) through the concurrent decrease of the exercised force by the user's torso and legs on the platforms (11) simultaneously lowers the transmission rods (48), lowers the horizontal axis (42), the platform (10) and the user's pelvis vertically downwards through the vertical concave axis (45) sliding in the concave guide (56); and

engaging of the securing mechanism (60) with the lugs (52) through pivoting convergently the platforms (11) and levers (41) for easy exit of the user.