WO2014167559A1

WO2014167559A1 - Exercise platform adapted for self and group exercising

Info

Publication number: WO2014167559A1
Application number: PCT/IL2014/050313
Authority: WO
Inventors: Doron Dahary
Original assignee: Doron Dahary
Priority date: 2013-04-08
Filing date: 2014-03-24
Publication date: 2014-10-16

Abstract

Abstract Abstract Abstract The invention is a method of providing one or more exercisers in private or group settings with easy to understand and follow instructions for properly positioning herself/himself/themselves on an exercise platform and to perform an exercise in order to obtain maximum benefit from the exercise. The instructions can be given with our without the assistance of a fitness professional or physical therapist. The method comprises phrasing the instructions with reference to distinctive colors or patterns that are visible on specific areas of the surface of an exercise platform.

Description

EXERCISE PLATFORM ADAPTED FOR SELF AND GROUP

EXERCISING

Field of the Invention

The invention is related to the field of personal exercise devices. Specifically the invention relates to passive devices that can be used by individuals to aid them in carrying out a variety of exercises. More specifically the invention relates to a method of instruction and exercise platform that allows individuals to easily understand and execute the instructions for performing an exercise and therefore to achieve maximum benefit from their exercise device in both individual and group settings. Background of the Invention

Today, in industrialized countries, many people sit for long periods of time. They sit while eating, while going to work in cars or buses, in school classrooms, in meetings, in offices, and at home while watching television. Many people also sit at work operating machines which new technology has developed to replace manual work. Although sitting requires less physical effort than standing or walking, sitting puts a lot of stress on lumbar vertebrae and on various muscles of the lower and upper torso and the neck. The combined effects of a sedentary lifestyle and a job that requires sitting can lead to many health problems.

The source of many of these problems is uneven distribution of weight on the disks between the lumbar vertebrae while the individual is sitting. Figure la shows a man standing. The lumbar portion 21 of the spinal column in the standing posture is shown in expanded view in Fig. lc. As seen in Fig. la, the natural position of lumbar portion 21 is concave outward. This produces an even distribution of weight on disks 24, as can be seen in Fig. lc. In the standing position the muscles of the back and abdomen support the spinal column.

On the other hand, as is illustrated in Fig. lb, when sitting the lumbar portion 21 is pressed into a concave inward posture. In the concave inward posture, pressure is unevenly distributed in lumbar vertebrae 22, which results in an outward pressure on disks 24 as illustrated by arrows 52 in expanded view Fig. Id of lumbar portion 21 in the sitting posture. This outward pressure produces back pain and can lead to slipped disks and other health problems.

Many of the health problems related to a sedentary lifestyle can be alleviated by proper stretching, exercise, and fitness routines and by improved posture when resting. The exercises should be challenging enough to improve one's fitness, but not endanger the health or well-being of the exerciser. In many forms of exercise the exerciser runs a high risk of injury through accidents or through overuse of certain joints. For example joggers and bicyclist run a risk of traffic accidents and the constant pounding of jogging may injure the feet or knees of the jogger.

Therefore there is a demand for exercise equipment that is safe and comfortable and promotes effective strengthening and stretching of the lumbar area. Many devices are available for facilitating exercises, for physical therapy or for physical training. Mats of various forms exist for therapeutic exercises or to improve safety and comfort or adjust the difficulty of conventional exercises (such as sit-ups and push-ups).

Athletes have long used exercise horses, the Swiss ball and similar spherical or semi-spherical exercise devices such as described in US2004/0220029 and US2005/0009677 for developing balance. Some exercisers have found that the dome shape of the Swiss ball facilitates sit-ups and back stretching exercises as illustrated in US2004/0220029. Nevertheless the Swiss ball and exercise devices based on it do not support the entire body of a exerciser. Thus lying on a Swiss ball or an exercise horse requires good balance and strong muscles. Therefore its use is beyond the ability of most exercisers. Such devices are not well suited to the average office worker and particularly not to workers who are overweight or have injuries to their backs or necks.

In US 8,328,701, the inventor of the present intention disclosed a device that facilitates muscle toning exercises and therapeutic routines for gently comfortably stretching and strengthening muscles, tendons and joints and particularly the lumbar area that is affected by constant sitting. The device is also useful for promoting proper stretching of the lumbar area and torso while resting and should be easy and comfortable to be used by office workers and others in various states of health and fitness.

The device described in US 8,328,701 is comprised of a dome shaped upper surface supported by an inclined base. The upper surface is large enough to support the entire body of the exerciser who lays on her/his back, front, or side to perform a wide variety of exercises. Because of the dome is inclined, the position of the exerciser on the surface determines the forces that gravity exerts on different parts of her/his body and therefore can cause a considerable difference in the effectiveness of each specific exercise. A method of insuring the correct position of the exerciser on the exercise platform is required. The necessity for a method of attaining correct positioning of the exerciser on the exercise platform is even greater in a group setting wherein a fitness professional is simultaneously providing instructions to several exercisers. In addition, especially in group settings, exercisers often find it difficult to follow the instructions for performing an exercise. It is therefore a purpose of the present invention to provide an exercise platform and a method of using it that aids an exerciser to properly position herself/himself on the exercise platform and to follow the instructions for performing an exercise in order to obtain maximum benefit from the exercise being carried out.

It is another purpose of the present invention to provide a fitness professional with a method of providing instructions to a group of exercisers for positioning their bodies and to correctly perform exercises on an exercise platform.

Further purposes and advantages of this invention will appear as the description proceeds. Summary of the Invention

In a first aspect the invention is a method of providing one or more exercisers in private or group settings with easy to understand and follow instructions for properly positioning herself/himself/themselves on an exercise platform and to perform an exercise in order to obtain maximum benefit from the exercise. The method comprises phrasing the instructions with reference to distinctive colors or patterns that are visible on specific areas of the surface of the exercise platform.

In a second aspect the invention is a method of providing a fitness professional or physical therapist with a way of giving easy to understand and follow instructions to one or more exercisers in private or group settings. The instructions are for properly positioning herself/himself/themselves on an exercise platform and to perform an exercise. The method comprises enunciating the instructions with reference to distinctive colors or patterns that are visible on specific areas of the surface of the exercise platform. In a third aspect the invention is an exercise platform adapted to allow a method of providing one or more exercisers in private or group settings with easy to understand and follow instructions for properly positioning herself/himself/themselves on an exercise platform and to perform an exercise in order to obtain maximum benefit from the exercise. The exercise platform comprises:

(A) a rigid, low pitched shallow dome shaped upper surface having a concave side and a convex side;

(B) the convex side is adapted to allow a person to lay thereon to perform exercises;

(C) portions of the concave side attaches to an inclined base;

the inclined base holds the dome shaped upper surface on a mild incline, the base is

i) a wedge shaped base; or

ii) (a) a plurality of peripheral legs

(i) having different lengths rigidly attached to the edge of the concave side at a plurality of locations around the circumference,

(ii) each peripheral leg's proximal end extends from the concave side's edge, and

(iii) each peripheral leg's distal end is capable of contacting a level floor surface at the same time as the remaining peripheral legs' distal ends, in order to achieve the desired incline and

(b) an interior leg

(i) rigidly attached to the interior surface of the rigid, low pitched shallow dome shaped upper surface,

(ii) the interior leg's proximal end extends from the rigid, low pitched shallow dome shaped upper surface's interior surface and (iii) the interior leg's distal end is capable of contacting the level floor surface at the same time as the plurality of peripheral legs' distal ends. The exercise platform of the invention is characterized in that the concave side of the shallow dome shaped upper surface is divided into areas that are differentiated from each other by distinctive colors or patterns that are visible on each of the areas. In embodiments of the exercise platform of the invention, the length of the interior leg is extended such that it and no more than two of the peripheral legs are in contact with a level floor at any one time.

All the above and other characteristics and advantages of the invention will be further understood through the following illustrative and non-limitative description of embodiments thereof, with reference to the appended drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

- Fig. la is a schematic view showing a person standing;

- Fig. lb is a schematic view showing a person sitting;

- Fig. lc is a schematic expanded view showing the lumbar portion of the spinal column in the standing posture;

- Fig. Id is a schematic expanded view showing the lumbar portion of the spinal column in the sitting posture;

- Fig. 2a, Fig. 2b, and Fig. 2c schematically show an embodiment of a prior art exercise platform comprising a dome shaped exercise surface supported by legs that are attached to it;

— Fig. 3a and Fig. 3b schematically show the modification made according to the present invention to the prior art exercise platform; — Fig. 4 shows photographs of exercise platforms according to the present invention taken from different sides of the platform; and

— Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 schematically illustrate how the invention is used to provide instruction to a person for carrying out an exercise on the exercise platform shown in Fig. 4.

Detailed Description of Embodiments of the Invention

Fig. 2a, Fig. 2b, and Fig. 2c show an embodiment of the prior art inclined exercise platform 10 disclosed in US 8,328,701. Exercise platform 10 has a low pitched shallow dome shaped upper surface 12, referred to herein as a "dome". Dome 12 stands on legs that are attached to its concave side. Peripheral legs 14a— 14d around the perimeter of dome 12 and have different lengths in order to achieve the desired incline. In some embodiments the peripheral legs have the shape of a rod or a tube, either straight or tapered. In other embodiments the peripheral legs have a narrow blade-like shape. They slant slightly outwards and cross-sections of the legs in horizontal planes are arc-shaped. Embodiments of exercise platform 10 comprise at least one interior leg 16 comprised of a round tapered tube. Embodiments of exercise platform 10 comprise a hole 18 through the dome 12 in alignment with the hollow center of each interior leg 16. This design of the legs allows the interior leg 16 of a first exercise platform to be inserted through hole 18 of a second platform and into the hollow interiors of the interior leg of the second platform. At the same time as the interior leg of the first platform slides into the interior leg of the second platform the peripheral legs of the first platform will slide past those of the second platform in the same manner as the legs of plastic stackable garden chairs. In this manner the exercise platforms 10 can be stacked when not in use as shown in Fig. 2c. This has obvious advantages for health clubs and other places in which exercise classes are held. In other embodiments of the exercise platform, the dome shaped upper surface is supported by a wedge shaped base instead of legs.

The dome of the invention is large and shallow so that an exerciser can comfortably lie on it. The dome is made of a rigid material and it is preferably covered with a layer of foam, which is in turn covered with decorative upholstery material. It is noted that herein the word "rigid" when used to describe dome 12 means that the shape of the dome will not be deformed under any circumstances by the weight of the person that exercises on it.

Embodiments of the exercise platform of the invention comprise one or more, typically four, straps or handles 20 to assist in performing the exercises. In a typical embodiment of the exercise platform 10 designed to be suitable for the dimensions of an adult, dome 12 has a diameter of 160 cm. The apex of dome 12 is 15 cm above the plane of the circumference. In this embodiment, the length of peripheral leg 14b on the lower side of platform 10 is 20 cm while the length of peripheral leg 14a on the tall side is 40 cm. Peripheral legs 14c and 14d have equal lengths of 30cm, supporting dome 12 on a mild incline of 12%. The incline optimizes stability and comfort for the user. The incline also influences the difficulty level of certain exercises, e.g. sit-ups. It will be understood to one skilled in the art, that the dome 12 may be circular in shape or may be oval or take another shape. The apex of dome 12 may be in its geometric center as illustrated in the drawings or may be off- center. It is emphasized that the dimensions of the exercise dome are not critical to the concept and many variations are possible and in fact will be recommended for different individuals. For example the dome of an exercise platform for children would be smaller and an exercise platform for more advanced exercise would be higher and steeper. As a rule of thumb for most users, the diameter of the dome should be at least as large as the height of the user and the height of the dome should be no more than 1/5 of its diameter. The dimensions and other parameters of the dome and other features of the invention, e.g. number and location of legs, that are described herein and shown in the figures are provided only in order to illustrate the general concept and are not to be construed as limiting in any way.

The present invention is a modification to the exercise platform described herein above. The modification is the provision of easily identifiable markings on the surface of the dome that can be used in an instruction manual or by a fitness or rehabilitation professional to instruct an exerciser how to properly position herself/himself on the exercise platform in order to perform a particular exercise.

Fig. 3a and Fig. 3b schematically show the modification to the prior art exercise platform made according to the present invention. The invention can be visualized by drawing two intersecting imaginary straight lines on the upper surface of dome 12 of exercise platform 10. As shown in Fig. 3a, one of the lines connects leg 14a with leg 14b and the other line connects leg 14c with leg 14d. If dome 12 has a circular perimeter, as shown in the figure, then the projection of the two lines on the plane in which the perimeter of the dome lies are diameters of a circle that intersect at right angles at the center of the circle. In another embodiment, if dome 12 has an elliptical perimeter, then the projection of the two lines on the plane in which the perimeter of the dome lies are the major and minor axes of the ellipse that intersect at right angles at the centers of both axes. In any case, the result of drawing these two lines in the specified manner is to divide the upper surface of dome 12 into four equal areas, i.e. quadrants 30a, 30b, 30c, and 30d.

Simply painting or otherwise reproducing the two lines shown in Fig. 3a on the upper surface of dome 12 would not be sufficient to provide the clarity in instruction that the invention intends to supply. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 3b, each quadrant is marked in a distinctive way that differentiates it from the other quadrants. In embodiments of the exercise platform in which the dome 12 is not covered with a foam layer the easiest way to do this is to simply paint the surface of dome 12 with different colors. In embodiments that do comprise a foam layer, then the covering of the foam for each quadrant 30a-30d can be made from fabric or other material having different colors. In order to demonstrate the invention in black and white figures, different symbols, each representing a different color, are shown in each quadrant in Fig. 3b. While optimum results are obtained using four colors, embodiments of the invention can employ three colors as long as adjacent quadrants have different colors. For variety and to lend interest it is also not necessary to use solid colors to differentiate between the quadrants but many other options can be used. For example: for adults - patterns such as stripes checkerboard patterns etc.; for youth - comic book heroes such as Spiderman, Angry Birds, etc.; and for young children - animals such as ducks and bears, etc.

Fig. 4 shows photographs of two exercise platforms according to the present invention taken from different sides of the platforms. In this case the dome is covered with a foam layer, which is covered with a protective layer of material. In the platforms shown three colors are used. It is not possible to distinguish the colors in the black and white reproductions; however, for example in the left hand picture, the dark colored quadrants are both black and the two lighter colored ones are tan and light grey.

Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 schematically illustrate how the invention is used to provide instruction to a person for carrying out an exercise on the exercise platform shown in Fig. 4. The method is carried out with reference to the colors of the quadrants and the boundaries between them to instruct the exerciser how to lay on the platform to begin a particular exercise and also how to carry out movements during the execution of the exercise.

To demonstrate how the method works, assume for example that the darkest colored quadrant in Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 is dark blue and the other colors in a clockwise direction are light green, yellow, and light red. Then in order to begin the exercise shown in Fig. 5, the exerciser is directed, for example by instructions in a manual, or an exercise video, a physical therapist, or a fitness instructor in either a private or public setting, to lay on his back with his backbone on the border between the blue and green quadrants, his head at the edge of platform, his arms spread straight out to the sides at ninety degrees from his body and legs comfortably spread apart with one in the yellow quadrant and the other leg in the red quadrant. The exerciser can then be instructed to lift the leg in the yellow quadrant as high as he can and to try to touch the ankle of this leg with the hand of the arm in the blue quadrant; then to return the leg and arm to their original positions; to repeat this exercise five times; and then to do the same actions beginning with lifting the leg in the red quadrant and arm in the green quadrant.

In Fig. 6, the exerciser has been directed to lay on the exercise platform with his head on the midline of the green quadrant and both legs in the red quadrant. An exercise from this position could be to twist only the upper body while alternately bringing the arm in the yellow quadrant on top of the arm in the blue quadrant and vice versa.

It is noted that, although herein the surface of the exercise platform is described as being divided into four equal portions, each of which has been given a distinct color, it is anticipated that other patterns of color on the surface could be used, for example the surface could be divided into six or eight sections or colored circles could be provided at specific locations on the surface indicating in which the head should be placed in certain exercises.

Another innovation of the exercise platform of the present invention is a modification to the interior leg of the exercise platform described in US 8,328,701. In the prior art the length of the interior leg was fixed such that it and the four peripheral legs are all in contact with the floor providing an extremely stable support to the dome. In embodiments of the present invention the interior leg can be extended such that, depending on the incline of the dome, no more than two of the peripheral legs can be in contact with the floor at any one time. This configuration extends the range of exercises that can be performed on the exercise platform to include balance exercises.

Although embodiments of the invention have been described by way of illustration, it will be understood that the invention may be carried out with many variations, modifications, and adaptations, without exceeding the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A method of providing one or more exercisers in private or group settings with easy to understand and follow instructions for properly positioning herself/himself/themselves on an exercise platform and to perform an exercise in order to obtain maximum benefit from said exercise; said method comprising phrasing said instructions with reference to distinctive colors or patterns that are visible on specific areas of the surface of said exercise platform.

A method of providing a fitness professional or physical therapist with a way of giving easy to understand and follow instructions to one or more exercisers in private or group settings for properly positioning herself/himself/themselves on an exercise platform and to perform an exercise; said method comprising enunciating said instructions with reference to distinctive colors or patterns that are visible on specific areas of the surface of said exercise platform.

3. An exercise platform adapted to allow a method of providing one or more exercisers in private or group settings with easy to understand and follow instructions for properly positioning herself/himself/themselves on an exercise platform and to perform an exercise in order to obtain maximum benefit from said exercise; said exercise platform comprising:

(C) portions of the concave side attaches to an inclined base;

said inclined base holds said dome shaped upper surface on a mild incline, said base is

i) a wedge shaped base; or ii) (a) a plurality of peripheral legs

(i) having different lengths rigidly attached to the edge of said concave side at a plurality of locations around the circumference,

(b) an interior leg

(ii) the interior leg's proximal end extends from the rigid, low pitched shallow dome shaped upper surface's interior surface and

(iii) the interior leg's distal end is capable of contacting the level floor surface at the same time as the plurality of peripheral legs' distal ends;

wherein the concave side of said shallow dome shaped upper surface is divided into specific areas that are differentiated from each other by distinctive colors or patterns that are visible on each of said areas.

The exercise platform according to claim 3, wherein the length of the interior leg is extended such that it and no more than two of the peripheral legs are in contact with a level floor at any one time.