U.S. patent application number 11/249224 was filed with the patent office on 2007-04-19 for exercise bell device and methods of use thereof.
This patent application is currently assigned to VERVE, INC.. Invention is credited to Robert Connelly, Jonathan McCracken, Badri G. Rickhi.
Application Number | 20070087914 11/249224 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37948850 |
Filed Date | 2007-04-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070087914 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Connelly; Robert ; et
al. |
April 19, 2007 |
Exercise bell device and methods of use thereof
Abstract
The present invention provides exercise devices containing a
body and a gripping means that maintain a constant mathematical
ratio with respect to each other and in compliance with the golden
Phi ratio. The body comprises a flat plate containing a proximal
end and a distal end, the proximal end comprises a diametrically
opposing proximal right side and proximal left side, wherein the
proximal end and the distal end define a longitudinal axis. The
gripping means comprises two shafts and a handle that is placed
horizontally between the two shafts and connects the upper portion
of the shafts.
Inventors: |
Connelly; Robert; (Calgary,
CA) ; McCracken; Jonathan; (Calgary, CA) ;
Rickhi; Badri G.; (Calgary, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LAW OFFICES OF KHALILIAN SIRA, LLC
9100 PERSIMMON TREE ROAD
POTOMAC
MD
20854
US
|
Assignee: |
VERVE, INC.
CALGERY
CA
T3H 3R7
|
Family ID: |
37948850 |
Appl. No.: |
11/249224 |
Filed: |
October 13, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/93 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 21/072 20130101;
A63B 21/4017 20151001 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/093 |
International
Class: |
A63B 21/06 20060101
A63B021/06 |
Claims
1. An exercise device comprising a body and a gripping means, the
body comprises a flat plate containing a proximal end and a distal
end, the proximal end comprises a diametrically opposing proximal
right side and proximal left side, wherein the proximal end and the
distal end define a longitudinal axis, the gripping means comprises
two shafts and a handle, the two shafts each comprises an upper
portion and a lower portion, the lower portion of the shafts are
connected to the proximal right side and the proximal left side of
the body, respectively, the handle is placed horizontally between
the two shafts and connects the upper portion of the shafts,
wherein positioning of the two shafts and the handle creates a
hollow space between the body and the gripping means that
accommodates gripping of the device by a body member of a user, and
wherein the body and the gripping means have dimensions that
maintain a constant mathematical ratio with respect to each other
and in compliance with the golden Phi ratio.
2. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the body is made of a
pliable material that wraps around the body member of a user to
allow the weight to distribute more evenly around the body.
3. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the device has
geometrical configurations comprising rectangular, square, curved,
round, triangular, wedged shape, concave, convex, contoured,
obtuse, or a combination thereof.
4. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the two shafts are an
integral part of the body.
5. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the two shafts are
separately attached to the body.
6. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the two shafts and the
handle are integrally connected to form a single U shape piece.
7. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the gripping means and
the body are integrally connected.
8. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the flat plate comprises
an upper flat plate and a lower flat plate.
9. The exercise device of claim 8, wherein an open space is created
between the upper flat plate and the lower flat plate.
10. The exercise device of claim 9, wherein the open space is
filled with a filler material.
11. The exercise device of claim 10, wherein the filler material
comprises compressed air, liquid, solid materials, or a combination
thereof.
12. The exercise device of claim 11, wherein the liquid comprises
water, gel, or a combination thereof.
13. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the two shafts are
pivotally connected to the body and rotate with respect to the
body.
14. The exercise device of claim 8, wherein the upper flat plate
and the lower flat plate are different in size.
15. The exercise device of claim 8, wherein the upper flat plate
and the lower flat plate are the same size.
16. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the upper flat plate is
in a convex shape.
17. The exercise device of claim 2, wherein the body members
comprise wrist, neck, shoulders, arm, waist, ankles, leg, or a
combination thereof.
18. A method of exercise comprising the use of the exercise devise
of claim 1.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein the exercise comprises yoga,
pilate, aerobics, physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, weight training,
cardiovascular training, or a combination thereof.
20. The method of claim 18, wherein the exercise is performed by
children, elderly, people with disabilities, or normal adults.
Description
I. FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to exercise devices and
methods of use thereof. In particular, the invention relates to
exercise bell devices.
II. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The general population is more knowledgeable today about
their fitness and its importance in achieving a superior quality of
life than ever before, and the trend is growing. The growing
interest in the field of exercise has led to consumers scrambling
for new and easy to use machines or devices. As a result, thousands
of health conscious consumers are now desperately seeking devices
and new exercise programs in order to maintain fit and boost their
energy.
[0003] A wide variety of weight training and exercise equipments
are known, including the fixed or variable weight type of exercise
machines, cast dumbbells, and the free weight/bar combination.
Exercise machines are easy to use when moving from one exercise to
another or when changing weights. These machines, however, are
relatively expensive and are not readily useable in the home.
[0004] Many body builders or other exercise enthusiasts prefer to
use free weights, either alone or to complement a work-out on an
exercise machine. Solid dumbbells are easy to use and provide ease
in switching from one weight to another. Free weight plates,
mounted on a longer barbell or shorter dumbbell bar, overcome many
of the problems associated with solid dumbbells. With a single,
elongated bar, a single pair of shorter dumbbell bars, and a
variety of weights, barbells or dumbbells of any desired weight can
be assembled and a change from one weight to another can be easily
effected.
[0005] Athletes used kettle bells in the late 1800's as a mode of
exercise. The kettle bell forced the athlete to grasp an unbalanced
weight resembling a bowling ball with a handle. Considerable skill,
balance and strength were required to lift a kettle bell, the
heaviest of which was in the 200-300 pound range. Early balanced
iron dumbbells became available after the turn of the century, with
adjustable dumbbells being introduced just before World War II.
[0006] Exercising with weight equipment has become a common
practice among many people. While gymnasiums and exercise or health
clubs offer many types of exercise equipment to use, weight lifting
devices such as dumbbells and barbells are still widely used and
popular types of exercise equipment. This is especially true within
the home where space is more limited. Convenient and easy storage
can be very important. In addition, with traveling, it would be
convenient to have a dumbbell device which would fold for easier
storage and transporting.
[0007] Today, dumbbells are generally recognized as the most
efficient of strength training devices. They allow extreme
flexibility in patterns of movement and allow the athlete to
perform a real world training regimen unlike, for example, bungee
cord exercises. Therapists like to utilize dumbbells because they
reflect everyday movements and their flexibility allows the patient
to train around joint and muscle trauma. Athletes that train with
dumbbells enjoy productive gains not available with other training
modalities because they require balance and involve synergistic
muscle groups to contract during the lift. The necessity to balance
the dumbbells and coordinate movement of each hand stress the
muscular and nervous system unlike any machine exercise. With
machines, a portion of the athlete's musculature can actually relax
due to the absence of fully balanced coordination, i.e. one side
can push harder than the other.
[0008] There are two basic forms of dumbbells: fixed or
"pro-style", and adjustable dumbbells. Fixed dumbbells are
individually compact, but are typically sold in sets which must be
stored on a rack that is bulky and cumbersome. Adjustable dumbbells
have historically incorporated plates and locking collars secured
to the ends of an extended handle. Adjustable dumbbells are space
and cost efficient exercise equipments. However, they are not
without some drawbacks. One drawback is the time it takes to change
and adjust both dumbbells. Also, removing and replacing the locking
collars and plates is time consuming, and can be a potential safety
hazard if the collars are not securely tightened. Additionally, it
is difficult to perform a "kickup" due to the protruding end of the
handle. Some exercises such as bench presses, inclines and shoulder
work typically begin and end with the dumbbells resting on the
knees of the athlete. However, this can be unwise and painful if
the ends of the dumbbells are not relatively flat.
[0009] Various types of dumbbell and barbell equipment, other than
the common bar and plate combination, have been described before
offering features that would assist in storage and transporting
through easily removable weights, collapsible weight systems,
hollow weights or weight chambers, folding bars, mechanisms for
retaining weights on the bar, special locking devices, releasing
locking devices, etc. For examples, see U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,199,140;
4,312,506; 4,531,728; 4,529,197; 4,566,690; 4,579,337; and
4,585,367. Various adjustable dumbbells have been developed. A
representative example of the prior art in this regard includes,
for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,948,123; 4,556,690; 4,913,422;
4,900,016; 4,880,229; 4,743,017; and 4,529,198. Each of these
references, however, addresses only certain aspects of an
adjustable dumbbell, such as releaseability, interlocking of the
weights, etc.
[0010] The desirability of portable exercise equipment such as
"travel dumbbells" has long been recognized and several examples
are found in the prior art of exercise apparatus which may be
adjusted by filling weight reservoirs with fluid to provide
variable resistance to lifting. For example, see U.S. Pat. Nos.
4,695,051; 4,997,184; 5,445,587; and. 5,857,946. U.S. Pat. No.
4,566,690 discloses a dumbbell and barbell weight training device
which can hold the changeable weights in place, yet permit the
weights to be quickly and easily changed.
[0011] There are several problems with the use of free weight/bar
combinations of the prior art. The weights are typically held on
the bar by a securing means, typically by a removable collar. The
collar, particularly when used on a dumbbell bar, often cannot
withstand the stress from the weight. In order to change weights,
the collar is released and removed from the bar, the weight is
removed from the bar, a new weight is positioned on the bar, and
the collar is positioned on the bar against the weight and secured
in place. This is a time-consuming process which often interferes
with the smooth flow of a weight training session.
[0012] There is still a need for weights and dumbbells of improved
construction which are not only compact in size, but also
comfortable to use, without altering the natural positioning of the
body members in contact with the device or resulting in an
unbalanced weight distribution on the body of the user. The
invention described herein addresses these and other needs by
providing novel exercise devices and methods of exercising using
these devices.
III. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] The invention as described herein provides exercise devices
comprising a body and a gripping means. The body contains a flat
plate containing a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end
of the body comprises a diametrically opposing proximal right side
and proximal left side, wherein the proximal end and the distal end
define a longitudinal axis. The gripping means comprises two shafts
and a handle, the two shafts each comprise an upper portion and a
lower portion, the lower portion of the shafts is connected to the
proximal right side and the proximal left side of the body,
respectively. The handle is placed horizontally between the two
shafts and connects the upper portion of the shafts, wherein
positioning of two shafts and the handle creates a hollow space
between the body and the gripping means that accommodates gripping
of the device by a body member of a user, and wherein the body and
gripping means have dimensions that maintain a constant
mathematical ratio with respect to each other and in compliance
with the golden Phi ratio.
[0014] The device of the invention can be gripped by the user's
arm, foot, neck, shoulder, waist, ankles, legs, or other members of
the body of a user, so long as the different compartments of the
device namely the body and the gripping means maintain the constant
golden Phi mathematical ratio with respect to each other.
[0015] The body of the exercise device of the invention is made of
a pliable material that wraps around the users one or more body
members (e.g., wrist, ankle, neck) to allow the weight to
distribute more evenly around the body member.
[0016] In another embodiment, the exercise device of the invention
has geometrical configurations comprising rectangular, square,
curved, round, triangular, wedged shape, concave, convex,
contoured, trapezoid, obtuse, or a combination thereof. In one
embodiment, the body of the device is in a convex shape.
[0017] In yet another embodiment, the two shafts of the device are
an integral part of the body of the device, or are separately
attached to the body of the device.
[0018] In another embodiment, the two shafts and the handle of the
device are integrally connected to form a single U shape piece.
[0019] In yet another embodiment, the shafts are pivotally
connected to the body of the device and rotate with respect to the
body of the device.
[0020] In one embodiment, the gripping means and the body are
integrally connected to form a single piece.
[0021] The body comprises one, two or more flat plates that are
integrally connected or joined together. In one embodiment, the
body comprises an upper flat plate and a lower flat plate and a
hollow space in between the upper flat plate and the lower flat
plate. The flat plates are the same or different sizes or
geometrical configurations.
[0022] In one embodiment, the hollow space is filled with a filler
material comprising compressed air, liquid, solid materials, or a
combination thereof. The liquid comprises water or gel.
[0023] In one aspect, the invention provides a method of exercise
comprising the use of the exercise device of the invention. The
exercises performed with the device comprise, yoga, pilate,
aerobics, physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, weight training,
cardiovascular training, or a combination thereof.
[0024] In one embodiment, the exercise is performed by children,
elderly, people with disabilities, or by normal adults.
IV. BREIF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0025] FIG. 1 A schematic demonstrating one embodiment of the
exercise device of the invention. The device can be placed on the
forearm of a user. The device is constructed using the design
concept of wrapping the mass around the forearm to allow the wrist
a neutral position and to allow the weight to distribute more
evenly around the wrist of a user.
[0026] FIG. 2 A schematic demonstrating that the dimension from the
lowest point of a clasped adult hand (between the thumb and
forefinger) to the pivot point of the wrist has an average value
close to 3.1415'', and the width of an adult wrist had an average
dimension close to 1.6180. The figure shows that a "Golden Ellipse"
with a minor axis Inner Dimension of 3.1415'' and a cross section
diameter of 1.31415'' works well for the device design.
[0027] FIG. 3 A bargraph demonstrating the effects of two different
exercise modalities on the cholesterol and lipid scores of two
females. The lipid scores were carried out on triglycerides, HDL
and LDL. The bars from left to right represent a) pre-Verve bell,
b) post-Verve bell, c) pre-traditional exercise, and d)
post-traditional exercise.
[0028] FIG. 4 A bargraph demonstrating the effects of exercise with
the Verve Bell of the invention on several indicators, namely
weight, aerobic capacity, girth and body fat composition of seven
males. The bar on the right indicates values prior to the exercise
and the bar on the left indicates the values after the exercise for
each of the indicators listed above.
IV. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0029] The invention as described herein provides a new hand held
exercise device that forms the shape of the user's wrist and keeps
it in a neutral position during exercise. The device of the
invention has a novel design and cross training ability that allows
the weight distribution more evenly around the wrist. This was
accomplished with ample use of the numbers Pi (3.1415) and Phi
(1.6180), both taken to four significant digits, through out the
design.
[0030] The invention is best understood from the following detailed
description when read in connection with the accompanying drawing.
It is emphasized that, according to common practice, the various
features of the drawings are not to scale. On the contrary, the
dimensions of the various features are arbitrarily expanded or
reduced for clarity.
[0031] Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 depicts an artistic
rendition of the device according to one of the embodiment of the
present invention. This device has a body 200 that comprises a flat
plate 210 having a proximal end 211 and a distal end 212. The
device also contain gripping means 220 comprising two shafts 221
and 222 and a handle 230. The two shafts each comprises an upper
portion 223 and a lower portion 224, the lower portion of the
shafts are connected to the proximal right side and the proximal
left side of the body, respectively. The handle 230 is placed
horizontally between the two shafts and connects the upper portion
of the shafts. The positioning of the two shafts and the handle
creates a hollow space 240 between the gripping means and the body
that accommodates the hand of a user to grip the device.
[0032] FIG. 2 is a schematic showing typical dimensions of a human
hand and wrist and the mathematical ratio of such dimensions that
are in compliance with the golden Phi ratio. FIGS. 3 and 4
represent bargraphs demonstrating the result of using the device of
the invention on several health and biological indicators and
comparative studies with prior art exercise devices and
regimens.
[0033] The exercise devices of the invention were constructed by
virtue of the many references to the golden ratio Phi. This ratio
has also been expressed in a variety of different forms. In one
embodiment, there were two derivations that were used in the
construction of the device. The first derivation was a
one-dimensional representation that was used to determine the
height of different sections of the device. The second derivation
was a two dimensional geometric representation that was used to
determine the length and width of certain sections of the device as
well as determining angles of the device profile. An initial study
determined that the average dimensions from the lowest point of a
clasped adult hand (between the thumb and forefinger) to the pivot
point of the wrist has an average dimension close to 3.1415''.
Further study found the width of an adult wrist had an average
dimension close to 1.6180''.
[0034] In one embodiment, the handle of the device is in a shape of
a "Golden Ellipse" with a minor axis Inner Dimension of 3.1415''
and a cross section diameter of 1.31415''. The Golden Ellipse is
such that the Major and Minor axis are in the golden ratio. For
example, the Major axis is 5.0829'' and a Minor axis of 3.1415'',
thus 5.0829''/3.1415''=1.6180'' which is Phi. The mass of the
weight was to remain as close as possible to the wrist pivot point
to minimize the lever effect of the weight. The device is flared
out at an angle of 16.18 degrees during exercise with a unique
cross section developed specifically for each weight of the device.
This allows achievement of the desired weight distribution without
deviating from specific uses of Pi and Phi.
[0035] The earlier reports have shown that the use of prior art
kettle bells or similar weight devices has initiated shoulder and
wrist discomfort and pain in as much as 20% of the users. Such
negative side effects have not been observed with the devices of
the invention because of their novel design and engineering that
have used dimensions throughout the device in compliance with the
golden Phi ratio or golden mean. The golden mean often governs the
proportion of our world and it can be found even in the most
seemingly proportion-less living forms. Clear examples of golden
mean geometry in nature includes, for example, all types of
crystals, natural and cultured, the hexagonal geometry of
snowflakes, creatures exhibiting logarithmic spiral patterns, e.g.
snails and various shell fish, birds and flying insects, exhibiting
clear golden mean proportions in bodies & wings, the way in
which lightning forms branches, the geometric molecular and atomic
patterns that all solid metals exhibit, the angles at which leaves
sprout from stems, the shape of pine trees and standard chicken
eggs, the navel divides the human body into a golden ratio, as the
neck covers the upper half and knee the lower half. Another, less
obvious, example of this special ratio can be found in
Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA)--the foundation and guiding mechanism
of all living biological organisms.
[0036] The exercise devices of the invention may take a variety of
shapes that may be customized according to the user's instructions
so long as the overall Phi ratio among different compartments of
the body and gripping means is maintained. These shapes include
cylindrical,. rectangular, square, curved, round, triangular,
wedged shape, concave, contoured, flat bevel surface, dome,
conical, acute (slightly pointed), acuminate (sharply pointed)
truncate (squared or abruptly cut off), or obtuse (rounded),
cuneate (wedge-shaped), cordate (heart-shaped), truncate, or
oblique (asymmetrical, unequally sided), among others.
[0037] The exercise devices of the invention also include devices
with different outside margins. For example, the margins of the
exercise devices are entire (a margin that is smooth without teeth
or lobes), undulate (a margin that is wavy), serrate (a margin that
has pointed teeth).
[0038] A wide variety of synthetic and/or natural materials are
used in the construction of the device of the invention. These
materials are opaque, light reflective material, translucent
material, transparent material, or a combination thereof. The color
in the light reflective colored natural and/or synthetic material
includes any color in the spectrum, including blue, turquoise,
green, gray, white, gray, orange, red, yellow, purple, black, or a
combination thereof, among others.
[0039] The materials encompassed within the scope of the invention
include, by way of example and not limitation, rubber, aluminum,
tin, silica, fiberglass, paper, cardboard, terracotta, clay,
ceramic, plastic, or a combination thereof. The examples of plastic
includes, by way of example and not limitation, polyethylene
naphthalate (PEN), PEN homopolymer, raw material for PEN, resin
(naphthalate dicarboxylate), polyethylene terephthalate, PET
copolymer (Polyethylene Terephthalate), PVDF (Polyvinylidene
Fluoride Polyphenylene Sulfide), PET-P, Ertalyte.RTM. Lexon,
polycarbonate, Polyethylene Polypropylene (PP), Polyesters,
Styrenic Polymers, Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), Polyacrylonitrile
(PAN), acrylic plastic (polymethyl methacrylate), PERSPEX,
polyvinyl acetate, Nylon (Polyamide), Polyurethane, thermoplastic,
Polyolefin, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), Polyetherimide,
Polyamide-Imide, Ethylene Vinyl Acetate, Fluorpolymer Acetal,
Cellulose Acetate, Polyetheretherketone, Polypropylene,
Polystyrene, Polyurea, Ultem.RTM. Pei, Fluorosint.RTM.,
Ketron.RTM., Torlon.RTM., Celazole.RTM., Acetron.RTM.,
Nylatron.RTM., MC, Ertalyte.RTM., Fluorosint.RTM., Techtron.RTM.,
Torlon.RTM. & Semitron.RTM., Acetal, Celcon.RTM., Delrin.RTM.,
Kynar.RTM., Lexan.RTM., Makrolon.RTM., Meldin.RTM. Nylon.RTM.,
Peek, Radel.RTM., Rulon.RTM., Ryton.RTM., Solef.RTM., Teflon.RTM.,
Tivar.RTM., Uhmw.RTM., Ulterm.RTM., Vespel.RTM., PVC, CPVC,
Kynarg.RTM., Polypropylene, Teflon.RTM., Halar.RTM.,
Coroplast.TM..
[0040] The polymers useful in the device of the invention include
both addition and condensation polymers. Typically, useful
polymeric materials are homo- or copolymers, where the copolymers
may be polymerized from 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or more different
or the same monomeric units, such as homo- and copolymers of
polystyrenes, polyethers block amides, polyurethanes, polyesters,
polyolefins, caprylactam based-polyurethanes, among others. The
polymeric material includes, by way of example and not limitation,
a hard thermoplastic material such as Nylon 6 or a high-density
polyethylene, a soft thermoplastic material, such as ethylene vinyl
acetate co-polymer, polyethylene or poly-vinyl chloride, a natural
or synthetic rubber.
[0041] Elastomeric polymers or components useful in the device of
the invention include, for example, styrenic-based elastomeric
copolymers. Examples of styrenic based elastomeric copolymers
include Styrene-Ethylene-Propylene-Styrene), available from M. A.
Hanna; and SEP/EBS and SEPS (Styrene-Propylene-Butylene-Styrene),
available from Kuraray Co. Specific non-styrenic polymers include,
for example, polyether block amides, polyurethane-based materials
(thermoplastic urethanes (TPUs)), such as, for example, Tecoflex
and Tecothane, both available from Thermedics Inc., PELLETHANE,
available from Dow Chemical, and ELASTOLLAN, available from BASF,
polyester-based thermoplastic elastomers, such as HYTREL available
from DuPont; polyolefin-based thermoplastic elastomers, such as
SARLINK.RTM available from SANTOPRENE.RTM available from AES Corp,
caprylactam-based polyurethanes, a blended material of TPU/SEPS
commercially available from M. A. Hanna, among others.
[0042] The unique design of the exercise devices of invention
suggest to the customers freshness, convenience, advance and
innovativeness as well as being familiar and comfortable to use.
Experiments with the prior art exercise devices, such as for
example, kettle bell have demonstrated that the wrist is pulled
into 10 degrees of extension during exercise, creating stress on
the tendons of the wrist flexors. Such wrist posture has been found
to be a major cause or contributor of carpal tunnel syndrome and
wrist tendonitis. In contrast, the exercise devices of the present
invention do not pull the wrist of the user because of their unique
design that facilitates proportional weight distribution on the
body member of a user. In one embodiment, a sound is generated with
accelerated movement of the device to notify the user of the
repetition and use of the device. The exercise device of the
invention can be used by children, elderly and people with
disabilities with no harmful stress on muscles and bones of the
users.
[0043] The exercise device of the invention increases several
biological and health indexes including, for example, aerobic
capacity, recovery of heart rate, increase in muscle mass, increase
in physical strength, increase in bone density, improvement in
cardiovascular efficiency, reduction in blood lipids and
cholesterol, reduction in body weight, and improvement in
flexibility. The aforementioned benefits can be achieved with
exercises performed for the duration of about 20 minutes per day or
less.
[0044] In one embodiment, the exercise device of the invention
contains a filler material that may be disposable or permanently
placed in between the two flat plates of the device. These
materials can be added to a desired weight according to
specifications provided. After use, the materials may be discharged
and the empty device is then packed in a bag or a suitcase for easy
transportation The filler material include solid or liquid
materials or air, including water, sand, synthetic beads, gel, or a
combination thereof among others.
[0045] In another embodiment, the exercise device of the invention
contains a gel component as the filler material in the space
between the two flat plates. The gel imparts softness and,
therefore, makes the device more comfortable to use and increases
weight control. Because of the buoyant characteristic of water or
gel, an individual using the device can easily control the weight
distribution on his body members (e.g., wrist, forearm, ankle, or
shoulders) by turning and twisting the device in certain direction
in order to control the weight pressure on the body.
[0046] The gel component includes a variety of materials, including
for example, a styrenic based elastomeric polymer, oil plasticizer
such as a mineral oil, silicone oil, naphthenic oil, parafinic oil
and the like. Styrenic based polymers will typically be copolymers
of styrene and one or more monomers, usually olefinic monomers,
where illustrative olefinic monomers include ethylene, propylene,
butylene, and the like, among others.
[0047] Alternate embodiments of the invention are shown in the
following illustrations, which are not to be construed in any way
as imposing limitations upon the scope thereof. On the contrary, it
is to be clearly understood that resort may be had to various other
embodiments, modifications, and equivalents thereof which, after
reading the description herein, may suggest themselves to those
skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present
invention and/or the scope of the appended claims.
EXAMPLES
Example 1
Effects of Two Different Exercise Modalities on the Cholesterol and
Lipid Scores
[0048] Two females undertook at 3 month exercise program. One
female's exercise program consisted of 20 minutes of interval
training and 20 minutes of resistance training two times per week.
The other female conducted 20 minutes of Verve Bell training two
times per week. The results indicated a mark improvement in the
Verve Bell exercise program. The lipid scores were carried out on
triglycerides, HDL and LDL. The Verve female had a 13% increase in
HDL levels, while the traditional program only increased it by 1%.
LDL levels in the Verve female were reduced by 12.82% while the
traditional program had 0% change. The results of this experiment
are demonstrated in FIG. 3.
Example 2
Effects of Exercise With Verve Bell Several Biological
Indicators
[0049] Seven males between ages of 40 to 70 underwent training for
a 2 to 6 month period with the Verve Bells. Several biological
indicators such as weight, aerobic capacity, girth and body fat
were monitored during this period. The results showed a 15.71% drop
in body weight (an average loss of 33 lbs). This also coincided
with a 36.25% decrease in body fat composition and a decrease of
19.23% in abdominal girth size (with an average of 19.17 cm
reduction). Males also showed a 24.42% decrease in resting heart
rate and along with a recovery heart rate increased by 52.51%. An
increase of 12.87% in aerobic capacity was also measured. The
results of this experiment are demonstrated in FIG. 4.
[0050] All references discussed herein are incorporated by
reference. One skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the
present invention is well adapted to carry out the objects and
obtain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as those inherent
therein. The present invention may be embodied in other specific
forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes
thereof and, accordingly, reference should be made to the appended
claims, rather than to the foregoing specification, as indicating
the scope of the invention.
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