U.S. patent application number 12/887753 was filed with the patent office on 2011-09-22 for push-up system.
Invention is credited to Michael O. Carlesimo, Juan Fernandez, Paul McGrath.
Application Number | 20110230318 12/887753 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41114532 |
Filed Date | 2011-09-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110230318 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Carlesimo; Michael O. ; et
al. |
September 22, 2011 |
PUSH-UP SYSTEM
Abstract
An apparatus for performing a variety of push-up exercises using
multiple blocks arranged into columns. A user may adjust the height
and width of the columns to accommodate body size, as well as the
type of exercise being performed. This adds a new dimension to the
basic push-up, allowing the user to perform a variety of different
types of push-up. The system helps to strengthen and stretch the
human body, and achieve optimum performance by working different
areas of the body, promoting peak development of the
musculoskeletal system.
Inventors: |
Carlesimo; Michael O.;
(Jackson, NJ) ; Fernandez; Juan; (Towaco, NJ)
; McGrath; Paul; (Towaco, NJ) |
Family ID: |
41114532 |
Appl. No.: |
12/887753 |
Filed: |
September 22, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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12383646 |
Mar 27, 2009 |
7824319 |
|
|
12887753 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
482/141 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2225/093 20130101;
A63B 26/00 20130101; A63B 23/1236 20130101; A63B 21/00047 20130101;
A63B 2210/50 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/141 |
International
Class: |
A63B 26/00 20060101
A63B026/00 |
Claims
1. A push-up apparatus, comprising: a stack of blocks arranged in
two columns, each column having at least a top block and a bottom
block; the top block having an interlock mechanism which removably
connects the top block to the bottom block and maintains the
position of the top block relative to the bottom block; and wherein
the top block has a top surface, and the top surface is
substantially uniform; and wherein said columns are substantially
identical.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each column further comprises
at least one middle block, wherein the middle block has a top
interlock mechanism that connects the top block to the middle block
and maintains the middle block's position relative to the top
block, and a bottom interlock mechanism that connects the middle
block to the bottom block and maintains the middle block's position
relative to the bottom block.
3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein each column further comprises
a plurality of middle blocks, wherein each middle block has an
interlock mechanism which can connect the middle block with a top
block, a middle block or a bottom block, and further wherein each
interlock mechanism maintains each middle block's position relative
to a top block, another middle block or a bottom block.
4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein each top block and middle
block has a bottom surface and at least one hollow in each said
bottom surface, and each bottom and middle block has a top surface,
and each said top surface has at least one protrusion sized to
removably fit within the hollow of a corresponding block, thereby
providing an interlock mechanism which can maintain the position of
a top block, middle block or bottom block relative to another block
connected thereto.
5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the hollow and the protrusion
are rectangular.
6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein there are at least two hollows
and two protrusions per block and the hollows and the protrusions
are cylindrical.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the blocks are rectangularly
shaped, and have a width between 5 and 6 inches, and a length of
between 8 and 9 inches.
8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the blocks have a wall height
and the wall height is between 1 and 3 inches.
9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the uniform top surface is a
gripping surface.
10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the stack of blocks is
between 2 and 14 inches in height.
11. The apparatus article of claim 1, wherein the blocks are made
of a material that does not substantially deform when a weight of
at least 150 pounds is disposed thereon.
12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the top block further
comprises a handle.
13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the top block further
comprises a rotating handle.
14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the top block further
comprises a rotating rectangular section.
15. A push up apparatus, comprising: at least two stacks of blocks;
each stack having at least a top block and a bottom block; and each
top block having an interlock mechanism which removably connects
the top block to the bottom block and maintains the position of the
top block relative to the bottom block; and wherein each top block
has a top surface, and the top surface is substantially
uniform.
16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein each stack further comprises
at least one middle block, wherein the middle block has a top
interlock mechanism that connects the top block to the middle block
and maintains the middle block's position relative to the top
block, and a bottom interlock mechanism that connects the middle
block to the bottom block and maintains the middle block's position
relative to the bottom block.
17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein each stack further comprises
a plurality of middle blocks, wherein each middle block has an
interlock mechanism which can connect the middle block with a top
block, a middle block or a bottom block, and maintain each middle
block's position relative to a top block, another middle block or a
bottom block.
18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein each top block and middle
block has a bottom surface and at least one hollow in each said
bottom surface, and each bottom and middle block has a top surface,
and each said top surface has at least one protrusion sized to
removably fit within the hollow of a corresponding block, thereby
providing an interlock mechanism which can maintain the position of
a top block, middle block or bottom block relative to another block
connected thereto.
19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the hollow and the
protrusion are rectangular.
20. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein there are at least two
hollows and two protrusions per block and the hollows and the
protrusions are cylindrical.
21. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the blocks are rectangularly
shaped, and have a width between 5 and 6 inches, and a length of
between 8 and 9 inches.
22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the blocks have a wall
height and the wall height is between 1 and 3 inches.
23. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the uniform top surface is a
gripping surface.
24. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein each stack of blocks has a
height of between 2 and 14 inches.
25. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the blocks are made of a
material that does not substantially deform when a weight of at
least 200 pounds is disposed thereon.
26. The apparatus article of claim 15, further comprising an
exercise mat.
27. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the top block further
comprises a handle.
28. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the top block further
comprises a rotating handle.
29. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the top block further
comprises a rotating rectangular section.
30. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the stacks may be joined
together.
31. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the bottom block has a wheel
or roller mechanism.
Description
CLAIM OF PRIORITY
[0001] This application claims the priority, and is a continuation,
of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/383,646 filed on Mar. 27,
2009, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by
reference.
[0002] This application claims the priority of U.S. Provisional
Patent application No. 61/072,315 filed on Mar. 28, 2008, the
contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0003] This invention generally relates to exercise equipment. More
specifically, this invention relates to exercise equipment used for
performing a variety of push-up exercises.
BACKGROUND
[0004] Push-ups are a well known, widely accepted exercise for
developing upper body strength. The push-up develops strength in
the chest, as well as triceps and shoulders. Another advantage of
push-ups is the convenience of which they can be performed. They
can typically be performed at home, or anywhere with sufficient
floor space. While the basic push-up is a good exercise in
developing physical fitness, by varying the form of the push-up,
the upper body muscles can be stressed in different ways to further
enhance the effectiveness of the workout. Therefore, it is
desirable to have a system for performing a variety of different
types of push-ups.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 5,230,684 teaches a portable, lightweight and
hand-held triceps muscle exerciser that has a base with a flat
lower surface and a pair of arms extending upwardly therefrom and
joined together to form a structure having an isosceles triangle
shape. Grips are provided on each arm intermediate their ends. The
arms extend from the base at an angle of about 35 degrees.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 7,108,643 teaches an elongate floor-supported
platform having sliding handgrips mounted thereon. In a preferred
embodiment, the handgrips, which are constrained to move only along
a track, which may be linear or curvilinear and lying in a
substantially horizontal plane, are interconnected by linking means
such as belts. The linkage is such that the handgrips remain
equidistant from a fixed centerline midway between the handgrips
throughout their range of motion. In the preferred embodiment, the
linking means are belts that are supported by pulleys housed within
the floor-supported platform. In yet a further embodiment, the
platform includes wall and/or ceiling attachment means and can be
employed for performing pull-ups.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 7,144,351 teaches an exercise device
comprising three blocks: a "first block", a "second block" and a
"third block". Each block has a horizontal platform (herein, "first
horizontal platform", a "second horizontal platform" and a "third
horizontal platform") upon which the user can stand on and perform
all types of exercise activity. It is preferred that three blocks
are connected together by two hinges (herein, a "first hinge" and a
"second hinge"). It is also preferred that the three block be of
graduating heights. It is preferred that the first hinge be
connected between the first block and a first vertical corner of
the second block so that the first hinge rotates about an first
axis that that is perpendicular to the plane formed by the first
horizontal platform. It is also preferred that the second hinge be
connected between the third block and the second vertical corner of
the second block so that the second hinge rotates about a second
axis that is perpendicular to the plane formed by the second
horizontal platform. In the preferred embodiment, the first
vertical corner of the second block is diagonally opposite from the
second vertical corner of the second block.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,421,800 teaches a portable device that
assists exercisers who do pushups or use free weights through the
difficult portion of the exercise motion, so as to allow exercisers
to obtain better results more efficiently: Upper and lower
surfaces, a force-generating device and a force-transferring device
cooperate to transfer a selected amount of upward force to an
exerciser's body (in the case of pushups) or a barbell (in the case
of free-weight exercise) through a predetermined portion of the
exercise motion. Thus, this device allows an exerciser to combine
the benefits of variable-resistance exercise machines with the
benefits of pushups and free-weight exercise. Also, exercisers not
strong enough to do pushups will be able to do them with this
device, other exercisers will be able to obtain better results
doing pushups, and all exercisers will be able to perform back
exercises with the same device, and then fold up the device into a
compact briefcase size and shape for travel or storage.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,632,707 teaches a device for exercising a
user's upper torso that utilizes a minimum of space. A wheeled
housing is provided with a handle member providing an effective
grip to a user who will lean his or her body's weight against the
device is coupled to one or more of the wheels to display the
amount of rotation of the wheels thereby giving an indication to a
user of the amount of exercise undertaken. A reader of the movement
of the device has an output connected to a counter/display that is
resettable. The reader is mounted in a spring loaded cavity so that
an effective outwardly force brings its ball member in contact with
the surface.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 7,156,791 teaches yoga grip blocks having one
or more block sections and a grip section that provide support and
comfort in the practice of yoga exercises. The invention includes
preferred materials to fabricate yoga grip blocks and describes
methods of using yoga grip blocks.
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 6,471,623 teaches a push-up exercise holder.
The holder includes a seat, a lever that is pivotally installed on
the holder, and an elastic buffer element is installed between the
seat and the lever. A holding portion of the lever is elevated and
positioned on the seat, and a notch is formed between the lever and
seat so that as the push-up exercise holder is held, it generates a
buffer effect with upward and downward movement of a body.
[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 7,318,794 teaches a yoga block system which
includes a first block and a second block which can either be
rectangularly shaped or triangularly shaped. These blocks are
capable of joining with one another, releaseably, along either a
common face when the blocks are rectangular or along the
hypotenuses when the blocks are triangularly shaped. At least one
of these blocks is preferably hollow enabling a user to gain access
to its interior. Notwithstanding the elements used to join them,
each block presents to a user faces which remain substantially
planar.
[0013] U.S. Pat. No. 7,468,025 teaches a push-up exercise unit and
device is described which may enable a user to move with his/her
body's natural rotation to engage additional muscle groups with
reduced stress on joints. The device can include a handle support
structure having a pair of columns between a lower base and a
separate end cap such that the handle intersects a corresponding
end cap and upper portion of a corresponding column of the handle
support structure. The device includes a fixed base support
attached to the handle support structure, and a bearing assembly to
permit rotation of the contiguous handle, end caps and handle
support structure by a user with the base support resting on a
planar surface. In another example, the handle assembly is
detachable from a first surface on the handle support structure and
inserted into a second surface to facilitate stowage for
travel.
[0014] US Publication 20060089241 teaches a pushup wedge. The
pushup wedge is made of an elastomeric material with a density in
the range of about 25 kg/m.sup.2 to about 150 kg/m.sup.2 and has a
generally wedge shape with a sloping top that slopes between about
5 and 20 degrees from the horizontal from a lower front portion to
a higher rear portion, wherein the rear portion has a generally
curved contour. A retention strap can be further included that
passes over sloping top, which retention strap is adapted for
retaining a user's hand between the strap and the sloping top.
[0015] US Publication 20070161476 teaches a yoga block system which
includes a first block and a second block which can either be
rectangularly shaped or triangularly shaped. These blocks are
capable of joining with one another, releaseably, along either a
common face when the blocks are rectangular or along the
hypotenuses when the blocks are triangularly shaped. At least one
of these blocks is preferably hollow enabling a user to gain access
to its interior. Notwithstanding the adjoining means, each block
presents to a user faces which remain substantially planar.
[0016] US Publication 20070219076 teaches a yoga block that is in
two identical sections which disassemble to form two yoga wedges.
The two yoga wedges are held together in block form by a cylinder
passing through both wedges when the wedges are aligned into the
yoga block form.
[0017] Although the prior art discloses aids for executing
push-ups, none of the patents or publications cited above disclose
the present invention. The present invention allows the user to
stack interlocking or frictionally engaging blocks or foam pads to
achieve a maximum work out. The blocks/pads are stand-alone, and
may be stacked to different heights for each side of the body,
allowing a weaker arm to be worked less than the stronger arm
during a push up. The push up blocks/pads can be used in a number
of ways for exercising a number of different muscle groups. One use
that provides a major advantage over the prior art is for `reverse
pushups`, in which the user sits with his back to the blocks, his
hands on the blocks, and pushes up to work a range of muscle groups
that are not worked by conventional push-ups.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0018] The present invention is an apparatus comprising a stack of
blocks, the stack having at least a top block and a bottom block,
the top block having an interlocking mechanism which removably
connects the top block to the bottom block and maintains the
position of the top block relative to the bottom block and wherein
the top block has a top surface, and the top surface is
substantially uniform.
[0019] In a preferred embodiment, a plurality of blocks may be
arranged into two columns. The user can adjust the height and width
of the columns to accommodate body size, as well as the type of
exercise being performed. The present invention adds a new
dimension to the basic push-up, allowing the user to perform a
variety of different types of push-up. The present invention helps
to strengthen and stretch the human body, and achieve optimum
performance by working different areas of the body, and promoting
peak development of the musculoskeletal system.
[0020] It is an object of the invention to provide a device for use
in exercise.
[0021] It is an object of the invention to provide a device to
facilitate the performance of push-ups.
[0022] It is an object of the invention to provide a plurality of
blocks for stacking to a user's preferred height for performing
push-ups or other exercise.
[0023] It is an object of the invention to provide a plurality of
blocks for stacking for performing push-ups.
[0024] It is an object of the invention to provide a plurality of
stacking blocks for performing reverse push-ups.
[0025] It is an object of the device to provide an exercise mat to
aid in exercises with the stacking blocks.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0026] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of
the present invention, showing individual blocks having rectangular
interlocks.
[0027] FIG. 2 is a front cut away view illustrating rectangular
interlocks and a handle.
[0028] FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the present invention
showing two columns.
[0029] FIG. 4 is a front view of the present invention showing two
columns.
[0030] FIG. 5 is a top view of the present invention showing two
columns.
[0031] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of an alternative
embodiment of the present invention.
[0032] FIG. 7 is a front view of another alternative embodiment of
the present invention.
[0033] FIG. 8 is a view of the embodiment of FIG. 7, in a stowed
configuration.
[0034] FIG. 9 illustrates a use of the present invention.
[0035] FIG. 10 illustrates an alternative use of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0036] FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show an embodiment of the present
invention, showing individual blocks having rectangular interlocks.
A column 100 is formed by arranging a plurality of blocks into a
stack. The blocks are comprised of two types: Top block 112, and
lower block 102. A lower block 102 may serve as the bottom block,
or an intermediate (middle) block within column (for the purposes
of this disclosure, a column may also be referred to as a "stack")
100. A middle block is a block that has a block below it and a
block above it. A bottom block rests on the ground (floor) surface.
Each lower block has a protrusion 108, and a cavity (for the
purposes of this disclosure, a cavity may also be referred to as a
"hollow") 104. The cavity 104 is configured to removably receive
the protrusion 108 from the neighboring block immediately below it,
thereby comprising an interlock mechanism. The top block 112 has
cavity 104, but does not have a protrusion, thereby providing a
larger surface area for the user to contact with during use. The
top surface area of top block 112 is substantially uniform (flat).
However, top block 112 may optionally comprise a gripping surface
on its top, such as but not limited to, a knurled pattern, foam
pad, leather or vinyl, which may be attached or molded (not shown)
to increase the friction between the user and the top block 112.
This serves to prevent slipping during use of the invention.
[0037] Top block 112 may also have handles or rotating handles. In
addition, the blocks may have a flat, rectangularly shaped rotating
piece, i.e., a turntable. Rotation may be effected by any means,
but may, for example be done utilizing a "Lazy Susan" type device,
where the bottom portion of Lazy Susan is attached on the top
surface of the top block 112 and a rotating block or handle is
attached to the top part of the Lazy Susan. In other embodiments
the rotation can be effected by a ball and socket system or a ball
mounted on a post system. A spring may be used so that the rotation
device returns to the at rest position. The rotation mechanism
could also include a locking feature that locks the rotating
handles in on or more positions. One suitable rotation system is
taught in U.S. Pat. No. 7,468,025 issued on Dec. 23, 2008, which is
incorporated herein by reference.
[0038] The handles which could be removably or permanently attached
to the top block 112 or a turntable or to a middle or lower block
102. When the handle is attached to the middle or lower block 102,
the top block cavity 104 may be sized and configured to receive the
handle either attached or when removed. The turntable may also be
removably affixed to top block 112 or middle or lower block 102,
and stored with the one or more blocks or with the cavities between
the blocks.
[0039] The handles can u-shaped, having single or multi-piece
construction (as in U.S. Pat. No. 7,468,025), have only a single
support or may be a single tube recessed with in the top block 112
or middle or lower block 102.
[0040] Top block 112 may also have a removable top portion that can
be flipped and replaced, back into the top block 112, to give the
top block 112 different contours, such as concave to convex, or
flat to convex, etc., or different textured gripping surfaces. The
top block 112 may be further designed to receive a platform that
the user can stand on. This platform can be rectangularly shaped
with moving slides that allow the user to slide his feet back and
forth. The block or platform may have retractable supports that
keep the block stack from tipping.
[0041] The blocks are preferably formed of a sturdy molded plastic,
capable of supporting at least 150 pounds, and more preferably, at
least 200 pounds. The blocks may be manufactured from a variety of
materials, including but not limited to, plastics, rubbers,
elastomers, foams, wood, fiberglass, metals, fabrics, or any
combination of these materials, and different materials may be used
in different parts of the blocks, for instance, a foam rubber may
be used in the interior of the block while a vinyl or neoprene
covering is used as the exterior. While the walls of the blocks are
shown as convex, the walls may be straight or concave. The walls
may also have indentations that allow the user to easily grip the
blocks for separating same from each other.
[0042] The size of the blocks can vary, having a width between 1
inch and 36 inches, with a preferred width between 5 and 6 inches,
and having a length between 1 inch and 72 inches, with a preferred
length between 8 and 9 inches. The wall height of each block may
vary between from 1/4 inch to 48 inches, with an exemplary
embodiment ranging from 1 inch to 3 inches. The columns may be
stacked to any height, from 1/4 inch to 48 inches, with a typical,
column configured to have a height of between 3 and 14 inches, more
preferably, 6 and 14 inches.
[0043] FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 show an exemplary configuration of the
present invention for performing exercises. In this configuration,
two columns 100 are placed at a desired distance for performing
push-up exercises. FIG. 4 shows a front view of the configuration
of FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 shows a top view of the configuration of FIG.
3. Although the column heights are shown as being the same in these
figures, the two columns may be of differing heights, for instance,
the right hand column may be comprised of 4 blocks while the left
hand column is comprised of two blocks, or any number and
configuration of blocks that is desired by the user.
[0044] FIG. 6 shows an alternative embodiment of the present
invention. In this embodiment, a column 200 is formed from a
plurality of lower blocks 202, and a top block 212. The lower
blocks 202 have two cavities 204A and 204B, and two cylindrical
protrusions 208A and 208B. The cavities 204A and 204B of each block
are configured to receive the protrusions 208A and 208B from the
neighboring block immediately below it, thereby comprising an
interlock mechanism. The top block 212 has cavities 204A and 204B,
but does not have any protrusions, thereby providing a larger
surface area for the user to contact with during use.
[0045] FIG. 7 shows yet another alternative embodiment of the
present invention. In this embodiment, each block is of a varying
size. In this embodiment, five blocks (302A-302E) are shown, where
block 302A is the lowest block, and 302E is the top block. Each
block has a corresponding width, wherein block 302A has width D1,
block 302B has width D2, block 302C has width D3, block 302D has
width D4, and block 302E has width D5. The widths (D1-D5) are
chosen such that D1>D2>D3>D4>D5, thereby forming a
stable column 300, when arranged in a sequence (from bottom to top)
of 302A, 302B, 302C, 302D, and 302E, as illustrated in FIG. 7. Note
that to configure column 300 with a lower height, some of the
blocks (for example, blocks 302B and 302C) may be omitted from
column 300.
[0046] FIG. 8 shows the embodiment of FIG. 7 in a stowed
configuration. The various blocks are stowed within the lowest
block 302A. This facilitates easy storage and portability. For
example, with the embodiment of FIG. 8, the present invention may
easily fit within a standard travel suitcase, allowing a user to
use the present invention while traveling.
[0047] As an alternative, the blocks could be formed in a certain
shape so that they stack in a reduced height but when rotated 90 or
180 degrees the blocks would be at the full height. This could be
done with a design that incorporates indents and bump outs that
permit the nesting and stacking.
[0048] While in FIGS. 1-8 three different methods for stacking the
blocks are illustrated, other stacking methods may be used. For
instance, including but not limited to, the blocks may be clamped
together, snapped together, joined by hook and eye fasteners, they
may have friction inducing surface material that allows them to
stay together through frictional forces, they may be joined by
adhesives that are releasable, they may be strapped together, or
they may permanently adhered together if desired,
[0049] Although the blocks disclosed in FIGS. 1-8 are illustrated
as rectangular, any of the blocks discussed herein may be any
shape, including but not limited to, shapes that allow for finger
grips, geometric shapes including but not limited to squares,
circles, triangles, stars, polygons, oblong, animal or cartoon
character shapes, plant shapes, automobile or train shapes,
household item shapes, such as but not limited to, TV shapes,
furniture shapes and their 3-dimensional bodies. The blocks may be
any color and may have imprinted images, designs or lettering on
them, including but not limited to, computer generated images,
stencils, digital images, names, advertising, or logos.
[0050] A specially shaped accessory that attaches to a block could
be incorporated for the purpose of holding ones foot or leg. This
attachment would be to assist in stretching type movements such as
Pilates, simple stretches, or exercises like sit-ups. The special
shape would be used as an assistant to the user as if an extra
person was assisting in holding their legs.
[0051] Blocks could be designed so that on or more blocks or block
stacks could interlock and/or be grouped together. Special shapes,
handles, post, magnets could be used. This would assist in
transporting the blocks or combining them together to make a larger
platform, for example to make a stepper platform. The block stacks
could be held together with resistance bands that could also be
used for additional exercises.
[0052] Rollers, wheels or sliding panels could be added to the
lower block 104, or possibly as an attachment or part of the main
product and one of the blocks. This would permit the movement of
the blocks so that abdominal or stretching exercises could be done.
A single or multiple wheel or rollers can be partially contained
within a specially configured lower block 104. The user can do
additional abdominal exercises by kneeling and stretching out while
holding the blocks and leaning forward. An optional spring or
resistance mechanism attached to the wheel can help propel the
blocks back toward the user.
[0053] FIG. 9 shows a user 375 performing a standard push-up with
the present invention, using two columns 100. By utilizing the
present invention, a longer range of motion is possible, allowing
for increased stretch and muscular development.
[0054] FIG. 10 shows another user 385 performing a reverse push-up
or "dip" using the present invention, again utilizing two columns
100 (note only one column 100 is visible in the side view of FIG.
10). FIG. 10 also illustrates the optional use of exercise mat 391,
to provide improved comfort during use. Exercise mat 391 may also
have exercise instructions on it, and indications where to put the
user's hands and/or feet, knees or elbows when using the exercise
mat 391 with columns 100. The instructions may give different
exercises, varying the number of blocks used, the placement of the
blocks, and the placement of the user's body parts, including any
part of the human body. The indications of where to put the user's
body parts may be written instructions or there may be imprinted
pictures of body parts or their outlines in the areas of the mat
where the user's body parts belong for a certain exercise. There
may be one set of exercise instructions and/or images, or there may
be many, possibly color-coded to indicate which instructions and
images belong together. Coding other than color may be used,
including but not limited to, type of font used, shading, boldness
or lightness of print, the texture of the fabric of the mat cover,
or any other means that conveys the desired information.
[0055] Although the invention is intended for the user to
preferentially use two columns 100 of blocks, one for each hand,
the invention may also be used with only one column 100 of blocks
for both hands, or the user may use only one column 100 with one
hand and no blocks or pads for the other hand.
[0056] Note that while two uses of the present invention are
illustrated (FIG. 9 and FIG. 10), there are many possible
variations. Including, but not limited to, the following alternate
uses. In one alternate use, the user performs push-ups with knees
on ground surface, and hands on columns. In another alternate use,
the user performs push-ups with knees on ground surface, and
forearms on columns. In another alternate use, the user performs
push-ups with feet on ground surface, and forearms on columns.
[0057] It is also possible to have the two columns configured to
unequal heights (e.g., a lower column and a higher column). This is
used in exercises to isolate a single arm (i.e. a "one-arm"
push-up). In this usage, the arm supported by the lower column is
doing more work than the arm supported by the higher column.
[0058] The reader will recognize that many other possible exercise
variations are possible with the present invention. Furthermore,
while the description above contains many specific details, these
should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention, but
merely as providing illustrations of some of the presently
preferred embodiments of the present invention.
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