U.S. patent application number 14/193231 was filed with the patent office on 2015-09-03 for functional body weight circuit training system and method of using exercise devices having a slidable incline.
This patent application is currently assigned to Total Gym Global Corp.. The applicant listed for this patent is Total Gym Global Corp.. Invention is credited to Randall S. Bergstedt, Jesse Thomas Campanaro, Thomas J. Campanaro, Dan McCutcheon.
Application Number | 20150246263 14/193231 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 54006289 |
Filed Date | 2015-09-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150246263 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Campanaro; Thomas J. ; et
al. |
September 3, 2015 |
FUNCTIONAL BODY WEIGHT CIRCUIT TRAINING SYSTEM AND METHOD OF USING
EXERCISE DEVICES HAVING A SLIDABLE INCLINE
Abstract
A system and method of performing functional body weight circuit
training has two or more exercise stations or body weight exercise
devices arranged at spaced locations in a circuit. Each exercise
device is configured for performing one or more body weight
resisted exercises different from the exercises performed on other
exercise devices in the circuit, and has an incline, a sliding
platform slidably engaged on the incline, and at least one
additional user engagement device associated with the incline. A
user engages the sliding platforms and the user engagement devices
of exercise devices at successive exercise stations in the circuit
in turn to perform different exercises at each station until a
circuit training sequence is completed, with exercise resistance
for each exercise provided by the user's body weight engaging the
sliding platform.
Inventors: |
Campanaro; Thomas J.;
(Rancho Santa Fe, CA) ; Campanaro; Jesse Thomas;
(San Diego, CA) ; Bergstedt; Randall S.; (San
Diego, CA) ; McCutcheon; Dan; (San Diego,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Total Gym Global Corp. |
San Diego |
CA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Total Gym Global Corp.
San Diego
CA
|
Family ID: |
54006289 |
Appl. No.: |
14/193231 |
Filed: |
February 28, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/52 ; 482/57;
482/93 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 21/4035 20151001;
A63B 21/225 20130101; A63B 2208/0219 20130101; A63B 21/068
20130101; A63B 2071/025 20130101; A63B 23/03525 20130101; A63B
23/0216 20130101; A63B 23/1236 20130101; A63B 21/4045 20151001;
A63B 23/1218 20130101; A63B 21/4033 20151001; A63B 22/0605
20130101; A63B 23/0211 20130101; A63B 22/0089 20130101; A63B
2022/0652 20130101; A63B 2208/0295 20130101; A63B 21/4034 20151001;
A63B 23/0405 20130101; A63B 2023/0411 20130101; A63B 22/205
20130101; A63B 21/00069 20130101; A63B 23/03566 20130101; A63B
23/1227 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A63B 23/035 20060101
A63B023/035; A63B 23/12 20060101 A63B023/12; A63B 22/20 20060101
A63B022/20; A63B 23/04 20060101 A63B023/04; A63B 21/00 20060101
A63B021/00; A63B 21/068 20060101 A63B021/068 |
Claims
1. A method of performing functional body weight circuit training,
comprising: arranging two or more exercise stations at spaced
locations in a circuit for circuit training, the exercise stations
each comprising a body weight exercise device configured for
performance of at least one exercise different from exercises
performed on at least one other exercise device in the circuit,
wherein the exercise resistance for each exercise is dependent on a
user's body weight; each body weight exercise device having an
incline with a lower end and an upper end, a sliding platform
slidably engaged on the incline, and at least one additional user
engagement device associated with the incline, wherein the exercise
resistance for at least one exercise at each exercise station is
dependent on the user's body weight engaging the sliding platform
on the incline; and a user engaging the sliding platforms and the
user engagement devices of exercise devices at successive exercise
stations in the circuit in turn to perform different exercises at
each station until a circuit training sequence is completed.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the exercise stations include a
core exercise station comprising a core exercise device having a
fixed upper support located at the upper end of the incline, the
upper support comprising said user engagement device, the user
engaging the sliding platform with their feet or knees while
engaging the upper support with their forearm or pads and pulling
the sliding platform upwards along the incline towards the upper
support to exercise core muscles at the core exercise station.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the exercise stations include a
leg exercise station comprising a leg exercise device having a
fixed upper platform at the upper end of the incline comprising
said user engagement device, the user engaging the sliding platform
with one foot and the floor with the other foot to perform lunge
exercises for exercising leg muscles, and performing step up
exercises using the fixed upper platform.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the two or more exercise stations
include a press up exercise station for performing a press
exercise, the press up exercise station comprising a press up
exercise device having a handle bar at the lower end of the incline
comprising said user engagement device, the user engaging the
sliding platform with part of their body while gripping the handle
bar with at least one hand and pushing the sliding platform up the
incline to perform press up exercises at the press up station.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the two or more exercise stations
include a pull up exercise station for performing a pull up
exercise, the pull up exercise station comprising a pull up
exercise device having a fixed pull up bar comprising said user
engagement device at or adjacent the upper end of the incline, the
user lying on the sliding platform with their stomach while
gripping the fixed pull up bar with one or both hands and pulling
the sliding platform towards the pull up bar to perform exercises
at the pull up exercise station.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the two or more exercise stations
include two or more of core, leg, press up, and pull up exercise
stations
7. The method of claim 6, wherein the two or more exercise stations
include at least following: core, leg, press up, and pull up
exercise stations
8. The method of claim 1, wherein the two or more exercise stations
include a cycling exercise station comprising a cycling exercise
device having a crank support spaced forward from the lower end of
the incline, a pair of crank arms rotatably mounted on opposite
sides of the crank support, and a pair of pedals mounted on the
respective crank arms configured for engagement by the feet of a
user and comprising said user engagement device, the user engaging
the sliding platform with their body while engaging the pedals with
their feet, and cycling the pedals with their feet while holding
the sliding platform at a raised position on the incline to perform
cycling exercise at the cycling exercise station.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein the two or more exercise stations
include a dip exercise station comprising a dip exercise device
having a pair of handles on opposite sides of the incline at a
location spaced between the upper and lower ends, the pair of
handles comprising said user engagement device, the user lying on
the sliding platform and gripping the handles with their hands
while raising and lowering the sliding platform to perform dip
exercises at the dip exercise station.
10. The method of claim 1, wherein the two or more exercise
stations include a squat exercise station comprising a squat
exercise device having a squat platform extending outward at an
angle to the lower end of the incline, the squat platform
comprising said user engagement device, the user engaging the
sliding platform with their back while engaging the squat platform
with one or both feet with one or both knees bent, and pushing the
sliding platform up the incline while extending their legs to
perform squat exercises at the squat exercise station.
11. The method of claim 1, wherein the two or more exercise
stations comprise three to eight exercise stations.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein the exercise stations comprise
at least a core exercise station, a leg exercise station, a press
up exercise station, and a pull up exercise station.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein the exercise stations further
comprise a cycling exercise station.
14. The method of claim 12, wherein the exercise stations further
comprise a dip exercise station.
15. The method of claim 12, wherein the exercise stations further
comprise a squat exercise station.
16. The method of claim 12, wherein the exercise stations further
comprise a cycling exercise station, a dip exercise station, and a
squat exercise station.
17. The method of claim 12, wherein a user performs exercises
sequentially around the circuit in the following order: core
exercises at the core exercise station, leg exercises at the leg
exercise station, press up exercises at the press up exercise
station, and pull up exercises at the pull up exercise station.
18. The method of claim 16, wherein a user performs exercises
sequentially around the circuit in the following order: core
exercises at the core exercise station, leg exercises at the leg
exercise station, cycling exercises at the cycling exercise
station, press up exercises at the press up exercise station, dip
exercises at the dip exercise station, pull up exercises at the
pull up exercise station, and squat exercises at the squat exercise
station.
19. A functional body weight circuit training system, comprising:
at least two different body weight exercise devices configured for
performance of respective different exercises in a functional
training circuit; each body weight exercise device having an
incline with a lower end and an upper end, a sliding platform
slidably engaged on the incline and configured for engagement by
part of a user's body during an exercise, and at least one
additional user engagement device associated with the incline,
wherein the exercise resistance for at least one exercise at each
exercise station is dependent on the user's body weight engaging
the sliding platform on the incline.
20. The system of claim 19, wherein the body weight exercise
devices include a core exercise device having a fixed upper support
located at the upper end of the incline, the upper support
comprising said user engagement device, the fixed upper support
configured for a user's forearms or hands while engaging the
sliding platform with their feet or knees and pulling the sliding
platform upwards along the incline towards the upper support to
exercise core muscles.
21. The system of claim 20, wherein the incline of the core
exercise device is at a fixed inclination angle in the range of 15
to 20 degrees.
22. The system of claim 20, wherein the exercise devices further
comprise a leg exercise device having a fixed upper platform at the
upper end of the incline comprising said user engagement device,
the fixed upper platform configured for engagement by the user's
feet to perform step up exercises and the sliding platform
configured for engagement by one foot of the user to perform lunge
exercise with the other foot on the ground.
23. The system of claim 22, wherein the fixed upper platform and
sliding platform both have slip resistant foot engagement
surfaces.
24. The system of claim 23, wherein the incline of the leg exercise
device is at a fixed inclination angle to the horizontal direction
which is less than the inclination angle of the incline of the core
exercise device.
25. The system of claim 20, wherein the exercise devices further
comprise a press up exercise device configured for performing a
press exercise, the press up exercise device having a handle bar at
the lower end of the incline comprising said user engagement
device, the handle bar being configured for gripping by the user
with at least one hand while engaging the sliding platform with
their body, and pushing the sliding platform up the incline to
perform press up exercises at the press up station.
26. The system of claim 25, wherein the press up exercise device
further comprises a floor engaging forward end support at the lower
end of the incline which supports the lower end of the incline and
the handle bar at a raised position above the floor.
27. The system of claim 25, wherein the inclination angle of the
incline of the press up exercise device is greater than the
inclination angle of the incline of the core exercise device.
28. The system of claim 25, wherein the inclination angle of the
incline of the press up exercise device is adjustable in a range
from approximately 9 degrees to approximately 32 degrees.
29. The system of claim 20, wherein the exercise devices further
comprise a pull up exercise device configured for performing a pull
up exercise, the pull up exercise device having a fixed pull up bar
comprising said user engagement device at or adjacent the upper end
of the incline, the fixed pull up bar being configured for gripping
with one or both hands and pulling the sliding platform up the
incline while the user's body is supported on the sliding
platform.
30. The system of claim 29, wherein the inclination angle of the
incline of the pull up exercise device is adjustable in the range
from approximately 18 degrees to approximately 36 degrees.
31. The system of claim 19, wherein the exercise devices include
two or more of a core exercise device, a leg exercise device, a
press up exercise device, and a pull up exercise device.
32. The system of claim 31, wherein the exercise devices further
comprise a cycling exercise device having a cycling mount with two
oppositely directed, rotatably mounted pedals spaced forward from
the lower end of the incline and comprising said user engagement
device configured for engagement by the user's feet and performance
of stationary cycling exercise when the user's body is engaged on
the sliding platform of the cycling exercise device.
33. The system of claim 31, wherein the exercise devices further
comprise a dip exercise device having a pair of handles on opposite
sides of the incline at a location spaced between the upper and
lower ends of the incline, the pair of handles comprising said user
engagement device and being configured for gripping by a user's
hands to raise and lower the sliding platform while the user lies
on the sliding platform.
34. The system of claim 31, wherein the exercise devices further
comprise a squat exercise device having a squat platform at the
lower end of the incline, the squat platform extending outward at
an angle to the lower end of the incline and comprising said user
engagement device for engagement by one or both of user's feet and
pushing the sliding platform up the incline to perform squat
exercises with the user's back engaged on the sliding platform.
35. The system of claim 19, wherein the two or more exercise
devices comprise three to eight exercise devices.
36. The system of claim 35, wherein the exercise devices comprise
at least four exercise devices, comprising a core exercise device,
a leg exercise device, a press up exercise device, and a pull up
exercise device.
37. The system of claim 36, wherein the exercise devices further
comprise a cycling exercise device.
38. The system of claim 36, wherein the exercise devices further
comprise a dip exercise device.
39. The system of claim 36, wherein the exercise devices further
comprise a squat exercise device.
40. The system of claim 36, wherein the exercise devices further
comprise a cycling exercise device, a dip exercise device, and a
squat exercise device.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates, in general, to exercise
devices and methods of using the same. More particularly, the
present invention relates to a functional body weight circuit
training system and method using a series of exercise devices
designed for performing different exercises.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Circuit training has become a popular form of exercise for
improving health and fitness. Some exercise facilities or gyms have
exercise devices arranged in a circuit for performing a
predetermined sequence of exercises for exercising different
muscles and muscle groups. The exercise devices are designed to
work different parts of the body individually for a short period of
time, with the user moving in the circuit from exercise to
exercise. Circuit training is designed to improve cardiovascular
fitness and muscle endurance.
[0003] Exercise devices are known in which a user, positioned on a
support platform, propels that support platform up an inclined
ramp. One way by which the platform may be propelled is by pulling
a cable connected to the support platform through a variety of
pulleys positioned on the exercise device. By changing positions on
the platform and by changing the method by which the platform is
propelled, a user can exercise multiple muscle groups sequentially
on a single exercise device. This type of exercise device is
sometimes used to perform a circuit or sequence of exercises on the
same exercise device. However, set up and switching between
different exercise accessories and body positions on the exercise
device can take some time.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Certain embodiments as disclosed herein provide for a
functional body weight exercise method and system for performing
body weight circuit training on a series of different exercise
devices each having a user engageable glideboard or support
platform slidably mounted on an incline and each configured for
performing a different exercise from the other exercise devices in
the circuit.
[0005] An aspect of the invention involves a functional body weight
circuit training exercise system and method including two or more
different exercise device stations of different exercise devices
where exercise resistance at each station is dependent upon body
weight on a slidable incline. The exercise device stations each
comprise an incline having a first end and a second end and a user
support platform for engagement by the user movably attached to the
adjustable incline and configured for movement along the incline.
At least one of the two or more exercise stations may be a core
exercise device configured for performance of core exercises, a leg
exercise device configured for performance of leg exercises, a
press up exercise device configured for performance of press
exercises, or a pull up exercise device for performance of pull up
exercises. The two or more exercise device stations may be any
combination of two or more different exercise devices selected from
a core exercise device, a leg exercise device, a press exercise
device, and a pull up exercise device. The training exercise system
may include one or more additional exercise device stations
selected from the group consisting of a cycling exercise device
configured for performance of recumbent cycling exercises, a dip
exercise device configured for performance of dip exercises, and a
squat exercise device configured for performance of squat
exercises.
[0006] The incline exercise devices are each designed for
performance of a specific exercise or one or more similar exercises
and are relatively simple, typically requiring little or no
pre-exercise set up or adjustment and thus little or minimal time
between exercises at successive circuit training exercise device
stations.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and
constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of
the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain
the objects, advantages, and principles of the invention. In the
drawings,
[0008] FIG. 1 illustrates a first embodiment of a body weight
training circuit of multiple exercise devices each designed for
performance of a different exercise and having a user support
slidable on an incline;
[0009] FIG. 2 is a second embodiment illustrating a different body
weight training circuit of multiple different slidable incline
exercise devices;
[0010] FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of one embodiment of the
core trainer exercise device of FIGS. 1 and 2, shown on a larger
scale;
[0011] FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the core trainer exercise
device of FIG. 3;
[0012] FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the core trainer exercise
device of FIGS. 3 and 4;
[0013] FIG. 6 is a front elevation view of one embodiment of the
leg trainer exercise device of FIGS. 1 and 2, shown on a larger
scale;
[0014] FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of the leg trainer exercise
device of FIG. 6;
[0015] FIG. 8 is a bottom plan view of the leg trainer exercise
device of FIGS. 6 and 7;
[0016] FIG. 9 is a front elevation view of an embodiment of an
adjustable press up trainer exercise device;
[0017] FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the press up trainer exercise
device of FIG. 9;
[0018] FIG. 11 is a side elevation view illustrating the press up
trainer exercise device of FIGS. 9 and 10;
[0019] FIG. 12 is a front perspective view of one embodiment of the
pull up trainer exercise device of FIGS. 1 and 2, shown on a larger
scale;
[0020] FIG. 13 is a bottom plan view of the pull up trainer
exercise device of FIG. 12;
[0021] FIG. 14 is a side elevation view of the pull up trainer
exercise device of FIGS. 12 and 13;
[0022] FIG. 15 is a rear elevation view of the pull up trainer
exercise device of FIGS. 12 to 14;
[0023] FIG. 16 is a front perspective view of one embodiment of the
cycling trainer exercise device of FIG. 2, shown on a larger
scale;
[0024] FIG. 17 is a side elevation view of the cycling trainer
exercise device of FIG. 16;
[0025] FIG. 18 is a top plan view of the cycling trainer exercise
device of FIGS. 16 and 17;
[0026] FIG. 19 is a front elevation view of the cycling trainer
exercise device of FIGS. 16 to 18;
[0027] FIG. 20 is a front perspective view of one embodiment of the
dip trainer exercise device of FIG. 2, shown on a larger scale;
[0028] FIG. 21 is a top plan view of the dip trainer exercise
device of FIG. 20;
[0029] FIG. 22 is a front elevation view of the dip trainer
exercise device of FIGS. 20 and 21;
[0030] FIG. 23 is a side elevation view of the dip trainer exercise
device of FIGS. 20 to 22;
[0031] FIG. 24 is a front perspective view of one embodiment of the
squat exercise device of FIG. 2, shown on a larger scale;
[0032] FIG. 25 is a top plan view of the squat exercise device of
FIG. 24;
[0033] FIG. 26 is a front elevation view of the squat exercise
device of FIGS. 24 and 25;
[0034] FIG. 27 is a side elevation view of the squat exercise
device of FIGS. 24 to 26;
[0035] FIG. 28 is a top plan view of one embodiment of the incline
adjustment device or adjustable strut assembly of the exercise
devices of FIGS. 9-11, 12-15, 20-23 and 24-27;
[0036] FIG. 29 is a side elevation view of the strut assembly of
FIG. 28; and
[0037] FIG. 29A is an enlarged view of the area enclosed by dotted
lines in FIG. 29.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0038] Certain embodiments as disclosed herein provide for a
functional body weight exercise method and system for performing
body weight circuit training on a series of different exercise
devices each having a user engageable glideboard or support
platform slidably mounted on an incline and each configured for
performing a different exercise from the other exercise devices in
the circuit.
[0039] After reading this description it will become apparent to
one skilled in the art how to implement the invention in various
alternative embodiments and alternative applications. However,
although various embodiments of the present invention will be
described herein, it is understood that these embodiments are
presented by way of example only, and not limitation. As such, this
detailed description of various alternative embodiments should not
be construed to limit the scope or breadth of the present
invention.
[0040] FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate two examples of complete functional
training circuits using inclined exercise devices which use the
exerciser's body weight as the resistance mechanism. Although two
possible exercise circuits are illustrated, it will be understood
that different exercise training circuits may be used which include
different numbers and combinations of the exercise devices
illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, as well as modified inclined exercise
devices. The structure of the exercise device at each station
includes an inclined slide rail or rails, a glideboard or user
support platform slidably mounted on the rail or rails for
engagement by part of a user's body, as well as a separate device
for engagement by another part of the body to perform exercises
involving raising or lowering the platform along the rails or
holding the platform in a raised position while performing the
exercise.
[0041] One embodiment of a functional training circuit 10 is
illustrated in FIG. 1. This circuit includes four basic inclined
exercise devices, specifically a core training exercise device 12,
a leg training exercise device 14, a press up training exercise
device 15, and a pull up training exercise device 16. In
alternative embodiments, a circuit may include two to eight incline
plane exercise devices. The four exercise devices in FIG. 1 are the
four basic and most important exercises, covering a user's core,
leg, chest, arms, shoulders, and back muscles. Each of these
devices is designed to be easy to use even by beginners, with
little or no set up or adjustment needed before exercising, and no
selection of accessories to be selectively attached at various
locations on the devices. Some of the exercise devices are at a
fixed angle, while others allow some adjustment of the incline
angle, as discussed in more detail below.
[0042] FIG. 2 illustrates a second example of a functional body
weight training circuit 100, which has seven exercise stations each
of which has an inclined exercise device with a sliding glideboard
designed for performance of a different exercise or type of
exercise from the other stations. Circuit 100 includes the four
basic exercise stations 12, 14, 15 and 16 of FIG. 1, as well as
three additional exercise stations, specifically a cycling exercise
station 102 which follows leg training exercise station 14, a dip
training exercise station 104 following press up training exercise
station 15, and a squat training exercise station 105 after pull up
training exercise station 16. The exercise sequence in this circuit
is therefore core training exercises at station 12 (body muscles
apart from arms and legs); leg training exercises at station 14
(leg muscles); cycling exercises at station 102 (cardiovascular
exercise as well as leg muscles, core muscles and others); press up
exercises at station 15 (shoulder, arms, back and chest muscles);
dip exercises at station 104 (triceps and shoulder muscles); pull
up exercises at station 16 (latissimus dorsi and biceps muscles);
and squat exercises at station 105 (quadriceps, gluteal group,
hamstrings, gastrocnemius muscles).
[0043] The core training or inclined exercise device 12 is
illustrated in more detail in FIGS. 3 to 5 and is designed for
performing core exercises which generally exercise muscles of the
body excluding arm and leg muscles. Device 12 basically comprises a
pair of rails 18 having upper ends 20 secured to the upper ends of
a pair of support posts 22 and lower ends secured to a cross bar or
base support 24, so that the rails are inclined at a selected
angle. In one embodiment, the angle of rails 18 may be around 10 to
50 degrees. In the device 12 of this embodiment, the rails are at a
fixed incline angle of approximately 17 degrees. A glideboard or
user support platform 25 is slidably mounted via rollers (not
illustrated) on the rails for sliding movement up and down the
rails. A fixed upper support pad 26 in a horizontal orientation is
provided at the upper end of support posts 22, and a handle 28
extends upward from support 26. Wheels 30 provided at opposite ends
of base or cross bar 24 allow for easy transport of the device to a
selected circuit position. This device is similar to the inclined
exercise device described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,075,457 of Campanaro
et al., the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference,
apart from the elimination of the adjustment tower of the device
described in that patent which allows adjustment of the incline
angle.
[0044] In order to perform a core muscle training exercises using
inclined exercise device 12, the exerciser or user can perform a
plank exercise with movement of the upper extremity (hands or
forearms) or lower extremity (feet or knees). Starting in a
standard plank position with feet on the floor and forearms on the
sliding pad or platform 25, the user slides the pad away from their
torso and upwards on the incline, with increasing difficulty and
recruitment of core musculature. An alternative primary movement
has the user with their forearms or hands on the upper support pad
26 and their feet or knees on the sliding pad, pulling the pad up
to the top of the machine. The handle 28 may also be gripped by the
hands while the forearms rest on upper support pad 26 when pulling
the sliding pad up the incline. The various possible positions of
the knees or feet adjust exercise intensity and level of
recruitment of the core musculature.
[0045] The leg training exercise device 14 is illustrated in more
detail in FIGS. 6 to 8 and is similar in some respects to the core
exercise training device. Leg training exercise device basically
comprises a pair of inclined rails 30 having upper and lower ends,
inclined rear support posts 32, a glideboard or user support
platform 35 slidably engaged on inclined rails 30, and a raised,
horizontal platform 36 secured to the upper ends of the rear
support posts 32. The upper ends of rails 30 are secured to rear
support posts 32 beneath raised platform 36, as best seen in FIG.
7. A floor engaging base or cross bar 34 extends across the lower
ends of rails 30. The fixed angle of inclination of rails 30 is
less than that of core exercise device 12 and may be in the range
from around 3 to 20 degrees. Both the glideboard 35 and the raised
platform 36 have anti-slip patterns of raised bumps 38 on their
upper surface to provide better grip for a user's feet when
performing various exercises. In one embodiment, the incline angle
of rails 30 is around 12 degrees, but other embodiments may have
incline angles in the range from 3 to 20 degrees.
[0046] The leg training exercise device 14 can be used for lunges,
step ups and jumps. Lunges are performed by a user standing in
front of the base 34 facing the incline, and placing one foot on
the floor and the other on the glideboard 35. The user then pushes
the glideboard up the rails by lunging forward while lowering the
hips toward the floor. Lunges may also be performed by a user
standing in opposite lateral facing positions with one foot on the
ground and the other engaging the glideboard, then pushing the
glideboard up the incline while performing a single leg squat with
the other leg. Another option is a lunge performed while facing
away from the incline, again with one foot on the floor and the
ball of the other foot engaging the bottom edge of the glideboard.
The user then pushes the glideboard up the rails while performing a
single leg squat with the stationary leg. The raised platform 36 is
used for performing step ups and jumps.
[0047] FIGS. 9 to 11 illustrate one embodiment of the press up
training exercise device 15 of FIGS. 1 and 2. Device 15 has an
adjustable rail inclination of 7 to 32 degrees. The press up
training exercise device 15 has a pair of rails 42 having upper
ends 44 and lower ends 45 and supported at a suitable inclination
angle, with an elongated glideboard or user support platform 46
slidably mounted on the rails. A handlebar 47 extends across the
lower ends of the rails. The glideboard 46 is shown at the lowest
position on the rails in both FIGS. 1, 2, 9, 10 and FIG. 11.
[0048] The lower ends of the rails on exercise device 15 are
supported at a raised position on lower support posts 51 and 52,
and the upper ends of the rails are supported by an adjustable
linkage or support assembly 55. The inclination angle is adjusted
so that the rails extend at the desired inclination angle dependent
on the average ability of the users. The lower ends of rails 42 of
the adjustable incline exercise device 15 are supported at a raised
elevation (see FIG. 11) by posts 51 which extend upward from base
support 52 which is similar to the base supports of the core and
leg training exercise devices and has wheels 54 for ease of moving
and positioning the device. Adjustable support assembly 55 supports
the rails 42 at a selected inclination angle. Assembly 55 comprises
a floor engaging base strut 56, a pair of struts 58 extending at an
angle from base strut 56 and pivotally secured to the respective
rails 42 at their upper ends via pivots 60, and a telescopically
adjustable strut assembly 62 extending between cross bar 63 which
extends between lower portions of struts 58 and a cross bar 64 at
its upper end which is pivotally connected to the rails 42 via
pivots 65. The telescopic strut assembly 62 is illustrated in more
detail in FIGS. 28 to 29A. A spring loaded locking pin or pawl (see
FIG. 29A) actuated by handle or lever 66 extends through aligned
openings in telescoping portions 62A and 62B of arm 62 to control
the inclination angle. A user can simply actuate handle 66 to
release the locking pin from the telescoping portions of the arm,
and then adjust the length of arm 62 up or down using the same
handle before releasing it to lock the arm at the adjusted length
when the desired inclination angle is reached. In one embodiment,
this mechanism may provide adjustment of the rail inclination angle
in a range from around 9 to 50 degrees for increasing exercise
difficulty.
[0049] The press up exercise training device 15 is used as a closed
chain shoulder press, where the handle bar 47 remains stationary
while the user presses their body up the rails using the sliding
glideboard 46. In order to perform the shoulder press exercise, the
user lies face down on the board with the board at the lowermost
position on the rails and their chest near the lower end of the
board and their legs extending upward, and then grips the handles
of handle bar 47. The user then slowly presses the glideboard up
the rails until their arms are nearly straight. The board may be
slowly lowered down the rails by the user before repeating the
press up movement. A second exercise may be performed by gripping
the handles and performing decline push up exercises while holding
the glideboard in a stationary, raised position on the rails.
[0050] The pull up training exercise device 16 is illustrated in
more detail in FIGS. 12 to 15. As with all the other training
devices, exercise device 16 has a pair of rails 70 which are
supported at an incline between the lower and upper ends of the
rails, with a glideboard or user support platform 72 slidably
supported on the rails. Floor engaging base or cross bar 74 with
wheels 75 extends across the lower ends of the rails. The rails are
supported at an adjustable inclined angle via an adjustable support
assembly 55 which is similar or identical to the support assembly
55 of the press up exercise training device 15, and like reference
numbers are used for like parts as appropriate. The rails are
secured together via cross bar 77 at their upper ends, and a pull
up handle bar 78 is secured across the rails 70 adjacent cross bar
77, as best illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 15. Handle bar 78 has
different grip portions 79A and 79B which allow the user to grip
the handle bar with their hands in different gripping
orientations.
[0051] As in the press up training device 15, the adjustable
support assembly 55 of pull up exercise device 16 comprises a floor
engaging base strut 56, a pair of struts 58 extending at an angle
from base strut 56 and pivotally secured to the respective rails 42
at their upper ends via pivots 60, and a telescopically adjustable
strut assembly 62 located between cross bars 63 which extends
between lower portions of struts 58 and a cross bar 64 at its upper
end which is pivotally connected to the rails 42 via pivots 65.
Strut assembly 62 is illustrated in FIGS. 28 to 29A and described
in more detail below. A spring loaded locking pin 80 secures the
telescopically engaged portions of arm 62 at a selected extension,
and may be pulled up by a user in order to adjust the length of arm
62 and thus the inclination angle of rails 70 to vary the exercise
difficulty or resistance. Pin 80 may be replaced or actuated by an
actuator handle 66 as in the previous embodiment. The range of
adjustment of the inclination angle is around 18 to 36 degrees.
[0052] The pull up training exercise device 16 is used by lying on
the stomach on the sliding glideboard 72 and grabbing the handles
at the opposite ends of handlebar 78. Pulling the glideboard up
from the lowermost position of FIG. 12 towards the upper end 77 of
the rails in this position creates a pull up movement exercising
the latissimus dorsi and biceps muscles.
[0053] In the circuit 10 of FIG. 1, exercisers can move in sequence
around the incline exercise devices 12, 14, 15 and 16, performing
exercises on each device for a selected time period in order to
exercise core muscles, leg muscles, arm muscles, shoulder/back and
chest muscles, and latissimus dorsi and biceps muscles,
respectively. Each exercise uses body weight as the resistance
mechanism while the sliding surface of the glideboard provides a
dynamic environment for exercise in a controlled or limited range.
The ease and simplicity of use of each of the exercise devices
makes the circuit effective for beginners. At the same time, simple
progressions are available to add difficulty for more experienced
users, such as varied incline angle for adjustable incline exercise
devices, different body positions, and the like.
[0054] The cycling exercise device 102 is illustrated in more
detail in FIGS. 16 to 19. This is similar in some respects to the
inclined cycling exercise device of U.S. Pat. No. 6,551,219 of
Brown, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference,
but is of much simpler design. As in the other exercise devices,
cycling exercise device has a glideboard or user support platform
110 slidably mounted on inclined rails 112, but in this case the
platform 110 has an angled seat portion 114 at its lower end, to
allow the user to adopt a reclined seated position while cycling
their legs. Handles 113 project outward from glideboard 110 on
opposite sides of seat portion 114. The rails 112 are supported in
a raised position at their forward ends by front support posts 115
and at a higher elevation at their rear ends by longer, rear
support posts 116. The incline angle in this embodiment is fixed,
but may be varied in alternative embodiments, with an adjustment
mechanism as described above in connection with the press up or
pull up station, or as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,551,219
referenced above. The inclination angle may be in the range from 25
to 45 degrees to the horizontal direction. In illustrated
embodiment, the fixed incline angle of rails to the horizontal
direction was around 27 degrees.
[0055] A base strut 118 extends forward from a cross bar 120
extending between front rail support posts 115, and has a floor
engaging cross bar or base 122 at its forward end, with wheels 124
at opposite ends of the cross bar. Bicycle crank 125 is rotatably
supported in crank support housing 126, which is mounted on a
forward end portion of base strut 118. Crank 125 includes left and
right crank arms 128, 129 with pedals 130, 132 at their ends for
engagement by the user's feet. Any suitable resistance, such as a
flywheel as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,551,219 mounted in housing
126 may be connected to crank 125 by a belt or drive train.
[0056] The cycle trainer or cycling exercise device 102 is similar
to a recumbent stationary bike, except that the user is supported
on sliding platform 110,114 on a gradual incline (i.e. inclined
slide rails 112). In order to perform the exercise, the user
employs core and additional muscles to hold the sliding platform in
a raised position on rails 112. There are three possible "riding"
positions. The first, less difficult position is lying in recumbent
position seated on seat portion 114 with the back engaging the
platform 110, and gripping handles 113 while engaging and rotating
pedals 130, 132 with the feet. The second position is like the
first position, but pushing the glideboard up and away from the
lower bumpers while cycling. The third, most difficult position
starts from the second, raised glideboard position, with the user
lifting their hips off the sliding platform or board, and bridging
or raising their body between the shoulder blades and the feet
engaging the pedals. The latter option dramatically increases
muscle recruitment of the hamstrings. In either case, the user
attempts to keep the torso or part of the body engaging the sliding
platform stationary, i.e. attempting to hold the platform
stationary, while cycling with the legs. This provides both tonic
and phasic exercise to selected muscle groups, such as the leg
muscles.
[0057] The dip training exercise device or station 104 is
illustrated in more detail in FIGS. 20 to 23, and comprises an
elongated sliding platform or glideboard 135 slidably mounted on
inclined rails 136 which are secured to floor engaging base or
cross bar 138 at their lower ends, and supported at a selected
inclination by means of adjustable support assembly 140. Wheels 139
are provided on the front floor engaging cross bar 138, as with the
other exercise stations. Adjustable support assembly 140 has a pair
of support struts 142 extending upwards and forwards at an angle
from floor engaging rear cross bar or strut 144 and pivotally
connected to the rails 136 at their upper ends via pivots 145,
along with a two level adjustment mechanism or linkage 146 which is
adjustable via handles 149 to adjust the rail angle between two
levels.
[0058] Handles 150 extend upwards from rails 136 on opposite sides
of platform 135 for gripping by a user when performing dip
exercises. Platform 135 has a foot support pad 152 at its lower end
which has a similar anti-slip surface pattern 154 to the slide
platform 35 and upper support or step up platform 36 of the leg
exercise device 14.
[0059] In order to perform exercises on the dip training exercise
device 104, the user or exerciser lays back on the sliding
glideboard 135 and grabs handles 150 on the opposite sides of
glideboard 135. They then raise and lower the board in this
position, exercising the triceps and shoulder muscles.
[0060] The squat exercise device or station 105 is illustrated in
more detail in FIGS. 24 to 27, and comprises a sliding platform or
glideboard 155 slidably mounted on inclined rails 156 which are
secured to a floor engaging cross bar 158 at their lower ends and
are supported in an inclined orientation at a selected inclination
angle by an adjustable support assembly 160. Adjustable support
assembly 55 is similar or identical to the adjustable support
assembly 55 of the press up exercise device 15, and like reference
numbers are used for like parts as appropriate. In one embodiment,
the incline angle of squat station rails 156 is in the range from
18 to 36 degrees.
[0061] A squat stand 162 is secured to the rails 156 adjacent their
lower ends via pins or bolts 163. Squat stand has a support frame
164 which curves upwards away from rails 156, and a support pad or
plate 165 is secured to frame 164 for engagement by the user's feet
when performing squat exercises.
[0062] The squat trainer or exercise device 105 allows the user to
perform a standard squat movement at an incline with their back on
the moving glideboard 155. The squat exercise starts with the
glideboard in a raised position and the user's feet engaging squat
support pad or foot plate 165. The user then lowers the glideboard
until their knees and hips are bent at around ninety degrees. A
more difficult exercise would be a bridge squat where the user
starts with their lower body raised from the glideboard in a
"bridge" position. A second exercise which can be performed on
exercise device 105 is a plyometric squat exercise, performed by
jumping off the squat stand at the base of the unit while pushing
the glideboard upwards, so that the user's feet leave the board.
Additional variations involve using only one foot as well as
positioning the feet in various locations and orientations on the
platform. In one embodiment, a braking device (not visible in the
drawings) between the glideboard and rails which slows the jump on
the way up, reducing the travel distance. This reduces floor space
requirements and also reduces landing impact on the body.
[0063] FIGS. 28 to 29A illustrate the telescopic strut assembly 62
used in the exercise devices of FIGS. 9 to 15, and 24 to 27 in
order to adjust the incline to a selected inclination angle. In
FIGS. 28 to 29A, the internal adjustment structure of the strut
assembly is shown in dotted outline. As indicated, the strut
assembly comprises a first strut 62A extending from cross member 63
and engaged telescopically in the end of a second, larger strut 62B
extending from strut 62A to cross bar 64 which is pivotally
connected to the side rails of the incline, as described above in
connection with the adjustable incline exercise devices (see FIGS.
14 and 15, for example). The adjustment mechanism is a rack and
pawl adjuster, with a series of teeth or holes 172 in the lower
wall of inner telescoping strut 62A, and a pawl 170 inside the
upper strut 62A which is actuated by handle or lever 66 (see FIGS.
29 and 29A). Pawl 170 engages one of the teeth 172 in the locked
condition to hold the incline at the selected angle. A lift assist
strut or rod 175 extends inside the telescoping struts between
opposite ends of the struts, as illustrated in dotted outline in
FIGS. 28 and 29. In order to adjust the angle, a user simply lifts
the rails in order to slide the pawl out of engagement with the
tooth or hole 172. In order to increase the angle, the rails are
lifted to a desired angle while the pawl slides over the top of
teeth 172, and then released so that the pawl engages the aligned
tooth or hole. In order to lower the rails and reduce the incline
angle, the user lifts the rail slightly first to disengage the
pawl, then presses lever 66 to hold the pawl away from the rack
while lowering the rail to the desired angle. The lift assist strut
or rod assists the user in raising the rails when the pawl is
released.
[0064] It should be understood that there are other possible
combinations of the inclined exercise devices illustrated in FIGS.
1 and 2 which could be used in different training circuit
arrangements and combinations of two to seven of the exercise
devices. In each exercise, exercise resistance is dependent on body
weight on a slidable incline. In the adjustable incline exercise
devices, exercise resistance can be varied by adjusting the
inclination angle of the incline.
[0065] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various
modifications and variations can be made in the exercise devices
described above, features of the exercise devices, the methods of
using the exercise devices, the methods of instruction using the
exercise devices, and other methods described herein without
departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. In the claims
that follow, elements are generally described in a singular sense;
however, the claimed element includes the element in the singular
or more than one of the claimed element. Thus, it is intended that
the present invention cover modifications and variations of this
invention provided they come within the scope of the appended
claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *