Exercise mat apparatus

Abstract

An exercise apparatus comprising: a first mat including a resilient outer cover; and an inner pad located within the resilient outer cover; and at least one further mat having a resilient outer cover; and an inner pad located within the resilient outer cover of the at least one further mat, wherein the inner pad of the first mat has a different density to the inner pad of the at least one further mat.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to exercise mats for use in fitness and rehabilitation training, including aerobic, anaerobic and plyometric exercising, and more particularly, to a configuration of mats of different densities and thicknesses such that the user's body must adjust to the different density mats when moving from one mat to the next. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Conventional exercise mats comprise a firm padding enclosed in a durable material. The mats are of a uniform density and provide no range of instability and no varied density in the surface. A difference in density from one surface to another requires a person travelling from one surface to another to adjust their muscles to maintain balance thereby enhancing proprioception. This induces the use of more muscles throughout the course of an exercise routine. [0003] Various compositions for mats are known in the prior art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,574,101 to Tricca et al. teache...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006] The present invention overcomes the deficiencies in the prior art by providing an exercise apparatus comprising at least two exercise mats each of a different density placed next to each other. By combining at least two mats of varied densities, a person jumping from one mat to the next is forced to adapt his or her muscles to a new density surface thus utilizing and conditioning a greater number of muscles throughout the exercise.

[0007] The invention also provides an elastic compressive surface that cushions the impact of the user when in contact with the mat. This provides the individual with less joint structure impact, as generally occurs in many exercise activities. Less impact reduces the risk of strains and injuries. This makes the invention well suited to uses for rehabilitation and for exercises for children as well as to intense and long training routines for athletes.

Problems solved by technology

Although this patent teaches resilient surfaces that are side by side, it does not teach different density mats.

Devices used in step benching, such as that taught in Canadian Patent No. 2,063,468 involve the stacking of platforms or “steps” and do provide for a variable heights however, the platforms are non-yielding surfaces and do not compress under the user's weight, and do not allow for more muscles to be conditioned throughout an exercise routine.

Also, tripping or falling while using step benching devices causes harmful injuries to the user due to contact with the hard surfaces of the device.

The step benching devices also do not allow for different density surfaces.

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