Belt for feedback during abdominal core muscle exercise

Abstract

A belt is provided with an inflatable bladder which, when inflated, is permitted to expand toward an interior of the belt and prevented by a barrier from expanding toward an exterior of the belt. A pressure gauge indicates the pressure within the bladder, and the gauge is fixedly displaced relative to the belt and the user such that the gauge may be viewed by a user when the belt is worn without significantly moving the cervical spine substantially out of a neutral posture.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] This invention relates broadly to exercise equipment. More particularly, this invention relates to a belt having an inflatable bladder and a feedback mechanism to indicate to the user when the pressure in the bladder is altered by activation of the abdominal transverse muscle region. [0003] 2. State of the Art [0004] Pilates is an exercise method that improves muscle control, flexibility, coordination, strength and tone through physical and neurological mental conditioning. It works on deep (or core) abdominal muscles and the spine, the most important structure in the body and the source of the nervous system. It is a fitness regime that combines stretching and strengthening exercises designed to work the entire body in fluid movements. [0005] In accord with one significant pilates exercise, the participant, while preferably in a proprioceptive environment, draws in the muscles of the transverse abdomen and holds th...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007] It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a device which assists a user in performing abdominal core muscle exercises.

[0009] In accord with these objects, which will be discussed in detail below, a belt is provided with an inflatable bladder which, when inflated, is permitted to expand toward an interior space circumscribed by the belt and prevented by a barrier from expanding toward an exterior of the belt. The bladder is coupled by a short tube to an inflation bulb and a pressure gauge which indicates the pressure within the bladder. In accord with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the gauge is coupled to the belt and displaced relative thereto such that it may be viewed by a user (without use of the user's hands) when the belt is worn without significantly moving the cervical spine substantially out of a neutral posture. The displacement may be effected by use of bracket, a portion of which may be received in a pocket of the belt. The bracket may fold at a hinge to permit the belt and gauge to be collapsed together into a compact configuration for storage or travel.

Problems solved by technology

The pressure decrease does not occur if ‘draw in’ is performed improperly, i.e., if the stomach is ‘sucked in’, but the muscles are not properly drawn in.

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