Exercise device and method of using same

Abstract

An exercise device including first and second compressible bodies sized to be positioned between the knees and/or the ankles of a user. The compressible bodies each have at least one insert at least partially positioned therein which is less compressible than the compressible body. A method of exercising is also provided which includes positioning the compressible exercise devices between the knees and/or ankles of a user, and compressing the compressible body until the insert substantially increases resistance to compression. Moreover, an electronic media is provided that includes instructions for generating graphical images instructing a user.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 664,968, filed Mar. 25, 2005, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates to the field of exercise devices and exercise methods that use such devices. [0004] 2. Description of Related Art [0005] Various exercise devices have been proposed for exercising various parts of the human body, for example, to exercise the legs or buttocks of the user by compressing such exercise devices. In this regard, numerous prior art references disclose exercise devices that are used between a person's knees or thighs. U.S. Pat. No. 4,909,506, No. 4,483,533, No. 4,022,463, No. 5,026,050, and No. D341,401 all disclose such exercise devices. [0006] U.S. Pat. No. 6,179,756 to Bertolucci et al. discloses an exercise method and an apparatus for relieving hip and back pain by compressing an object between the legs of th...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0014] Another advantage of the present invention is in providing an exercise tool that can be utilized between the ankles of a user to biomechanically engage the muscles of the surrounding pelvic, and lower lumber levers needed for efficient core involvement to assist in postural alignment which is important in reducing pain and fat storage.

[0015] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method of exercise is provided using an exercise device which is compressed by the user.

[0016] In one embodiment of the present invention, an exercise device is provided which includes a first compressible body sized to be positioned between the knees and / or the ankles of a user, where the first compressible body has at least one insert at least partially positioned therein which is less compressible than the compressible body. The exercise device also includes a second compressible body sized to be positioned between the knees and / or the ankles of a user, the second compressible body having at least one insert at least partially positioned therein which is less compressible than the compressible body. In accordance with one implementation, the compressible body is made of an open cell, visco-elastic memory foam having a density range of approximately 2.5 to 5.5 lb / ft3.

[0017] In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the first and second compressible bodies are provided with two inserts that are spaced from each other. Each insert may be implemented to be substantially incompressible, and to have a hemispherical shape. In still another embodiment, the first and second compressible bodies each have at least one contoured surface with a recess, and at least one strap with a fastening mechanism for securing the compressible bodies between the knees and / or the ankles of the user, the fastening mechanism including a hook / loop fastener.

[0018] In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the exercise device includes a compressible body sized to be positioned between the knees and / or the ankles of a user, and at least one insert positioned within the compressible body to limit extent to which the compressible body is compressed, the insert being less compressible than the compressible body.

[0019] The compressible body may be made of an open cell, visco-elastic memory foam, and may be provided with a contoured surface having a recess. In another embodiment, two inserts are provided. and positioned spaced from each other. The inserts may be implemented to be substantially incompressible, and to have a substantially spherical shape. In yet another embodiment, the exercise device may further include at least one strap with a fastening mechanism for securing the compressible body. Moreover, the compressible body may be implemented with a flat surface to allow the exercise device to be stably supported on a floor surface.

Problems solved by technology

However, the above proposed devices have had limited success in that they do not provide to the user, feedback for properly performing the compression exercises.

In particular, the prior art devices do not provide feedback as to how far and how strongly the various exercise devices should be compressed between the knees of the users, such feedback being desirable to encourage proper exercise form, and provide a goal that encourages continued use of the exercise devices, while discouraging over exertion by the users.

Moreover, the above prior art devices do not provide any tool or mechanism for use between any other portions of the user's anatomy in conjunction with use of the device between the knees.

Therefore, in view of the above, there exists an unfulfilled need for an exercise device that provides the feedback necessary to perform compression exercises properly.

In this regard, there exists an unfulfilled need for such an exercise device that provides feedback as to how far, and / or how strongly, the various exercise devices should be compressed by the users.

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