Vertical Lumbar Stretching Machine and Method

Abstract

A machine and method for conditioning and strengthening the human frame, and particularly the lumbar muscles of the lower back and pelvic region. The user-controlled machine has a single restraint strap which wraps around the user's pelvic region and connects to both sides of a support structure. The single restraint strap may be positioned high or low about the user's pelvic region while the user faces forward, backward, or sideways relative to the support structure. The user causes the single restraint strap to be drawn tightly about the pelvic region, thereby restraining the pelvic region against the support structure. This isolates the lumbar muscles and permits the user to conduct specific lumbar muscle conditioning and strengthening exercises while remaining in an upright position.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application is based upon provisional application 60 / 880,338, filed on Jan. 12, 2007, the priority of which is claimed.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]This invention relates to a device or machine for stretching, exercising, and strengthening the human body. Specifically, the invention relates to a device or machine for exercising and strengthening the lumbar muscles while remaining in an upright position.[0004]2. Description of the Prior Art[0005]Weakness of the back muscles, and particularly the lumbar muscles, which are responsible for proper posture, may lead to increasing muscle weakness and even muscle atrophy over time. In order to maintain their strength and conditioning, the lumbar muscles must be exercised through stretching and conditioning.[0006]Prior art devices for stretching and strengthening the human frame, including the lumbar muscles of the lower back, have included numerous medical a...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0015]An exercise machine and method are disclosed for stretching and strengthening the human body, particularly the lumbar muscles of the lower back, to enhance postural balance. In the upright position, the movement of the lumbar muscles (i.e., the muscles supporting the lumbar vertebrae) results in simultaneous movement of the pelvis. To effectively exercise the lumbar muscles, they must be isolated by a device or machine which limits or restrains movement of the pelvis. The user-controlled machine limits or restrains movement of the pelvis using a single restraint strap that wraps around the user's pelvic region and connects to the support structure. The single restraint strap may be positioned high or low about the user's pelvic region while the user faces forward or backward relative to the support structure. The machine preferably has a user-controlled, powered actuator which draws the single restraint strap tight around the user's pelvic region thereby restraining the user's pelvic region against the support structure. This isolates the lumbar muscles and permits the user to conduct specific lumbar muscle conditioning and strengthening exercises while remaining in an upright position. Thus, the exercise machine enables quick, simple, and safe operation but also permits the user, without the aid of another, to isolate the lumber muscles and perform specific lumbar exercises in an upright position.

Problems solved by technology

Weakness of the back muscles, and particularly the lumbar muscles, which are responsible for proper posture, may lead to increasing muscle weakness and even muscle atrophy over time.

However, Pilates equipment, MedX exercise equipment, and other fitness-oriented exercise and stretching units are often uncomfortable, cumbersome, and / or difficult to operate.

Furthermore, fitness-oriented exercise and stretching units are not necessarily directed at strengthening and conditioning the user's lumbar muscles.

However, a major drawback of these inversion devices and their method of operation is that the user's cardiovascular system must operate in an abnormal state thus potentially causing the user to feel ill effects from the inversion.

Furthermore, typical inversion devices provide little, if any, of the proper back support needed to isolate and safely strengthen and condition the user's lumbar muscles.

However, for a user in pain, mechanical self adjustment of a non-actuated, two-strap restraint can prove difficult, if not impossible.

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