Assisted-exercise apparatus

Abstract

An assisted-exercise apparatus may include a user support, weight, and rocker frame interconnecting said user support and weight. The rocker frame may include a lower and upper section, the lower section having a weight pin and the upper section having a padded user support. One or more weights may be placed on the weight pin, providing downward force on the weight pin and, through the fulcrum of the rocker frame, corresponding upward force on the user support. To use the apparatus, the user may place his or her feet substantially in-line with the fulcrum between the lower section and upper section, places his or her hips on top of the pad, and performs assisted push-ups. The ratio of the lengths and the angle between the upper and lower longitudinal segments may be adjustable to accommodate a certain user height.

Description

PRIOR APPLICATION DATA[0001]The present invention claims the benefit of prior U.S. provisional application No. 60 / 084,083, filed on Jul. 28, 2008, entitled “Assisted-Exercise Apparatus”, incorporated by reference herein.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The invention relates generally to exercise devices and in particular to devices that assist the user in performing an exercise.BACKGROUND[0003]Humans have been effectively using the body's weight as a resistance in muscle training for many years. Push-ups, sit-ups and back extensions are among the most effective exercises because they benefit a host of different muscles including the back, shoulders, abdominals, legs and arms, as well as connective tissue and stabilizer muscles, rather than merely strengthening a muscle in isolation. Indeed, weight training using the body's own weight has become very popular of late due to its effectiveness in providing resistance while reducing the possibility of injury, as compared to weight-training sy...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012]To use the apparatus, the user places his or her feet substantially in-line with the hinge or bend between the lower frame and upper frame, and places his or her hips on top of the pad. Assistance transferred to the waist of the user gives the greatest benefit for the push-up because it does not change the form of the exercise, therefore benefits the back and abdominals as well as the pectorals and shoulder muscles. The user may adjust the weights on the weight pin to provide the assistance that is desired—the greater the weight on the weight pin, the greater the upforce on the upper transverse bar and pad, and the greater the assistance the user receives. A personal trainer may assist a user in adjusting the weight while the user is exercising.

Problems solved by technology

While weight training using the body's weight as resistance provides a number of benefits, it is not accessible to all as many cannot lift their own body weight with the required form to take advantage of these benefits.

This may be due to the fact that the person is carrying more weight, is out of shape, or is simply unaccustomed to such movement.

The person may also be recovering from injury, in a period of convalescence, or may be physically disabled.

However, the device is mounted to the ceiling, which creates challenges for someone who is physically-disabled or recovering from injury.

Furthermore, the weight may not be adjusted during the weight-lifting, and the weight set hangs dangerously above the user while in use.

The vest also restricts the breathing of the user while the machine is in use.

Although this aids the user in performing a push-up, the proposed solution is expensive and complex to build and takes a significant amount of space.

As well, it is limited to one exercise and the weight may not be adjusted while the device is in use.

In effect, the weight that the user is pushing up is taken by the user's lower back, which is physiologically not an optimal weight-bearing location.

The device, supporting the body in a rigid form, does not permit the user to take advantage of the full-body benefits of the push-up, that is, strengthening for the back and stomach muscles, also known as the “core”, and limits the benefit to the pectorals and shoulders.

However, this solution is mechanically complex, and may not be adjusted in the course of a workout, in that the springs need to be added or removed to change the resistance.

The device is costly to build, and the user-supporting arm is reliant on bearings and rollers to reduce friction, which require maintenance.

Additionally, the pad pushes on the pectoral muscles at the same time that those muscles are contracting, causing discomfort and reducing the benefit to the core muscles.

There is little ability to vary the exercise, which is practically limited to a push-up

Finally, its benefit is limited to one exercise, and it cannot be used for sit-ups or back extensions.

The solutions proposed in the prior art have generally been costly to manufacture, overly complex and limiting in the range of exercises that may be performed, often being targeted to only one specific motion.

Furthermore, they do not permit a physiotherapist or personal trainer to vary the resistance in the course of the exercise to provide the maximum benefit to the user.

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