Apparatus for providing support when performing plank training exercises and methods of manufacturing and using same

Abstract

Exercise apparatuses, and methods of making and manufacturing same, for performing a plank exercise are provided. The apparatuses include a first support member that operates to rest against the chest/body of a user, and a second support member that is attached to, and extends away from, the first support member and may rest on a surface, such as a floor, mat, etc. The apparatuses may include one or more base components to add instability and increase the difficulty of workouts, the base components operating to rest on the surface, instead of the second support member or other component(s), when used. Since an individual, who has not developed proper form and strength, performing the plank exercise can lead to serious injuries, the apparatus/device permits the user to perform the plank exercise more easily and safely while permitting the user to employ the base components to increase the difficulty of an exercise.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 13 / 542,766, filed Jul. 6, 2012, and presently pending, entitled “APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING SUPPORT WHEN PERFORMING PLANK TRAINING EXERCISES AND METHODS OF MANUFACTURING AND USING SAME”, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to the field of exercise devices, and, more particularly, to exercise devices, including training devices, providing support to perform planking exercises / routines and methods of manufacturing and using same. Such plank training exercise devices provide stability while performing plank exercise routines, particularly in situations where individuals using the device have not developed the strength, proper form or other skills needed to perform plank exercises independently.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]The plank exercise is ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0027]In one or more further embodiments of the plank exercise device, the first end of the at least one second support member may be attached to the first support member along a perimeter of the first support member such that the at least one second support member may have a first side, a second side, a third side and a fourth side, the first side of the at least one second support member at least one of being sloped and tapering away from the first side of the first support member, the second side of the at least one second support member at least one of being sloped and tapering away from the second side of the first support member, the third side of the at least second support member at least one of being sloped and tapering away from the third side of the first support member, and the fourth side of the at least second support member at least one of being sloped and tapering away from the fourth side of the first support member. The first and second sides of the at least one second support member may at least one of: include at least one of the clavicle/shoulder and/or arm contours or indentations, and each include one of the two clavicle/shoulder and/or arm contours or indentations. At least one of the at least one clavicle/shoulder and/or arm contours or indentations and the two clavicle/shoulder and/or arm contours or indentations may extend from the first support member along at least one of the length and the height of the at least one second support member to the second end of the at least one second support member. At least one of the at least one clavicle/shoulder and/or arm contours or indentations and the two clavicle/shoulder and/or arm contours or indentations may extend from the first support member along at least one of the length and the height of the at least one second support member for a predetermined distance. At least one of the one or more pectoral muscle and/or breast contours or indentations and the at least one neck and/or chin contour or indentation may extend from the first support member along at least one of the length and the height of the at least one second support member for a predetermined distance. At least one of the width and the depth of the at least one of the one or more pectoral muscle and/or breast contours or indentations and the at least one neck and/or chin contour or indentation may decrease as the at least one of the one or more pectoral muscle and/or breast contours or indentations and the at least one neck and/or chin contour or indentation e

Problems solved by technology

However, it has been found that a problem one encounters with this exercise is that the exercise relies on the arms and shoulders to support the weight of the body.

The arms and shoulders are not intended to be exercised in the plank exercise, but often fatigue as quickly as the core musculature does.

When an individual is not trained to maintain the proper position (e.g., the arms and/or shoulders are not strong enough to perform the exercise independently), it is possible that injuries to, such as, but not limited to, the arms, shoulders, chest, etc., may result from such lack of trai

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