Portable training device

Abstract

A portable training device includes a structural component including a weighted mass; and first and second elongate arms associated with and extending symmetrically from opposite sides of the weighted mass, the arms being resiliently biased to a rest position in which the arms form a fixed, generally U-shape together with the weighted mass, the arms being universally manipulable against the bias out of the rest position.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62 / 027,227 filed on Jul. 21, 2014.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The following relates generally to exercise and fitness equipment and more particularly to a portable training device having a structural component.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Much of the equipment provided for physical training and exercise is not portable or multipurpose. Those who seek training or personal fitness improvements are therefore generally required to invest in many different pieces of equipment or to join gyms. Furthermore, traditional physical training and fitness workout routines are not efficient time-wise, requiring extensive workout time to achieve the desired degree of effectiveness.[0004]Various weighted objects (bags, blocks, balls) with handles attached thereto are known in the art of exercise equipment, and have been promoted as able to achieve ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010]The portable training device has a shape and structure that permits a user to controllably manipulate a weighted mass during training or exercise, such as by pulling, pushing, throwing, swinging and lifting the weighted mass via the first and second arms. The user may controllably perform these activities along with body movements such as twisting, bending, rotating, squatting, and lunging, in order to train and strengthen various parts of their body. The portable training device appears and can be operated in a similar manner to a weighted training bag. However, the resilience of the structural component maintains the training device in an aesthetically-pleasing rest position when not in use, and provides sufficient rigidity to the training device for controlled manipulation of the weighted mass via the arms. Because the arms are manipulable against the bias out of the rest position, they are able to partially absorb shocks due to weight transfers and drastic changes in momentum that would otherwise be fully transmitted along the first and second arms to the user's hands, wrists, forearms and beyond during training As such, as compared to known weighted bags and the like, the training device is relatively controllable, predictable, safe, ergonomic and attractive.

[0011]In embodiments incorporating flexible cladding, the flexible cladding cooperates with the structural component to ensure resilience, protects the structural component during rigorous use of the training device, and also helps the structural component to maintain the training device in a fixed overall shape thereby to ensure it remains aesthetically-pleasing.

Problems solved by technology

Much of the equipment provided for physical training and exercise is not portable or multipurpose.

Furthermore, traditional physical training and fitness workout routines are not efficient time-wise, requiring extensive workout time to achieve the desired degree of effectiveness.

Despite their partial effectiveness, such prior art implements suffer from various drawbacks, such as cumbersome handling, safety issues, jerky movement, limited range of exercises, and so forth.

A particular series of drawbacks of prior weighted bags known in the art is due to the manner in which the handles are attached to the main weighted bag.

As such, there is limited control (as to the direction and / or force) that may be imparted from the user' s wrists to the weighted bag, aside from a general swinging motion.

Furthermore, as a result of the loose or hinged attachment of the handles to the weighted bag, serious strain is transmitted in a sudden, shock-like manner to the user's wrists at those points where the motion of the weighted bag changes or reverses direction during workouts, or whenever the user must stop the momentum of the device at the top of a movement.

During use, the center of gravity and the balance point of such equipment also tends to shift significantly in relation to the handles, resulting in lack of control and additional undesired strain on the user's wrists.

With loose or hinged handles, it is often impossible for a user to prevent the weighted bag from flipping around the handles and hitting / bruising the hands and the forearms of a user during some exercises whenever the user must stop the momentum of the device at the top of a movement, especially if the user is a beginner.

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