Weightlifting accessory

Abstract

An exercise accessory, comprising: a sleeve body that is removably couplable to a piece of weightlifting equipment, the sleeve body having a central bore within which a lift bar of the weightlifting equipment is receivable; and an outer contact surface that provides a handle for the weightlifting equipment, wherein an indicator disposed within the sleeve body indicates an orientation of the weightlifting equipment to a user thereof.

Description

WEIGHTLIFTING ACCESSORYTECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The invention relates to an accessory, and in particular a weightlifting accessory for attachment to lift bars of equipment such as dumbbells and barbells.BACKGROUND

[0002] Weightlifting refers to the act of lifting weights, typically for exercise but also in sport. Such weights are connected to bars which a weightlifter grips. In the case of exercise, weightlifting is performed repeatedly for the purpose of strengthening or 'building' muscle. Weightlifting can include a variety of techniques, and utilize a variety of different weights and bars, dependent on the exercise being performed, and the muscle / s being targeted for strengthening by that exercise. Examples include dumbbells, where exercises such as bicep curls and side lateral raises are performed, as well as barbells where exercises such as deadlifts and bench presses are performed.

[0003] When weightlifting, it is imperative that a weightlifter maintain a 'correct' form. What is meant by form is the posture of the body during exercise, including the motion with which they raise and lower the lift bar and / or weight, and the way in which the lift bar is gripped. Failure to maintain a correct form can lead to reduced effectiveness of the exercise (i. e. , less strengthening of the muscles), and even serious injury in some cases. Typically, weightlifters utilize a mirror to visually check that their form is correct, however, this is an inherently inaccurate method of determining form, form being best determined by referencing the level of the lift bar. Further still, mirrors are not always available where the weightlifter is exercising, and some exercises make it impractical or impossible to reference mirrors while undertaking the exercise.

[0004] The present invention was conceived with the dangers and shortcomings of conventional weightlifting equipment in mind, and aims to provide the public was a useful accessory for weightlifting.SUMMARY

[0005] In a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an exercise accessory, comprising: a sleeve body that is removably couplable to a piece of weightlifting equipment, the sleeve body having a central bore within which a lift bar of the weightlifting equipment is receivable; and an outer contact surface that provides a handle for the weightlifting equipment,wherein an indicator disposed within the sleeve body indicates an orientation of the weightlifting equipment to a user thereof.

[0006] The indicator may be substantially disposed within the contact surface of the sleeve body. The indicator may be a spirit level. The indicator may be oriented to align with the bore of the sleeve body. The indicator disposed within the sleeve body may be protected (from damage by dropping the accessory or the like) by the sleeve body.

[0007] In some embodiments, a slot may extend along a length of the sleeve body, with the sleeve body being couplable to the piece of weightlifting equipment by passing the lift bar through the slot. The slot may be openable such that the internal bore can receive the lift bar, and biased closed to retain the received lift bar.

[0008] The contact surface may provide a handle having an increased diameter relative a diameter of the lift bar. The contact surface may include ridges to provide a handle of increased grip. The contact surface of the sleeve body may be ergonomically shaped. The contact surface of the sleeve body may be substantially cylindrical.

[0009] In some embodiments an interior of the bore may include a textured surface for retaining a received lift bar.

[0010] Ends of the sleeve body may be adapted to guide the lift bar into the central bore. Tapered surfaces may be provided at the ends of the sleeve body proximate to the central bore to facilitate receipt of the lift bar therein.

[0011] The sleeve body may be formed from a resilient material. The sleeve body may be formed from rubber.

[0012] In a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a kit comprising: at least one exercise accessory as described herein; and a lift bar that is receivable with the sleeve body of the exercise accessory.

[0013] The kit may further comprise a piece of weightlifting equipment, with the lift bar forming a part thereof.

[0014] In a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of correcting posture of a user during a weightlifting exercise, including the steps of: providing a piece of weightlifting equipment having a handle portion; and guiding movement of the weightlifting equipment by the user with an indicator that is disposed within the handle portion; wherein theuser is self-guided to correct or otherwise adjust their lifting posture by a visual indication that is provided by the indicator.

[0015] The method may comprise the further step of removably coupling the exercise accessory to the piece of weightlifting equipment. The method may further comprise repeating the guiding step to correct or otherwise train the user to maintain correct posture over time.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] The invention will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:Figure 1 and 2 are perspective views of an exercise accessory in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;Figure 3 and 4 are side views of the accessory of Figure 1;Figure 5 is an end view of the accessory of Figure 1 ;Figure 6 is a simplified perspective view of the accessory of Figure 1 , showing a slot thereof in an open position;Figure 7 and 8 are perspective views of kits comprising respective items of resistance training equipment and the accessory of Figure 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;Figure 9 is a schematic representation demonstrating the accessory in use, showing an incorrect or unsuitable weightlifting form; andFigure 10 is a schematic representation demonstrating the accessory in use, showing a correct or suitable weightlifting form.Figure 11 is a flowchart schematically illustrating a method of correcting posture or otherwise promoting suitable lifting form of a user during a weightlifting exercise, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] In the following description, reference is made to accompanying drawings which form a part of the detailed description. It will be readily understood that the aspects of the present disclosure, as generally described herein and illustrated in the drawings may be arranged,substituted, combined, separated and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are contemplated in this disclosure.

[0018] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can also be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, a limited number of the example methods and materials are described herein.

[0019] In general terms, the invention shown in the Figures is an exercise accessory 1, comprising: a sleeve body 10 that is removably couplable to a piece of weightlifting equipment E, the sleeve body 10 having a central bore 12 within which a lift bar B of the weightlifting equipment E is receivable; and an outer contact surface 14 that provides a handle for the weightlifting equipment E, wherein an indicator 18 disposed within the sleeve body 10 indicates an orientation of the weightlifting equipment E to a user thereof.

[0020] In this specification, the term "weightlifting equipment" is taken to refer to any piece of equipment which is gripped and lifted by a user for the purpose of resistance exercise or of weightlifting generally. Whilst the description will refer specifically to equipment which includes a lift bar (such as a barbell or dumbbell), it is understood that the invention is not to be limited to such examples, and that the accessory may also be used with, by way of non-limiting example, weightlifting machines, racks are other equipment which include suitable lift bar equivalents (such as a piece or component of weightlifting equipment which the user thereof grips and / or which carries weights of the weightlifting equipment), as will be made clear herein.

[0021] In this specification, the term "form" is taken to refer to the way in which the lift bar, or the like, is lifted by the user.

[0022] Figures 1 to 5 show the accessory 1 comprising a sleeve body 10, being the main or primary component of the accessory 1. The sleeve body 10 (referred to hereafter simply as "the sleeve") is removably couplable to a piece of weightlifting equipment E. What is meant by this is that the sleeve 10 allows for the accessory 1 to be coupled to (i.e. , attached) but also removed from (i.e., at a later point, following completion of use) a piece of weightlifting equipment E. The sleeve 10 has a central bore 12. While shown as a cylindrical central bore, it is understood that the bore 12 need not by cylindrical or central. Instead, the bore 12 need only be a cavity or hole within which a lift bar B (of the weightlifting equipment E) is receivable. For example, the bore 12 may be hexagonal bore configured to suit a hexagonal lift bar B. The bore 12 provides the positionor component of the accessory 1 within which a lift bar B of the weightlifting equipment E is receivable.

[0023] The accessory 1 additionally comprises an outer contact surface 14. The contact surface 14 provides a handle for use by a user of the accessory. By virtue of the accessory 1 coupling to a piece of weightlifting equipment E, the handle provided by the surface 141 becomes a handle for the weightlifting equipment E. What is meant by this is that, when the accessory 1 is lifted by the handle (provided by the contact surface 14), the weightlifting equipment E (coupled to the accessory 1 via the sleeve 10) is also equally lifted.

[0024] The contact surface 14 has an increased diameter relative a diameter of the lift bar B. While the diameter will inherently be increased by virtue of the sleeve 10 encompassing the lift bar B when the lift bar B is coupled to the sleeve 10, an increased diameter of the contact surface 14 refers to the contact surface having a substantially and intendedly larger diameter than the lift bar B. The contact surface 14, therefore, acts as a 'thick bar' or 'thick grip' or 'fat bar'. The increased diameter provided by the contact surface 14 acts to engage additional hand muscles during lifting of the accessory 1, thereby further strengthening the 'grip strength' of the user, along with the muscles targeted by the weightlifting equipment E type and weightlifting activity.

[0025] The contact surface 14 of the sleeve body 10 may be substantially cylindrical. In this way, the contact surface 14 closely resembles the shape of a typical / standard lift bar B, and provides the user with ease in handling the accessory 1 , and therefore the weightlifting equipment E when the accessory 1 is coupled thereto. Accordingly, the contact surface 14 of the sleeve body 10 may be ergonomically shaped. The ergonomic shape of the surface 14 may be a cylindrical surface or may instead be a surface which is not cylindrical but which also provides grip to a user of the accessory 1. For example, the contact surface 14 may be partially cylindrical, but include variations in its diameter along its length, such that the surface 14 more closely resembles the shape of the hand of the user. In this way, the contact surface 14 is shaped such that the handle thereof is efficient and comfortable for use as a handle for lifting weightlifting equipment E, and is as such ergonomic in its shape.

[0026] It is contemplated that the outer contact surface 14 may include ridges or the like to provide a handle of increased grip. What is meant by this is that contact surface 14 may, rather than being smooth, include gripping elements 16 such as perforations or corrugations along its surface, such that, when the contact surface 14 is handled by a user, the ridges / perforations / corrugations assist the user to grip the contact surface 14, as a handle, without slipping or dropping the accessory 1. For example, the outer contact surface 14 may include insignia (not pictured) embossed, engraved or otherwise extending into or out of the surface 14which acts to provide the same increased grip to the user. Advantageously, this insignia may include branding, such as a logo or manufacturer details. Accordingly, the provision of insignia in / on the outer contact surface 14 serves both to increase user grip and to advertise or provide some other information about the accessory 1. Best shown in Figures 2 and 4, the contact surface of the illustrated embodiment includes a plurality of ridges 16 the extend axially along the sleeve body 10.

[0027] The accessory 1 includes an indicator 18 disposed within the sleeve body 10. The indicator 18 is configured to indicate an orientation of the weightlifting equipment E to a user thereof. Accordingly, it is intended that the orientation of the weightlifting equipment is ascertained during lifting of the weightlifting equipment E, and therefore the orientation is relevant to the lifting form or lifting posture of the user. The indicator 18 is preferably substantially disposed within the contact surface 14 of the sleeve body 10. What is meant by this is that indicator 18 is substantially flush with, or positioned below, the outer contact surface 14. By virtue of this substantial disposition within the body 10, the indicator 18 is protected by the body 10, such as, for example, in the case of the accessory 1 being dropped or having something (such as other weightlifting equipment) dropped onto it. The indicator 18 is oriented, within the sleeve body 10, to align with the bore 12 of the body 10 (i.e., along a length of the body 10). It is understood that orienting the indicator 18 in this fashion allows it to indicate the orientation of the weightlifting equipment E particularly when the weightlifting equipment E is held / lifted in a normal manner, being substantially horizontally relative a ground surface.

[0028] As shown in the illustrated embodiments, the indicator 18 is a visual indicator that is provided in the form of a 'spirit' (or 'bubble') level. A spirit level includes an air bubble within a liquid-filled housing. Typically, spirit levels include lines running perpendicularly (and transversely) through the housing, and the level is configured to indicate a degree of "levelness" or “horizontalness”, when the air bubble is positioned between the perpendicular lines. A variety of other visual levels are also contemplated as being suitable for use as the indicator 18. For example, variations of the spirit level may be used, such as a torpedo level, or the like. Alternatively, a bull's eye level or an angle finder / gauge may be suitable for use as an indicator 18 without departure from the present invention.

[0029] Turning now to Figure 6, to provide for receipt of the lift bar B, the sleeve body 10 includes a slot 20 which extends along a length of the sleeve body 10. The slot 20 is indicated by the dashed line in Figure 6, having a width of W. Preferably, the slot 20 extends the entire length of the sleeve 10, to facilitate (ease of) receipt of the lift bar B therein. For example, the sleeve 10 may be coupled to a piece of weightlifting equipment E having a lift bar B by passing the lift bar B through the slot 20, and into the bore 12 of the sleeve 10. It is understood that the provision ofthe slot 20 enables a particularly quick and simple method of coupling the accessory 1 to the weightlifting equipment E. Accordingly, the accessory 1 need not include a slot 20 as described, and, for example, a lift bar B may simply be fed through the sleeve body 10 bore 12 from a first end through to a second end thereof, such that the sleeve body 10 receives the lift bar B without the requirement for a slot 20, opening, or the like.

[0030] Figure 6 shows the slot 20 in an open position. What is meant by this is that the sleeve body 10 may allow the slot 20 to be widened, whereby each side of the sleeve body 10 which surrounds the slot 20 can be pulled further apart. The slot 20 is openable such that the bore 12 can receive the lift bar B. In exemplary embodiments, the slot 20 is biased to a closed position (as is shown in Figures 1 to 5), wherein each side of the sleeve body 10 which surrounds the slot 20 are abutted together or at least held substantially proximate to one another. It is understood that, in the closed position, the accessory 1 ceases to be flexibly pulled apart to expose the slot 20, and it is understood that the accessory 1 is biased back toward a position in which each side of the sleeve body 10 about the slot 20 abuts one another and substantially or entirely closes the slot 20. This effect may be provided by the body 10 of the accessory 1 being elastic. When the slot 20 is in the closed position, the lift bar B is retained within the bore 12 of the sleeve 10 at least by the clamping force of the body 10 moving toward the closed position. The bar B may also be held within the bore 12 by friction against the inner wall of the bore 12.

[0031] The sleeve body 10 is formed from a resilient material. What is meant by this is that the sleeve 10 includes a material which can recover (i.e., return to its original shape) after undergoing deform ation / stress. For example, the deformation may include the slot 20 being placed into an open position. Preferably, the resilient material of the sleeve 10 assists in biasing the slot back to the closed position following this deformation. In exemplary embodiments, the sleeve body 10 is formed from rubber or other suitable, generally similar material with elastic properties. In particular, the rubber or similar material is preferably a heavy-duty and / or hard- wearing rubber, such as, for example, a military-grade rubber. However, it is understood that the sleeve body 10 need not be formed from rubber, and may instead include a similar compound that is both heavy-duty and resilient, as described.

[0032] Turning back now to Figures 1 to 5, tapered surfaces 22 may be provided at opposed ends of the sleeve 10. In particular, as best shown in Figures 1 and 2, tapered surfaces 22 are provided proximate the central bore 12, and serve as guides to facilitate receipt of the lift bar B in the bore 12. In this manner, the sleeve body 10 may be considered to have a diameter which reduces from the outer surface 14 of the sleeve body 10 towards the bore 12. In this way, when attempting to insert a lift bar B into the bore 12, such that the sleeve 10 can receive the lift bar B, the angled ends provided by the tapered surfaces thereby assisting in guiding the lift bar B towardand into the bore 12. Advantageously, this allows for a quick and easy installation of the accessory 1 onto the lift bar B even when, for example, the lift bar B is moist or dirty.

[0033] Moving now to Figures 7 and 8. It is contemplated that the accessory 10 may be provided as part of a kit that includes an item of resistance training equipment. For example, as shown in Figure 7, kit 24 includes at least one accessory 1 and a lift bar B that is receivable with the sleeve 10 of accessory 1. The kit 24 therefore can be provided as a full package with which a user of the kit 24 is able to couple the accessory 1 to a lift bar B and thus perform weightlifting. Alternatively, as shown in Figure 8, the accessory 1 may form part of a kit 24’ that includes an item of weightlifting equipment E. For example, as shown, weightlifting equipment E may be provided in the form of a weight bench atop of which a lift bar B is receivable. While the embodiments described include only a single accessory 1, it is contemplated that multiple accessories 1 may be coupled to a single lift bar B, or to multiple lift bars B, in use. For example, where the lift bar B is in the form of a 'curl' or 'curling' bar (being a lift bar B having curvatures rather than being a straight rod or pole), multiple accessories 1 may be coupled thereto, along the length of the bar B, such that a variety of orientations can be indicated by the respective indicators 18 of each accessory 1. Further, it is also contemplated that a plurality of accessories 1 may be included in the kit, with the accessories 1 being of different external diameter so as to provide handles of varying thickness that may suit users of different physical size and / or gender.

[0034] Turning now to Figures 9 and 10. The accessory 10 may find application in promoting correct form during a weightlifting exercise. In particular, it is understood that by providing a built- in indicator 18, subjects / users using the accessory may be trained to improve their form or lifting posture, by ensuring that the lift bar is held and moved in a desired or optimal orientation (i.e., a correct or good form). For example, the indicator 18 may be used to ensure that the lift bar B is held and moved in a substantially horizontal plane or, alternatively, is moved in a substantial vertical plane. This is particularly advantageous as it can help prevent possible injury by incorrect or poor lifting form over time, and can also help to prevent or substantially reduce the likelihood of undesired asymmetric muscle development that may otherwise occur though incorrect or sub- optimal form or posture. It is understood that the provision of the indicator 18 as part of the accessory 1 may, in some cases, reduce the reliance on a personal trainer or "spotter" to assist the user in maintaining correct form, instead providing self-guidance.

[0035] A method 100 of correcting posture or otherwise promoting suitable lifting form of a user during a weightlifting exercise will now be described with reference to Figure 11.

[0036] In a providing step 120, a piece of weightlifting equipment E having a handle or handle portion by which the equipment may be lifted by a user is provided. It is understood that theproviding step 110 may, in some embodiments, be preceded by a preliminary or coupling step 110 of coupling an accessory 1 to the lift bar B of the weightlifting equipment E, with the accessory 1 providing the handle. In other embodiments, it is understood that the accessory 1 providing the handle may already be fitted to the weightlifting equipment E or substantially form an integral part thereof.

[0037] In a further or guiding step 120, movement of the weightlifting equipment by the user is guided by an indicator that is disposed within the handle or handle portion. During this step, for example, the user may be guided by a visual indicator 18 so as to hold the lift bar B in a substantially horizontal orientation whilst lifting the lift bar B from a first position to a second position. In this manner, the user is self-guided to correct or otherwise adjust their lifting form / posture. For example, if the indicator 18 shows that the lift bar B is being held in a nonhorizontal orientation (for example left side down, as shown in Figure 9) the user is self-guided to raise the left side higher so as to achieve an optimal or desired orientation (as shown in Figure 10). Accordingly, using this indication from the indicator 18, the user can ascertain their 'form' during lifting of the weightlifting equipment E. What is meant by this is that, if the user ascertains that their form is not suitable, after having referenced the indicator 18, the user can adjust the way in which they are lifting the weightlifting equipment E to adjust / correct their form. This can be achieved simply be a single reference of the indicator 18, or be iteratively referencing the indicator 18 until the indicator 18 indicated that the users form is correct or suitable.

[0038] Summarily, it is to be understood that the accessory described herein provides several advantages and improvements over known, existing exercise or weightlifting equipment. For example, the indicator disposed within the sleeve body allows a user of weightlifting equipment (to which an accessory is coupled) to reference to indicator to ascertain an orientation of the weightlifting equipment. In this way, the indicator assists a user to ensure they perform the weightlifting operations utilizing the correct form, and therefore more effectively strengthen the targeted muscles during this operation, and are less likely to become injured during this operation. Additionally, the accessory described provides a greater diameter than the lift bar, and can be utilized, simultaneously, both for the purpose of ensuring correct form through the indicator, and also as a 'thick bar', the greater diameter causing engagement of additional hand muscles during lifting of the accessory, thereby further strengthening the 'grip strength' of the user, along with the muscles targeted by the weightlifting equipment.

[0039] The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that that prior publication (or information derived from it) orknown matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavor to which this specification relates.

[0040] Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word ‘comprise’, and variations such as ‘comprises’ and ‘comprising’, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.LEGEND

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. An exercise accessory, comprising: a sleeve body that is removably couplable to a piece of weightlifting equipment, the sleeve body having a central bore within which a lift bar of the weightlifting equipment is receivable; and an outer contact surface that provides a handle for the weightlifting equipment, wherein an indicator disposed within the sleeve body indicates an orientation of the weightlifting equipment to a user thereof.

2. The accessory according to claim 1 , wherein the indicator is substantially disposed within the contact surface of the sleeve body.

3. The accessory according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the indicator is a spirit level.

4. The accessory according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the indicator is oriented to align with the bore of the sleeve body.

5. The accessory according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the indicator disposed within the sleeve body is protected by the sleeve body.

6. The accessory according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a slot extends along a length of the sleeve body, with the sleeve body being couplable to the piece of weightlifting equipment by passing the lift bar through the slot.

7. The accessory according to claim 6, wherein the slot is openable such that the internal bore can receive the lift bar, and biased closed to retain the received lift bar.

8. The accessory according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the contact surface provides a handle having an increased diameter relative a diameter of the lift bar.

9. The accessory according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the contact surface includes ridges to provide a handle of increased grip.

10. The accessory according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the contact surface of the sleeve body is ergonomically shaped.

11. The accessory according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the contact surface of the sleeve body is substantially cylindrical.

12. The accessory according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein an interior of the bore includes a textured surface for retaining a received lift bar.

13. The accessory according to any one the preceding claims, wherein ends of the sleeve body are adapted to guide the lift bar into the central bore.

14. The accessory according to claim 13, wherein tapered surfaces are provided at the ends of the sleeve body proximate to the central bore, to facilitate receipt of the lift bar therein.

15. The accessory according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sleeve body is formed from a resilient material16. The accessory according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sleeve body is formed from rubber.

17. A kit comprising: at least one exercise accessory according to any one of the preceding claims; and a lift bar that is receivable with the sleeve body of the exercise accessory.

18. The kit according to claim 17, further comprising a piece of weightlifting equipment, with the lift bar forming a part thereof.

19. A method of correcting posture of a user during a weightlifting exercise, including the steps of: providing a piece of weightlifting equipment having a handle portion; and guiding movement of the weightlifting equipment by the user with an indicator that is disposed within the handle portion; wherein the user is self-guided to correct or otherwise adjust their lifting posture by a visual indication that is provided by the indicator.

20. The method according to claim 19, further comprising the step of removably coupling an exercise accessory to the piece of weightlifting equipment, the accessory providing the handle portion.

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