Patent Application
20130035617
The present invention relates to an exercise method and machine. More particularly, the present invention relates to a system for using vibrational movement to provide whole body aerobic exercise.
Existing vibrational exercise machines afford a wide range of health benefits including weight loss, muscle development, firming & toning, improved bone structure, reduced signs of aging, improved circulation, pain relief, rehabilitation of injuries, massage etc., but provide little in the way of aerobic exercise. Traditional exercise machines such as treadmills, stationary bicycles and elliptical machines provide aerobic exercise but do not afford all the additional benefits of a vibrational exercise machine. What is needed is a system that provides the benefits of both.
The present invention provides the benefits of oscillating vibrational exercise and adds an aerobic exercise component in an easy-to-use manner. It provides a wide range of health benefits in less time. The present invention generates less stress on the joints, ligaments and tendons when compared to regular resistance training. It is low impact and ergonomically designed and is suitable for use by all ages and body types.
In one embodiment, the present invention produces oscillating vibrations in an alternating side rocking manner, which simulates walking. The vibrational energy is safely and effectively transferred throughout the user's body, stimulating bone, muscle and all other soft tissue and is preferred to vertical vibration for a number of reasons.
A vertical (or linear) vibration machine simulates a jump for the user. In this scenario, muscles on both sides of the body contract simultaneously. The load on the body is very high and the repeated impact makes certain postures unsuitable, as well as limiting the suitability of this technology to people who are quite fit.
Although still somewhat popular, vertical vibration machines are disfavored because of possible long term injuries caused by overly aggressive machines with damaging compressions. This vertical movement is very intense and can be uncomfortable for most users. High quality machines are generally very expensive, noisy and not well suited to the domestic environment, whereas cheap machines are less noisy but are often not engineered appropriately. Vertical vibration machines are meant more for gyms with supervision by qualified personal trainers to avoid injury and ensure the correct positions are used during exercise. The personal trainer needs to fully understand the medical implications of vibration training on the body.
Additional features of the disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of preferred embodiments exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the invention as presently perceived.
The detailed description particularly refers to the accompanying figures in which:
The presently disclosed device and method (herein alternatively referred to as a “system”) provides users with a means to achieve an aerobic workout experience as well as realize all the benefits associated with vibrational exercise technology.
Oscillating vibrational machines “see-saw” from side to side. The “see-saw” motion stimulates the right and left brain in a manner that facilitates communication between the two sides. This stimulation is known as patterning. There are many benefits to a patterning exercise, including better co-ordination and balance.
Two important variables with oscillating vibrational machines are the speed/frequency (i.e. how often the plate moves up and down) and the amplitude (i.e. how far up and down the plate moves). The amplitude can be controlled by the machine or by the distance between the left and right feet. The muscles affected when using an oscillating vibrational machine are contracted alternately—the same muscle on both sides of the body is never engaged at the same time.
This oscillating motion complements or mimics the neuro-muscular response we experience with walking. As the rhythmic movement of the platform reaches the tops of your legs, the pelvis is gently mobilized rather than compacted. Then, all your pelvic and core muscles at the front and trunk of your torso are activated, while the snake-like movement repeats throughout your spinal vertebrae. This helps mobilization, clearing stagnant fluids and inflammation, and allowing fresh oxygenated blood to enter.
This gentle rhythmic motion also has the effect of pumping the discs. Chiropractors find that this pumping of the discs helps the patient get pain relief faster while holding the adjustment longer. A natural movement pattern similar to walking encourages improved posture (walking activates alternate muscles on either side of the body, never the same muscle on the left and right side). Users can adjust the amplitude simply by moving their feet closer or further apart. This would have no affect on a vertical vibration plate where the amplitude is fixed.
Additionally, tensor and flexor muscles are activated alternately causing immediate activation of your core muscles, toning your abdomen. This also reduces head vibrations—vertical vibrations exit via the head whereas oscillatory vibrations are dampened in the core abdominal region.
The user's body reacts to this natural stimulus with an involuntary reflex body reaction. Depending on the speed, a user's muscles will react up to 30 times per second and as the acceleration forces increase; the user's body will feel as though it “weighs” more. This means a user can work against a far greater influence or “load” of gravity in every movement.
As shown in
This alternating motion simulates walking and provides an aerobic exercise to the user. Additionally, the walking motion facilitates the transmission of the vibrational energy to the user. As shown in
The present system provides a resistive aerobic workout, while simultaneously using the user's movements to facilitate the delivery of the vibrational energy in an oscillating manner.
In the embodiment of
The control interface 110 permits the user to select and adjust a wide range of operational parameters and may display current or target information regarding the same. Specifically, the user may select vibrational speed and intensity as well as the speed and resistance associated with the oscillating motion of the platform sides 112. The user may select from pre-set operational programs and/or the adjustment of the parameters may be selected based on the particular needs/capabilities of the user. Specifically, the user may further customize his/her experience by inputting personal parameters such as age, weight or a target. As shown in
While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific exemplary embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and have herein been described in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intent to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
A plurality of advantages arises from the various features of the present disclosure. It will be noted that alternative embodiments of various components of the disclosure may not include all of the features described yet still benefit from at least some of the advantages of such features. Those of ordinary skill in the art may readily devise their own implementations of a digital file organization system that incorporate one or more of the features of the present disclosure and fall within the spirit and scope of the disclosure.
