Patent Application
20120258841
The invention comprises a device for enabling a workout while providing balance training, and methods for using the device.
A wide variety of methods and devices are used as aids in exercising and in balance training. One type of such a device uses an inflatable compliant structure in the form of a ball or semispherical structure. A user attempts to balance on such a device while doing exercises. Examples include: the exercise balance trainer is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,872,175 in which a resilient semispherical body having a plurality of nubs, i.e., rounded projections, is mounted on a hard board. The user can stand or do other exercises directly on the semispherical body or the device can be inverted and the user can use the hard board surface for that purpose. In addition, the patent teaches that the hard board surface can be used for push-ups. Another such device is a balance ball with an underside bearing surface formed as a dome, shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,191,371. Other such devices include a compliant exerciser shown in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0142801. Another is a balance-exercise semi-spherical a device in which an air cushion carried on a base disk is used for various exercises including push-up by gripping the sides of the base disk, shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,945,919. Still another such device is an inflatable bowl-like member carried on a platform which enables various balance and workout exercises, shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,575,885.
Push-ups are a popular form of exercise to strengthen chest and arm muscles. So-called “push-up handles” have become popular for assisting a user in keeping his arms properly positioned while doing push-up exercises on a floor surface. The user grasps the handles while doing push-ups, as opposed to the traditional but wrist straining method wherein the user presses against the surface with open palms. Further, such prior art devices typically allow for the handle to rotate about a vertical axis. Examples include devices found in U.S. Pat. No. 7,468,025 and in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0014615. One commercial version of such a device, among others, is called “Push-Up Pro.”
As shown by the above discussion, prior art devices that enable a workout while providing balance training have fairly complicated structure that are costly to manufacture and are bulky, requiring substantial storage space. A need exists for a much simpler device that provides the benefits of combining balance training with exercise such as push-ups and weight lifting. The present invention provides such a device and methods for using the device. A specific embodiment is a device is in the form of a circular inflated body formed of polyvinylchloride plastic having a needle valve for inflating the body with air. The device has a curved vertical surface, opposed generally horizontal surfaces, an ellipsoidal cross-section, and a diameter of between 12 inches and 18 inches. A flat circular depression is centrally located on one side of the inflatable body of the device, having a diameter of between 8 inches and 10 inches with a ratio of the diameter of the elliptical body of the device to the circular depression of from 1.2 to 2.25. Preferred dimensions are 13 inches for the diameter of the body of the device and 8⅛ inches for the diameter of the circular depression. The circular depression is from 1 1/16 inches to 2 inches deep, preferably ½ inch deep. Nubs 24 to prevent slipping are distributed over the other side of the inflatable body.
In accordance with another embodiment, a method is provided for using the device to work out while providing balance training. A pair of the devices is used to support the arms or legs of a user while the user is performing an exercise. In one method, the devices support the flat surfaces of push-up handles, such as the commercially available Push-Up Pros, to facilitate push-ups while providing balance training. In another method, the device supports the feet of a user to provide balance training while he or she uses weights.
For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:
Referring to
In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for using the device to work out while providing balance training. A pair of the devices is used to support the arms or legs of a user while the user is performing an exercise. Referring to
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