Exemplary embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals represent like parts, and wherein:
The hollow tubular member 100 may have any desired width or diameter, and any desired length. For example, the nominal diameter of the hollow tubular member 100 may be 4 inches, 6 inches, 8 inches, 10 inches, 12 inches, 14 inches or 16 inches. The length of the hollow tubular member 100 may be 24 inches, 30 inches, 36 inches, 42 inches or 48 inches. A plurality of the exercise devices 10, each having a different size, may be provided as a set.
As depicted in, e.g.,
The plugs 152 and 154 can be removed to allow admission of flowable material into the hollow tubular member 100 to increase the weight of the exercise device 10, and/or to allow removal of the flowable material The flowable material may be, for example, water, sand or the like.
A plurality of handles are attached to the hollow tubular member 100. The handles may include handles 110, 120 and/or 130, in any desired combination. When necessary or appropriate, the handles are attached to the hollow tubular member 100 via legs. For example, as shown in
As shown best in
The handle 120 extends along a longitudinal axis of the hollow tubular member 100. In the depicted embodiments, the handle 120 extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of the hollow tubular member 100, but in other embodiments the handle 120 may have one or more portions that are not parallel to the longitudinal axis of the hollow tubular member 100. For example, rather than being straight, the handle 120 may have a W-shape, S-shape or the like, as seen in plan view. A handle of any of these other shapes is also considered to extend along the longitudinal axis of the hollow tubular member 100.
The handles 110 are arranged such that, when a user grasps the handles 110 and lifts the hollow tubular member 100, the hollow tubular member 100 is substantially horizontal. Similarly, the handle 120 is arranged such that, when a user grasps the handle 120 at positions equidistant from the longitudinal center of the hollow tubular member 100 and lifts the hollow tubular member 100, the hollow tubular member 100 is substantially horizontal.
The handles 130 are attached to ends of the hollow tubular member 100. In the depicted embodiments, cutouts 102 are formed in a peripheral wall of the hollow tubular member 100 at ends of the hollow tubular member 100, and the handles 130 span the cutouts 102. In other embodiments, the handles 130 may have leg portions like the leg portions 112 and 122 described above. In this case, the cutouts 102 may not be needed, because the leg portions of the handles 130 could be attached to the ends of the hollow tubular member 100 or other elongate body, and be easily accessible for gripping. In the depicted embodiments, the handles 130 are parallel to each other, but in other embodiments the handles 130 may be positioned at an angle relative to each other. When a user grasps the handles 130 at one end of the hollow tubular member 100 and lifts the exercise device 10, the hollow tubular member 100 is substantially vertical.
As mentioned above, flowable material such as water, sand or the like may be introduced into the hollow tubular member 100 via the removable plug 150. The hollow tubular member 100 may be completely filled, for maximum weight. Alternatively, the hollow tubular member 100 may be partially filled, to result in any desired weight between the empty weight and full weight of the exercise device 10. When the hollow tubular member 100 is filled partially, a “slosh effect” can be achieved by alternately lifting one end of the hollow tubular member 100 higher than the other end, causing the flowable material to shift from one end to the other inside the hollow tubular member 100. This can have the beneficial effect of exercising certain muscles or muscle groups that may otherwise be difficult to exercise.
As shown in
Using the exercise device 10, a variety of different lifts can be performed for strength training, endurance training or physical rehabilitation. For example, the so-called “Olympic lifts” can be performed using the exercise device 10. The Olympic lifts include the categories of “clean and jerk” and “snatch.” “Clean and jerk” lifts include the front squat, the hang jump shrug, the jump shrug, hang pulls, high pulls, hang cleans, the clean, the push press, and the split jerk. “Snatch” lifts include the hang snatch, the overhead squat, the press under, and the quick drop. Other lifts that may be performed include various types of curls. A list of exercises and/or lifts that may be performed using the exercise device 10 is given below. It will be understood that this is not an exhaustive list, and that other lifts or exercises may also be performed using the exercise device 10. In the list, “inside handles” refers to the handles 110, “outside handles” refers to the handles 130, and “middle handle” refers to the handle 120. “Barrels” refers to exercise devices 10. Those skilled in the art will understand how to perform the exercises, as they are well known.
Bench (Inside and Outside Handles)
Floor Press (Inside and Outside Handles)
Incline (Inside and Outside Handles)
Back Squat (Inside and Outside Handles)
Front Squat (Inside and Outside Handles)
Overhead Squat (Inside and Outside Handles)
One Leg Squat (Outside Handles)
Zercher One Leg Squat (No Handles Used)
Step Ups (Outside Handles)
Deadlift (Middle Handle)
Sumo Deadlift (Middle Handle)
Single Arm Deadlift (Middle Handle)
Unbalanced Deadlift (Middle Handle) (2 barrels of different weight)
Unbalanced Sumo Deadlift (Middle Handle) (2 barrels of different weight)
Zercher Squat (No Use of Handles)
Farmers Walk (Middle Handle)
Unbalanced Farmers Walk (Middle Handle) (2 barrels of different weight)
Romanian Deadlift (Middle Handle)
Bent Over Row (Middle Handle)
Single Arm Row from Push Up Position (2 barrels) (Middle Handle)
Weighted Isometric Crunch (Inside and Outside Handles)
Good Mornings (Outside Handles)
Woodchoppers (Outside Handles)
Hammer Curls (Outside Handles)
Hang Snatch (Outside Handles)
Hang Split Snatch (Outside Handles)
Snatch From Floor (Outside Handles)
Split Snatch From Floor (Outside Handles)
Hang High Pulls (Middle Handle)
High Pulls From Floor (Middle Handle)
Hang Clean (Outside Handles)
Hang Split Clean (Outside Handles)
Clean From Floor (Outside Handles)
Split Clean From Floor (Outside Handles)
Front Jerk (Inside and Outside Handles)
Front Split Jerk (Inside and Outside Handles)
Behind the Head Split Jerk (Outside Handles)
Behind the Head Jerk (Outside Handles)
Push Press (Outside Handles)
Front Push Press (Outside and Inside Handles)
Barrel Swings (Middle Handle)
Hang Snatch to Overhead Squat (Outside Handle)
Snatch from Floor to Overhead Squat (Outside Handle)
Behind the Head Squat Jerk (Outside Handle)
Front Squat Jerk (Outside and Inside Handles)
Behind the Head Squat-Split Jerk (Outside Handles)
Front Squat-Split Jerk (Outside and Inside Handles)
Hang Split Snatch+One Leg Squat (Outside Handles)
Snatch from Floor+One Leg Squat (Outside Handles)
Hang Clean+Jerk (Outside Handles)
Hang Clean+Split Jerk (Outside Handles)
Clean from Floor+Jerk (Outside Handles)
Clean from Floor+Split Jerk (Outside Handles)
Behind the Head Squat+Jerk (Outside Handles)
Behind the Head Squat+Split Jerk (Outside Handles)
Hang Clean+Front Squat+Jerk (Inside and Outside Handles)
Hang Clean+Front Squat+Split Jerk (Inside and Outside Handles)
Clean from Floor+Front Squat+Jerk (Inside and Outside Handles)
Clean from Floor+Front Squat+Split Jerk (Inside and Outside Handles)
Hang Clean+Front Squat+Split Jerk+One Leg Squat (Outside Handles)
As shown in
According to the exercise devices described above, a wide variety of different lifts may be performed using a single exercise device. The above-described embodiments are effective tools for effective muscular balance work, local muscular endurance work, preparation of the body to absorb shock, and improving flexibility. Exercises and lifts performed using the above-described exercise devices can help reduce the occurrence of osteoarthritis in joints, build tendon and ligament strength, and train athletes to cope with uncooperative and unbalanced loads. The exercise devices are effective in all realms of strength training (i.e., absolute strength, speed strength, explosive strength and muscular endurance).
While the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments, these embodiments should be viewed as illustrative and not limiting. Various changes, substitutes, improvements or the like are possible within the spirit and scope of the invention.