Patent Grant
12186620
Not Applicable.
Not Applicable.
Not Applicable.
The invention generally relates to a fitness apparatus. More particularly, the invention relates to a fitness apparatus that enables a user to perform strength exercises while simultaneously performing cardiovascular exercises.
Time is the number one reason why people don't exercise. Exercise in the past has been broken down into two categories, namely aerobic and anaerobic. Both requiring separate time commitments, and both have their unique benefits. By systematically combining both forms into a structured workout allows for an efficient workout with all health benefits from exercise in a shorter time period.
Proprioception is the body's ability to receive input through receptors in the skin, muscles and joints, and transfer the information to the brain through the nervous system so that the body can sense itself. Proprioception tells the body where it is in space. Proprioception is very important to the brain as it plays a big role in self-regulation, coordination, posture, and body awareness. It relies on sensory organs called proprioceptors located within muscles, tendons and joints that enable the sensation of tension, force, pressure and movement. Proprioception enables us to judge limb movements and positions, limb velocity, load on a limb, and limb limits. Proprioception is the key sense involved in learning new movement patterns.
NME (Neuromuscular Efficiency) is the ability of the nervous system to recruit the correct muscles (i.e., agonists, antagonists, synergists, and stabilizers) to produce force (concentrically), reduce force (eccentrically), and dynamically stabilize (isometrically) the entire kinetic chain in all three planes of motion.
Time Under Tension refers to how much time the muscles are under stress. Muscles under stress for longer periods of time will be stressed closer to total fatigue, which in turn, creates greater muscle fiber recruitment. The motor units in the muscle being worked are recruited from smallest to largest. The more time you keep a muscle under tension, the greater chance you have of recruiting fast twitch muscle fibers (Henneman's size principle). The more time under tension, the greater the growth hormone release will be. The body does more work, therefore the body will expend more calories.
Therefore, what is needed is a fitness apparatus that enables a user to perform strength exercises, while simultaneously performing cardiovascular exercises. Moreover, a fitness apparatus is needed that enhances the neuromuscular efficiency (NME) of a user without requiring multiple pieces of training equipment. Furthermore, there is a need for a fitness apparatus that allows for strength training exercises to be performed in multi-planar movements through the full or nearly full muscle action spectrum in motion.
Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a fitness apparatus that substantially obviates one or more problems resulting from the limitations and deficiencies of the related art.
In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a fitness apparatus that includes a treadmill, the treadmill having one or more displaceable treadmill elements that are configured to receive a user thereon; and at least one resistance assembly coupled to the treadmill, the at least one resistance assembly configured to create a resistance load for the user so that the user is able to perform strength exercises while simultaneously performing cardiovascular exercises on the treadmill.
In a further embodiment of the present invention, the one or more displaceable treadmill elements comprise a treadmill belt configured to rotate about a pair of spaced-apart rollers.
In yet a further embodiment, the treadmill further comprises one or more first actuator elements that are capable of adjusting a speed of the treadmill belt.
In still a further embodiment, the treadmill further comprises a first control device operatively coupled to the one or more first actuator elements, the first control device enabling the user to selectively adjust the speed of the treadmill belt.
In yet a further embodiment, the treadmill further comprises one or more second actuator elements that are capable of adjusting the inclination and declination of the treadmill.
In still a further embodiment, the treadmill further comprises a second control device operatively coupled to the one or more second actuator elements, the second control device enabling the user to selectively adjust the inclination and declination of the treadmill.
In yet a further embodiment, the at least one resistance assembly comprises a plurality of resistance assemblies disposed around an outer periphery of the treadmill.
In still a further embodiment, at least a first one of the plurality of resistance assemblies is disposed proximate to a front of the treadmill, at least a second one of the plurality of resistance assemblies is disposed on a side of the treadmill, and at least a third one of the plurality of resistance assemblies is disposed proximate to a rear of the treadmill.
In yet a further embodiment, the plurality of resistance assemblies are coupled to the treadmill by a base assembly disposed underneath the treadmill.
In still a further embodiment, the at least one resistance assembly comprises a resistance cable attached to a handle at one end of the resistance cable.
In yet a further embodiment, the handle of the at least one resistance assembly comprises a hand control device for enabling the user to selectively adjust the resistance load of the at least one resistance assembly.
In still a further embodiment, the at least one resistance assembly comprises a tension generating device coupled to the resistance cable.
In yet a further embodiment, the tension generating device of the at least one resistance assembly comprises at least one of an electrical resistance device, one or more pneumatic devices, one or more hydraulic devices, one or more springs, one or more weights, one or more flexing nylon rods, one or more elastics, and one or more friction-based devices.
In still a further embodiment, the tension generating device of the at least one resistance assembly comprises at least one electrical resistance device operatively coupled to a data processing device, the data processing device configured to control the resistance load of the at least one resistance assembly by regulating an amount of tension generated by the tension generating device.
In yet a further embodiment, the fitness apparatus further comprises a visual display device coupled to the treadmill, the visual display device configured to display screen images to the user that provide the user a visual guide on proper form and exercise progression together with workout performance parameters.
In still a further embodiment, the fitness apparatus further comprises a data processing device operatively coupled to the treadmill, the data processing device operatively coupled to a remote computing device so as to enable a sharing of user performance data with an individual located remotely.
It is to be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description of the present invention are merely exemplary and explanatory in nature. As such, the foregoing general description and the following detailed description of the invention should not be construed to limit the scope of the appended claims in any sense.
The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Throughout the figures, the same parts are always denoted using the same reference characters so that, as a general rule, they will only be described once.
A first illustrative embodiment of a fitness apparatus is shown in
In the illustrative embodiment, with reference to
With combined reference to
Referring again to the illustrative embodiment of
In the illustrative embodiment, each resistance assembly 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, 6A, 6B, 7A, 7B further comprises a tension generating device 19 coupled to the resistance cable 13 (refer to
In the illustrative embodiment, the fitness apparatus, which uses electricity to generate tension/resistance, may also be versatile by way of electronic and/or digital control. Electronic control enables the use of software to control and direct tension. By contrast, conventional exercise devices require tension to be changed physically/manually. For example, in the case of a weight stack, a pin must be moved by a user from one metal plate to another.
With reference again to
A second illustrative embodiment of a fitness apparatus is shown in
As shown in
Advantageously, the aforedescribed fitness apparatus combines elements of a treadmill with elements of a functional trainer. The uniqueness of this apparatus allows for maximal stimulation of the proprioceptive system. By changing one's walking speed, incline, decline, resistance exercise, plane in which exercise is performed, joint angles and hand grip of exercise performed allow for unlimited combinations that stimulate proprioception, which in turn, increase neuromuscular efficiency, motor unit recruitment, and neural activation and rate coding. All are fundamental requirements for improving fitness levels.
The fitness apparatus described above enhances neuromuscular efficiency (NME) in a way that would otherwise take multiple pieces of training equipment. It manipulates multiple acute training variables simultaneously (i.e., repetitions, sets, training intensity, repetition tempo, training volume, rest interval, training frequency, training duration, and exercise selection), and it introduces new acute training variables (i.e., gait length, gait speed, degree of incline/decline, heart rate range, and time under tension) in a way that supports the SAID (specific adaptation to imposed demands) principal.
The fitness apparatus described above introduces a new form of fitness, namely STIM (Strength Training in Motion). The arrangement of the apparatus allows for strength training exercises to be performed in multi-planar movements (or movements in all directions) through the full muscle action spectrum (concentric acceleration, eccentric deceleration, and isometric stabilization) in motion. STIM increases training efficiency by allowing strength training exercises to be done in an aerobic state. The benefits of aerobic and anaerobic exercise are achieved in one workout on one machine.
The ability of the aforedescribed fitness apparatus to increase or decrease the training load in the middle of a set and the ability to switch from one exercise to the next grants the capability to increase muscle contraction times and gain the benefits without having to use heavy loads like in traditional training protocols. This unique configuration allows for safer and more efficient training by decreasing the loads that are required to stimulate muscle growth.
Now, the new Strength Training in Motion (STIM) method that may be practiced using the aforedescribed fitness apparatus will be explained in further detail. The fitness apparatus described above was built on a foundation of principles that progressively and systematically allow any individual to achieve optimal levels of physiologic, physical, and performance adaptations. The fitness apparatus can manipulate all the acute training variables at any given time, which enables the ability to change the stress placed on the body and keep the body from plateauing on any one stress type. The science behind the fitness apparatus focuses on heart rate (HR) manipulation through resistance training. It combines one or more acute training variables to mimic high-intensity interval training (HIIT) workouts without the extreme intensity that normal HIIT workouts require. The workout performed using the fitness apparatus is combining aerobic and anaerobic exercises forms together to increase workout efficiency.
When one begins a resistance movement in motion, his or her body is forced to be in a proper position. The body is forced to keep its stabilization muscles under contraction. The stabilization muscles are under contraction through a range of motion which is determined by individual's current gait and current resistance movement. Individuals gait and degree of incline or decline will determine which stabilization muscles are being stimulated and to what degree. Stabilization muscles are subject to eccentric, concentric and isometric contractions during the entire workout at variable intensities dependent on the program design.
Walking on the fitness apparatus described above will give the individual an increased base heart rate (HR). When a resistance movement is incorporated, the muscles performing the resistance movement call for more blood which in turn increases the heart rate. When resistance movement is over, the individual is forced to recover in an active state (stress from base heart rate from walking speed) which will help the individual increase its ability to use O2 efficiently. Once the heart rate recovers to elevated base line, the individual can then begin the next set in the program. The individual's ability to recover the heart rate to base will determine the time lapse between sets. A direct correlation between recovery time and total exercise volume is established. When recovery time decreases and the total exercise volume increases, the individual's work capacity increases. When the individual's work capacity increases, their ability to do more work for a longer period of time increases. This allows for a higher amount of fuel to be burned during the workout.
The fitness apparatus uses variable resistance to allow the user to focus on time under tension (TUT) and muscle exhaustion to simulate type I and type II muscle fibers at lower intensities. Stabilization muscles predominantly have a higher type I ratio. These fibers are in a continuous state of low intensity stress through a certain range of motion depending on gait and incline/decline degree. When one adds a resistance exercise on top of the walking, he or she increases the stimuli intensity from low to possible high depending on the program design. So, our type I fibers are under a variable state of stress throughout the workout.
The resistance aspect allows the individual now to put a stimulus on type II muscle fibers. When one begins an exercise with resistance, the stress on the stability muscles increase as well as the stress on the prime movers of the exercise. As the repetitions increase and the individual moves closer to failure, the greater the stress becomes on type II fibers. With the ability to decrease the resistance mid-exercise, the capability to maximize the stress on type II fibers is enabled while keeping the overall resistance on the lower end of the spectrum. The incline/decline capabilities of the treadmill 8 coupled with gait length variability, exercise selection and resistance load variability put the body through the entire muscle action spectrum (eccentric, isometric, and concentric) in multi-planar movements which increase NME (neuromuscular efficiency).
The Volume Wave Principle is based on a few key acute training variables which are used in a progression to manipulate the work out volume (total volume=exercise×sets×repetitions).
Exercise selection is the process of choosing exercises for program design that allow for the optimal achievement of the desired adaptation. It has a tremendous impact on the outcome of the training program. The human movement system is a highly adaptable system that readily adjusts to the imposed demands of training (principle of specificity). First, exercises that are multi-jointed and focus on core stabilization should be applied. Once the adaptations have occurred, then single joint exercises can be added sequentially, which will increase training volume. In the context of the exercise described herein, these terms as defined as follows:
The first half of the volume wave is mostly manipulated by frequency and exercise selection. Helping the body get use to the new stimulus and focusing on building stabilization muscles and increasing VO2 max and RMR (resting metabolic rate). In one example, a subject starts a 2-day split which consists of 3 sets of 20 repetitions of 4 exercises (i.e., TV=240 per workout and TV=480 for the week). Then, the subject adds a day to their split (i.e., TV for the week goes from 480 to 720), or the subject adds one exercise to the current split (i.e., TV per workout goes from 240 to 300, and TV for the week goes from 480 to 600).
By adding the correct exercises and increasing frequency, the body will adapt and become more efficient. This forces the body to be able to handle more work. Once a plateau is reached with frequency and exercise selection, then sets and repetitions take over on the volume principle as the main manipulator of the workouts.
Any of the features or attributes of the above described embodiments and variations can be used in combination with any of the other features and attributes of the above described embodiments and variations as desired.
Although the invention has been shown and described with respect to a certain embodiment or embodiments, it is apparent that this invention can be embodied in many different forms and that many other modifications and variations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention.
Moreover, while exemplary embodiments have been described herein, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that the exemplary embodiments set forth above are merely illustrative in nature and should not be construed as to limit the claims in any manner. Rather, the scope of the invention is defined only by the appended claims and their equivalents, and not, by the preceding description.
This patent application claims priority to, and incorporates by reference in its entirety, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/081,859, entitled “Fitness Apparatus”, filed on Sep. 22, 2020.
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| Number | Date | Country | |
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| 63081859 | Sep 2020 | US |
