The present teachings generally relate to studios, devices and methods for exercising. More specifically, studios, devices and methods of the present teachings provide posture improvement.
Good posture is an easy and important way to maintain a healthy body. Many people have poor posture, often exasperated by prolonged periods of sitting, which may result in permanently altering ones spinal structure. Thus, for example, slouching limits shoulder mobility, encourages neck/back pain and lowers hormone levels essential to productivity, positive mental health and personal progress.
In addition to health aspects, poor posture reflects on the esthetics of how one presents oneself, rounded shoulders, a sunken chest and a forward head weaken neck and back muscles promoting a double chin and a less-confident and less-youthful appearance.
There exists a need for devices and/or exercises that effectively promote proper posture.
The present teachings provide, among other things, devices and/or studios for exercising and/or improving posture, and methods for exercising and/or improving posture.
One aspect of the present teachings provides an exercise device to effect posture improvement. The exercise device includes a bar having a first end and a second end and a first bracket. The first bracket includes: a first portion to mount the first bracket on a floor body, a second portion to receive the first end of the bar in an orientation that is substantially perpendicular to the floor body, and one or more portions to receive an exercise strap and/or resistance bands. The exercise device may further include a second bracket having: a first portion to mount the second bracket on the wall, and a second portion to accept the second end of the bar in an orientation that positions the bar substantially perpendicular to the floor body.
Another aspect of the present teachings provides a posture-improving studio including a floor and a wall. The studio includes: a plurality of bars each having a first end and a second end, and a mirror disposed on the wall. The first end of each of the plurality of bars is supported by a corresponding first bracket that is secured to the floor, each bar of the plurality of bars receives from partial to an entire body weight during exercise, and at least one first bracket includes one or more portions to receive resistance bands and/or straps that facilitate strengthening muscles for posture improvement. At least one bar of the plurality of bars may also be supported by a second bracket having: a first portion to mount the second bracket on the wall, a second portion to accept the second end of the bar in an orientation that positions the bar substantially perpendicular to the floor.
Yet another aspect of the present teachings is a method for a user to improve posture. The method includes using an exercise device, where the exercise device includes a bar having a first end and a second end and a first bracket. The first bracket includes: a first portion to mount the first bracket on a floor body, a second portion to receive the first end of the bar in an orientation that is substantially perpendicular to the floor body, and one or more portions to receive an exercise strap and/or resistance bands. The exercise device may further include a second bracket having: a first portion to mount the second bracket on the wall, and a second portion to accept the second end of the bar in an orientation that positions the bar substantially perpendicular to the floor body.
One aspect of the present teachings is a method to improve posture. The method includes: directing and/or assisting a subject to place back of head, back between the scapula/shoulders and sacrum against a bar, which extends from a floor to a height greater than the head of subject; and requesting and/or assisting the subject to move postural musculature as the bar provides posture stability.
Another aspect of the present teachings is a method to improve posture. The method includes: a user placing the back of head, the back between the scapula/shoulders and the sacrum against a bar, which extends from a floor to a height greater than the head of user; and the user moving their postural musculature as the bar provides posture stability.
Yet another aspect of the present teachings is a method to improve posture. The method includes: directing and/or assisting a subject to place back of head, back between the scapula/shoulders and sacrum against a bar, which extends from a floor to a height greater than the head of subject; and requesting and/or assisting the subject to stretch the postural musculature with resistance bands with the bar providing posture stability. The exercise device includes: a bar having a diameter and a length between a first end and a second end; and a first bracket. The first bracket includes a first portion to mount the first bracket on the ground, a second portion to accept the first end of the bar in an orientation that is substantially perpendicular to the ground, and one or more portions to support an exercise strap.
One aspect of the present teachings is a method to improve posture. The method includes: a user placing the back of head, the back between the scapula/shoulders and the sacrum against a bar, which extends from a floor to a height greater than the head of user; and the user moving the resistance bands to stretch the postural musculature with the bar providing posture stability. The exercise device includes: a bar having a diameter and a length between a first end and a second end; and a first bracket. The first bracket includes a first portion to mount the first bracket on the ground, a second portion to accept the first end of the bar in an orientation that is substantially perpendicular to the ground, and one or more portions to support an exercise strap.
Another aspect of the present teachings provides an exercise device to effect posture improvement. The exercise device includes a vertical bar and bands and/or straps. The vertical bar and bands and/or straps are located close enough so that a user may place their body against the bar and may grab, hold, or otherwise use the bands and/or straps for exercising. Thus, for example, the exercise device may include a bar and bands and/or straps that are affixed to, or otherwise immobilized by a floor, walls, ceiling, or some other structure that restrains them such that when a user leans of the bar and pulls on the bands and/or straps, the user is able to stretch their postural musculature with the bar providing posture stability.
The methods may, in general, be performed by a user (also referred to herein as a subject), an exercise facilitator, or by a combination, such as by an exercise facilitator instructing or assisting a user to perform the method.
These features together with the various ancillary provisions and features which will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, are attained by the apparatus and methods of the present invention, preferred embodiments thereof being shown with reference to the accompanying drawings, by way of example only, wherein:
Reference symbols are used in the figures to indicate certain components, aspects or features shown therein. Reference symbols common to more than one figure indicate like components, aspects or features shown therein.
As shown in
The term “bar” for bar 102 is not meant to be limiting as to the cross-sectional shape or as to any variation in the cross-sectional shape along the length of the bar. The outer surface of bar 102 and the inner surfaces of sleeves 112 and 116 are, however, formed of similar shape so that the bar may fit through and be held by the sleeves.
In one embodiment, the outer surface of bar 102 and the inner surfaces of sleeves 112 and 116 are generally cylindrical. In another embodiment, the surfaces may be square or have some other shape amenable to manufacturing and exercising. In yet another embodiment, the mating surfaces of bar 102 and sleeves 112 and 116 are cylindrical, or some other matching shape, while bar 102 between the sleeves has some other shape, such as a cylinder of a larger or smaller diameter. For sake of an example, the bar and sleeves are illustrated throughout the present specification and without limitation, as being generally cylindrical.
Vertical bar assembly 101 may, optionally, include devices for attaching additional exercise equipment. The devices may, for example be open or closed hooks or clasps that are on any part of the assembly, including but not limited to upper bar bracket 120 and/or lower bar bracket 130. Thus, for example and without limitation,
As described subsequently, especially in the discussion of
In the configuration of
Spacer 110 is secured to wall 108 using wall fastener 114 and bar 102 is, similarly, secured to floor body 106 using base fastener 104. Although they need not be, wall fastener 114 and base fastener 104 may be similar in structure. In one embodiment of the present teachings, each of wall fastener 114 or base fastener 104 includes an end component that receives spacer 114 and bar 102, respectively. As the end component meets up with wall 108 or floor body 106, it takes the shape of a plate, which has apertures defined therein. The end component facilitates securing spacer 110 or bar 102 using screws or nails that pass through the apertures in wall 108 or floor body 106. As a result, vertical bar assembly 101 provides a stable structure that can withstand weight or force applied by a human being, for example, during a physical exercise routine. Vertical bar assembly 101 thus presents a rigid and unmoving bar surface for performing exercises.
In one embodiment, bar 102 is held in place relative to floor body 106 such that the bar provides a support to an exercising user of the bar, and a band and/or strap that is also held in place near the bar so that a user may pull on the band and/or strap. Thus, for example, in various alternative embodiments, upper bar bracket 120 is optional, lower bar bracket 130 is optional, upper bar bracket 120 and lower bar bracket 130 are optional. In other alternative embodiments, bar 102 and bands and/or straps may be held in place by a frame one the floor, walls or ceiling, the bands and/or straps may be held in place by being attached directly to or support by bar 102, with or without hooks/clasps, and/or a bottom end of bar 102 may be placed within a hole in the ground for support.
The elements of vertical bar assemblies 101 and 201 may be constructed of wood or a metal. Thus, for example, with reference to
Bar 102 or 202, to the extent is of a cylindrical shape, may have a diameter D1 (as shown in
In certain embodiments, spacer 110/210, and/or upper bracket 120/220 are positioned at a height above ground that is greater than the height of the user of vertical bar assembly 101/201. Thus for example, spacer 110/210, and/or upper bracket 120/220 may be greater than 1.8 m (6 feet) above the ground, greater than 2 m (6.5 feet) above the ground, or greater than 2.1 m (7 feet) above the ground.
Wall fastener 114 or 214 shown in
Base fastener 104 or 204 in these figures may be between 0.15 m (6 inches) and 0.3 m (12 inches) in length and may be between 0.1 m (4 inches) and 0.25 m (10 inches) in width at its connection points to the floor body (e.g., floor body 106 of
In accordance with one embodiment of the present arrangement, mirror 216 of
Although
In an alternative embodiment, vertical bar assembly 101, 201, 301, and/or 401 include portions that may support additional exercise equipment. In the following example, the portions are hooks or clasps the may be part of the vertical bar assembly.
A method of exercising, in accordance with one embodiment of the present teachings, using any one of vertical bar assemblies 101, 201, 301, or 401 may begin with applying a force on the vertical bar using one or more contacting human body parts and/or muscle groups, such that the vertical bar stabilizes one or more of the contacting body parts. Contacting body parts are those that contact the vertical bar. Next, the method may include moving, simultaneously, one or more non-contacting human body parts, which parts do not contact the vertical bar, and wherein the contacting and the non-contacting human body parts include any one of bone or muscle. When the human contacting body parts apply a force on the bar, the bar, in turn, exerts a substantially equal and opposite force on one or more of the contacting body parts, to stabilize the human during an exercise routine. The bones may preferably include a skeleton in one embodiment of the present teachings. The body movements may include both open-chain and closed-chain exercises. The body movements may include both maximal and sub-maximal muscular contractions.
The muscular contractions may produce, but are not limited to, isometric, eccentric and concentric muscle contractions of the contacting and the non-contacting human body parts. Vertical method of exercising utilizes a vertical fitness apparatus as both (1) exercise support and (2) spinal alignment reference. Further, the devices of the present invention allow for a large range of motion, allowing the body to twist to exercise in all plains (frontal, sagittal and transverse) without obstruction.
As exercise support, the vertical apparatus is a stabilizing force to connect with the body as both a vehicle of resistance and assistance to engage both global and stabilizing muscles by pushing against the bar while lifting an arm or leg appendage weighted by resistance or free weight, by pulling against the bar during squat, chair and lunge like exercises and while holding onto the bar maintaining balance during traditional Yoga-like poses.
Several examples of exercises are presented as being performed on the device and in the studio of
As one example of an exercise using vertical bar assembly 401, a resistance band is attached to hook 431 at the base and the exerciser with a foot or ankle strap. The exerciser may then exercise by pushing against vertical bar 402 with wide hand grip, with the shoulders parallel to bar, and with a substantial part of the body parallel to floor. This exercise will strengthen core posture muscles and intricate hip complex musculature.
In another example, the exerciser positions themselves with the three body parts of contacting vertical bar 402a, from top to bottom: (1) the back of head (2) the back, between the scapula/shoulders, and (3) the sacrum. With these three body parts contacting vertical bar while facing mirror 408, and with a resistance band 440(a) attached to upper bar support 410 (a), as at hook or clasp 421(a), for example, the exerciser then pulls/stretches the resistance band to his body then releases the band, exercising postural musculature as the bar behind him ensures standing posture stability.
In another example, vertical bar 401 acts as a restorative device, permitting the human body to return to its natural architecture of aligned standing posture by connecting the body at 3 points along the bar to quiet larger/global muscle groups, thus encouraging the smaller/stabilizing muscle groups to engage thus develop and grow.
It is to be understood that the invention includes all of the different combinations embodied herein. Throughout this specification, the term “comprising” shall be synonymous with “including,” “containing,” or “characterized by,” is inclusive or open-ended and does not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps. “Comprising” is a term of art which means that the named elements are essential, but other elements may be added and still form a construct within the scope of the statement. “Comprising” leaves open for the inclusion of unspecified ingredients even in major amounts.
Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments.
Similarly, it should be appreciated that in the above description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the Detailed Description are hereby expressly incorporated into this Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention.
Thus, while there has been described what is believed to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, those skilled in the art will recognize that other and further modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is intended to claim all such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the invention.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/934,768 filed on Feb. 1, 2014, which is incorporated in its entirety for all purposes.
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/US2015/014000 | 1/30/2015 | WO | 00 |
Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
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WO2015/117044 | 8/6/2015 | WO | A |
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Number | Date | Country | |
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61934768 | Feb 2014 | US |