Other

Six-pack, LLC

Martin A Van Der Hoeven

Jaeson Cayne

Thomas J Ryan

Francois Van Der Hoeven

Exercise apparatus

Abdominal contact pad for an abdominal exercising apparatus

The present invention improves on prior art abdominal exercisers with horizontally slidable members by providing a large contact area for a subject's abdomen that maximizes the size of the abdominal region that is exercised and increases user comfort compared to prior art devices. In the preferred embodiment, the contact device comprises a substantially convex shape with respect to the vertical dimension of a subject's abdomen, a substantially flat shape with respect to the horizontal dimension of a subject's abdomen, and an outline that is shaped like a disk with a flattened top and bottom, thereby engaging a larger abdominal area than prior art devices. A vertical channel and two horizontal channels divide the device into six sections that make separate contact with a subject's abdomen. In a preferred embodiment, the individual sections have padded surfaces to increase user comfort.

Abdominal exercising apparatus with improved abdominal engaging device

An exercise apparatus for strengthening the abdominal muscles, upper legs, and back comprises a large engagement surface and a pair of handles angled away from a body to provide stability. The portable exercise apparatus utilizes a slide member slidably positioned in a channel of a yoke and biased in one direction by an elastic cord. A base, which is positioned at one end of the slide, is placed against the abdomen or the buttocks while the user pulls the yoke towards the abdomen or buttocks by grasping the handles mounted astride the slide. The user contracts the abdominal or buttocks muscles while pulling the hands toward the abdomen or buttocks to hold the apparatus stationary. Strengthening of the abdominal or buttocks muscles is achieved by moving the abdomen or buttocks against the biasing force of the elastic cord.

An aerobic exercise platform comprises a rigid base having a smooth and slick surface for practicing sliding exercises. Elastic or rigid holding elements are securable to a series of anchoring points located about the periphery of the base. An alternate embodiment of the invention combines a sliding exerciser with a stepping exercise stool. The stool is constituted by the two symmetrical halves of an enclosure housing a web wound around a drum. When the two halves of the enclosure are spread apart the web is deployed. The slick upper side of the web acts as a sliding surface. Alternatively, the web may be a completely separate sheet, stored in the enclosure or attached between the spread apart halves for sliding exercises. Additional features such as extensions for raising the height of the stool and bumpers for protecting the user's feet and providing an angled sliding surface may be stored within the enclosure. The angled sliding surfaces and stabilizing poles provide ski-type exercise capability.

Stepping and sliding exerciser

Combination exercise weight and water bottle

An aerobic exercise platform comprises a rigid base having a smooth and slick surface for practicing sliding exercises. Elastic or rigid holding elements are securable to a series of anchoring points located about the periphery of the base. An alternate embodiment of the invention combines a sliding exerciser with a stepping exercise stool. The stool is constituted by the two symmetrical halves of an enclosure housing a web wound around a drum. When the two halves of the enclosure are spread apart the web is deployed. The slick upper side of the web acts as a sliding surface.

Stepping exercise stand

A multi-functional apparatus for the development or rehabilitation of the entire human musculature is packaged in a compact and lightweight housing. It combines three sets of exercising arms which can be biased against either pushing or pulling movements. The first set has parallel arms working in a front/back horizontal direction. The second set offers incline, back-to-back arms operating in sideways, horizontal direction. The third set features a pair of parallel arms moving in a vertical direction. Each arm can be operated with a hand or a foot. Each exercising arm is part of a removable arm assembly that can be used separately from the apparatus in combination with various attachments as a portable musculature development exerciser.

Multi-functional exercising apparatus

Apparatus for strengthening the musculature of the abdomen, upper legs and back. A portable version comprises a push arm resiliently penetrating a transversal yoke. The distal end of the arm is placed against the abdomen or the buttocks while the user pulls the yoke towards him by way of a pair of handles mounted astride the arm. The operator contracts the abdominal musculature while pulling the hands on a tensioned mechanism. Strengthening of the abdominal musculature is achieved by moving the abdomen against a resilient stop.

Musculature exercising apparatus

A multi-functional apparatus for the development or rehabilitation of the entire human musculature is packaged in a compact and lightweight housing. It combines three sets of exercising arms which can be biased against either pushing or pulling movements. The first set has parallel arms working in a front/back horizontal direction. The second set offers incline, back-to-back arms operating in sideways, horizontal direction. The third set features a pair of parallel arms moving in a vertical direction. Each arm can be operated with a hand or a foot.

Methods for strengthening the musculature of the abdomen, upper legs and back. One method primarily consists of isometric contraction of the abdominal musculature while the operator is seated in a specific position in which the forearms are generally orthogonal to the arms, the arms are generally parallel to the thoracic spine, the legs are extended, the hip is flexed, the thoracic and lumbar spine are slightly flexed. The operator contracts the abdominal musculature while pulling the hands on a tensioned mechanism. Strengthening of the abdominal musculature is achieved by moving the abdomen against a resilient stop. Stationary and portable versions of the necessary apparatus are disclosed.

Musculature exercising method

Physical exerciser

An exercise device for specific isolation and development of abdominal muscle groups comprises a deformable spring-resistance which is closely retained against the user's abdominal region and provision for tensioning the spring device with a dual-handle pulley system and an adjustable means for accurately controlling the spring tension and the resistance force that is pressed against the abdomen. When the device is in place and tensioned the user resists the tension by expanding the abdomen to exercise and thus develop the abdominal musculature.

Portable abdominal exerciser

The present invention discloses a method for strengthening the abdominal musculature. The method primarily copmrises isometric contraction of the abdominal musculature while the operator is seated in a specific position. The positioning entails a generally seated position of the operator in which the forearms are generally orthogonal to the arms, the arms are generally parallel to the thoracic spine, the legs are extended, the hip is flexed, the thoracic and lumbar spine are slightly flexed. While in this position, the operator contracts the abdominal musculature by pulling with the hands on a tow line, and pushing the feet against a foot stop, involuntarily tensing the abdominal musculature. Additional strengthening of the abdominal musculature is achieved by positioning the pelvis on the seat such that the pelvis is posteriorly rotated, by allowing the chest to move forward against a chest restraint, and by taking a breath and holding it by doing isometric contractions of the abdominal musculature.

Growing community of inventors

Carlsbad, CA, United States of America

Martin A Van Der Hoeven