Stomach and mid-torso muscle toning device

Abstract

A stomach and mid-torso muscle-toning device. The device includes an elongated generally flat, waist-encircling flexible member having end portions and inner and outer panels attached together along common margins therebetween to define a closed or closable central pouch. The waist-encircling member is sized in length to transversely encircle a mid-torso and stomach of a user so that the end portions meet or overlap one another when the member is in an in-use position around the user's torso. Preferably, a releasable two-part hook and loop attachment between the end portions holds the waist member snugly in the in-use position. An elongated inflatable bladder is disposed between the inner and outer panels. An air pump and outlet valve are operably connected to an inlet and outlet, respectively, of the bladder, whereby the bladder may be selectively pressurized. The outer panel and the end portions are substantially non-extensible, while the inner panel is somewhat expandable whereby, when the bladder is pressurized, increased static force is applied inwardly against the torso and the stomach.