Exercise devices – Isometric
Reexamination Certificate
1997-06-26
2001-02-20
Donnelly, Jerome W. (Department: 3764)
Exercise devices
Isometric
C482S148000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06190291
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a fitness method and, in particular to a fitness method that combines isometric-like physical activity with isotonic physical activity to achieve both endurance and strength.
BACKGROUND ART
In the prior art, the concept of dynamic tension or isometrics is well known, having been popularized by Charles Atlas many years ago. The concept of isometrics involves pitting one or more muscle groups against other muscle groups in a stationary fashion. Typically, one hand of an exerciser is pushed against or pulled apart from the other hand with the other hand imparting an opposite and generally equal force. Neither hand nor the exerciser's body is typically moved during the pushing or pulling of the hands.
One of the drawbacks to the system of isometrics is the inability to generate sufficiently large workloads to involve the circulation (heart rate especially) appreciably. For one thing, the duration of each isometric exercise is too brief; for another the muscle mass involved in the exercise was generally too small. Consequently, isometric exercise only provides strength improvement and does not contribute to endurance, flexibility, aerobic training or the like.
Another common form of exercising involves movement, i.e. isotonics. Examples of these types of exercises include swimming, running, rowing, biking, aerobics and the like. While these exercises offer superb cardiovascular training, they are often deficient in building strength or using a large volume of muscle simultaneously.
One other form of exercising is a hand weight-assisted whole body exercise known as Heavyhands® that was developed by the inventor. In this exercise, hand weights are utilized during walking, jogging or the like in an effort to combine aerobic or cardiovascular training with strength training.
Presently, there is a large emphasis on exercise equipment or devices that are designed to work a single muscle group only, e.g., abdominal exercising machines, treadmills, stationary bikes, etc. Often times, these types of equipment, while driving the heart rate up, may not exercise enough of the skeletal musculature to provide a complete body workout. For example, there are important leg group muscles that are not adequately exercised during running or biking. Other equipment may ignore upper body strength, overall flexibility and many other muscles, including the low back and abdomen. Further, equipment that may provide a more extensive workout may be cost prohibitive for many to use.
In view of the many disadvantages with present day exercise techniques and devices in terms of cost, insufficient muscle volume utilization, monotonous routines, inadequate cardiovascular training and the like, a need has developed to provide an exercise method or routine which overcomes the disadvantages with the prior art systems noted above. In response to this need, the present invention provides a fitness method that does not require any exercise equipment or device(s) and provides both strength and endurance training simultaneously.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is a first object of the invention to provide a fitness method that combines the benefits of isometrics and isotonics.
Another object of the invention is a fitness method that does not require the use of any exercise equipment or apparatus.
A further object of the invention is a fitness method that permits an exerciser to achieve strength training simultaneously with endurance training and whole body flexibility.
A still further object of the invention is a fitness method that can be utilized to train the entire skeletal musculature and cardiovascular system to build strength, endurance and flexibility, simultaneously.
One other object of the invention is a fitness method that can be used to develop sports-related skills such as baseball bat or golf club swinging, oar rowing, bowling, tennis racquet swinging or the like.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent as a description thereof proceeds.
In satisfaction of the foregoing objects and advantages, the present invention provides, in one embodiment, a fitness method for at least one individual exerciser comprising the steps of coupling at least a portion of each hand of the exerciser together. An isometric-like force is generated between the coupled portions of the hands; and the coupled portions are moved in space for a select period of time while generating the isometric-like force for training of the cardiovascular system of the exerciser simultaneously with training of the skeletal musculature of the exerciser.
In one mode, the coupled hands can be moved without actively moving other parts of the body. The exerciser could be standing or seated while moving the coupled hands. Alternatively, one or more other parts of the exerciser's body can be moved while the coupled hands are being moved. The other body parts can include the legs including the feet, the torso, the neck, the shoulders, etc.
The coupled hands can be linked in any fashion that will permit the generation of the isometric-like force and can be moved in space in any number of directions or speeds, e.g., vertical, horizontal or oblique directions, slow, fast or moderate speeds and/or combinations or variations thereof.
The other body part movements can also be in any direction, any type and at any rate. For example, the legs can be moved in a sidestepping fashion, the torso can be bent over from an upright stance or the neck can be gyrated in a circular motion.
The isometric-like force can also be varied during the exercise routine. In generating the force, typically, one hand pulls against the pull of the other hand or one hand pushes against the push of the other. In true isometrics, the push or pull of one hand would offset the push or pull of the other hand so no movement would occur. In the inventive fitness method, the pull or push of one hand (the force) is different from the pull or push of the other hand to allow the coupled hands to move in space. During the coupled hand movement, the isometric-like force is being generated to at least some degree to achieve the strength training with the cardiovascular training.
The coupled hand configurations can be any type that permits the generation of the isometric-like force, including horizontal, vertical, oblique or combinations thereof. Examples include interlocking the fingers so that fingers of one hand engage the webs between fingers of the other hand. The tips of the fingers of one hand could curl to engage the tips of the fingers of the other hand. In yet a further configuration, the fingers of one hand could be positioned between the index finger and thumb of another hand so that the hands are clasped together. The coupled hands can be moved through any type of a trajectory during the exercise routine, including side to side, up and down, a figure eight movement, an oblique movement or combinations or sequences thereof.
The coupled hand movements can be selected or changed for the routine depending on the muscles intended to be worked. Certain hand configurations and movements can work certain muscles better than other muscles.
Any mode of the inventive method can be practiced in an aqueous medium such as water wherein at least a part of an exerciser's body is in water during movement of the coupled hands or hands/body parts. The hands, legs, torso, shoulders, head or the like could be completely or partially submerged during exercising.
In one mode, to achieve both strength and cardiovascular training simultaneously, heretofore unavailable with conventional forms of exercise, the moving of the hands and/or other body parts can be done repetitively and in sufficient quantity along with application of the isometric-like force, preferably slow, hard pulling/pushing of the hands.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3016812 (1962-01-01), Chatlain
patent: 3408750 (1968-11-01), McCollough et al.
patent: 4015344 (1977-04-01), Michaels et al.
patent: 4337049 (1982-06-01), Connelly
patent: 446661
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