Exercise methods and apparatus
First Claim
1. A method of performing an assisted abdominal exercise with a hand-held exercise device having a sheave that is rotatable about an axis, left and right handles connected to the sheave at diametrically opposed locations relative to the axis, and a flexible member having a first end portion secured to the sheave, and an opposite, second end portion releasably secured to one'"'"'s left and right feet, comprising the steps of:
- grasping the handles in one'"'"'s respective left and right hands and lifting the sheave; and
while holding the sheave in space with the flexible member extending directly from the sheave to an opposite, second end portion of the flexible member that is secured to one'"'"'s left and right feet, rotating the sheave about the axis to wind the flexible member onto the sheave and pull one'"'"'s upper torso and said one'"'"'s feet toward one another.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A hand-held exercise device includes left and right handles that rotate through respective paths about an axis that is centrally located between the handles. In one mode of operation, the device is rotated while walking to enhance aerobic exercise. In another mode of operation, a strap is secured between the device and at least one of a person'"'"'s lower limbs to link rotation of the device to movement of the person'"'"'s hands and at least one of the person'"'"'s lower limbs toward one another, thereby assisting the person in the performance of abdominal exercises and/or muscle stretching.
37 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method of performing an assisted abdominal exercise with a hand-held exercise device having a sheave that is rotatable about an axis, left and right handles connected to the sheave at diametrically opposed locations relative to the axis, and a flexible member having a first end portion secured to the sheave, and an opposite, second end portion releasably secured to one'"'"'s left and right feet, comprising the steps of:
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grasping the handles in one'"'"'s respective left and right hands and lifting the sheave; and while holding the sheave in space with the flexible member extending directly from the sheave to an opposite, second end portion of the flexible member that is secured to one'"'"'s left and right feet, rotating the sheave about the axis to wind the flexible member onto the sheave and pull one'"'"'s upper torso and said one'"'"'s feet toward one another. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of performing an assisted abdominal crunch exercise with an exercise device having diametrically opposed left and right handles that rotate about a common axis, comprising the steps of:
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linking rotation of the handles about the axis to variation in a common angle defined between one'"'"'s upper torso and one'"'"'s left thigh and between one'"'"'s upper torso and one'"'"'s right thigh; grasping the handles in one'"'"'s respective hands and holding the device in space between one'"'"'s head and one'"'"'s knees; and while continuing to perform the holding step and while maintaining one'"'"'s feet in a stationary position, pulling one'"'"'s upper torso toward one'"'"'s thighs by contemporaneously (a) rotating the handles in an angle reducing direction about the axis, and (b) contracting one'"'"'s abdominal muscles. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of performing assisted abdominal exercise with a hand-held device having a sheave that is rotatable about an axis, left and right handles connected to the sheave at diametrically opposed locations relative to the axis, and a flexible member having a first end portion secured to the sheave, comprising the steps of:
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assuming a starting position relative to a support surface, with the flexible member extending directly from the sheave to an opposite, second end portion of the flexible member that is secured to one'"'"'s left and right feet, and with one'"'"'s back resting against the support surface; grasping the handles in one'"'"'s respective left and right hands and lifting the device; and while holding the device in space above the support surface, contracting one'"'"'s abdominal muscles and rotating the sheave about the axis to wind the flexible member onto the sheave and decrease a common angle defined (a) between one'"'"'s left thigh and one'"'"'s upper torso and (b) between one'"'"'s right thigh and one'"'"'s upper torso.
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18. A method of performing an assisted abdominal crunch exercise with a hand-held exercise device having a sheave that is rotatable about an axis, left and right handles connected to respective, opposite sides of the sheave, wherein at least one of the handles is connected to the sheave at a radially displaced location relative to the axis, and a flexible member having a first end portion anchored to the sheave, and an opposite, second end portion releasably anchored in a fixed position proximate one'"'"'s left and right feet, comprising the steps of:
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assuming an abdominal crunch position relative to a support surface; grasping the handles in one'"'"'s respective left and right hands and lifting the sheave; and while (a) holding the sheave in space with the flexible member extending directly between the sheave and the fixed position proximate one'"'"'s left and right feet, and (b) holding one'"'"'s left and right feet stationary, contracting one'"'"'s abdominal muscles and rotating the sheave about the axis, thereby winding the flexible member onto the sheave to help pull one'"'"'s upper torso toward one'"'"'s feet.
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Specification