Abdominal exercise and training apparatus

Abstract

An abdominal training apparatus designed to be used by a seated exerciser for concentrated training of the abdominal muscles in performing crunch exercises, comprising an upper portion and a lower portion pivotably suspended from a base, the upper portion and lower portion being linked together causing them to rotate in opposing directions toward, and in a fixed angular proportion to, one another. The apparatus includes weight addition means on the upper and lower portions to respectively increase and decrease the force required to perform the crunch exercises, so as to accommodate both advanced and beginning exercisers as well as those with injured or weak abdominal muscles. The apparatus further includes a pivotably mounted seat portion having a plurality of angular positions enabling the apparatus to be used by an exerciser to target both the oblique and the frontal abdominal muscles.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates generally to apparatus for exercising and strengthening the abdominal muscles. More specifically, the present invention relates to an apparatus that enables a wide range of exercisers to perform isolated training of both the frontal and oblique abdominal muscles without straining the lower back.[0002]There are many exercise devices intended to train specific parts of the body. Training of the abdominal muscles can be particularly challenging because of the desire to concentrate the work to the abdominal muscles and at the same time minimize the stress and risk of injury to the lower back. Traditional sit-ups on a flat surface or on an inclined bench are far from optimal for strengthening the abdominal muscles. Beginning the exercise in a flat position puts stress on the spine and the neck and may be very difficult for a person with weak abdominal muscles. Additionally, the traditional sit-up motion engages the hip flexor...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012]The present invention provides an abdominal exercise apparatus to be used by an exerciser in a seated position. The apparatus of the present invention is symmetrical left to right and comprises a base from which an upper and a lower portion are pivotably suspended. The upper and lower portions are linked together, causing them to rotate in opposed directions with respect to the base. As an exerciser pulls down on handles extending from the top of the upper portion, drawing the upper portion pivotably forward and downward, the exerciser also pulls up on leg retaining means extending from the bottom of the lower portion, drawing the lower portion pivotably forward and upward, through the use of the linking bar causing the upper and lower portions to rotate about their respective pivot points on the side supports of the apparatus, resulting in a sit-up or crunch motion. The upper portion and lower portion rotate in a fixed proportion to, and in opposite directions from, one another, to a final relative position that creates a substantial parallelity between the upper and lower portion of the exercise apparatus. Additionally, because the head is supported and the legs and feet are secured, the apparatus concentrates the intensity of the crunch workout on the abdominal muscles.

[0013]The apparatus of the present invention protects against strain to the spine and lower back by providing support for the head, shoulders, and lower back of the exerciser, the upper portion of the apparatus comprising head and shoulder pads and the lower portion of the apparatus comprising lumbar and seat pads. As the exerciser draws the apparatus into the crunch position, his back and head continue to be supported throughout the entire range of motion.

[0014]The abdominal exercise apparatus of the present invention additionally includes means to add weights to the upper and lower portions in order to both increase and decrease the force required to perform the crunch exercise. An advanced exerciser can benefit by increasing the weight on the upper portion, thereby making the exercise more difficult and enhancing the workout of the abdominal muscles. A beginning exerciser, or one who is rehabilitating from injury or has weak abdominal muscles, can benefit by increasing the weight on the lower portion, thereby making the exercise easier and enabling an exerciser to train using the crunch motion even if he or she is not capable of achieving that motion unassisted. Further, the apparatus of the present invention enables an exerciser to target both the frontal and the oblique abdominal muscles.

Problems solved by technology

Training of the abdominal muscles can be particularly challenging because of the desire to concentrate the work to the abdominal muscles and at the same time minimize the stress and risk of injury to the lower back.

Traditional sit-ups on a flat surface or on an inclined bench are far from optimal for strengthening the abdominal muscles.

Beginning the exercise in a flat position puts stress on the spine and the neck and may be very difficult for a person with weak abdominal muscles.

However, because the movement in performing a crunch is from a position with the back flat on the floor to a crunch position where just the head and shoulders are raised from the floor, the range of motion to which the abdominals are subjected is limited.

Although this apparatus provides the capability to both aid an exerciser with weak abdominal muscles in doing a sit-up and increase the resistance for a more advanced exerciser, it suffers from the basic configuration deficiency of starting the exercise in a flat prone position.

Therefore, this device does not minimize lower back stress nor does it concentrate the work to the abdominal muscles as opposed to the hip flexors.

Although various attempts have been made to perfect these machines, there remain several disadvantages to many of the designs.

Still other versions are limited by other factors such as a limited range of movement.

However, this device does not provide positive assistance to exercisers with weaker abdominal muscles and does not support the exerciser's back throughout the exercise.

Additionally, this device has the exerciser seated in a position where the feet are placed on the floor, which may result in an awkward exercise position for exercisers of various heights.

However, the exerciser's back and head are not supported throughout the range of the exercise motion and there is no assistance provided for exercisers with weaker abdominal muscles.

However, this device provides no back or head support for the exerciser, provides neither weight resistance nor assistance to an exerciser with weak abdominal muscles, and has no means for the exerciser to use his legs to assist in actuating the crunching motion.

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