A system and method for using performance signatures can include generating a set of performance features during an activity of the first participant by collecting kinematic data from at least one inertial measurement unit and generating a set of biomechanical signals; combining the set of performance features into the performance signature; generating at least a second performance signature from a set of participants; comparing the performance signature of the first participant to at least the second performance signature; and applying a result of the comparison to an interaction with at least one participant.

The present invention consists essentially of a sloping grip. The grip includes a receiving portion into which the handle of a dumbbell, barbell, Olympic bar, or other weight can be inserted. The grip may be higher and wider at one end, and lower and narrower at the other end, changing the angle between the user's hand and the handle of the weight. The low end is configured to transition easily to the weight handle. The grip may be comprised of rigid materials, such as plastics or woods, substantially rigid materials, such as more flexible plastics, foams, and silicones, or more flexible materials such as less dense silicones, foams, and plastics. The grip may be substantially solid or substantially hollow, depending on materials used. The grip may be formed such that the slope made by the upper surface is anywhere from 1 to 89 to the plane of the weight handle.

A rack for storing a plurality of cylindrical free weight plates for weightlifting is provided, wherein the cylindrical free weight plates have an outer diameter with a peripheral edge, and each weight plate is of like diameter. The rack includes a planar base sized to support free weight plates stacked in a horizontal configuration, and a plurality of spaced apart uprights disposed generally vertically on the base, and wherein each upright receives the peripheral edges of the plurality of weight plates.

An exercise device accessory attachment system including a training device having a support member having a first-end, a second-end, and a length, and an accessory attachment. The accessory attachment may include a ducking and blocking swivel arm, a strike bag, and an arm wrestle stand. The accessory attachment configured to be interchangeable and used for various strength and training exercises. The accessory attachment is linearly fixed to the first-end. The second-end is configured to slideably engage within a square tubing portion of a work-out bench and support the training device substantially vertically at a desired elevated position for use.

Embodiments of a glove including a cut out portion and a reinforcing panel are described herein. In many embodiments, a glove comprises a glove body with a dorsal side, a palmar side, a plurality of finger portions, a thumb portion, and a wrist portion. The wrist portion defines a glove opening in communication with an interior portion defined within the glove body. A reinforcing panel is secured on an outer surface of the glove body between the thumb portion and the wrist portion. A cut out portion defines an opening formed through the reinforcing panel and in communication with the interior portion of the glove body to minimize bunching up of the glove body. Other embodiments of gloves are described herein.

A compressible material is provided for use with athletic equipment and apparel for enhancing the effects of physical exercise for a person. The material can include one or more compression members that extend from shoes, insoles for shoes, exercise gloves, wraps for exercise equipment, exercise mat or floor covering, headbands, socks, exercise garments, free weights and sports helmets. The compression members can be made of one or more of rubber, thermoplastic rubber, foam rubber, polyurethane rubber, silicone rubber, thermoplastic resin and thermoplastic elastomer. Positioning the compressible material such that it is between the user and any surface for example when exercising, requires the person to maintain balance while performing the exercise by using other muscles that would not ordinarily be used during the exercise, and provides proprioceptive feedback to the person's central nervous system.

This invention is a handle meant to be mounted on the end of a barbell that is standing on its opposite end and pressed out and up from the shoulder at a forty-five degree angle. The handle turns to allow the user to rotate their hand from the vertical to horizontal position which mimics the action of throwing a punch. This rotation can also be performed against resistance provided by internal structures in the handle to further strength the arm through the range of motion of a punch. The purpose of this handle is to take a common strength training exercise and improve the effects and carry over for athletes or users who are interested in developing more powerful punches.

A hand protector is disclosed that comprises flexible planar base in the general shape of an oversized palm of a person's hand. Five spaced apertures are provided towards edges of the planar base in positions that correspond to five fingers of the hand, the apertures sized to permit the fingers of the hand to be inserted therethrough to support the planar base against a palm of the hand. One or more of the apertures have cover flaps, each cover flap movable between a first position in which it generally extends in a plane of the base, and a second position in which it extends away from the plane of the base and abuts a base of the finger when a finger is inserted through the aperture.

Provided herein is a device for reinforcing the lower body during the performance of a compound weightlifting exercise including at least two thigh bands, each defining an opening for a wearer's thigh, at least two biasing straps, each biasing strap having a proximal end and a distal end, each biasing strap connected at the distal end thereof to one of the at least two generally circular thigh bands, and a waist portion connected to the proximal end of each biasing strap. When worn, each of the biasing straps extends between the waist portion and the thigh bands, over one of the wearer's buttocks and a rear portion of the wearer's thigh.

A weightlifting belt includes a flexible strap portion with a first major surface (e.g., a front), a second major surface (e.g., a back), a first longitudinal end, a second longitudinal end, a first lateral side, and a second lateral side. An anchor assembly is in contact with the first major surface of the flexible strap portion near the first longitudinal end of the flexible strap portion. A lever-actuated hook assembly is in contact with the first major surface of the flexible strap portion near the second longitudinal end of the flexible strap portion. The lever-actuated hook assembly is configured to engage the anchor assembly so as to hold the first longitudinal end of the strap portion close to, or in physical contact with, the second longitudinal end of the strap portion so as to form a loop that can fit around a waist of a human.