Exercise apparatus for strengthening the hips and associated musculature

Abstract

An exercise apparatus for strengthening the hips that includes a belt adapted for being tightly secured around the hip area of a user and a resistance band attached to the belt at a position wherein the resistance band resides proximate the hips. An anchor is provided for attaching a distal end of the resistance band to a support generally at a level with the hips whereby rotating the hips applies resistance to the hips providing strengthening resistance to the hips. A method of using the apparatus is disclosed.

Claims

1. A method of strengthening the hips of a user, comprising the steps of: providing: a belt adapted for being tightly secured around a broad area of the hips and near a waist of the user, the belt comprising an inner surface that is proximate the user and an outer surface that is opposite the inner surface and distal to the user, the inner surface including a high-friction layer comprising a neoprene material configured to engage apparel worn by the user, the belt comprising a plurality of rings secured to the outer surface at different locations along a length of the belt, each ring of the plurality of rings being configured to receive a hook material that extends beyond the length of the belt and passes through at least one of the plurality of rings when the belt is secured around the broad areas of the hips and near the waist of the user; a resistance band having a first predetermined level of resistance and adapted to be attached to the belt at a position wherein the resistance band resides proximate at the broad area of the hips and near the waist of the user; a securing strap comprising webbing incorporating anti-wear structural properties configured to resist wear and adapted to be attached to a distal end of the resistance band and further comprising an anchor, wherein the anchor comprises a heavy-duty foam and is configured for being trapped, generally at a level with the broad area of the hips and near the waist of the user, on an opposite side of a closed door from the user; securing the belt around the user's hips at a level with the broad area of the hips and near the waist of the user, the securing comprising passing at least a portion of the hook material through the at least one of the plurality of rings and doubling back the hook material to interlock with loop material attached to the outer surface of the belt; trapping (i) the securing strap between the closed door and a door frame and (ii) the anchor on the opposite side of the closed door; moving the belt to a position placing the resistance band under tension such that the resistance band is secured and positioned proximate a first hip side of the hips; positioning both feet of the user so that toes of the feet of the user are facing in an opposite general direction from the closed door; repeatedly performing a first hip rotation rotating the hips such that the first hip side rotates away from the closed door and towards the toes thereby elongating the resistance band; repositioning the resistance band so that it is positioned proximate a second hip side opposite the first hip side, repeating the positioning of the feet, and repeatedly performing a second hip rotation rotating the hips such that the second hip side rotates away from the closed door and towards the toes thereby elongating the resistance band; wherein the first hip rotation and the second hip rotation are performed repeatedly over a period of time and at intervals sufficient to achieve a strengthening training effect, and wherein the first hip rotation and the second hip rotation facilitate engaging the apparel worn by the user with the neoprene material; when the hips have reached a level of greater strength, removing the resistance band from attachment with the belt; attaching a resistance band having a second, greater, level of resistance to the belt and rotating the hips repeatedly over a period of time and at intervals sufficient to achieve a strengthening training effect using the resistance band having the second, greater, level of resistance.

2. The method of strengthening the hips of the user according to claim 1, wherein the high-friction layer is configured to engage the apparel worn by the user by removably adhering to the apparel.

3. The method of strengthening the hips of the user according to claim 1, wherein the high-friction material is configured to resist rotation of the belt relative to the broad area of the hips.

4. The method of strengthening the hips of the user according to claim 1, wherein the belt comprises a heavy webbing spanning from a first end to a second end, wherein the neoprene material spans the length of the heavy webbing.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a plan view of the outer surface of an exercise and training apparatus according to one embodiment of the invention;

(2) FIG. 2 is a top view looking down on a user wearing the exercise and training apparatus while at rest;

(3) FIG. 3 is a top view looking down as the exercise and training apparatus is used in one direction of hip rotation;

(4) FIG. 4 is a top view looking down as the exercise and training apparatus is used in a direction of hip rotation opposite that shown in FIG. 3;

(5) FIG. 5 is an environmental view showing the exercise and training apparatus in use;

(6) FIG. 6 is a top view looking down illustrated an alternative manner of use of the exercise and training apparatus; and

(7) FIG. 7 is a plan view of the outer surface of an exercise and training apparatus according to an alternative embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT AND BEST MODE

(8) Referring now to the drawings, an exercise and training apparatus 10 for strengthening and training the hips and associated musculature is shown. The apparatus 10 is formed of a length of heavy webbing forming a belt 12. Loop material 14 is sewn or otherwise attached to the surface of the belt 12 along at least some of the length of the webbing on outer surface, as shown. Rings 16, 18 are sewn to the belt 12 with another length of webbing 20.

(9) On the other end of the belt 12 the loop material 14 extends beyond the end of the belt 12. A length of complementary hook material 22 is attached to the free end of the loop material 14. By passing the end of the hook material 22 through one of the rings 16 or 18 and then doubling back the hook material 22 onto the loop material 14, the hooks and loops interlock and the apparatus 10 can be secured around the hips of the user. See FIG. 2. A layer of neoprene or some other suitable high-friction material 24 is applied to the inner surface of the belt 12 to increase “grab” with the apparel worn by the user to prevent the apparatus 10 from rotating around the hip during use.

(10) Referring back to FIG. 1, a pair of D-rings 26, 28 are sewn onto the belt 12 in a central position symmetrical with respective ends of the belt 12. A resistance band 30 is provided and is attached to one or the other of the D-rings 26, 28 for use. The resistance band 30 may preferably be an elastic band such as a length of surgical tubing having a predetermined resistance to elongation. Resistance may be obtained by another means, including springs, solid or tubular rubber, plastic bands or other suitable resistance means.

(11) The resistance band 30 has a carabiner 32 on one end permitting the resistance band 30 to be releasably attached to the belt 12 by locking into the D-ring 26, as shown in FIG. 1. According to one preferred embodiment of the invention, a carabiner 34 is attached to the other, distal end of the resistance band 30. A securing strap 36 formed of heavy-duty webbing also includes a carabiner 38 or another heavy-duty ring for attachment to the resistance band 30. The free, distal end of the securing strap 36 includes a large, heavy-duty foam anchor 40. By placing the anchor 40 on one side of a door and closing the door, trapping the anchor 40, the user can then stand away from the door to put initial resistance on the resistance band 30. The webbing of the securing strap 36 provides a robust anti-wear structure that will resist wear resulting from being tightly trapped between a door and door frame.

(12) By rotating the hip closest to the door away from the door, the hip and associated musculature is exercised as desired. See FIG. 3. An alternative, not shown, is to provide a resistance band 30 that has a length sufficient to allow the anchor 40 to be attached directly to a distal end of the resistance band 30 by, for example, the carabiner 38, instead of using the securing strap 36.

(13) The apparatus 10 may be attached to any suitable support, although trapping the resistance band 30 between a door and door frame is ideal, since the range of adjustment is essentially infinite within the height of the door. This permits individuals of differing heights to easily adjust the height as needed. Maximum effectiveness will be achieved with the resistance band extending outwardly from the belt at the approximate height of the belt above floor level, since this position most closely corresponds to the pivoting motion of the hips of the user when swinging a golf club and thus provides training resistance optimized to achieve the desired training results.

(14) To exercise the hip in the opposite direction, the carabiner 32 is opened, the resistance band 30 removed from the D-ring 26, moved to the D-ring 28 and attached in the same manner. See FIGS. 4 and 5.

(15) As shown in FIG. 6, the apparatus 10 may be used by attaching two resistance bands 30 to the respective D-rings 26 and 28, and then pivoting left and right, either alternately for by pivoting in one direction for a set number of repeats and then in the opposite direction for a set number of repeats.

(16) Variations of the design elements described above can be made within the scope of the invention. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, a single D-ring 44 is attached to the belt 12 equidistant the opposing ends and permits the user to pivot in both directions without moving the belt 12 from one D-ring to another.

(17) Attachment methods other than by use of touch fasteners, for example, a conventional leather, plastic or rubber belt with spaced apart holes adapted to receive the pin of a pin-type buckle, claw buckle, friction buckle and others may be suitable.

(18) When training, resistance bands 30 with incrementally increasing levels of resistance may substituted as the exercise strengthens the hips. It has been found that 20 pounds (9 kilograms) may be a suitable weight at the commencement of a training program, with the weight increasing by 10 pound (4.5 kilogram) or 20 pound (9 kilogram) increments up to perhaps 100 pounds (45 kilograms) or greater by attaching multiple resistance bands.

(19) An exercise apparatus for strengthening the hips according to the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments and examples. Various details of the invention may be changed without departing from the scope of the invention. Furthermore, the foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the invention and best mode for practicing the invention are provided for the purpose of illustration only and not for the purpose of limitation, the invention being defined by the claims.