Unsupported Pelvic / Spine, Third Class Lever Exercise System and Method

Abstract

The invention is embodied in an exercise system that can allow its user to counterbalance the effects associated with a predominantly sedentary lifestyle though a fitness device that comprises a combination of (a) supporting the lower body in a manner that permits a user's upper body to act as a third class lever with the user's hips operating as fulcrum and (b) engaging in resistance exercises with the upper body in a horizontal position, unsupported above the greater trochanter.

Claims

1. A method for exercising a human body to optimize core function, comprising: orienting the body in a side-facing position, the body comprising a femur and a tibia, the femur further comprising an upper femur, a lower femur, and a greater trochanter, the tibia further comprising an upper tibia, supporting the upper femur with a first pad, the first pad configured to resist a downward force, supporting a knee area with a second pad, the knee area comprising a location between the user's lower femur and upper tibia, the second pad configured to resist an upward force, and not externally supporting the body above the greater trochanter.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of applying an elastic member across the torso, the elastic member fixed at a point below the torso so that the elastic member applies an downward force on the torso as the torso moves into a horizontal position.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of providing a resistance device for the upper body while the body attempts to maintain the torso in a horizontal position.

4. A method for exercising to optimize core function, comprising: providing a fitness device having a base frame supporting a mid-assembly, a resistance assembly, and a rear assembly, the mid-assembly rigidly supporting a mid-assembly pad, the resistance assembly providing a resistance device in a front area, the rear assembly having a rear assembly pad, positioning an exerciser on the fitness device in a side-facing position, the exerciser comprising a femur, a tibia, a knee, and a torso; the femur further comprising an upper femur, a lower femur, and a greater trochanter; the tibia further comprising an upper tibia, positioning the upper femur on the mid-assembly pad, positioning a knee area on the rear assembly pad second pad, the knee area comprising a location between the user's lower femur and upper tibia not externally supporting the exerciser above the greater trochanter, and instructing the exerciser apply force to the resistance device while attempting to keep the torso in a horizontal position.

5. The method of claim 4 further comprising the step of applying an elastic member across the torso, the elastic member fixed at a point below the torso so that the elastic member applies an downward force on the torso as the torso moves into a horizontal position.

6. The method of claim 4 further comprising the step of providing a resistance device for the upper body while the body attempts to maintain the torso in a horizontal position.

7. A method for exercising to optimize core function, comprising: providing a fitness device having a base frame, a mid-assembly pad, a rear assembly pad, and an arm assembly, the arm assembly connected to the base frame, the arm assembly comprising, a first arm assembly joint rotatable about a first axis, a second arm assembly joint rotatable about a second axis, a third arm assembly joint rotatable about a third axis, a first arm connected between the first arm assembly joint and the second arm assembly joint, a second arm connected at the second arm assembly joint and at the third arm assembly joint, a third arm connected between the third arm assembly joint and a free end, positioning an exerciser on the fitness device in a side-facing position, the exerciser comprising a femur, a tibia, a knee, and a torso; the femur further comprising an upper femur, a lower femur, and a greater trochanter; the tibia further comprising an upper tibia, positioning the upper femur on the mid-assembly pad, positioning a knee area on the rear assembly pad second pad, the knee area comprising a location between the user's lower femur and upper tibia not externally supporting the exerciser above the greater trochanter, and instructing the exerciser apply force to the resistance device while attempting to keep the torso in a horizontal position.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising the step of applying an elastic member across the torso, the elastic member fixed at a point below the torso so that the elastic member applies a downward force on the torso as the torso moves into a horizontal position.

9. The method of claim 7 further comprising the step of providing a resistance device for the upper body while the body attempts to maintain the torso in a horizontal position.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS OR PICTURES

[0024] FIG. 1 illustrates a front perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the fitness device.

[0025] FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of the preferred embodiment of the fitness device of FIG. 1.

[0026] FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of FIG. 2 when fitness device 4 is configured for a user in an unsupported-torso face-up position 10. For a better view, the top part of the housing for the right selectorized weight stack 138 has been removed in this and the subsequent side view (FIGS. 4-11).

[0027] FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of FIG. 2 when fitness device 4 is configured for a user in an unsupported-torso face-down position 20.

[0028] FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of FIG. 2 when the fitness device 4 is configured for a user in an unsupported-torso side-facing position 30.

[0029] FIG. 6 illustrates a shoulder press exercise in an unsupported-torso side-facing position 30.

[0030] FIG. 7 illustrates a shoulder rotation exercise in an unsupported-torso side-facing position 30.

[0031] FIG. 8 illustrates a biceps exercise in an unsupported-torso face-up position 10.

[0032] FIG. 9 illustrates a one-arm press and the other-arm pull exercise in an unsupported-torso face-up position 10.

[0033] FIG. 10 illustrates a one-arm press and the other-arm pull exercise in an unsupported-torso face-down position 20.

[0034] FIG. 11 illustrates a triceps press exercise in an unsupported-torso face-down position 20.

[0035] FIG. 12 illustrates the preferred embodiment of a femur pad 50.

[0036] FIG. 13 illustrates the preferred embodiment of a tibia pad 68 and tibia support structure 70.

[0037] FIG. 14 illustrates the preferred embodiment of a cable support structure 150.

[0038] FIG. 15 illustrates a preferred mount 192 and elastic strap 210 configured to create a force vector 212 on a user's torso (obscured by the user's body, the other end of the strap 210 is connected to the opposing mount 192, forming a pair of mounts 194).

[0039] FIG. 16 illustrates a side view of FIG. 2 when the embodiment is configured for a user in a face-up cervical mode.

[0040] FIG. 17 illustrates a side view of FIG. 2 when the embodiment is configured for a user in a side-facing cervical mode.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] Today's fitness industry offers a seemingly limitless variety of exercise theories and styles. While some of the available theories and styles are directed to training the “core” in an effort to counteract today's sedentary lifestyle, none of them are configured to only support a user's lower body below the greater trochanter and intentionally not supporting a user body above the greater trochanter while the user engages in various degrees of movement and force production with the upper body in a substantially horizontal position. As demonstrated below, the preferred embodiment of the invention effectively requires a user's upper body act to act as a third class lever when resisting external loading, with the hips as the fulcrum.

[0042] FIG. 1 depicts a fitness device 4 embodying the principles of the present invention. FIGS. 3-5 depict how fitness device 4 provides an environment that positions its user to optimize the user's biomechanical systems. In combination, femur (or “mid-assembly”) pad 50 and tibia pad 68 create an environment that effectively mandates a user's natural biomechanical systems to provide the necessary pre-requisite center body stabilization while the user's upper body produces force. When a user's body is in a horizontally third class biomechanical lever environment as shown in FIGS. 3-5, the fitness device 4 effectively mandates proper co-contraction of the core's inner unit and outer unit to optimize fully integrated biomechanics.

[0043] The three positions shown in FIGS. 3-5 (unsupported-torso face-up 10, unsupported-torso face-down 20, and unsupported-torso side-facing 30) can greatly reduce or in some cases, eliminate the compressive spinal loading that typically occurs during use of conventionally designed equipment. As shown in FIGS. 3-5, the fitness device 4 essentially mandates that a user's upper body operate as a third class lever with the user's hips as the fulcrum with or without a user's upper extremities generating various degrees of force production.

[0044] FIG. 3 depicts a user in an unsupported-torso face-up position 10. As shown, a femur pad 50 has been configured to support the user between the user's lower femur and upper tibia. As shown, the femur pad 50 does not offer any support underneath the pelvis or the upper femur. The tibia pad 68 has been configured to support a user's lower tibia/ankle.

[0045] FIG. 4 depicts a user in an unsupported-torso face-down position 20. As shown, the femur pad 50 had been configured to support the user's upper femur, preferably below the user's greater trochanter. The tibia pad 68 has been configured to support a user's upper tibia. FIG. 4 illustrates the preferred configuration of the tibia pad 68 in the unsupported-torso face-down position 20. But positioning the tibia pad 68 anywhere between a user's lower femur and upper tibia is acceptable.

[0046] FIG. 5 depicts a user in an unsupported-torso side-facing position 30. As shown, the femur pad 50 had been configured to support the user's upper femur, preferably below the user's greater trochanter. The tibia pad 68 has been configured to support a user's upper tibia. FIG. 5 illustrates the preferred configuration of the tibia pad 68 in the unsupported-torso side-facing position 20. But positioning the tibia pad 68 anywhere between a user's lower femur and upper tibia is acceptable.

[0047] It is important to note that the fitness device 4 offers no external support of the user's torso in FIGS. 3-5.

[0048] In operation, a user can begin a training continuum by acquiring the necessary pre-requisite center body and cervical spine stabilization strength. This can be accomplished by statically holding oneself in an unsupported-torso in a face-up, face-down, or side-facing position without any moving or generating any force with the upper extremities. FIGS. 3-5. This initial center body stabilization strategy can be progressed by a user holding a horizontal position for increasing amounts of time.

[0049] Once sufficient center body stabilization has been acquired, users can further increase strength by generating various degrees of resisted open kinetic chain upper extremity force production via a plurality of movement patterns. Additionally, once users have realized preferred levels of optimal functional anatomy and biomechanics during force production, they can safely and effectively engage in enhancing power production.

[0050] Power training involves producing force by coordinating center body and extremity movement together, coupled with a speed or velocity element. The entire spectrum of resistance training described can be thought of as the progressive exercise continuum.

[0051] By way of the examples, as shown in FIG. 3-5, a user can engage in a static center body holding. Alternatively, by way of example, a user can engage in a variety of push/pull movement patterns as shown in FIGS. 9-10, pressing movements (FIG. 6), or bicep/tricep movements (FIGS. 8, 11), rotational movements (FIG. 7). For these exemplary movements, the user is attempting to keep the torso as horizontal as possible during exercise. The movement is predominantly performed by the arms (i.e., the upper extremities).

[0052] The additional combinations and permutations available to a user of fitness device 4 are both wide and deep. For example, although not shown, one could generate power by the throwing of a lightly weighted ball from one hand to the other in the face-up position 10. One could utilize two handed movements, such as shown in FIG. 7. One could execute a rowing movement with one or two hands in the face-down position. Another alternative is to put only one leg on the tibia pad, letting the other leg be free to move, and then engaging in any of these exercises. This would change the dynamic forces on the body but retain the ethos of the fitness device 4.

[0053] The various embodiments of the invention provide both an exercise methodology and facilitative apparatus. By exploiting a mechanical disadvantage of putting a user's upper body into a third class lever environment, the fitness device 4 provides heightened return of muscle strength to support anatomically correct leg/hip/spine movement—which translates directly into supporting correct anatomical movement in all aspects of real life human function.

[0054] In part, the mechanical disadvantage a user faces when exercising in the unsupported torso positions is believed to create an inverse functional anatomical advantage as a result of the resulting muscle growth. Namely, that it more effectively mandates optimal center body activation during hips fulcrum third class levered horizontal loading, wherein the upper extremities generate force in an open kinetic chain environment.

Preferred Re-Configurable Lower Body Support

[0055] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the preferred fitness device 4 rests on a base frame 34. A base platform 38 sits on top of the base frame 34. A conventional selectorized weight stack 138 is connected to a left side 42 and a right side 46 of a front end 48 of the base frame 34. A femur pad 50, which preferably has a rounded exterior surface 54, is connected between the left 42 and right 46 weight stacks 138 by a center bar 56. The fitness device 4 is preferably constructed from metal, like steel, with comfort padding and rubber grips added as is conventionally known in the art.

[0056] Although a fixed femur pad 50 is suitable, it is preferred that the femur pad 50 be configured to rotate about the center bar 56. Such rotatability can be accomplished in many ways. It is preferred to achieve at least 90 degrees of selectorized rotation 65 by employing a pair of perforated plates 60 and a pop pin 62. See, FIG. 12. With the pop pin 62 out, a user can rotate the femur pad 50 to the desired position and then fix the femur pad 50 by inserting the pop pin 62 through aligned holes in the pair of perforated plates 60.

[0057] While there are a variety of ways the tibia pad 68 can be made selectively re-configurable to the face-up 10, face-down 20 and side-facing 30 positions described above, it is preferred to achieve such configurability with the tibia pad support structure (or “rear assembly”) shown in the figures. See, e.g., FIG. 13. As shown, the preferred tibia pad support structure 70 comprises a first member 74 configured to transmit force between the tibia pad 68 and a first joint 78, a second member 82 configured to transmit force between the first joint 78 and a second joint 84, the first joint 78 configured to permit rotation in at least one plane 88, the second joint 84 configured to permit rotation in at least one plane 90, and the tibia support structure 70 configured to permit adjustability of the distance between the first and second joints (78, 84). The second member 82 would preferably be connected to the base frame 34.

[0058] The preferred tibia pad 68 is a set of four pads (122-125) connected by a rigid center member 104. See, FIG. 2. A first pair of pads 108 can be connected to the center member 104 so that the pads of the pair are concentrically aligned. See, FIGS. 5, 13. Likewise, a second pair of pads 112 can be connected to the center member 104 so that the second pair of pads 112 is also concentrically aligned. The two pairs of pads can then be separated from each other by the center member 104 to allow for a user's legs to fit between the two pairs as shown in FIGS. 3-5.

[0059] While there are a variety of ways to configure the tibia support structure 70 to achieve rotation in at least one plane at the first joint 78 and the second joint 84, it is preferred to achieve such rotation by employing a pair of perforated plates 60 and a pop pins 62 in much the same fashion as previously described for the rotating femur pad 50. Similarly, it is preferred to permit adjustability of the distance between the first joint 78 and the second joint 84 by again employing pop pins 62, this time via a telescoping female connection 98 that allows the first member 82 to slide through the telescoping female connection 98. Perforations in the first member 82 receive pop pin 60 to lock the first member 82 relative to connection 98.

[0060] Together, the preferred tibia pad support structure 70 creates bi-rotational and translational capacity 96 of the tibia pad 68. The combined rotational capacity of the first and second joints (78, 84) and the telescoping ability of the first member 78, permit selective adjustability of the angular relationships relative to the rotational femur pad 50 and the user's desired degree of knee flexion in the center body face-up or face-down positions, lower extremity positioning for the center body side position, as well as the degree of difficulty in the up and side cervical positions.

[0061] Adjustment of the different combinations of rotation and translation can be made easier by the additions of handgrips 94 to a distal end of the first member 78. Handgrips 94 can assist sliding the first member 78 in relation to the telescoping female connection 98. Among other things, the gliding telescoping aspect of the first member 78 provide the user with the ability to appropriately adjust the tibia pad 68 to accommodate individually differing tibia lengths in the center body positions, and to respective torso lengths in the cervical positions.

Upper Body Resistance Options

[0062] The variety of upper body resistance options are, as a practical matter, limited only by the imagination. At a minimum, a user can begin by merely attempting to hold the upper body in an unsupported-torso horizontal position for a length of time, preferably an ever-increasing length of time, in either of the three base positions: face-up, face-down, and side-facing. Gravity alone provides a force that mandates contraction of the deeper spinal stabilizers (the “inner unit”) as well as an ideal ratio of co-contraction between deeper stabilizers (the “inner unit”) and more superficial prime movers (the “outer unit”), which together comprise the body's “core.”

[0063] Adding external loading to the upper body increases the effect. External loading can take the form of traditional resistance devices. For purposes of this specification, the term “resistance device” should be broadly understood to include devices known in the art to provide resistance (e.g., dumbbells, kettle bells, magnetic resistance, pneumatic resistance, compressed air, spring, rotational inertial resistance, etc.). Of course, resistance devices like traditional cable/pulley/selectorized weight stack mechanisms will work and, as discussed below, are presently preferred.

[0064] Triple Articulating Arm

[0065] The preferred resistance device 130 starts with a traditional handle 134 connected to a selectorized weight stack 138 by a cable 142, all of which are well-known in the art. But to enable the handle 134 to be selectively located in a space above a user's lower body 184 (see FIGS. 6, 8) or in a space around a user's torso 188 (see FIGS. 7, 9, 10, 11) when the user exercises on the fitness device in the unsupported-torso face-up position 10, the unsupported-torso face-down position 20, or the unsupported-torso side-facing position 30, a cable support structure 150 as shown in FIG. 14 is preferred.

[0066] Turning to FIG. 14, the preferred cable support structure 150 has a first arm 154 configured to transmit force between an end 158 of the first arm 154 and an elbow joint 162. A second arm 166 is configured to transmit force between the elbow joint 162 and a shoulder joint 170. (The terms “elbow joint” and “shoulder joint” are used for reference identification purposes and are not meant as structural limitations.) The elbow joint 162 is configured to permit rotation in at least one plane 174. The shoulder joint 170 is configured to permit rotation in at least one plane 178. In addition, shoulder joint 170 is also preferably configured to permit rotation in a second plane 182. The shoulder joint 170 would preferably be connected to the base frame 34.

[0067] While there are a variety of ways to configure the cable support structure to achieve rotation in at least one plane 174 at the elbow joint 162 and preferably at least two planes 178, 182 in the shoulder joint 170, it is preferred to achieve such rotation by employing a pair of perforated plates 60 and a pop pins 62 in much the same fashion as previously described for the rotating femur pad 50 and the tibia pad support structure 70.

[0068] As shown in most of the figures, and particularly FIG. 14, a combination of perforated plate pairs 60 and pop pins 62 can provide rotation at the elbow joint 162 and vertical and horizontal rotation at the shoulder joint 170. When configured in this way, a handle 134 connected to the weight stack 138 by a cable 142 (the cable being guided between the handle 134 and the weight stack 138 by pulleys inside the cable support structure in the conventionally known ways) can be strategically placed at almost any position and angle around a user as shown in FIGS. 6-11. As exemplified by this embodiment, a cable support structure 150 configured in this way can provide users with the maximum number of handle 134 positioning possibilities and a plurality of resistive force vectors, when the user is holding the body as much as possible in a static horizontal position by the lower extremity holding mechanism (femur 50 and tibia pads 68).

Other Optional Embodiments

[0069] Elastic Strap

[0070] For use with or without the resistance devices 130 described above, it is also preferred to have the option of one or more elastic straps (bands) 210 removably connected to a plurality of mounts 192. The mounts are preferably secured to the fitness device 4 in pairs, in a horizontal plane below a top of the femur pad 50, with the mounts 192 straddling a centerline 52 of the femur pad 50 in a vertical plane. See, e.g., FIG. 2.

[0071] In operation, a user of fitness device 4 connects the elastic strap 210 to the pair of mounts to create a force vector 212 on the user's torso when the user is exercising. See, e.g., FIGS. 7, 11, and 15. Those in the art will recognize a variety of ways to secure mounts 192 and removably connect an elastic strap 210 to the mounts. The preferred way secure the mounts 192 is to weld a metal u-shaped mount 192 to a structural element near the weight stack 138 as shown in FIGS. 9, 15. The preferred way to removably connect the elastic strap 210 is to use an elastic band for the strap 210 and to use a conventional carabiner 214 to connect the band to the mount 192.

[0072] Cervical

[0073] A user can strengthen the muscles supporting the cervical spine by adopting the positions shown in FIGS. 16, 17 (face-up and side facing). In addition, although not shown in the figures, a user can adopt a corresponding face-down position, too. It is preferred to add a head pad 128 between at least one of the pairs of pads 108, 112.

[0074] The training continuum for the cervical spine is the same as previously discussed: a user begins with a static hold for increasing lengths of time and then adds external loading as a user's strength permits. For example, once a user can maintain a static hold, the user can progress to holding dumbbells by hand in any of the positions to increase the cervical spine strength needed to resist the load.

[0075] Hyperextension Pad

[0076] In the early stages of strength development, some users will benefit from external torso support in the face-up position 10. In such case, a hyperextension pad 220 to support the user's torso can be useful. The hyperextension pad 220 can be rotationally connected to the base frame 34 so that it can be stored upright and out of the way most of the time. When needed, the hyperextension pad 220 can be rotated down and selectively adjusted to the desired height and angle using perforated plates 60 and pop pins 59 as previously described. In this way, a user can use the pad 220 as needed for support while gaining the core strength to achieve the unsupported torso positions 10, 20, and 30.

[0077] Upright Handles

[0078] To assist a user enter and exit the device 4, access handles 64 can be added. It is preferred to add access handles 64 in the locations shown in FIG. 1.

[0079] Stand Alone Machines

[0080] While the fitness device 4 shown in FIGS. 1-17 exemplifies the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, stand-alone versions of the unsupported-torso face-up position 10 by itself, the unsupported-torso face-down position 20 by itself, or unsupported-torso side-facing position 30 by itself can be made and used to engage a subset of movements previously described and shown in FIGS. 1-17. For “stand-alone” embodiments, it is preferred simplify the tibia pad support structure 70 by eliminating the adjustable rotation configurability of the first joint 78 and leaving a rigid connection in its place to support either the face up 10, the face-down 20, or the side-facing 30 positions.

[0081] Likewise if desired, movement-specific, stand-alone devices can also be made and used, too. For the purposes of this specification, a “movement-specific, stand-alone” device refers to a device devoted to one movement (e.g. shoulder press) in one position (e.g., side-facing). Movement-specific stand-alone devices are advantageous for creating a training circuit as is well-known in the art.

[0082] In addition to the above simplification of the tibia pad support structure, the cable support structure 150 can be simplified to support only a subset of exercise movements. For example, a standalone device can be made and used to support a stand-alone side facing shoulder press (see, FIG. 6), a stand-alone side-facing shoulder rotation (see, FIG. 7), a stand-alone face up bicep curl (see, FIG. 8), and so on.

[0083] While the invention has been described by means of specific embodiments, modifications and variations could be made thereto by those ordinarily skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention set forth in the claims. Likewise, the invention is not limited in its operational application to the above details of mechanical angular and special relationships, users biomechanical positioning, various extremity force producing embodiments and of being practiced or of being potentially operationally carried out in various other ways. The phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. Unless specified or limited otherwise, the terms “supported,” and “coupled” and variations thereof are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirect operational possibilities.