Swing exerciser

Abstract

A simple and economical yet effective training and exercising device is disclosed for sports such as golf wherein an implement such as a golf club is moved along a swing path. An elongated handle has a proximal end with a hand grip and a distal end with a weighted body. A foot plate, sized to receive a foot of the user, includes one or more connection features, preferably inverted-U-shaped hooks rigidly secured to the foot plate. A removable, stretchable tether is provided having a first end tied at a point between the proximal and distal ends of the handle and a second end tied to a connection point on the foot plate. The connection point on the handle is preferably a hook which doubles as a wrist indicator. The length of the tether is adjustable so as to resist upward movement of the handle when swung by the user to promote training and exercise with respect to the sport. The foot plate has inside and outside edges, and in the preferred embodiment, each edge includes one or more connection points to practice a back swing and a forward swing. Two tethers may also be used, each having a first end tied at the point between the proximal and distal ends of the handle, and with the second end of one tether being tied to an outer connection point of the foot plate, and the second end of the other tether being tied to an inner connection point of the foot plate. An optional rocker plate defines an area large enough to receive the foot plate and the user's other foot. [The rocker plate preferably further includes one or more movable, rotatable plates to assist in positioning the user's feet to achieve a proper stance for the desired sport. Each movable, rotatable plate may preferably be locked into place along a rail feature.]

I claim:  
     
         1 . A training and exercising device for a sport such as golf, wherein a golf club or other implement is moved along a swing path by a user, the device comprising: 
 a removable, stretchable tether having a first end fastened to the implement or a point associated with the user, and a second end anchored relative to the ground; and    a halo structure defining a swing plane, such that when the user swings the implement in conjunction with the swing plane, the tether resists the movement of the implement or user to promote training and exercise with respect to a desired sport.    
     
     
         2 . The training and exercising device of    claim 1   , wherein the second end of the tether is anchored to a foot plate sized to receive one or both feet of the user.  
     
     
         3 . The training and exercising device of    claim 1   , wherein the implement features an elongated handle having a proximal end with a hand grip and a distal end with a weighted body.  
     
     
         4 . The device of    claim 3   , wherein the piece of sports equipment is a golf club, golf ball, hockey stick, or racquet.  
     
     
         5 . The device of    claim 1   , wherein the weighted body attaches to the distal end of the handle through a quick-disconnect connector.  
     
     
         6 . The device of    claim 1   , wherein the foot plate has inside and outside edges, each with a one or more connection point to practice a back swing and forward swing, respectively.  
     
     
         7 . The device of    claim 6   , further including two or more tethers, each having a first end tied at the point between the proximal and distal ends of the handle, and with the second end of one tether being tied to an outer connection point of the foot plate, and the second end of the other tether being tied to an inner connection point of the foot plate.  
     
     
         8 . The device of    claim 6   , wherein the foot plate is provided with separate right and left component parts.  
     
     
         9 . The device of    claim 1   , wherein the connection points are inverted-U-shaped hooks rigidly secured to the foot plate.  
     
     
         10 . The device of    claim 1   , further comprising a guard proximate the grip to prevent the tether from contacting the user.  
     
     
         11 . The device of    claim 1   , further comprising a rocker plate defining an area large enough to receive the foot plate and the user's other foot.  
     
     
         12 . The device of    claim 1   , wherein the rocker plate further includes one or more movable, rotatable plates to assist in positioning the user's feet to achieve a proper stance for the desired sport.  
     
     
         13 . The device of    claim 12   , wherein each movable, rotatable plate may be locked into place along a rail feature.  
     
     
         14 . A golf-swing training and exercising device, comprising: 
 an elongated shaft having a proximal end with a golf-club-style hand grip, a distal end with a removeably detachable golf-club head, and a wrist indicator;    a foot plate sized to receive a foot of the user, the foot plate including inside and outside edges, each with a one or more connection devices; and    a removable, stretchable tether having a first end tied at the wrist indicator and a second end tied to one of the connection points on the foot plate.    
     
     
         15 . The device of    claim 14   , further including two or more tethers, each having a first end tied at the wrist indicator, and with the second end of one tether being tied to an outer connection point of the foot plate, and the second end of the other tether being tied to an inner connection point of the foot plate.  
     
     
         16 . The device of    claim 14   , further comprising a rocker plate defining an area large enough to receive the foot plate and the user's other foot.  
     
     
         17 . The device of    claim 16   , wherein the rocker plate further includes one or more movable, rotatable plates to assist in positioning the user's feet to achieve a proper stance for the desired sport.  
     
     
         18 . The device of    claim 17   , wherein each movable, rotatable plate may be locked into place along a rail feature.