Portable doorway apparatus for upper and lower body strengthening and conditioning

Abstract

The present invention is a unique stretching and strengthening apparatus comprised of several interchangeable parts allowing for the stretching and strengthening of both the upper and lower torso with one simple device with a few interchangeable parts. The invention also utilizes a common door and frame in its preferred embodiment again allowing for simplicity and generality of use. The device has an adjustable velcro strap for ease of attachment to either the ankle, wrist or foot of the user and a configurable handles to accommodate double or single handed use. The device is anchored to a common door and frame combination by use of a rod and cloth strap. The rod being fixedly and removably placed behind the closed door. A variety of upper and lower torso stretching exercises can be engaged in simply wrapping the strap around the users ankle, wrist or foot and guiding/stretching the body portion with a free hand or hands which is attached to the strap via a rope. Similarly, strengthening exercises can be engaged in by using elastic tubing to provide resistance for the appropriate body portion.

Accordingly I claim:  
     
         1 . An interchangeable upper and lower torso stretching and strengthening apparatus comprising: 
 a strap for coupling to one of an ankle, foot, leg or wrist of a user;    a handle, interchangeable with said strap for holding with at least one hand;    said connecting member having two ends, one end having an attachment device to attach to said strap via said strap to one of said ankle, foot, leg or wrist of a user and the other end having an attachment device to attach to an anchor, said anchor being temporarily attachable between a door and frame;    an alternative connecting member having two ends, one end having an attachment device to connect to either said handle or said strap, the other end connectable to a double-hand handle; said connecting member pulley attachable to said anchor.    
     
     
         2 . An interchangeable upper and lower torso stretching and strengthening apparatus comprising: 
 interchangeable means to couple to one of an ankle, foot, leg, wrist or hands of a user;    interchangeable connecting means having two ends, said interchangeable connecting means having an attachment means to allow attachment to said interchangeable coupling means and the other end having an attaching means to allow for rigid attachment to an anchoring means, said anchoring means temporarily attachable between a door and a frame, and;    an alternate interchangeable connecting means having two ends, said alternate interchangeable connecting means having an attachment means to allow attachment to said interchangeable coupling means and the other end having an interchangeable means to couple to one of an ankle, foot, leg, wrist or hands of a user, said connecting means pulley attachable to said anchoring means.    
     
     
         3 . A method for stretching and/or strengthening the upper and lower torso comprising: 
 supplying a strap for coupling to one of an ankle, foot, leg or wrist of a user;    supplying a handle, interchangeable with said strap for holding with at least one hand;    said connecting member having two ends, one end having an attachment device to attach to said strap via said strap to one of said ankle, foot, leg or wrist of a user and the other end having an attachment device to attach to an anchor, said anchor being temporarily attachable between a door and frame;    supplying an alternative connecting member having two ends, one end having an attachment device to connect to either said handle or said strap, the other end connectable to a double-hand handle; said connecting member pulley attachable to said anchor;    choosing one of said connecting members;    attaching said strap or said hand to one of an ankle, foot, leg, wrist or hand of said user;    attaching said anchor temporarily between a door and frame;    engaging in a strengthening or stretching exercise.