Mobile resistance trainer and method

Abstract

Mobile resistance training apparatus and a method of resistance training for an athlete. The apparatus and method of the present invention are not sport-specific; they are applicable to train and exercise individuals in various disciplines. The preferred apparatus of the present invention is a vehicle having a steering system, a braking system, a mechanism for varying resistance, and a pushing and or pulling apparatus. In one embodiment of the invention, the operator steers the vehicle in a random or predetermined direction as the participant (i.e., individual being trained) pushes or pulls the vehicle. In addition to controlling the direction of movement of the vehicle, the operator also controls the amount of resistance that the participant must overcome in order to move the vehicle. Alternatively, the direction of the vehicle and the resistance level can be controlled remotely and/or by the participant.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . Mobile vehicle resistance trainer for training an individual over a terrain, comprising: 
 a vehicle chassis;    a steering mechanism to control the direction of movement of said vehicle chassis; and    a utilitarian accessory supported on said vehicle chassis, said accessory adapted to be manipulated by said individual to cause movement of said vehicle over said terrain.    
     
     
         2 . The mobile vehicle resistance trainer of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one wheel for facilitating movement of said chassis over said terrain.  
     
     
         3 . The mobile vehicle resistance trainer of  claim 1 , further comprising resistance control for modifying the force necessary to move said trainer over said terrain.  
     
     
         4 . The mobile vehicle resistance trainer of  claim 1 , further comprising a brake.  
     
     
         5 . The mobile vehicle resistance trainer of  claim 4 , wherein said brake is for slowing and/or stopping movement of said chassis over said terrain, and for adding to the force necessary to move said trainer over said terrain.  
     
     
         6 . The mobile vehicle resistance trainer of  claim 1 , wherein the height of said utilitarian accessory with respect to said terrain is changeable.  
     
     
         7 . The mobile vehicle resistance trainer of  claim 1 , wherein said utilitarian accessory comprises a pushing assembly positioned in the rear of said chassis adapted to be contacted by said individual to push said trainer over said terrain.  
     
     
         8 . The mobile vehicle resistance trainer of  claim 1 , wherein said pushing assembly comprises at least one bar adapted to be gripped by said individual.  
     
     
         9 . The mobile vehicle resistance trainer of  claim 1 , wherein said pushing assembly comprises a chest pad adapted to receive the chest of said individual.  
     
     
         10 . The mobile vehicle resistance trainer of  claim 1 , wherein said utilitarian accessory comprises means for pulling said trainer over said terrain.  
     
     
         11 . The mobile vehicle resistance trainer of  claim 1 , wherein said utilitarian accessory comprises a tether for pulling said trainer over said terrain.  
     
     
         12 . A method of training an individual with a mobile apparatus adapted to move over a terrain at variable levels of resistance, said method comprising manually causing said mobile apparatus to move over said terrain in a variable pattern under variable resistance.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said movement of said apparatus is caused by manually pushing said apparatus.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said movement of said apparatus is caused by manually pulling said apparatus.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said variable pattern is achieved by steering said apparatus.  
     
     
         16 . A method of training an individual, comprising: 
 providing a mobile apparatus adapted to move over a terrain at variable levels of resistance;    causing said mobile apparatus to move over said terrain;    steering said mobile apparatus over said terrain;    varying the amount of force necessary to move said apparatus over said terrain during said movement.    
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , whereins aid steering is carried out by an operator other than said individual.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said varied amount of resistance is carried out by an operator other than said individual.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said apparatus is moved by pushing said apparatus.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said apparatus is moved by pulling said apparatus.