Method and apparatus for exercise

Abstract

An exercise device has a base, an upstanding member extending from the base, and a handgrip affixed to an upper portion of the upstanding member. The base is preferably U-shaped and has two longitudinal members that extend rearward from a forward portion of the base. The base has stiffening ribs and cutouts for allowing the base to fit between the legs of a typical chair. The handgrip has two gripping portions extending laterally and on opposite sides of the upstanding member, which is selectively detachable from the base. A user places the outer ends of the longitudinal members under the front portion of a chair and sits in the chair. The user then places his feet on the longitudinal members and grips the gripping portions of the handgrip. The user pushes downward with his feet and pulls toward his body with his hands to move the body to a standing position.

I claim:  
     
         1 . An exercise device, comprising: 
 a base having spaced-apart, longitudinal foot support sections extending rearward from a forward portion of the base, each of the foot support sections for receiving a foot of a user, the base adapted to rest stationarily on a floor;    an upstanding member extending from the base; and    a handgrip affixed to the upstanding member.    
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the handgrip comprises a gripping portion extending laterally outward on each side of the upstanding member.    
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the handgrip is affixed to an upper portion of the upstanding member.    
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the handgrip is oriented to be transverse to a longitudinal centerline of the base.    
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the base has a U-shaped configuration.    
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 ribs on the base for strengthening the base against bending forces.    
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the upstanding member is selectively detachable from the base.    
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the base has relief cutouts on side edges for allowing the base to fit between a pair of legs of a chair.    
     
     
         9 . An exercise apparatus, comprising: 
 a base having at least two spaced-apart, longitudinal members that define a U-shaped configuration, each of the longitudinal members having an upper surface for receiving a foot of a user, the base adapted to rest stationarily on a floor;    an upstanding member extending from a forward portion of the base;    a handgrip affixed to an upper portion of the upstanding member, the handgrip having a gripping portion on each side of the upstanding member and extending transversely relative to a longitudinal centerline of the base; and    
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a chair adapted to rest on the floor adjacent to the base for allowing the user to sit in the chair, place his feet on the base, and place his hands on the handgrip    
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein: 
 the upstanding member is selectively detachable from the base.    
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , further comprising: 
 stiffening ribs on the forward portion of the base and on the longitudinal members for strengthening the base against bending forces.    
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the base has relief cutouts on side edges for allowing the base to fit between a pair of legs of a chair.    
     
     
         14 . A method of exercising, comprising: 
 (a) providing a device having a base, an upstanding member extending upward from the base, and a handgrip at an upper end of the upstanding member;    (b) placing the device stationarily onto a supporting surface adjacent a chair; then    (c) sitting on the chair with one's feet on the base;    (d) gripping the handgrip with one's hands; then    (e) pressing downward with the feet and pulling rearward with the hands to move into a standing position;    (f) sitting back down on the chair, using the handgrip as an assist; then    (g) repeating steps (e) and (f) to improve one's physical conditioning.