Exercise device

Abstract

The present invention relates to an exercise device and a method of exercising and in particular to a device adapted to support the exercising person's s weight and roll along the exercising person's back as the exercising person undertakes a series of sit-up type movements while alternatively bending and straightening the knees with the feet in a fixed position. The exercise device having a torso supporting portion fabricated from a resiliently deformable material and having a circular cross section, a stabilising means extending laterally from the torso supporting portion adapted to ensure that the torso supporting portion may roll in a line parallel to the circular cross section of the torso supporting section but not in a direction normal thereto, the resiliently deformable nature of the torso supporting portion being such as to cushion the point of contact between the torso supporting portion and a user's spine with the degree of deformation not being to such an extent that impedes rolling of the device along a flat floor of a surface with the weight of the user's torso thereon.

I claim:  
     
         1 . An exercise device having a torso supporting portion fabricated from a resiliently deformable material and having a circular cross section; stabilising means extending laterally from the torso supporting portion adapted to ensure that the torso supporting portion may roll in a line parallel to the circular cross section of the torso supporting section but not in a direction normal thereto; the resiliently deformable nature of the torso supporting portion being such as to cushion the point of contact between the torso supporting portion and a user's spine with the degree of deformation not being to such an extent that impedes rolling of the device along a flat floor of a surface with the weight of the user's torso thereon.  
     
     
         2 . A system of exercising using a device in accordance with  claim 1  hereof wherein a person sits upon the device with their legs extending substantially normally with respect to the longitudinal axis of the device and their feet upon a floor or other fixed surface; the lower back or buttocks of the exercising person at some point of the exercise cycle being placed on the torso supporting portion of the device; the device during the exercising process being rolled along the back of the person up to a position adjacent the shoulders by reason of the person bending their knees and hence drawing their heels towards their buttocks; the legs of the exercising person then being extended to complete the exercise cycle and return the device to a position adjacent the lower back.  
     
     
         3 . An exercise device in accordance with  claim 1  hereof wherein the device is cylindrical in configuration and the stabilising means comprise the longitudinal extremities of the cylinder.  
     
     
         4 . A system of exercising using a device in accordance with  claim 3  hereof wherein a person sits upon the device with their legs extending substantially normally with respect to the longitudinal axis of the device and their feet upon a floor or other fixed surface; the lower back or buttocks of the exercising person at some point of the exercise cycle being placed on the torso supporting portion of the device; the device during the exercising process being rolled along the back of the person up to a position adjacent the shoulders by reason of the person bending their knees and hence drawing their heels towards their buttocks; the legs of the exercising person then being extended to complete the exercise cycle and return the device to a position adjacent the lower back.  
     
     
         5 . An exercise device in accordance with  claim 1  hereof wherein the torso supporting portion comprises a central substantially spherical member with stabilising disks lying laterally thereof and attached to the central spherical portion by rods extending along a longitudinal axis of a device substantially normal to the disks.  
     
     
         6 . A system of exercising using a device in accordance with  claim 5  hereof wherein a person sits upon the device with their legs extending substantially normally with respect to the longitudinal axis of the device and their feet upon a floor or other fixed surface; the lower back or buttocks of the exercising person at some point of the exercise cycle being placed on the torso supporting portion of the device; the device during the exercising process being rolled along the back of the person up to a position adjacent the shoulders by reason of the person bending their knees and hence drawing their heels towards their buttocks; the legs of the exercising person then being extended to complete the exercise cycle and return the device to a position adjacent the lower back.  
     
     
         7 . An exercise device in accordance with  claim 1  hereof wherein the torso supporting portion thereof is inflatable.  
     
     
         8 . A system of exercising using a device in accordance with  claim 7  hereof wherein a person sits upon the device with their legs extending substantially normally with respect to the longitudinal axis of the device and their feet upon a floor or other fixed surface; the lower back or buttocks of the exercising person at some point of the exercise cycle being placed on the torso supporting portion of the device; the device during the exercising process being rolled along the back of the person up to a position adjacent the shoulders by reason of the person bending their knees and hence drawing their heels towards their buttocks; the legs of the exercising person then being extended to complete the exercise cycle and return the device to a position adjacent the lower back.  
     
     
         9 . An exercise device in accordance with  claim 1  hereof wherein the torso supporting portion of the device is provided with externally directed nodules adapted to massage the back of the user and/or to prevent the device slipping when rolled along a floor.  
     
     
         10 . A system of exercising using a device in accordance with  claim 9  hereof wherein a person sits upon the device with their legs extending substantially normally with respect to the longitudinal axis of the device and their feet upon a floor or other fixed surface; the lower back or buttocks of the exercising person at some point of the exercise cycle being placed on the torso supporting portion of the device; the device during the exercising process being rolled along the back of the person up to a position adjacent the shoulders by reason of the person bending their knees and hence drawing their heels towards their buttocks; the legs of the exercising person then being extended to complete the exercise cycle and return the device to a position adjacent the lower back.