Resistance training method and apparatus

Abstract

A body-securing apparatus for attaching a cord to a body. The apparatus comprises a body-securing portion for securing the body, and a cord-attachment means for securing the cord to the body-securing portion, the cord-attachment means being attached to, and moveable around, the body-securing portion. The body-securing apparatus may be used with an elastic cord for resistance training.

1 . A body-securing apparatus for attaching a cord to a body, the apparatus comprising: 
 a body-securing portion for securing the body, and    a cord-attachment means for securing the cord to the body-securing portion, the cord-attachment means being attached to, and moveable around, the body-securing portion.    
     
     
         2 . The body-securing apparatus as defined in  claim 1  wherein 
 the cord-attachment means comprises a rotary element for rotating about the body, and  
 the body-securing portion comprises a rotary housing surrounding the body, the rotary element being movably mounted in the rotary housing.  
 
     
     
         3 . The body-securing apparatus as defined in  claim 2  wherein the body-securing portion comprises an inflatable tube for surrounding the body, the inflatable tube being, 
 attached to the rotary housing, and  
 inflatable to substantially conform to the dimensions of the body to secure the body-securing portion to the body.  
 
     
     
         4 . The body-securing apparatus as defined in  claim 3  wherein 
 the rotary housing is substantially circular and has an inner surface for attachment to the inflatable tube and an outer surface having an element-receiving means for receiving the rotary element,  
 the element-receiving means extends completely around the outer surface of the rotary housing, and  
 the rotary element is movable within the element-receiving means such that the rotary element is movable around the rotary housing.  
 
     
     
         5 . The body-securing apparatus as defined in  claim 4  wherein the inflatable tube has 
 an outer wall portion extending substantially inward from the inner surface of the rotary housing, and  
 an inner wall portion for engaging the body, the inner wall portion being less resistant to stretching than the outer wall portion such that inflation of the inflatable tube is substantially inward toward the body.  
 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 5  wherein the inflatable tube is detachable from the rotary housing.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 5  wherein the inflatable tube is attached to the inner surface of the rotary housing by a hook and loop attachment means.  
     
     
         8 . A resistance training apparatus for resisting movement of the person, the apparatus comprising 
 the body-securing apparatus as defined in  claim 1;  and    an elastic cord for attaching to the body-securing apparatus to resist movement of the person secured by the body-securing apparatus tending to elongate the elastic cord.    
     
     
         9 . The training apparatus as defined in  claim 8  further comprising an anchoring means for securing a first end of the elastic cord, the other end of the elastic cord being secured to the cord-attachment means of the body-securing means.  
     
     
         10 . The training apparatus as defined in  claim 9  further comprising a recoil unit for retracting the elastic cord, the first end of the elastic cord being recoilably attached to the recoil unit such that the elastic cord is retractable into the recoil unit, the recoil unit being attached to the anchoring means.  
     
     
         11 . The training apparatus as defined in  claim 10  wherein 
 the anchoring means comprises an anchor pole, and  
 the training apparatus further comprises an attachment means for attaching the recoil unit to the anchor pole at different heights.  
 
     
     
         12 . The training apparatus as defined in  claim 11  wherein the anchoring means further comprises a pivot mounted about the anchor pole, the pivot being rotatable about the anchor pole and being securable to the anchor pole at different heights.  
     
     
         13 . A resistance training apparatus for resisting movement of an athlete, the apparatus comprising 
 an elastic cord for attaching to the athlete to resist movement tending to elongate the elastic cord; and,    a recoil unit for retracting the elastic cord, a first end of the elastic cord being recoilably attached to the recoil unit such that the elastic cord is retractable into the recoil unit.    
     
     
         14 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 13  further comprising a body-securing apparatus as defined in  claim 1 .  
     
     
         15 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 13  further comprising a body-securing apparatus as defined in  claim 2 .  
     
     
         16 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 13  further comprising a bodysecuring apparatus as defined in  claim 4 .  
     
     
         17 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 13  further comprising a body-securing apparatus as defined in  claim 5 .  
     
     
         18 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 13  further comprising a body-securing apparatus as defined in  claim 6.