Portable, light-weight exercise apparatus and method

Abstract

An exercise apparatus, and method for its use, including at least one water fillable device that serves as a weight, a support assembly, and a rope or wire assembly. The support assembly may be configured to allow mounting to a door or other convenient place. The rope or wire assembly may be connected to the water fillable device at one end, and to one or more handles at the other end, with its center slidingly engaging the support assembly. When a person wishes to exercise, the device may be removed from a water-tight traveling container, the water fillable device filled with water from any convenient source, the support assembly mounted over, for example a door, and exercise commenced. When exercise is concluded, the support is dismounted, water is drained from the water fillable device, and the apparatus may be stored in a carrying bag or container of small volume.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An apparatus for exercising, comprising: 
 at least one water fillable device that serves as a weight;    a support assembly including a housing and a rod supported horizontally in said housing, said housing having a portion for mounting over a top of a support member; and    a connection assembly connectable to said at least one water fillable device at a first end, and having one or more gripping portions at at least one other end, the connection assembly having a portion for moveably engaging said support assembly.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said portion of said support assembly is configured so as to mount over the top of a door.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein said housing is configured and said rod is positioned so that said water fillable device is supported at a distance from said door so that said water fillable device does not come into damaging contact with said door during raising and lowering of said water fillable device.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein said housing is configured and said rod is positioned so that said connection assembly is supported at a distance of approximately 4 inches (10.2 cm) from said door.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a wheel supported for rotation on said rod, said wheel having a grooved rim for accepting said portion of said connection assembly.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein said housing is configured and said wheel is sized and positioned so that said water fillable device is supported at a distance from said door so that said water fillable device does not come into contact with said support member during raising and lowering of said water fillable device.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein said housing is configured and said wheel is sized and positioned so that said connection assembly is supported at a distance of approximately 4 inches (10.2) from said support member.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said housing is configured with at least one fastener accepting opening for mounting said housing to said support member.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a covering over portions of said housing coming into contact with opposite sides of said support member, said covering having characteristics which prevent said support member from being marred due to contact with said support member.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said connection assembly comprises at least one of a wire and a rope.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said connection assembly has a Y configuration leading to two ends, each of said two ends having a gripping portion.  
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , further comprising a handle connected to each of said gripping portions.  
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , further comprising a set of interchangeable handles for connection to each of said gripping portions, various ones of said handles being used for exercising different parts of a body.  
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one water fillable device comprises a bag having a water filling opening and a water tight cover for sealing said opening.  
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one water fillable device has an opening for enabling connection to said connection assembly.  
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one water fillable device has a carrying opening sized, shaped and positioned for gripping of said warer filling device by passing fingers of a hand through said opening.  
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , further comprising a reinforcing member having a portion disposed about said carrying opening.  
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , in combination with a container for said water fillable device, said support assembly and said connection assembly, said container being water-tight.  
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a stop member located along said connection assembly, said stop member being sized, shaped and positioned so as to limit motion of said connection member with respect to said support assembly so that said water fillable device remains suspended.  
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one water fillable device has a first weight when said at least one water fillable device is filled with water, and a second weight when said at least one water fillable device is drained of water, a ratio of said first weight to said second weight being as large as forty to one.  
     
     
         21 . A method for assembling and disassembling apparatus for exercising, comprising; 
 filling at least one water fillable device with water;    connecting said at least one water fillable device to a connection assembly;    engaging said connection assembly with a support;    mounting said support in a position so that said water fillable device may be raised and lowered by exerting effort on an end of said connection assembly to which said water fillable device is not connected,    draining water from said water fillable device; and    storing said apparatus in a water-tight container.    
     
     
         22 . A method for exercising, comprising: 
 placing a support over a door top;    connecting a weight to one of a rope and a wire, so that said one of said rope and wire engages said support; and    repetitively lifting and lowering said weight by exerting effort on an end of said wire or rope not connected to said weight, wherein said weight is water fillable; said method further comprising: 
 filling said weight with water before exercising;  
 draining said water from said weight after exercising; and  
 storing said weight in a water-tight container.  
   
     
     
         23 . A method for exercising, comprising: 
 filling a water fillable weight with water;    connecting said water fillable weight to one of a rope and a wire, so that said one of said rope and wire engages a support; and    repetitively lifting and lowering said weight by exerting effort on an end of said wire or rope not connected to said weight;    draining said water from said weight after exercising;    and storing said weight in a water-tight enclosure.