Apparatus and method for conditioning and strengthening

Abstract

An apparatus and method for conditioning and strengthening two or more individuals while allowing observation of the competitive nature of the individuals. The apparatus includes a housing and at least two handles. The housing is constructed of elastomeric material and defines a fluid retaining chamber adapted to receive fluid to provide the housing with a predetermined weight. The handles extend outwardly from the housing and are spatially disposed on the housing so as to permit the individuals to lift the housing and exert opposing forces on the housing.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An apparatus for conditioning and strengthening at least two individuals while allowing observation of the competitive nature of at least one of the individuals, comprising: 
 a housing defining a fluid retaining chamber adapted to receive fluid such that the housing can be provided with a predetermined weight; and    at least two handles extending from the housing, the handles being spatially disposed on the housing so as to permit the individuals to lift the housing and exert opposing forces on the housing.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprises: 
 an effective amount of fluid to provide the housing with the predetermined weight.  
 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the at least two handles extend outwardly from the housing and are substantially opposite one another.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the housing and the handles are constructed of an elastomeric material.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 3  further comprises: 
 a frame embedded within the housing, the frame having a body portion providing structural integrity and support to the housing and at least two handle portions for providing structural integrity and support to the handles extending from the housing.  
 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the housing is provided with an opening for adding and withdrawing fluid and a plug or cap for sealing the opening.  
     
     
         7 . An apparatus comprising: 
 a housing having a fluid retaining chamber adapted to receive fluid to provide the housing with a predetermined weight;    a fluid disposed in the fluid retaining chamber in an amount sufficient to provide the housing with the predetermined weight; and    at least two handles extending from the housing so as to permit at least two individuals to lift the housing and exert forces on the housing for conditioning and strengthening the individuals, while allowing observation of the competitive nature of the individuals.    
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein the forces exerted on the housing for conditioning and strengthening individuals are opposing.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein at least two handles extend outwardly from the housing and are substantially opposite one another.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein the housing and the handles are constructed of an elastomeric material.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 9  further comprises: 
 a frame embedded within the housing, the frame having a body portion providing structural integrity and support to the housing and at least two handle portions providing structural integrity and support to the handles extending from the housing.  
 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein the housing is provided with an opening for adding and withdrawing fluid and a plug or cap for sealing the opening.  
     
     
         13 . An apparatus, comprising; 
 a housing; and    at least two spatially disposed handles extending from the housing, the handles permitting at least two individuals to lift the housing and exert pulling and pushing forces on the housing.    
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein the housing defines a fluid retaining chamber adapted to receive fluid to provide the housing with a predetermined weight.  
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14  wherein a fluid is disposed in the fluid retaining chamber in an amount sufficient to provide the housing with the predetermined weight.  
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15  wherein at least two handles extend outwardly from the housing and are substantially opposite one another.  
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein the housing and the handles are constructed of an elastomeric material.  
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 16  further comprises: 
 a frame embedded within the housing, the frame having a body portion for providing support to the housing and at least two handles portions for providing support to the handles extending from the housing.  
 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein the housing is provided with an opening for adding and withdrawing fluid and a removable plug or cap for sealing the opening.  
     
     
         20 . A method of conditioning and strengthening at least two individuals while allowing observation of the competitive nature of at least one of the individuals, comprising the steps of: 
 providing an apparatus, comprising: 
 a housing defining a fluid retaining chamber adapted to receive fluid such that the housing can be provided with a predetermined weight;  
 a fluid disposed in the fluid retaining chamber in an amount sufficient to provide the housing with the predetermined weight; and  
 at least two handles extending from the housing, the handles being spatially disposed so as to permit the individuals to lift the housing and exert opposing forces on the housing for conditioning and strengthening the individuals, while allowing observation of the competitive nature of the individuals;  
   grasping the handles by the individuals;    lifting the housing by the individuals; and    exerting opposing forces on the housing by individuals so that muscle groups of the individuals are conditioned and strengthened.    
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20  further comprises observing the competitive nature of the individuals.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 20  wherein the housing is constructed of an elastomeric material and where the method further comprises exerting a force by the individual to attempt to stretch the housing and thus create a resistant biasing force.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 20  further comprising the steps of: 
 providing a plurality of flags;  
 positioning the flags to define a competition area whereby the winner of the competition is determined by the housing crossing an imaginary line corresponding with one of the plurality of flags; and  
 attempting to move the housing by an individual from a predetermined starting point across the imaginary line of one of the plurality of flags.