Reciprocating exercise device for shoulder strengthening

Abstract

A reciprocating exercise device for strengthening of the muscles comprising the shoulder. The device is held in the user's hand and moved in a repeated manner to simulate a sports specific movement or for therapeutic muscle strengthening. A tube with detachable end caps contains a weight. The end caps house springs that extend into the tube when attached to the ends of the tube. The weight is of a diameter such that it may travel freely along the inner length of the tube, yet closely matched to the inner diameter of the tube such that significant air compression occurs in front of the moving weight. The generated air compression serves to reduce the shock of the weight when it impacts the springs at the tube ends. Controllable tube venting allow for control of the magnitude of this effect. Variable styles of attachable handles allow for improved simulation of sports specific throwing motions.

What is claimed:  
     
         1 . A reciprocating weight exercise device that consists of: 
 a tube with removable end caps that house springs;    a weight mass that is of a size to travel within the tube.    
     
     
         2 . The exercise device of  claim 1  in which a handle is attached perpendicularly to the tube; 
 wherein said handle may extend approximately the length of a forearm to relieve partial loading from the user's wrist during device usage or may be of a shorter length to function as only a hand grip.  
 
     
     
         3 . The exercise device of  claim 1  in which the end caps have holes drilled through their bases to allow air to be pushed out and pulled into the tube's interior cavity during device utilization.  
     
     
         4 . The exercise device of  claim 1  in which the tube has a number of holes drilled through its walls to allow air to be pushed out and pulled into the tube's interior cavity during device utilization; 
 additionally, sleeves may be used that can be moved along to tube length such that they may be positioned to completely block air flow through said holes, partially block air flow through said holes or completely expose said holes.  
 
     
     
         5 . The exercise device of  claim 1  in which the weight mass is of a diameter such that it may travel unhindered along the tube length when propelled from gravity or weight momentum; 
 and yet of a diameter such that the air space between the weight and the inner tube wall is small enough to generate significant air compression in the interior of the tube in front of the traveling weight; significant air compression being defined as that which is great enough to be easily noticed by feel by the device user.