Excercising device with hip-mounted weights

Abstract

A device for securing weights to the waist of a user is herein disclosed. The device includes a core to which is attached one or more weight supports. The weight supports are secured to the core by means of welding, adhesives, over-molding, and riveting. A cover may be provided over the core. A closure mechanism secures the core around the waist of a user. Weights may be secured on the weight supports by means of a locking mechanism. Exercise, and particularly leg exercise, undertaken using the present invention results in less stress being placed on the back and abdominal muscles. Use of the present invention also allows for a number of upper body exercises to be carried out.

1 . A device for supporting the back and abdominal muscles of a user during exercise and simultaneously securing weights to the waist of the user, the device comprising: 
 an elongate core having a length sufficient to extend at least partially around the waist of the user, a width sufficient to provide structural support to the back and abdominal muscles of a user when emplaced about the waist of the user, and a rigidity sufficient to allow the core to be conformed to the waist of the user while still providing support to the back and abdominal muscles of the user;    at least one post having a base end and a distal end, the base end of the at least one post secured to the core and the distal end of the at least one post extending laterally from the core, the post being constructed and arranged to support a weight by transferring the load of the weight to the core and hence to the waist of the user; and,    a closure member for securing the respective ends of the core to one another, thereby securing the device to the waist of the user.    
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the core is fashioned from a composite belting material.  
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the closure member is chosen from a group consisting of a buckle mechanism having a movable arm that engages a hole formed in an end of the device, a two part releasable clip having a male portion and a female portion, and a hook and loop fastener.  
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the post is secured to the core using a mechanism chosen from a group consisting of riveting, adhesives, sewing, and over-molding.  
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising a locking mechanism for retaining a weight on the post.  
   
   
       6 . A device for securing weights to the waist of a user comprising: 
 an elongate core having a first end and a second end;    at least one weight support affixed to the core; and,    a closure mechanism constructed and arranged to secure the core about the waist of a user.    
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 6  comprising one weight support.  
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 7  wherein the weight support is located generally opposite the closure mechanism.  
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 6  comprising two weight supports.  
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 9  wherein the two weight supports are located generally symmetrically with respect to one another and to the closure mechanism.  
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 6  further comprising a cover applied around the exterior of the core.  
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 6  wherein the weight support comprises a post that is secured to the core at its base end by an attachment means.  
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 6  wherein the weight support comprises a post secured to the core at a base end thereof by an attachment structure selected from a group consisting of a flange, a rivet, a bolt, a weld, and an over-mold.  
   
   
       14 . The device of  claim 6  wherein the core comprises a material selected from a group consisting of a composite material, a metal strap, a leather strap, an extruded material, and a molded material.  
   
   
       15 . The device of  claim 6  wherein the closure mechanism further comprises an adjustable strap secured at one end thereof to the core and at its other end to the closure mechanism.  
   
   
       16 . The device of  claim 6  wherein the closure mechanism further comprises a two part clip having a male portion and a female portion.  
   
   
       17 . A method of reducing strain on back and abdominal muscles during leg exercise with weights comprising: 
 providing an exercise device that comprises an elongate core having a first end and a second end, at least one weight support affixed to the core, and a closure mechanism constructed and arranged to secure the core about the waist of a user;    securing the exercise device about the waist of a user at about the level of the ileac crest of the user; and,    placing a predetermined amount of weight on the at least one weight support, the exercise device coupling the weights directly to the waist of the user.    
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising: 
 performing an exercise chosen from a group consisting of a standard squat, wide squat, front lunge, side lunge, standing calf raise, and donkey calf raise.    
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising: 
 performing upper body exercises chosen from a group consisting of dips, bench dips, wide grip pull-ups, close grip pull-ups, and pushups.