Swiveling exercise strap for stretching

Abstract

An exercise device is disclosed for enabling various stretching exercises comprising an adjustable loop connected to a handle element by a swivel connector. The adjustable loop can be placed about a foot, ankle, or other body part, and the handle grasped in one hand. The swivel connector allows a user to stretch in multiple positions and postures without readjusting the exercise device. In a preferred embodiment, the handle comprises either a handle loop sized to accommodate a user's finger, fingers, or hand, or a series of loops to allow the user to gradually increase the tension in the stretch by grasping successive loops in the series. Alternatively, the handle can comprise a hand support member that allows the user to easily and firmly grasp the handle and apply a steady tension. In addition, the handle can comprise an adjustable loop to facilitate various lengths of stretching and levels of difficulty.

1 - 3 . (canceled)  
   
   
       4 . An exercise strap comprising: 
 a first loop for accepting a body part and adjustable to varying circumferential lengths with a fastening mechanism to set a desired circumferential length of said loop;    a handle having at least one loop that permits the handle to be pulled by one or more fingers or a hand;    a rotational connector disposed between the handle and the first loop, the rotational connector further providing free rotational movement between the handle and the first loop without a presence of a restoring counter-rotational force; and    wherein the handle comprises a series of loops in a chain, each loop sized to accommodate one or more fingers or a hand, wherein a user can shorten a distance between a location held by the user and the first loop by pulling on successive loops in the chain.    
   
   
       5 - 9 . (canceled)  
   
   
       10 . An exercise strap comprising: 
 an adjustable enclosure of varying circumference securable about a human foot;    a handle defined by a plurality of closed loops connected in a chain, where each loop corresponds to a different distance separating said loop from the adjustable enclosure along said exercise strap; and    a rotational connector disposed between the handle and the adjustable enclosure, the rotational connector permitting free rotation of the handle relative to the adjustable enclosure without a restoring counter-rotational force.    
   
   
       11 . The exercise strap of  claim 10  wherein the closed loops of the handle are sized to accommodate one or more fingers or a hand.  
   
   
       12 . An exercise strap comprising: 
 an enclosure securable about a human foot;    a handle defined by a plurality of closed loops connected end-to-end and each loop sized to receive one or more fingers or a hand therein, where each loop corresponds to a different distance separating said loop from the enclosure along said handle; and    a rotational connector disposed between the handle and the enclosure, the rotational connector permitting free rotation of the handle relative to the enclosure without a restoring counter-rotational force.