Method and apparatus for performing pilates exercises

Abstract

The present invention is a method and apparatus for performing Pilates exercises. The apparatus includes a bench defining a plane. The bench has a main body portion and a head portion operatively connected to the main body portion. The bench is adapted to support an associated user. The main body portion is adapted to remain stationary relative to an associated underlying surface during performance of an exercise. The apparatus further comprises an upwardly extending frame operatively connected to the bench. An adjustable pulley assembly is operatively connected to the frame, and is adapted to receive an associated resistive band. The adjustable pulley assembly is adapted to be selectively movable along the frame.

1 . An apparatus, comprising: 
 a bench defining a plane, said bench having a main body portion and a head portion operatively connected to said main body portion, said bench adapted to support an associated user, said main body portion adapted to remain stationary relative to an associated underlying surface during performance of an exercise;    an upwardly extending frame operatively connected to said bench; and    an adjustable pulley assembly operatively connected to said frame, said adjustable pulley assembly adapted to receive an associated resistive band, said adjustable pulley assembly adapted to be selectively movable along said frame.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said head portion is pivotally connected to said main body portion.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein said head portion is adapted to pivot between zero and 120 degrees relative to said plane.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said head portion further comprises at least one handle member.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said head portion further comprises two handles members, each extending upwardly and outwardly from said head portion.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said adjustable pulley assembly further comprises: 
 a carriage having a top, a bottom, a first side, and a second side;    a first yoke operatively connected to said first side;    a second yoke operatively connected to said first yoke, wherein said second yoke is adapted to rotate 360 degrees relative to said first yoke;    a pulley rotatably connected to said second yoke;    a lever operatively connected to said second side; and    a biasing mechanism operatively connected to said carriage and said lever.    
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein an interconnection member interconnects said first yoke and said second yoke.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein said interconnection member has a first bore and a second bore defined therein, said second bore is defined substantially perpendicular to said first bore, said adjustable pulley assembly further comprising a pin adapted to be received in said first bore to connect said interconnection member to said first yoke, said pin defining a pivot axis, said second bore adapted to receive said second yoke.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein said lever has a first end and a second end, said first end operatively connected to said biasing mechanism, said second end having a peg attached thereto, said peg adapted to be received in a hole defined in said upwardly extending frame.  
   
   
       10 . A strength training exercise device, comprising: 
 a bench defining a plane, said bench having a main body portion and a head portion operatively connected to said main body portion, said bench adapted to support an associated user, said main body portion adapted to remain stationary relative to an associated underlying surface during performance of an exercise;    an upwardly extending u-shaped frame operatively connected to said bench, said upwardly extending frame having two leg members and a top member, said top member extending between said leg members, said top having at least one loop;    a first adjustable pulley assembly operatively connected to said frame, said first adjustable pulley assembly adapted to be selectively movable along one of said leg members of said u-shaped frame; and    a first resistive band having a first end and a second end, said first end selectively attachable to said loop of said top of said u-shaped frame, said second end having a grip for placing said first resistive band in tension, said first resistive band adapted to be operatively connected to said first adjustable pulley assembly.    
   
   
       11 . The strength training exercise device of  claim 10 , wherein said main body portion further comprises a loop, wherein said first end of said resistive band is selectively attachable to said loop of said main body portion.  
   
   
       12 . The strength training exercise device of  claim 10 , further comprising: 
 a second adjustable pulley assembly operatively connected to said frame, said second adjustable pulley assembly adapted to be selectively movable along one of said leg members of said u-shaped frame; and    a second resistive band having a first end and a second end, said first end selectively attachable to said loop of said top of said u-shaped frame, said second end having a grip for placing said second resistive band in tension, said second resistive band adapted to be operatively connected to said adjustable pulley assembly.    
   
   
       13 . The strength training exercise device of  claim 12 , wherein each of said adjustable pulley assemblies further comprise: 
 a carriage having a top, a bottom, a first side, and a second side;    a first yoke operatively connected to said first side;    a second yoke operatively connected to said first yoke, wherein said second yoke is adapted to rotate 360 degrees relative to said first yoke;    a pulley rotatably connected to said second yoke;    a lever operatively connected to said second side; and    a biasing mechanism operatively connected to said carriage and said lever.    
   
   
       14 . The strength training device of  claim 13 , wherein each of said adjustable pulley assemblies further comprises an interconnection member interconnecting said first yoke and said second yoke; each of said interconnection members having a first bore and a second bore defined therein, said second bore being defined substantially perpendicular to said first bore, each of said adjustable pulley assemblies further comprising a pin adapted to be received in said first bore to connect said interconnection member to said first yoke, said pin defining a pivot axis, said second bore adapted to receive said second yoke.  
   
   
       15 . The strength training device of  claim 14 , wherein said lever has a first end and a second end, said first end operatively connected to said biasing mechanism, said second end having a peg attached thereto, said peg adapted to be received in a hole defined in said legs of said upwardly extending frame.  
   
   
       16 . The strength training device of  claim 12 , further comprising an extension member having a first end and a second end, said first end of said extension member adapted to selectively attach to said first end of said first resistive band, said second end of said extension member adapted to selectively attach to said first end of said second resistive band.  
   
   
       17 . A method for using a strength training device to perform Pilates exercises, comprising the steps of: 
 providing a bench defining a plane, said bench having a main body portion and a head portion operatively connected to said main body portion, said bench adapted to support an associated user, said main body portion adapted to remain stationary relative to an associated underlying surface during performance of an exercise; an upwardly extending u-shaped frame operatively connected to said bench, said upwardly extending frame having two leg members and a top member, said top member extending between said leg members, said top having at least one loop; a first adjustable pulley assembly operatively connected to said frame, said first adjustable pulley assembly adapted to be selectively movable along one of said leg members of said u-shaped frame; and a first resistive band having a first end and a second end, said first end selectively attachable to said loop of said top of said u-shaped frame, said second end having a grip for placing said first resistive band in tension, said first resistive band adapted to be operatively connected to said first adjustable pulley assembly;    attaching said first end of said first resistive band to said loop of said top of said upwardly extending frame member;    positioning a user's extremity in said grip;    moving said extremity so as to place tension on said first resistive band;    decreasing amount of tension on said first resistive band; and    repeating exercise to strengthen the user's muscles.    
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising: 
 providing a second adjustable pulley assembly operatively connected to said frame, said second adjustable pulley assembly adapted to be selectively movable along one of said leg members of said u-shaped frame; and a second resistive band having a first end and a second end, said first end selectively attachable to said loop of said top of said u-shaped frame, said second end having a grip for placing said second resistive band in tension, said second resistive band adapted to be operatively connected to said adjustable pulley assembly;    attaching said first end of said second resistive band to said loop of said top of said upwardly extending frame member;    positioning a user's second extremity in said grip;    moving said first and second extremities so as to place tension on said first and said second resistive bands;    decreasing amount of tension on said first and said second resistive bands; and    repeating exercise to strengthen the user's muscles.    
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein said strength training device further comprises an extension member having a first end and a second end, the method further comprises the steps of: 
 removing said first ends of said first and said second resistive bands from said loop of said upwardly extending frame;    attaching said first end of said extension member to said first end of said first resistive band;    attaching said second end of said extension member adapted to said first end of said second resistive band;    laying on said bench;    positioning a user's feet on said extension member;    placing tension on said first and said second resistive bands;    decreasing amount of tension on said first and said second resistive bands; and    repeating exercise to strengthen the user's muscles.    
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising the steps of: 
 providing a loop on said main body portion of said bench;    removing said first end of said first resistive band from said loop of said upwardly extending frame;    attaching said first end of said first resistive band to said loop of said main body portion of said bench;    positioning the user's extremity in said grip;    placing tension on said first and said second resistive bands;    decreasing amount of tension on said first and said second resistive bands; and    repeating exercise to strengthen the user's muscles.