Torso rotation/core trainer

Abstract

A torso rotation total core trainer in the form of a handle attachment is designed to cause the user to perform a shoulder movement during resistance training, as opposed to pulling with the hands and arms. The handle has a center shaft with a pair of hand grips and a pair of cuffs positioned on opposite sides of the center shaft. The cuffs are preferably held by the user's elbows when he or she grips the hand grips. The distance between the cuffs and the hand grips is preferably adjustable to accommodate different sized people (e.g., men, women and children). A connector, such as an eye loop, is positioned at or near the end of the center shaft, and is connectable with a resistance element such as a weight stack, bungie cord, elastic tubing, etc. By gripping the hand grips and holding the handle in position using the elbows, the person is effectively prevented from pulling the resistance using only his or her hands and arms. Rather, he or she must move his or her shoulders when performing the exercise, thus causing proper torso rotation and training of the core muscle groups. The handle also allows the user to correctly isolate trunk extension, trunk flexion, and trunk lateral flexion.

1 . A handle for torso rotation/core training exercises, comprising: 
 a center shaft;    a connector for connecting with a resistance device positioned at or adjacent a first end of said center shaft;    a pair of hand grips positioned on opposite sides of said center shaft at a first location spaced away from said connector; and    a pair of cuffs positioned on opposite sides of said center shaft at a second location spaced away from said connector.    
   
   
       2 . The handle of  claim 1  wherein a distance between said first location and said second location is selectively variable.  
   
   
       3 . The handle of  claim 1  wherein said pair of cuffs are connected to said center shaft by an adjustable mechanism which permits variations in spacing of said pair of cuffs selectable distances away from said center shaft.  
   
   
       4 . The handle of  claim 1  wherein each of said pair of cuffs is rotatable or movable in a plane parallel to said center shaft.  
   
   
       5 . The handle of  claim 1  wherein said pair of cuffs are positioned at or adjacent to a second end of said center shaft.  
   
   
       6 . The handle of  claim 1  wherein said pair of hand grips are connected to said center shaft by an adjustable mechanism which permits variations in spacing of said pair of hand grips selectable distances away from said center shaft.  
   
   
       7 . The handle of  claim 1  wherein said connector is an eye ring.  
   
   
       8 . The handle of  claim 1  further comprising a protective guard positioned on said handle adjacent said connector.  
   
   
       9 . The handle of  claim 1  wherein said connector is positioned in a plane above or below a plane which includes said center shaft, said pair of hand grips, and said pair of cuffs.  
   
   
       10 . The handle of  claim 1  wherein said pair of hand grips are part of a single common handle piece wherein said pair of hand grips form the hand gripping portion of said single common handle piece.  
   
   
       11 . The handle of  claim 1  wherein each of said pair of hand grips is rotatable or moveable in a plane parallel to said center shaft.  
   
   
       12 . The handle of  claim 1  wherein the connector is connected to one or both of the pair of hand grips.  
   
   
       13 . The handle of  claim 1  wherein the connector is connected to the center shaft.  
   
   
       14 . The handle of  claim 1  further comprising a pair of adjustable cuff width bars for adjusting the spacing between said center shaft and each of said pair of cuffs.