Lumbar muscle exercise system and method

Abstract

A lumbar muscle exercise system comprises a first member which supports the lower pelvic portion of a user. The user is leaning against the first member. A second adjoining member supports the feet of the user away from the first member. The lower limbs of the user are held substantially straight. A pelvic restraint prevents the upper pelvic portion from moving toward the first support member while the lower pelvic portion is firmly pressed into the first support member. The leaning user extends the torso away from the feet against gravity as part of a targeted lumbar muscle exercise routine. At least one gauge indicates undesirable movement of the lower pelvic portion relative to the first support member while the user performs the lumbar muscle exercise routine.

1 . A lumbar muscle exercise system, comprising: 
 a first member adapted to support the lower pelvic portion of a user leaning against said first member;    a second adjoining member adapted to support the feet of the user away from said first member with the lower limbs of the user being held substantially straight; and    means for preventing the upper pelvic portion of the user from moving toward said first member while the lower pelvic portion is firmly pressed into said first member, said preventing means allowing the leaning user to extend the torso away from the feet against gravity as part of a targeted lumbar muscle exercise routine.    
   
   
       2 . A lumbar muscle exercise system, comprising: 
 a first member adapted to support the lower pelvic portion of a user leaning against said first member;    a second adjoining member adapted to support the feet of the user away from said first member with the lower limbs of the user being held substantially straight;    means for preventing the upper pelvic portion of the user from moving toward said first member while the lower pelvic portion is firmly pressed into said first member, said preventing means allowing the leaning user to extend the torso away from the feet against gravity as part of a targeted lumbar muscle exercise routine; and    means for indicating undesirable movement of the lower pelvic portion relative to said first member while performing the lumbar muscle exercise routine.    
   
   
       3 . The lumbar muscle exercise system of  claim 1 , wherein said preventing means includes at least one pelvic movement restraint nestled between said first member and the upper pelvic portion of the user.  
   
   
       4 . The lumbar muscle exercise system of  claim 3 , wherein said at least one pelvic movement restraint has a body with a substantially circular cross-section.  
   
   
       5 . The lumbar muscle exercise system of  claim 3 , wherein said at least one pelvic movement restraint has a body with a substantially triangular cross-section.  
   
   
       6 . The lumbar muscle exercise system of  claim 3 , wherein said at least one pelvic movement restraint has a body with a substantially semi-circular cross-section.  
   
   
       7 . The lumbar muscle exercise system of  claim 3 , wherein said at least one pelvic movement restraint has a substantially bullet-shaped body.  
   
   
       8 . The lumbar muscle exercise system of  claim 7 , wherein said bullet-shaped body is provided with a grip cover.  
   
   
       9 . The lumbar muscle exercise system of  claim 8 , wherein said grip cover extends over a substantial portion of the exterior surface of said bullet-shaped pelvic restraint body.  
   
   
       10 . The lumbar muscle exercise system of  claim 8 , wherein said grip cover is integrally formed on the exterior surface of said bullet-shaped pelvic restraint body.  
   
   
       11 . The lumbar muscle exercise system of  claim 8 , wherein said grip cover includes a soft resilient strip of material that is rolled onto a substantial portion of the exterior surface of said bullet-shaped pelvic restraint body.  
   
   
       12 . The lumbar muscle exercise system of  claim 11 , wherein said rolled strip of material is secured on the exterior surface of said bullet-shaped pelvic restraint body via adhesive.  
   
   
       13 . The lumbar muscle exercise system of  claim 7 , wherein one end of said bullet-shaped pelvic restraint body is cut away internally to create a cavity.  
   
   
       14 . The lumbar muscle exercise system of  claim 13 , wherein the interior surface of said cavity includes a substantially X-shaped body cut.  
   
   
       15 . The lumbar muscle exercise system of  claim 14 , wherein said X-shaped body cut is adapted to receive at least two pelvic movement gauges.  
   
   
       16 . The lumbar muscle exercise system of  claim 15 , wherein said at least two pelvic movement gauges are adapted for insertion and storage into the body of said bullet-shaped pelvic restraint.  
   
   
       17 . The lumbar muscle exercise system of  claim 15 , wherein each of said at least two pelvic movement gauges is shaped substantially as a glider plane without wings.  
   
   
       18 . The lumbar muscle exercise system of  claim 17 , wherein each pelvic movement gauge is constructed from a substantially flat strip of material.  
   
   
       19 . The lumbar muscle exercise system of  claim 17 , wherein each pelvic movement gauge is constructed from a substantially flat strip of plastic material.  
   
   
       20 . The lumbar muscle exercise system of  claim 7 , wherein said bullet-shaped pelvic restraint body is made of foam.  
   
   
       21 . The lumbar muscle exercise system of  claim 8 , wherein said grip cover is made of synthetic rubber.  
   
   
       22 . The lumbar muscle exercise system of  claim 2 , wherein said indicating means includes at least one pelvic movement gauge operatively sandwiched between the lower pelvic portion of the leaning user and said first support member.  
   
   
       23 . The lumbar muscle exercise system of  claim 22 , wherein two pelvic movement gauges are operatively disposed on opposite sides of the leaning user.  
   
   
       24 . The lumbar muscle exercise system of  claim 23 , wherein each of said oppositely disposed pelvic movement gauges is shaped substantially as a glider plane without wings.  
   
   
       25 . The lumbar muscle exercise system of  claim 24 , wherein each of said oppositely disposed pelvic movement gauges is constructed from a substantially flat strip of material.  
   
   
       26 . The lumbar muscle exercise system of  claim 24 , wherein each of said oppositely disposed pelvic movement gauges is constructed from a substantially flat strip of plastic material.  
   
   
       27 . The lumbar muscle exercise system of  claim 22 , wherein a portion of said at least one pelvic movement gauge sticks out the buttocks side of the user.  
   
   
       28 . The lumbar muscle exercise system of  claim 23 , wherein each of said oppositely disposed pelvic movement gauges is adapted to slide on said first support member when the lower pelvic portion is not firmly pressed into said first member.  
   
   
       29 . The lumbar muscle exercise system of  claim 23 , wherein sliding motion of at least one of said oppositely disposed pelvic movement gauges indicates improper performance of the lumbar muscle exercise routine.  
   
   
       30 . The lumbar muscle exercise system of  claim 1 , wherein the lower pelvic portion includes the ischium of the user, the ischium being also known as the “sit” bones of the user.  
   
   
       31 . The lumbar muscle exercise system of  claim 1 , wherein the upper pelvic portion includes the ilium and sacrum of the user.  
   
   
       32 . The lumbar muscle exercise system of  claim 1 , wherein said first support member is substantially vertical.  
   
   
       33 . The lumbar muscle exercise system of  claim 1 , wherein said second adjoining member is substantially horizontal.  
   
   
       34 . The lumbar muscle exercise system of  claim 32 , wherein said substantially vertical first support member is configured as a room wall.  
   
   
       35 . The lumbar muscle exercise system of  claim 33 , wherein said substantially horizontal second adjoining member is configured as a room floor.  
   
   
       36 . The lumbar muscle exercise system of  claim 8 , wherein said grip cover is textured.  
   
   
       37 . The lumbar muscle exercise system of  claim 10 , wherein said integral grip cover is textured.  
   
   
       38 . The lumbar muscle exercise system of  claim 3 , wherein said at least one pelvic movement restraint comprises two hinged surfaces adapted to open, but not close back.  
   
   
       39 . The lumbar muscle exercise system of  claim 1 , wherein said preventing means allows torso extension against gravity from a first position in which the torso is disposed at a substantially obtuse angle relative to said first member to a second position in which the torso is disposed at a substantially acute angle relative to said first member, said substantially acute and obtuse angles being defined above the hip level of the user.  
   
   
       40 . The lumbar muscle exercise system of  claim 39 , wherein the angular range of torso extension between said first and second positions is about 72°.  
   
   
       41 . The lumbar muscle exercise system of  claim 39 , wherein the gluteus and hamstring muscles of the leaning user do not contribute to torso extensions against gravity.  
   
   
       42 . The lumbar muscle exercise system of  claim 41 , wherein repeated torso extensions against gravity contribute to strengthening of the lumbar muscles of the user.  
   
   
       43 . A lumbar muscle exercise method, comprising the steps of: 
 providing a first member adapted to support the lower pelvic portion of a user leaning against said first member;    providing a second adjoining member adapted to support the feet of the user away from said first member with the lower limbs of the user being held substantially straight; and    preventing the upper pelvic portion of the user from moving toward said first member while the lower pelvic portion is firmly pressed into said first member to allow the leaning user to extend the torso away from the feet against gravity as part of a targeted lumbar muscle exercise routine.    
   
   
       44 . A lumbar muscle exercise method, comprising the steps of: 
 providing a first member adapted to support the lower pelvic portion of a user leaning against said first member;    providing a second adjoining member adapted to support the feet of the user away from said first member with the lower limbs of the user being held substantially straight;    preventing the upper pelvic portion of the user from moving toward said first member while the lower pelvic portion is firmly pressed into said first member to allow the leaning user to extend the torso away from the feet against gravity as part of a targeted lumbar muscle exercise routine; and    indicating undesirable movement of the lower pelvic portion relative to said first member while performing the lumbar muscle exercise routine.    
   
   
       45 . The lumbar muscle exercise method of  claim 43 , further comprising the step of rotating the pelvis of the user away from said first support member as far as anatomically possible while keeping the lower limbs substantially firm relative to said second adjoining member.  
   
   
       46 . The lumbar muscle exercise method of  claim 45 , further comprising the step of bending the knees of the user enough to allow the user to press the ischium bones against said first support member.  
   
   
       47 . The lumbar muscle exercise method of  claim 46 , wherein the ischium bones of the user are firmly pressed against said first support member.  
   
   
       48 . The lumbar muscle exercise method of  claim 47 , wherein said preventing step includes the nestling of at least one pelvic movement restraint between said first support member and the upper pelvic portion of the user.  
   
   
       49 . The lumbar muscle exercise method of  claim 48 , wherein said nestled pelvic movement restraint prevents the pelvis from rotating back toward said first support member during performance of the lumbar muscle exercise routine.  
   
   
       50 . The lumbar muscle exercise method of  claim 49 , wherein said nestled pelvic movement restraint allows torso extension against gravity from a first position in which the torso is disposed at a substantially obtuse angle relative to said first member to a second position in which the torso is disposed at a substantially acute angle relative to said first member, said substantially acute and obtuse angles being defined above the hip level of the user.  
   
   
       51 . The lumbar muscle exercise method of  claim 50 , wherein the angular range of torso extension between said first and second positions is about 72°.  
   
   
       52 . The lumbar muscle exercise method of  claim 50 , wherein the gluteus and hamstring muscles of the leaning user do not contribute to torso extensions against gravity.  
   
   
       53 . The lumbar muscle exercise method of  claim 52 , wherein repeated torso extensions against gravity contribute to strengthening of the lumbar muscles of the user.  
   
   
       54 . The lumbar muscle exercise method of  claim 44 , wherein said indicating step includes frictionally coupling at least one pelvic movement gauge between the lower pelvic portion of the leaning user and said first support member.  
   
   
       55 . The lumbar muscle exercise method of  claim 54 , wherein two pelvic movement gauges are operatively disposed on opposite sides of the leaning user.  
   
   
       56 . The lumbar muscle exercise method of  claim 55 , wherein each of said oppositely disposed pelvic movement gauges is shaped substantially as a glider plane without wings.  
   
   
       57 . The lumbar muscle exercise method of  claim 55 , wherein each of said oppositely disposed pelvic movement gauges is constructed from a substantially flat strip of material.  
   
   
       58 . The lumbar muscle exercise method of  claim 55 , wherein each of said oppositely disposed pelvic movement gauges is constructed from a substantially flat strip of plastic material.  
   
   
       59 . The lumbar muscle exercise method of  claim 54 , wherein a portion of said at least one pelvic movement gauge sticks out the buttocks side of the user.  
   
   
       60 . The lumbar muscle exercise method of  claim 55 , wherein each of said oppositely disposed pelvic movement gauges is adapted to slide on said first support member when the lower pelvic portion is not firmly pressed into said first member.  
   
   
       61 . The lumbar muscle exercise method of  claim 60 , wherein sliding motion of at least one of said oppositely disposed pelvic movement gauges indicates improper performance of the lumbar muscle exercise routine.  
   
   
       62 . The lumbar muscle exercise system of  claim 3 , wherein said at least one pelvic movement restraint has a substantially tubular body that is closed at each end and filled with air.  
   
   
       63 . The lumbar muscle exercise system of  claim 3 , wherein said at least one pelvic movement restraint is substantially wedge-shaped with a rounded corner.  
   
   
       64 . The lumbar muscle exercise system of  claim 3 , wherein said at least one pelvic movement restraint has a substantially tubular body with a grip cover.  
   
   
       65 . The lumbar muscle exercise system of  claim 3 , wherein said nestled pelvic movement restraint allows the leaning user to flex the torso toward the feet as part of the targeted lumbar muscle exercise routine.  
   
   
       66 . The lumbar muscle exercise method of  claim 48 , wherein said nestled pelvic movement restraint allows the leaning user to flex the torso toward the feet as part of the targeted lumbar muscle exercise routine.  
   
   
       67 . The lumbar muscle exercise system of  claim 3 , wherein said at least one pelvic movement restraint has a body with a cross-section including an acute angle disposed opposite a circular arc.  
   
   
       68 . The lumbar muscle exercise system of  claim 3 , wherein said at least one pelvic movement restraint is substantially dumb-bell shaped.  
   
   
       69 . The lumbar muscle exercise system of  claim 3 , wherein said at least one pelvic movement restraint is substantially wedge-shaped.  
   
   
       70 . The lumbar muscle exercise system of  claim 3 , wherein said at least one pelvic movement restraint has a body with a cross-section including a quarter circle.