Portable exercise system

Abstract

A portable, readily storable, exercise system has a workout station which includes a rigid backing member having a top surface, a bottom surface, and opposed ends. A plurality of handle sections, each having at least one gripping portion, are configured to be attached at the opposed ends of the rigid backing member, and a cushion is configured to be attached to the top surface of the rigid backing member and disposed between the handle sections. The exercise system may also include resistance bands that may connect to the workout station to supplement various exercise techniques. Further, a free weight bar may be used for exercises and at times it may be used in conjunction with the resistance bands. The exercise system is a compact design and may partially disassemble thereby enabling users to have convenient portability and storage.

1 . A portable, readily storable, exercise system comprising: 
 a workout station, said workout station including:    a rigid backing member having a top surface, a bottom surface, and opposed ends;    a plurality of handle sections each having at least one gripping portion, said handle sections configured to be attached at the opposed ends of the rigid backing member; and    a cushion configured to be attached to the top surface of the rigid backing member and disposed between the handle sections.    
     
     
         2 . The portable exercise system of  claim 1  wherein the workout station is configured for use along at least one of its horizontal and vertical axes to facilitate a plurality of exercises.  
     
     
         3 . The portable exercise system of  claim 1  wherein the rigid backing member is comprised of one of a polymeric material, and a metallic material.  
     
     
         4 . The portable exercise system of  claim 1  wherein the rigid backing member is comprised of a tubular support frame.  
     
     
         5 . The portable exercise system of  claim 4  wherein the tubular frame is configured to expand into an extended position during use and to contract for compact portability and storage.  
     
     
         6 . The portable exercise system of  claim 1  wherein the cushion comprises a flexible polymeric foam material.  
     
     
         7 . The portable exercise system of  claim 6  wherein the cushion comprises a hard closed cell foam back and an arched open cell foam top.  
     
     
         8 . The portable exercise system of  claim 7  wherein the cushion is at least partially inflatable.  
     
     
         9 . The portable exercise system of  claim 1  wherein the handle sections further comprise an attachment portion to attach at least one resistance band for use in a plurality of exercises.  
     
     
         10 . The portable exercise system of  claim 9  further comprising a plurality of resistance bands configured for attachment to the workout station and for providing different resistance levels used in conducting a plurality of exercises.  
     
     
         11 . The portable exercise system of  claim 10  wherein the resistance bands are configured to be adjusted in length.  
     
     
         12 . The portable exercise system of  claim 10  wherein the resistance bands are color coded to indicate various levels of resistance.  
     
     
         13 . The portable exercise system of  claim 1  further comprising a free weight bar.  
     
     
         14 . The portable exercise system of  claim 13  wherein the free weight bar configured to be adjustable in weight and in length, said free weight bar comprising: 
 a plurality of segments each having individual pre-determined weights and lengths configured to attach and detach corresponding to desired total weight/length of the free weight bar.    
     
     
         15 . The portable exercise system of  claim 14  wherein one or more segments may be used as separate weights to facilitate different workout techniques.  
     
     
         16 . The portable exercise system of  claim 14  wherein two segments comprise end-pieces, each end-piece having a hand gripping portion.  
     
     
         17 . The portable exercise system of  claim 16  wherein the end pieces are angled angularly disposed with respect to the center of the free weight bar.  
     
     
         18 . The portable exercise system of  claim 13  further comprising one or more attachment points along the free weight bar capable of attaching a resistance band to the free weight bar.  
     
     
         19 . The portable exercise system of  claim 1  further comprising a video presentation to provide instruction on the use of the exercise system.  
     
     
         20 . The portable exercise system of  claim 1  further comprising a carrying case to contain the exercise system and facilitate portability.  
     
     
         21 . A portable exercise system comprising: 
 a workout station having a rigid backing member, handle segments configured to be attached to the rigid backing member, and a cushion configured to be placed on a top surface of the rigid backing member;    a free weight bar;    a plurality of resistance bands having opposing ends, with at least one end configured to attach to the workout station.    
     
     
         22 . The portable exercise system of  claim 21  wherein the separate elements are configured to at least partially disassemble into a compact size for portability.  
     
     
         23 . The portable exercise system of  claim 22  further comprising a bag configured to contain the exercise system for transportation and storage.  
     
     
         24 . A method for use and storage of a portable exercise system, said method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a carrier which houses an exercise system comprising workout station including a rigid backing member, handle sections, and a cushion;    transporting the carrier to an exercise area;    assembling one or more parts included in the exercise system;    performing one or more exercises;    disassembling the exercise system into a reduced size that is readily portable;    placing the exercise system in the carrier; and    transporting the carrier to a storage area.    
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24  wherein the exercise system further comprises a free weight bar to facilitate a plurality of exercises.  
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25  wherein the exercise system further comprises one or more resistance bands configured to attach to the workout station to facilitate a plurality of exercises.