Method and apparatus for passively exercising abdominal muscles

Abstract

The invention includes for passively exercising a person's abdomen to strengthen the person's abdominal muscles and improve the person's posture. The apparatus includes an adjustable pole to be positioned in or near a doorway. An obstruction extends from the pole in front a portion of the doorway. The distance of the obstruction from the pole is adjustable to set the portion of the doorway which is covered. According to the method, the apparatus is positioned to obscure a portion of a doorway. The person must tighten his or her abdominal muscles and stand straight to slide past the obstruction. Thus, the person receives passive reminders to stand straight and to exercise his or her abdominal muscles.

1 . An apparatus for passively exercising a user's abdominal muscles and improving the user's posture, the apparatus comprising: 
 a pole to be positioned vertically near a doorway;    an obstruction extending horizontally from the pole into a portion of the doorway such that the user must stand straight and tighten the user's abdominal muscles to slide through the doorway.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the pole is adjustable as to height.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein said pole includes: 
 an outer tube;    an inner tube diameter slidably positioned within the outer tube; and    a connector for setting a position between the outer tube and inner tube.    
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the connector includes a screw extending through a threaded aperture in the outer tube so that an end of the screw can abut the inner tube.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the obstruction includes at least on arm extending horizontally from the pole.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the at least one arm is adjustable with respect to a distance between the pole and an end of the arm.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein a position where the arm extends from the pole is vertically adjustable.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the obstruction includes: 
 at least two arms extending horizontally from the pole at different vertical positions; and    a obstruction pole connected to ends of the at least two arms away from the pole.    
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a quick release latch connecting the obstruction to the pole to allow the obstruction to be moved from with the portion of the doorway.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the quick release latch allows the obstruction to rotate about the pole.  
   
   
       11 . A method for passively exercising a user's abdominal muscles and improving the user's posture, the method comprising the steps of: 
 positioning an obstruction in a portion of a doorway;    tightening abdominal muscles to slide past the obstruction through the doorway.    
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the step of positioning the obstruction includes: 
 positioning a vertical pole having an obstruction extending horizontally therefrom near a doorway so that the obstruction extends into the doorway.    
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the vertical pole is positioned between the floor and ceiling adjacent the doorway.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the vertical pole is positioned within a frame of the doorway.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the vertical pole is adjustable in height.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising the step of adjusting a vertical position of the obstruction.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising the step of adjusting a horizontal position of the obstruction.  
   
   
       18 . A system for passively exercising a user's abdominal muscles and improving the user's posture, the system comprising: 
 a doorway through which the user is to pass;    an obstruction extending horizontally a portion of the doorway such that the user must stand straight and tighten the user's abdominal muscles to slide through the doorway.    
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the obstruction is attached to the doorway.  
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the obstruction is formed from a plurality of connected parts so that the portion of the doorway into which the obstruction extends is adjustable.