Rotating exerciser system and methods

Abstract

An exercise station system particularly suited for abdominal and cardiovascular workouts, the system comprising a base, a seat attached to the base wherein the seat is rotatable relative to the base, and a rotational brake attached to the base for impeding rotation of the seat. The base preferably includes at least two upwardly extending handles, the handles disposed on opposite sides of the seat from one another and positioned so as to be adjacent to or higher than the seat surface. In one preferred embodiment, an adjustable tensioner is provided for adjusting the resistance or friction of the rotational brake, thereby permitting adjustment of the workout intensity. Other optional features include one or more legs on the base and footrests extending out from the base or legs. Methods of use are also provided.

1 . An exercise station comprising:
 a base;   a seat having a top side and underside, the seat rotatably attached to the base; and   a brake attached to the base for impeding rotation of the seat.   
     
     
         2 . The exercise station of  claim 1  wherein the brake comprises a circular drum on the underside of the seat and a band disposed at least partially around the circumference of the drum. 
     
     
         3 . The exercise station of  claim 2  further comprising an adjustable tensioner attached to the band for adjusting the amount of friction between the band and the drum. 
     
     
         4 . The exercise station of  claim 1  wherein the brake comprises a disc brake. 
     
     
         5 . The exercise station of  claim 1  further comprising a handle adjacent to the seat wherein the handle is attached to the base. 
     
     
         6 . The exercise station of  claim 1  further comprising at least two handles disposed on opposite sides of the seat wherein each handle is attached to the base. 
     
     
         7 . The exercise station of  claim 1  wherein the base is a rectangular frame or a square frame. 
     
     
         8 . The exercise station of  claim 1  wherein the base comprises post. 
     
     
         9 . The exercise station of  claim 1  wherein the seat is round. 
     
     
         10 . The exercise station of  claim 1  wherein the seat further comprises a cushion. 
     
     
         11 . The exercise station of  claim 1  further comprising one or more legs attached to the base. 
     
     
         12 . The workout method for a user using an exercise station comprising:
 providing an exercise station comprising a base, a seat attached to the base wherein the seat is rotatable, two handles disposed on opposite sides of the seat wherein each handle is attached to the base, and a rotational brake attached to the seat;   sitting on the seat;   gripping the two handles for stability; and   rotating on the seat so as to cause abdominal muscle flexing of the user.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising lifting the legs of the user while rotating on the seat. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising the step of adjusting the friction of the rotatable brake to adjust the intensity level of the workout. 
     
     
         15 . An exercise station system comprising:
 an upper portion comprising a base, a seat attached to the base wherein the seat is rotatable, a rotational brake attached to the base for impeding rotation of the seat wherein the brake comprises a circular drum on the underside of the seat and a band disposed around the circumference of the drum, an adjustable tensioner attached to the band for adjusting the amount of friction between the band and the drum, and a handle adjacent to the seat wherein the handle is attached to the base; and   a lower portion comprising a plurality of legs attached to the base of the upper portion.   
     
     
         16 . The exercise station of  15  wherein the plurality of legs are configured in an x-frame configuration and are foldable to allow for easy storage and transport. 
     
     
         17 . The exercise station of  claim 15  wherein the upper portion is attached to the lower portion with a quick-release connection mechanism. 
     
     
         18 . The exercise station of  claim 17  wherein the seat further comprises a cushion. 
     
     
         19 . An exercise station comprising:
 a base;   a seat having a top side and a underside, the seat rotatably attached to the base;   at least two handles, wherein the handles are disposed on opposite sides of the seat from one another;   a brake attached to the base for impeding rotation of the seat; and   an adjustable tensioner attached to the brake, the tensioner capable of varying the resistance of the brake on the seat rotation.   
     
     
         20 . The exercise station of  claim 19  wherein the brake comprises a circular drum on the underside of the seat and a band disposed at least partially around the circumference of the drum. 
     
     
         21 . The exercise station of  claim 19  wherein the handles are attached to the base below the seat and extend upward from the base to a height adjacent the seat top side. 
     
     
         22 . The exercise station of  claim 19  wherein the handles are attached to the base below the seat and extend upward from the base to a height above the seat top side. 
     
     
         23 . The exercise station of  claim 19  wherein each handle has a first end, a second end and a middle portion therebetween and wherein the first and second ends are attached to the base and the middle portion is disposed adjacent the seat. 
     
     
         24 . The exercise station of  claim 19  wherein the brake and the adjustable tensioner are integrally formed. 
     
     
         25 . The exercise station of  claim 19  wherein the brake comprises an outer surface secured to the seat and the adjustable tensioner comprises a contact mechanism mounted on a screw supported on the base, such that rotation of the screw relative to the base moves the contact mechanism into engagement with the brake outer surface. 
     
     
         26 . The exercise station of  claim 25  wherein the contact mechanism is a wheel rotatably mounted on the screw. 
     
     
         27 . The exercise station of  claim 26  wherein the screw has a first end and a second end and threads disposed therebetween, which threads are rotatably engaged by the base and wherein the wheel is mounted on the first end of the screw. 
     
     
         28 . The exercise station of  claim 27  further comprising an adjustment knob mounted on the second end of the screw.