Push-up bench

Abstract

An adjustable exercise device for performing push-ups is provided. The push-up bench is designed to accommodate exercisers of varying heights, sizes and fitness levels. The exercise device comprises a base assembly, an inclined exercise platform assembly flexibly attached to the base along one end by a hinge, and a connecting leg assembly which is connected to both the base and the inclined platform. Adjustment of the leg assembly with respect to the base adjusts the inclined platform from a fully horizontal position to multiple degrees of inclination, providing multiple degrees of exercise difficulty. The inclined platform also includes foot pads and hand grips to properly position the exerciser. The inclined platform is adjustable lengthwise to permit the distance between hand grips and foot pads to be adjusted, to accommodate users of varying heights. The adjustments provided by this invention facilitate the proper performance of push-ups.

1 . An adjustable exercise device for performing push-ups comprising:
 a. a generally rectangular base member, said base member including an end rail, an intermediate rail positioned opposite said end rail, two side rails positioned opposite one another and connected to said end rail and said intermediate rail to form a generally rectangular perimeter, and an adjustment rail, positioned substantially parallel to and at an intermediate distance between said side rails, where said adjustment rail is attached at one end to said intermediate rail, and attached at the other end to said end rail;   b. a generally rectangular inclined member hingedly attached at one end thereof to an open end of said base member, said inclined member including an end assembly positioned opposite said one end, and two side rails positioned opposite one another and connected to an end member and said end assembly to form a generally rectangular perimeter; and   c. a connecting leg member, said connecting leg member including one end rail, two side rails positioned opposite one another and each connected to said end rail to form a generally U-shaped configuration, further including means for connecting said end rail of said connecting leg member to said adjustment rail of said base member, and means for hingedly connecting said side rails of said connecting leg member to said side rails of said inclined member, such that said inclined member is maintained in an inclined position relative to said base member by said connecting leg member.   
   
   
       2 . The adjustable exercise device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said base member is flexibly attached to said inclined member by means of at least one hinge, such that said inclined member can move through a range of angles of inclination with respect to said base member. 
   
   
       3 . The adjustable exercise device as recited in  claim 2 , further including at least one foot pad attached to said end member of said inclined member. 
   
   
       4 . The adjustable exercise device as recited in  claim 3 , wherein said end assembly of said inclined member further includes a hand grip. 
   
   
       5 . The adjustable exercise device as recited in  claim 4 , wherein said hand grip is cushioned. 
   
   
       6 . The adjustable exercise device as recited in  claim 2 , wherein said inclined member is adjustable in length so as to accommodate exercisers of varying heights. 
   
   
       7 . The adjustable exercise device as recited in  claim 6 , wherein said end assembly of said inclined member further includes two telescoping segments positioned near and overlapping the end of each said side rail, each said telescoping segment including at least one aperture. 
   
   
       8 . The adjustable exercise device as recited in  claim 7 , wherein said side rails of said inclined member include a plurality of apertures spaced along and extending through said rails, said apertures engagable with said apertures on said telescoping segments of said end assembly. 
   
   
       9 . The adjustable exercise device as recited in  claim 8 , wherein said apertures of each said telescoping segment are aligned with said apertures of a said side rail of said inclined member, said side rails and said telescoping segments secured in place by fastening means extending through said aligned apertures. 
   
   
       10 . The adjustable exercise device as recited in  claim 9 , wherein said fastening means are chosen from among the group of screws, bolts and pins. 
   
   
       11 . The adjustable exercise device as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the angle of inclination of said inclined member in relation to said base member is adjustable to accommodate exercisers of varying fitness levels. 
   
   
       12 . The adjustable exercise device as recited in  claim 11 , wherein said adjustment rail of said rectangular base member includes an upper horizontal surface, a lower horizontal surface and two vertical external surfaces. 
   
   
       13 . The adjustable exercise device as recited in  claim 12 , wherein a plurality of apertures are spaced along the length of said adjustment rail, said apertures extending through said vertical external surfaces of said adjustment rail on an axis parallel to that defined by said end rails of said base member. 
   
   
       14 . The adjustable exercise device as recited in  claim 13 , wherein said adjustment rail further includes a groove positioned lengthwise along said upper horizontal surface of said adjustment rail, such that said groove extends beyond said apertures in said adjustment rail. 
   
   
       15 . The adjustable exercise device as recited in  claim 14 , wherein means for connecting said end rail of said connecting leg member to said adjustment rail of said base member include a ring-shaped tab positioned on said end rail, said ring-shaped tab capable of engaging said groove of said adjustment rail, and said ring-shaped tab further including an aperture capable of alignment with said apertures of said adjustment rail. 
   
   
       16 . The adjustable exercise device as recited in  claim 15 , wherein said end rail of said connection leg member is positioned with respect to said adjustment rail by inserting said ring-shaped tab into said groove on said adjustment rail, sliding said ring-shaped tab such that said aperture on said ring-shaped tab aligns with one of said apertures on said adjustment rail, and fastening said ring-shaped tab in place with fastening means extended through said ring-shaped tab aperture and adjustment rail aperture. 
   
   
       17 . The adjustable exercise device as recited in  claim 16 , wherein said fastening means are chosen from among the group of screws, bolts and pins. 
   
   
       18 . The adjustable exercise device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said base member further includes a second end rail, said second end rail providing structural support to said base member.