Exercise device and method of exercise using the same

Abstract

An exercise device comprising an elongate shaft coupled to a base, which may provide support to maintain the elongate shaft in an upright, vertical position. The elongate shaft may include one or more gripping members, such as foam sleeves, for grasping the elongate shaft. A method of exercise using the exercise device is also disclosed. The method of exercise includes having a participant move in a controlled movement, such as a gyratory motion, while maintaining balance in order to extend one's outer extents of balance and/or pain.

1 . A method of exercise, comprising:
 providing an elongate shaft and a base;   coupling the elongate shaft to the base;   standing a participant in a desired spaced positional relationship with the elongate shaft, wherein the participant is contacting the elongate shaft; and   shifting the participant's center of gravity in a controlled movement.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the participant is standing in a horse stance. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the controlled movement is a rotating motion. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the controlled movement is a side-to-side motion. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the controlled movement is a front-to-back motion. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the elongate shaft is coupled to the base in an upright, vertical position. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the participant's center of gravity is shifted to an edge of balance. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the participant's center of gravity is shifted to an edge of pain. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 disposing a portion of the base under a door.   
   
   
       10 . A method of exercise, comprising:
 providing an elongate shaft having a first end portion proximate a first end and a second end portion proximate a second end, the first end portion including a gripping member;   providing a base;   coupling the second end portion to the base, such that the elongate shaft is in a generally vertical position;   standing a participant in a desired spaced positional relationship with the elongate shaft, wherein the participant has arms outstretched and resting on the gripping member of the elongate shaft; and   gyrating the participant's center of gravity.   
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the participant is standing with feet about shoulder-width apart. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the participant is standing in a crouching position with legs bent and back straight. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the participant's center of gravity is gyrated to an edge of balance. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the participant's center of gravity is gyrated to an edge of pain. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the step of gyrating the participant's center of gravity is repeated. 
   
   
       16 . An apparatus for exercising, comprising:
 an elongate shaft having a first end and a second end;   a gripping member disposed proximate the first end of the elongate shaft;   a base; and   a means for coupling the second end of the elongate shaft to the base.   
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , further comprising a door having a top, a bottom, a front side and a rear side, wherein at least a portion of the base extends under the bottom of the door. 
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the gripping member is a foam sleeve. 
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , further comprising a foam sleeve disposed proximate the second end of the elongate shaft. 
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the base includes a first triangular segment, a second triangular segment, and a coupling disposed between the first and second triangular segments. 
   
   
       21 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , further comprising instructions for performing an exercise.