Exercise apparatus and method of using same

Abstract

A lightweight, portable exercise device that includes a body-encircling strap that can be adjustably fitted about various portions of the user's body. Connected to the central portion of the body-encircling strap are two adjacently positioned elastomeric cords that can be extended by the user in a manner to enable the user to exercise body muscles of the arms, legs, shoulders and back while walking, sitting, standing, or lying. Attached to each of the elastomeric cords is a pair of gripping members for gripping by the hands and feet of the trainee. The gripping members and the elastomeric cords are uniquely arranged so as to enable the trainee to selectively exercise against the resistance offered by one, or by both of the elastomeric cords.

1 . An exercise device for use by a trainee to exercise the body muscles of the arms, legs, thighs, shoulders and back, said device comprising:
 (a) an adjustable body-encircling strap for encircling a portion of the trainee's body, said strap having first and second end portions and an intermediate portion;   (b) strap connecting means carried by said body-encircling strap for releasably interconnecting together said first and second end portions;   (c) a first elongated elastomeric cord connected to said body-encircling strap, said first elongated elastomeric cord having first and second end portions and first and second intermediate portions;   (d) a first gripping member connected to said first elongated elastomeric cord proximate said first intermediate portion and a second gripping member connected to said first elongated elastomeric cord proximate said second intermediate portion;   (e) a second elongated elastomeric cord connected to said body-encircling strap, said second elongated elastomeric cord having first and second end portions and first and second intermediate portions;   (f) a third gripping member connected to said second elongated elastomeric cord proximate said first intermediate portion and a fourth gripping member connected to said second elongated elastomeric cord proximate said second intermediate portion; and   (g) cord connecting means connected to said body-encircling strap for interconnecting said end portions of said first and second elongated elastomeric cords with said body-encircling strap and a location proximate said intermediate portion of said strap, whereby said trainee can simultaneously grip said first and third gripping members and said second and fourth gripping members.   
   
   
       2 . The exercise device as defined in  claim 1  in which said cord connecting means comprises a cord connecting member connected to said body-encircling strap proximate said intermediate portion thereof, said connecting member circumscribing said end portions of said first and second elongated elastomeric cords and circumscribing said intermediate portion of said body-encircling strap. 
   
   
       3 . The exercise device as defined in  claim 1  in which said first and second elongated elastomeric cords are of the same tensile strength. 
   
   
       4 . The exercise device as defined in  claim 1  in which said first and second to elongated elastomeric cords are of different tensile strengths. 
   
   
       5 . The exercise device as defined in  claim 1  in which said strap connecting means comprises a first means connected to said first end of said body-encircling strap and a second complementary means connected to said second end of said body-encircling strap for engagement with said first means to form a body-encircling closed loop. 
   
   
       6 . An exercise device for use by a trainee to exercise the body muscles of the arms, legs, thighs, shoulders and back, said device comprising:
 (a) an adjustable body-encircling strap for encircling a portion of the trainee's body, said strap having first and second end portions and an intermediate portion;   (b) strap connecting means carried by said body-encircling strap for releasably interconnecting together said first and second end portions, said strap connecting means comprising a first means connected to said first end of said body-encircling strap and a second complementary means connected to said second end of said body-encircling strap for engagement with said first means to form a body-encircling closed loop;   (c) a first elongated elastomeric cord connected to said body-encircling strap, said first elongated elastomeric cord having first and second end portions and an intermediate portion;   (d) a first gripping member connected to said first end portion of said first elongated elastomeric cord and a second gripping member connected to said second end portion of said first elongated elastomeric cord;   (e) a second elongated elastomeric cord connected to said body-encircling strap, said second elongated elastomeric cord having first and second end portions and an intermediate portion;   (f) a third gripping member connected to said first end portion of said second elongated elastomeric cord and a fourth gripping member connected to said second end portion of said second elongated elastomeric cord; and   (g) cord connecting means connected to said body-encircling strap for interconnecting said intermediate portions of said first and second elongated elastomeric cords to said body-encircling strap and a location proximate said intermediate portion of said strap, said cord connecting means comprising a connecting sleeve circumscribing said intermediate portions of said first and second elongated elastomeric cords and said intermediate portion of said body-encircling strap, whereby said intermediate portions of said first and second elongated elastomeric cords are maintained in close proximity.   
   
   
       7 . The exercise device as defined in  claim 6  in which said first and second to elongated elastomeric cords are color-coded and are of the same color. 
   
   
       8 . The exercise device as defined in  claim 6  in which said first and second to elongated elastomeric cords are color-coded and are of a different color. 
   
   
       9 . The exercise device as defined in  claim 6  in which said first, second, third and fourth gripping member's comprise closed-in receiving loops. 
   
   
       10 . A method for performing different exercises using an exercise device comprising an adjustable body-encircling strap for encircling a portion of the trainee's body, which includes front and back portions, the strap having a central portion, a first elongated elastomeric cord connected to the central portion of the body-encircling strap, the first elongated elastomeric cord having first and second end portions, a first gripping member connected to the first end portion of the first elongated elastomeric cord and a second gripping member connected to the second end portion of the first elongated elastomeric cord, a second elongated elastomeric cord connected to the central portion of the body-encircling strap, the second elongated elastomeric cord having first and second end portions, a third gripping member connected to the first end portion of the second elongated elastomeric cord and a fourth gripping member connected to the second end portion of the second elongated elastomeric cord, said method comprising the steps of:
 (a) performing a first set of exercises by gripping the first and second gripping member's and urging the first and second gripping members to move in a direction away from the central portion of the body-encircling strap in a manner to stretch the first elastomeric cord; and   (b) performing a second set of exercises by gripping the first, second, third and fourth gripping members and urging the first, second, third and fourth gripping members to move in a direction away from the central portion of the body-encircling strap in a manner to simultaneously stretch both the first and second elastomeric cords.   
   
   
       11 . The method as defined in  claim 10  in which in performing said first set of exercises, the first and second gripping member's are urged to move upwardly relative to the body-encircling strap. 
   
   
       12 . The method as defined in  claim 10  in which in performing said first set of exercises, the central portion of the body-encircling strap is disposed at the front portion of the trainee's body and first and second gripping member's are urged to move upwardly and transversely relative to the body-encircling strap. 
   
   
       13 . The method as defined in  claim 10  in which in performing said first set of exercises, the central portion of the body-encircling strap is disposed at the front portion of the trainee's body and the first and second gripping member's are urged to move downwardly and transversely relative to the body-encircling strap. 
   
   
       14 . The method as defined in  claim 10  in which in performing said second set of exercises, the central portion of the body-encircling strap is disposed at the front portion of the trainee's body and the first, second, third and fourth gripping member's are urged to move upwardly and transversely relative to the body-encircling strap. 
   
   
       15 . The method as defined in  claim 10  in which in performing said first set of exercises, the first, second, third and fourth gripping member's are urged to move downwardly and transversely relative to the body-encircling strap. 
   
   
       16 . The method as defined in  claim 10  in which in performing said second set of exercises, the central portion of the body-encircling strap is disposed at the back portion of the trainee's body and the first, second, third and fourth gripping member's are urged to move upwardly and transversely relative to the body-encircling strap. 
   
   
       17 . The method as defined in  claim 10  in which in performing said second set of exercises, the central portion of the body-encircling strap is disposed at the front portion of the trainee's body, the trainee is laying on the floor and the first, second, third and fourth gripping member's are urged to move downwardly and transversely relative to the central portion of the body-encircling strap.