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. Removably connected to the body-encircling strap are a plurality of exercise, or resistance modules of differing resistance. The resistance modules are slidably connected to the body encircling strap so that they can be positioned at various locations along the length of the strap. The resistance specially designed so that various exercises can be performed using only the resistance modules after they have been separated from a body encircling strap.

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) a first resistance module removably connected to said adjustable body encircling strap, said first resistance module comprising:
 (i) a connector sleeve slidably movable relative to said body-encircling strap along the length thereof; 
 (ii) a foot receiving strap connected to and extending from said connector sleeve; 
 (iii) a first elongated elastomeric cord of a first tensile strength connected to said connector sleeve; 
 (iv) a gripping member connected to said first elongated elastomeric cord of a first tensile strength; 
 (v) a second elongated elastomeric cord of a first tensile strength connected to said connector sleeve; and 
 (vi) a gripping member connected to said second elongated elastomeric cord of a first tensile strength. 
   
   
   
       2 . The exercise device as defined in  claim 1  further including a second resistance module removably connected to said adjustable body encircling strap, said second resistance module comprising:
 (a) a connector sleeve slidably movable relative to said body-encircling strap along the length thereof;   (b) a foot receiving strap connected to and extending from said connector sleeve;   (c) a first elongated elastomeric cord of a second tensile strength connected to said connector sleeve;   (d) a first gripping member connected to said first elongated elastomeric cord of a second tensile strength;   (e) a second elongated elastomeric cord of a second tensile strength connected to said connector sleeve; and   (f) a second gripping member connected to said second elongated elastomeric cord of a second tensile strength.   
   
   
       3 . The exercise device as defined in  claim 1  further comprising a third resistance module removably connected to said adjustable body encircling strap, said third resistance module comprising:
 (a) a connector sleeve slidably movable relative to said body-encircling strap along the length thereof;   (b) a foot receiving strap connected to and extending from said connector sleeve;   (c) a first elongated elastomeric cord of a third tensile strength connected to said connector sleeve;   (d) a first gripping member connected to said first elongated elastomeric cord of a third tensile strength;   (e) a second elongated elastomeric cord of a third tensile strength connected to said connector sleeve; and   (f) a second gripping member connected to said second elongated elastomeric cord of a third tensile strength.   
   
   
       4 . The exercise device as defined in  claim 1  further including a foot engaging strap connected to and extending from said first gripping member and a third foot engaging strap connected to and extending from said second gripping member. 
   
   
       5 . The exercise device as defined in  claim 4  in which each of said foot engaging straps includes adjustment means for adjusting the size of said foot engaging straps. 
   
   
       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) a first resistance module removably connected to said adjustable body encircling strap, said first resistance module comprising a connector sleeve slidably movable relative to said body-encircling strap along the length thereof, first and second elongated elastomeric cords of a first tensile strength connected to said connector sleeve and a gripping member for gripping by the trainee connected to each of said first and second elongated elastomeric cords; and   (c) a second resistance module removably connected to said adjustable body encircling strap, said second resistance module comprising a connector sleeve slidably movable relative to said body-encircling strap along the length thereof, third and fourth elongated elastomeric cords of a second tensile strength connected to said connector sleeve and a gripping member for gripping by the trainee connected to said third and fourth elongated elastomeric cords.   
   
   
       7 . The exercise device as defined in  claim 6  further including a third resistance module removably connected to said adjustable body encircling strap, said third resistance module comprising a connector sleeve slidably movable relative to said body-encircling strap along the length thereof, fifth and sixth elongated elastomeric cords of a third tensile strength connected to said connector sleeve and a gripping member for gripping by the trainee connected to each of said fifth and sixth elongated elastomeric cords. 
   
   
       8 . The exercise device as defined in  claim 7  in which each of said first, second and third exercise modules further includes a foot receiving strap connected to and extending from said connector sleeve. 
   
   
       9 . The exercise device as defined in  claim 8  in which each of said first, second and third exercise modules further includes a foot receiving strap connected to and extending from each of said gripping members thereof. 
   
   
       10 . The exercise device as defined in  claim 9  in which each of said foot engaging straps connected to and extending from said gripping members includes adjustment means for adjusting the size of said foot engaging straps. 
   
   
       11 . A method for performing different exercises by a trainee having hands and feet using an exercise device comprising an adjustable body-encircling strap for encircling a portion of the trainee's body and a first exercise module removably connected to the body-encircling strap, the first exercise module comprising a connector sleeve slidably movable relative to the body-encircling strap along the length thereof, a foot receiving strap connected to and extending from the connector sleeve, first and second elongated elastomeric cords having a first tensile strength connected to the connector sleeve and gripping members for gripping by the trainee connected to the first and second elongated elastomeric cords, said method comprising the steps of:
 (a) performing a first set of exercises by gripping the first and second gripping members and urging the first and second gripping members to move in a direction away from the body-encircling strap in a manner to stretch the first and second elongated elastomeric cords; and   (b) performing a second set of exercises by removing the first exercise module from the body encircling strap, inserted one foot into foot engaging strap connected to and extending from the connector sleeve, gripping the gripping members with the hands and causing the gripping members to move in a direction away from the foot engaging strap in a manner to stretch the first and second elastomeric cords.   
   
   
       12 . The method as defined in  claim 11  in which the exercise device further includes a second exercise module removably connected to the body-encircling strap, the second exercise module comprising a connector sleeve slidably movable relative to the body-encircling strap along the length thereof, a foot engaging strap connected to and extending from the connector sleeve, third and fourth elongated elastomeric cords having a second tensile strength connected to the connector sleeve, the method comprising the further step of performing a third set of exercises by removing the second exercise module from the body encircling strap, inserted one foot into foot engaging strap connected to and extending from the connector sleeve, gripping the gripping members with the hands and causing the gripping members to move in a direction away from the foot engaging strap in a manner to stretch the third and fourth elastomeric cords. 
   
   
       13 . The method as defined in  claim 12  in which the exercise device further includes a third exercise module removably connected to the body-encircling strap, the other exercise module comprising a connector sleeve slidably movable relative to the body-encircling strap along the length thereof, a foot engaging strap connected to and extending from the connector sleeve, fifth and sixth elongated elastomeric cords having a third tensile strength connected to the connector sleeve, the method comprising the further step of performing a fourth set of exercises by removing the third exercise module from the body encircling strap, inserted one foot into foot engaging strap connected to and extending from the connector sleeve, gripping the gripping members with the hands and causing the gripping members to move in a direction away from the foot engaging strap in a manner to stretch the fifth and sixth elastomeric cords.