Abdominal Exercise Device

Abstract

A back, side, or abdominal support for use when exercising. The support comprises a base support and at least one auxiliary support. The base support has a first base surface and a second base surface. The second base surface is generally planar. The first base surface is at least partially arcuate, and adapted to substantially complement a first surface of one of the auxiliary supports. A second surface of one of the auxiliary supports is adapted to substantially complement a first surface of another one of the auxiliary supports. The first base surface may be on the top or the bottom of the base support. The auxiliary supports stack to add height to the back support without substantially increasing its length or width. A person using the support to exercise may choose the difficulty of the exercise by choosing how many of the at least one auxiliary supports to use in conjunction with the base support.

1 . A composite support adapted to engage the back, side, or abdomen of a person, the composite support comprising:
 a base support comprising a first base support surface and a second base support surface; and   at least one auxiliary support comprising a first auxiliary support surface and a second auxiliary support surface;   such that the first auxiliary support surface is substantially complementary to the first base support surface or the second auxiliary support surface of another of the plurality of auxiliary supports; and   wherein a length of the base support and a length of the at least one auxiliary support are substantially the same.   
   
   
       2 . The composite support of  claim 1  wherein the first base support surface is on a top side of the base support. 
   
   
       3 . The composite support of  claim 2  wherein the second base support surface comprises a substantially planar surface and the first base support surface comprises an arcuate surface. 
   
   
       4 . The composite support of  claim 2  further comprising an additional auxiliary support having a bottom surface substantially complementary to the second auxiliary support surface of the at least one auxiliary support such that the additional auxiliary support is adapted to be stacked on top of the at least one auxiliary support and such that the additional auxiliary support is adapted to increase a height of the composite support without substantially increasing a length of the composite support. 
   
   
       5 . The support of  claim 1  wherein the first base support surface is on a bottom side of the base support. 
   
   
       6 . The composite support of  claim 5  wherein the second base support surface comprises an arcuate surface and the first base support surface comprises a substantially planar surface. 
   
   
       7 . The support of  claim 6  wherein the first auxiliary support surface is substantially planar and the second auxiliary support surface is substantially planar. 
   
   
       8 . The support of  claim 7  wherein a horizontal dimension of the base support and a horizontal dimension of the at least one auxiliary support are substantially the same. 
   
   
       9 . The support of  claim 8  further comprising an additional support having a planar upper surface and a planar lower surface, the additional support adapted to be placed under the at least one auxiliary support such that a height of the composite support is increased. 
   
   
       10 . The composite support of  claim 1  wherein the composite support is made of latex foam. 
   
   
       11 . The composite support of  claim 1  wherein the base support and the at least one auxiliary support comprise air bladders. 
   
   
       12 . The composite support of  claim 1  wherein the base support and the at least one auxiliary support are permanently connected. 
   
   
       13 . The composite support of  claim 1  wherein the base support and the at least one auxiliary support are created by injection molding. 
   
   
       14 . A support for use when exercising, the support comprising:
 a base support, comprising a generally planar lower surface and an upper surface;   wherein at least a portion of the upper surface is arcuate; and   at least one auxiliary support, comprising:
 a lower surface characterized by a contour adapted to substantially complement the upper surface of the base support or another of the at least one auxiliary supports; and 
 an upper surface; wherein at least a portion of the upper surface of the auxiliary support is arcuate. 
   
   
   
       15 . The composite support of  claim 14  further comprising an additional auxiliary support having a bottom surface substantially complementary to the second auxiliary support surface of the at least one auxiliary support such that the additional auxiliary support is adapted to be stacked on top of the at least one auxiliary support and such that the additional auxiliary support is adapted to increase a height of the composite support without substantially increasing a length of the composite support. 
   
   
       16 . The composite support of  claim 14  wherein the base support and the at least one auxiliary support are made of latex foam. 
   
   
       17 . The composite support of  claim 14  wherein the base support and the at least one auxiliary support comprise air bladders 
   
   
       18 . The composite support of  claim 14  wherein the base support and the at least one auxiliary support are permanently connected. 
   
   
       19 . The composite support of  claim 14  wherein the base support and the at least one auxiliary support are created by injection molding.