Exercise apparatus and method for exercising

Abstract

An exercise apparatus used for exercise and more specifically musculoskeletal physical therapy and rehabilitation purposes. The exercise apparatus particularly, but not exclusively, uses a combination of weight, a structure adapted for weight training by a person, and a means to suspend the weight wherein the suspended weight is adapted to have motion in the x, y and z axis during an exercise movement that results in increased joint strength and decreased joint pain during and after physical therapy and rehabilitation exercises.

1 . A lifting apparatus able to be used by a person comprising:
 a weight;   a structure to secure the weight thereto, adapted for weight training by a person; and   a means for suspending the weight from the structure,
 wherein the suspended weight is adapted to have motion in the x, y, and z axis during an exercise movement. 
   
   
   
       2 . The lifting apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a means for fastening the weight to the means for suspending the weight from the structure. 
   
   
       3 . The lifting apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the means for fastening the weight is substantially C-shaped. 
   
   
       4 . The lifting apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a fastener to secure the means for elastically suspending the weight to the structure. 
   
   
       5 . The lifting apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the suspending means suspending the weight further comprises an elastic band. 
   
   
       6 . The lifting apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the elastic band is of differing tensions and lengths. 
   
   
       7 . The lifting apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the structure is adapted to be gripped by a person. 
   
   
       8 . The lifting apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the structure is securably engaged with the lower leg, ankle and foot of a person. 
   
   
       9 . The lifting apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the structure is a barbell. 
   
   
       10 . The lifting apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the structure is a boot. 
   
   
       11 . A lifting apparatus able to be used by a person comprising:
 a weight;   a structure to secure the weight thereto, adapted for weight training by a person; and   an elastomeric member for suspending the weight from the structure,
 wherein the suspended weight is adapted to have motion in the x, y and z axis during an exercise movement. 
   
   
   
       12 . A lifting apparatus of  claim 11 , further comprising a means for fastening the weight to the means for suspending the weight from the structure. 
   
   
       13 . The lifting apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the means for fastening the weight is substantially C-shaped. 
   
   
       14 . The lifting apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the elastic band is of differing tensions and lengths. 
   
   
       15 . The lifting apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the structure is adapted to be gripped by a person. 
   
   
       16 . The lifting apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the structure is securably engaged with the lower leg, ankle and foot of a person. 
   
   
       17 . The lifting apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the structure is a barbell with an inner portion diameter and an outer portion diameter. 
   
   
       18 . The lifting apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the inner portion of the barbell is PVC pipe, the outer portion is wood, the outer portion has perpendicular slots that divide the outer portion into equal quadrants, the slots running from the end of the barbell to a length not as long as the outer portion. 
   
   
       19 . The lifting apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the structure is a boot,
 wherein the boot further comprises a strap attached the boot to secure the boot to the person, the strap is placed through a fixed loop securely attached to the boot and the strap securedly adheres to itself, and a protrusion extends from the boot where the elastic band attaches thereto.   
   
   
       20 . A lifting apparatus able to be used by a person comprising:
 a weight;   a barbell with an inner portion diameter and an outer portion diameter to secure the weight thereto, the outer portion having perpendicular slots that divide the outer portion into quadrants, the slots running from the end of the barbell to a length not as long as the outer portion; and   an elastomeric member for suspending the weight from the structure,
 wherein the suspended weight is adapted to have motion in the x, y and z axis during an exercise movement.