Exercise Apparatus

Abstract

Apparatus and a method for attachment to an exercise machine, generally in place of hand grips provided with the machine, to enable hands-free operation of the machine by a user, the apparatus having at least one forearm and/or upper arm adjacent the elbow engaging cup-like device, and means for attaching the engaging cup-like device to the exercise machine. The apparatus may have a pair of cup-like devices to enable the user to use the machine using both forearms and upper arm adjacent the elbows without use of the hands and lower arm portions of the user.

1 . Apparatus for attachment to an exercise machine to enable hands-free operation of the machine by a user, the apparatus comprising:
 a. at least one body portion engaging cup-like device;   b. attachment means for attaching the body portion engaging cup-like device to the exercise machine, whereby a user having a body portion positioned within the cup-like device can exercise using the machine without use of the hands and lower arm portion of the user.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus as in  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus comprises a pair of body portion engaging cup-like devices and the attachment means is capable of attaching both of the pair of cup-like devices to the exercise machine, whereby a user having like body portions in the cup-like devices can exercise the machine without use of the hands and lower arm portions of the user. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus as in  claim 1 , wherein the attachment means is at least one strap extending from the cup-like device to the exercise machine. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus as in  claim 2 , wherein the attachment means is a pair of straps, each extending from one of the pair of cup-like devices to the exercise machine. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus as in  claim 1 , wherein the attachment means is a combination comprising at least one strap, a chain and at least one connector therebetween. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus as in  claim 5 , wherein the attachment means is a pair of combinations, each combination comprising at least one strap, a chain and at least one connector therebetween. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus as in  claim 6 , wherein the length of each chain is adjustable, whereby the distance between the body portion-engaging cup-like devices and the machine can be adjusted to enable the user to stand or sit upright to minimize back and neck strain. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus as in  claim 1 , wherein the body portion engaging cup-like device comprises a U-shaped elbow of non-rigid material to which is secured at least one connector attaching the attachment means to the device. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus as in  claim 8 , wherein the at least one connector comprises a ring and wherein the apparatus includes a plurality of straps securing the ring to the cup-like device and the ring to the attachment means. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the apparatus comprises at least a pair of rings, each ring being secured to one side of the U-shaped elbow, and wherein the apparatus includes a plurality of straps securing the rings to the cup-like device and the rings to the attachment means. 
   
   
       11 . Apparatus for attachment to a lat pull-down exercise machine to enable hands-free operation of the machine by a user, the apparatus comprising:
 a. a pair of cup-like devices each adapted to engage at least one of a forearm, an upper arm and both a forearm and an upper arm adjacent the elbow of a user;   b. attachment means for attaching the engaging cup-like devices to the exercise machine, whereby a user having at least one of the user's forearms and upper arm adjacent both elbows positioned within the cup-like devices can exercise the user's lat muscles using the machine without use of the hands and lower arm portions of the user.   
   
   
       12 . The apparatus as in  claim 11 , wherein the attachment means is capable of attaching both of the pair of cup-like devices to the exercise machine, whereby a user having both forearms and upper arms adjacent the elbows in the cup-like devices can exercise the machine without use of the hands and lower arm portions of the user. 
   
   
       13 . The apparatus as in  claim 12 , wherein the attachment means is a pair of straps, each extending from one of the pair of cup-like devices to the exercise machine. 
   
   
       14 . The apparatus as in  claim 13 , wherein the attachment means is a pair of combinations, each combination comprising at least one strap, a chain and at least one connector therebetween. 
   
   
       15 . The apparatus as in  claim 14 , wherein the length of each chain is adjustable, whereby the distance between the cup-like devices and the machine can be adjusted to enable the user to stand or sit upright to minimize back and neck strain while exercising the user's lat muscles. 
   
   
       16 . The apparatus as in  claim 11 , wherein the cup-like devices each comprises a U-shaped elbow of non-rigid material to which is secured at least one connector attaching the attachment means to the device. 
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the apparatus comprises at least a pair of rings, each ring being secured to one side of the U-shaped elbow, and wherein the apparatus includes a plurality of straps securing the rings to the cup-like device and the rings to the attachment means. 
   
   
       18 . A method for the hands-free use of an exercise machine by a user, comprising:
 a. providing at least one cup-like device adapted to engage a body portion of a user; and   b. adjustably attaching the cup-like device to the exercise machine, whereby a user positioning a body portion within the cup-like device can exercise using the machine without using the user's hands and lower arm portions.   
   
   
       19 . The method as in  claim 18 , comprising providing a pair of cup-like devices and adjustably attaching the pair of cup-like devices to the exercise machine, whereby a user can exercise using the machines without using the user's hands and lower arm portions. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 18 , comprising providing a pair of cup-like devices adapted to engage at least one of a forearm, an upper arm and both a forearm and an upper arm adjacent the elbow of a user, and adjustably attaching the pair of cup-like devices to the exercise machine, whereby a user having at least one of the user's forearms and upper arms adjacent both elbows positioned within the cup-like devices can exercise the user's lat muscles using the machine without use of the hands and lower arm portions of the user.