Exercise Rod and Exercise Methods

Abstract

An exercise rod device comprises an elongate, flexible body portion and a pair of grip sections positioned on opposite ends of the rod. At least one of the grip sections is configured to allow a user to grasp an end of the rod when performing exercises. At least one of the grip sections includes indicia associated therewith, the indicia dividing the grip section into at least two distinct force zones, the force zones providing differing force responses when engaged by a user when flexing the rod.

1 . An exercise rod device, including:
 an elongate, flexible body portion;   a pair of grip sections positioned on opposite ends of the rod, at least one of the grip sections being configured to allow a user to grasp an end of the rod when performing exercises; and   an other of the grip sections having frictional engagement structure associated therewith, the frictional engagement structure being operable to frictionally engage an auxiliary support structure to maintain contact between the grip section and the auxiliary support structure when the rod is used to exercise the human body.   
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the frictional engagement structure comprises a substantially planar engagement surface. 
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the frictional engagement surface includes a surface having a higher coefficient of friction than does the auxiliary engagement structure. 
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the grip sections are formed from a substantially pliable material, and wherein the frictional engagement surface is formed as an integral portion of the grip section. 
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein only one of the grip sections includes the frictional engagement structure associated therewith. 
   
   
       6 . An exercise rod device, comprising:
 an elongate, flexible body portion; and   a pair of grip sections positioned on opposite ends of the rod, at least one of the grip sections being configured to allow a user to grasp an end of the rod when performing exercises;   at least one of the grip sections including indicia associated therewith, the indicia dividing the grip section into at least two distinct force zones, the force zones providing differing force responses when engaged by a user when flexing the rod.   
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein at least three distinct force zones are defined in the grip section by the indicia. 
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein each of the pair of grip sections includes indicia dividing each grip section into distinct force zones. 
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the indicia includes a numerical reference, with adjacent force zones having incremented numerical references. 
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein each of the grip sections include an inner stiffening material covered by an outer sheath material. 
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the inner stiffening material includes a substantially constant outer diameter, and wherein an outer diameter of the outer sheath material increases from an inner portion of the grip section to an end portion of the grip section. 
   
   
       12 . A method of exercise, comprising:
 obtaining an exercise rod device, the exercise rod device including an elongate, flexible body portion;   grasping with each hand one of a pair of grip sections of the exercise rod device, the grip sections being positioned on opposite ends of the rod;   adjusting a position of at least one hand on at least one of the grip sections according to indicia associated with the at least one grip section to vary a force response provided by the rod as the rod is flexed.   
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein at least one of the grip sections includes at least three distinct force zones defined in the grip section by the indicia. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein each of the pair of grip sections of the rod includes indicia dividing each grip section into distinct force zones. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the indicia includes a numerical reference, with adjacent force zones having incremented numerical references. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein each of the grip sections of the rod includes an inner stiffening material covered by an outer sheath material. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the inner stiffening material includes a substantially constant outer diameter, and wherein an outer diameter of the outer sheath material increases from an inner portion of the grip section to an end portion of the grip section.