Fitness paddle device and system

Abstract

An exercise device is provided for simulating the paddling of a watercraft in order to provide a user with both aerobic and anaerobic exercise. In one aspect, an elongate rod is provided having a first assembly coupled to a distal end of the elongate rod. The first assembly can have at least two degrees of freedom and can be configured for selectively attaching to a resistance source. In another aspect, the device further can have a second assembly attached to a proximal end of the elongate rod. The second assembly can have at least two degrees of freedom and can be configured for selectively attaching to a resistance source.

1 . An exercise device comprising:
 an elongate rod having a longitudinal axis, a proximal end and an opposed distal end;   a first assembly comprising a first member and a second member, wherein the first member of the first assembly is rotatably coupled to the second member of the first assembly, and wherein the second member of the first assembly is configured for releasable attachment to a resistance source; and   a means for operatively coupling the first assembly to the elongate rod such that the second member of the first assembly is rotatable about at least two degrees of freedom relative to the longitudinal axis of the elongate rod.   
   
   
       2 . The exercise device of  claim 1 , wherein the means for operatively coupling the first assembly to the elongate rod comprises operatively coupling the first assembly to a distal end of the elongate rod. 
   
   
       3 . The exercise device of  claim 1 , wherein the second member of the first assembly is configured to rotate about the longitudinal axis of the elongate rod and in a plane that bisects the longitudinal axis of the elongate rod. 
   
   
       4 . The exercise device of  claim 1 , wherein the first member of the first assembly is configured to rotate about the longitudinal axis of the elongate rod. 
   
   
       5 . The exercise device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second assembly comprising a first member and a second member, wherein the first member of the second assembly is rotatably coupled to the second member of the second assembly, and wherein the second member of the second assembly is configured for releasable attachment to a resistance source; and   a means for operatively coupling the second assembly to the elongate rod such that the second member of the second assembly is rotatable about at least two degrees of freedom relative to the longitudinal axis of the elongate rod.   
   
   
       6 . The exercise device of  claim 4 , wherein the means for operatively coupling the second assembly to the elongate rod comprises operatively coupling the second assembly to a proximal end of the elongate rod. 
   
   
       7 . The exercise device of  claim 5 , wherein the second member of the second assembly is configured to rotate about the longitudinal axis of the elongate rod and in a plane that bisects the longitudinal axis of the elongate rod. 
   
   
       8 . The exercise device of  claim 5 , wherein the first member of the second assembly is configured to rotate about the longitudinal axis of the elongate rod. 
   
   
       9 . The exercise device of  claim 1 , further comprising a handle having a longitudinal axis, wherein the handle is configured to be attached to the proximal end of the elongate rod, and wherein the longitudinal axis of the handle is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the elongate rod. 
   
   
       10 . The exercise device of  claim 1 , wherein the elongate rod is comprised of a plurality of segments that are selectively detachable from each other. 
   
   
       11 . The exercise device of  claim 1 , further comprising a first connector configured for releasable attachment therebetween the first assembly and a resistance source. 
   
   
       12 . The exercise device of  claim 11 , further comprising a means for operatively coupling the first connector to the first assembly such that the first connector is movable about at least three degrees of freedom relative to the longitudinal axis of the elongate rod. 
   
   
       13 . The exercise device of  claim 11 , wherein the first connector is an elastic cord. 
   
   
       14 . The exercise device of  claim 11 , wherein the first connector is a cable. 
   
   
       15 . The exercise device of  claim 5 , further comprising a second connector configured for releasable attachment therebetween the second assembly and a resistance source. 
   
   
       16 . The exercise device of  claim 15 , further comprising a means for operatively coupling the second connector to the second assembly such that the second connector is movable about at least three degrees of freedom relative to the longitudinal axis of the elongate rod. 
   
   
       17 . The exercise device of  claim 15 , wherein the second connector is an elastic cord. 
   
   
       18 . An exercise device comprising:
 an elongate rod having a longitudinal axis, a proximal end and an opposed distal end;   a first assembly comprising a first ball and socket interconnection comprising a first ball member and a first socket member and having at least three degrees of freedom, wherein the first socket member is attached to the distal end of the elongate rod, and wherein the first socket member is adapted to receive the first ball member such that when the first ball member is received in the first socket member it is capable of pivotal and rotational movement within the socket; and   a second member fixedly attached to the first ball member.   
   
   
       19 . The exercise device of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 a second assembly comprising a second ball and socket interconnection comprising a second ball member and a second socket member and having at least three degrees of freedom, wherein the second socket member is attached to the proximal end of the elongate rod, and wherein the second socket member is adapted to receive the second ball member such that when the second ball member is received in the second socket member it is capable of pivotal and rotational movement within the socket; and   a second ring fixedly attached to the second ball member.   
   
   
       20 . An exercise system for use with a resistance source comprising:
 an elongate rod having a longitudinal axis, a proximal end and an opposed distal end;   a first assembly comprising a first member and a second member, wherein the first member of the first assembly is rotatably coupled to the second member of the first assembly, and wherein the second member of the first assembly is configured for releasable attachment to the resistance source; and   a means for operatively coupling the first assembly to a distal end of the elongate rod such that the second member of the first assembly is rotatable about at least two degrees of freedom relative to the longitudinal axis of the elongate rod.   a first connector configured to releasably attach the first assembly to the resistance source.   
   
   
       21 . The exercise system of  claim 20 , wherein the second member of the first assembly is configured to rotate in a plane that bisects the longitudinal axis of the elongate rod. 
   
   
       22 . The exercise device of  claim 20 , wherein the first member of the first assembly is configured to rotate about the longitudinal axis of the elongate rod. 
   
   
       23 . The exercise system of  claim 20 , further comprising:
 a second assembly comprising a first member and a second member, wherein the first member of the second assembly is rotatably coupled to the second member of the second assembly, and wherein the second member of the second assembly is configured for releasable attachment to the resistance source; and   a means for operatively coupling the second assembly to a proximal end of the elongate rod such that the second member of the second assembly is rotatable about at least two degrees of freedom relative to the longitudinal axis of the elongate rod.