Exercise device for abdominal and other core muscles

Abstract

A device for exercising the abdominal and other core muscles of a user comprises a rotatable base having a central opening therein, and a bar removably insertable into the opening. The bar may comprise two or more separable segments and may have provide for the attachment and removal of weights to provide resistance to a user. Also disclosed is a method of exercising using such a device.

1 . A device for exercising the muscles of a user, comprising:
 a rotatable base having a central opening therein, and a bar removably insertable into the opening.   
   
   
       2 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the bar comprises a first bar segment releasably coupled to a second bar segment. 
   
   
       3 . A device according to  claim 1 , further comprising weights attachable to the bar to provide additional resistance to a user. 
   
   
       4 . A device according to  claim 2 , wherein the first bar segment and the second bar segment are essentially equal in weight. 
   
   
       5 . A device according to  claim 2 , wherein the first bar segment and the second bar segment are not essentially equal in weight. 
   
   
       6 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein said rotatable base has an upper base section and a lower base section and a frame having bearings with races disposed thereon. 
   
   
       7 . A device according to  claim 6 , wherein said lower base section has channels in which the bearings may move when the frame is rotated. 
   
   
       8 . A device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a boot inserted into the central opening of the base for supporting the bar. 
   
   
       9 . A device according to  claim 8 , wherein the boot is sufficiently deep, stiff, and strong to support the bar standing in the base in a vertical position. 
   
   
       10 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the bar comprises a first bar segment releasably coupled to a second bar segment and a third bar segment releasably coupled to a second bar segment. 
   
   
       11 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the bar comprises a cushioned gripping surface. 
   
   
       12 . A device according to  claim 7 , wherein the bar comprises a cushioned gripping surface. 
   
   
       13 . A device according to  claim 10 , wherein the bar comprises a cushioned gripping surface. 
   
   
       14 . A method of exercising the muscles of a user, comprising:
 providing a device comprising a rotatable base having a central opening therein, and a bar removably insertable in the opening;   standing on the rotatable base;   inserting the bar into the opening;   gripping the bar;   rotating the upper body from side to side relative to the lower body.