Exercise device integrally incorporating digital capabilities for music, light, video and still imagery, heart rate measurement and caloric consumption

Abstract

A fitness device integrally incorporating digital technology can include capabilities for providing music and auditory stimulus that can be heard through a headphone, Bluetooth; or speakers for ambient music. Further capabilities enable the device to record video and still imagery, play video to provide instruction, feedback; or for leisure viewing. Along with sound and video capability, the device can have light emitting capability for a visual dimension in use. For biofeedback, the device can include a heart rate calculator to provide feedback on the level of exercise intensity and caloric consumption. The light emitting capacity allows the user to create patterns in use. Thus, the device can be multi-faceted able to provide ambient music, recording and viewing video, enveloping the user in a “bath” of light, sound, very subtle electromagnetic fields. All of said baths are created at distances from the users body that correspond to the length of the users arms, degree of bend at the elbow joint and chosen pathway for the circular/orbital movements.

1 . A multipurpose exercise weight comprising
 an exercise weight having an oblong body extending along a major axis and a minor axis; and   a digital device or a recess for receiving a digital device, substantially centered on the major axis of the body;   a pair of generally diametrically opposed handgrips located along the major axis of the body of the exercise weight;   a concave surface on the body forming a clearance when placed on a flat horizontal surface;   wherein the digital device or the recess is positioned on the concave surface; and   wherein the digital device does not touch a horizontal surface when placed on a horizontal surface in any position.   
   
   
       2 . The multipurpose exercise weight of  claim 1 , wherein the concave surface has a radius of curvature between about 7 inches and about 20 inches. 
   
   
       3 . The multipurpose exercise weight of  claim 1 , wherein a depth of the concave surface is between about 1 and 3 inches, as measured from distal portions of the hand grips to a center of the concave area. 
   
   
       4 . The multipurpose exercise weight of  claim 1 , wherein a majority of the mass of the exercise device is disposed between the handles. 
   
   
       5 . The multipurpose exercise weight of  claim 1   where the digital device is selected from the group consisting of a media device, a phone, a personal digital assistant; a portable computing device; or a vibration device.   
   
   
       6 . The multipurpose exercise weight of  claim 5   wherein the digital device is selected from the group consisting of a sound device, a camera, a video recorder, a video player, and a lighting device.   
   
   
       7 . The multipurpose exercise weight of  claim 5  further comprising
 at least one speaker,   wherein the at least one speaker is located on the concave surface of the exercise weight.   
   
   
       8 . The multipurpose exercise weight of  claim 5   wherein the digital device is a phone.   
   
   
       9 . The multipurpose exercise weight of  claim 5   wherein the digital device is a personal digital assistant.   
   
   
       10 . The multipurpose exercise weight of  claim 5   wherein the digital device is a portable computing device.   
   
   
       11 . The multipurpose exercise weight of  claim 5   wherein the digital device is a vibration device.   
   
   
       12 . The multipurpose exercise weight of  claim 1  further comprising
 a heart rate monitor proximate at least one handgrip of the multipurpose exercise weight.   
   
   
       13 . The multipurpose exercise weight of  claim 1  further comprising
 a docking station.   
   
   
       14 . The multipurpose exercise weight of  claim 1  further comprising
 a docking station insertion point on an edge of the exercise weight.   
   
   
       15 . The multipurpose exercise weight of  claim 1  further comprising
 a headphone or a remote headphone.   
   
   
       16 . The multipurpose exercise weight of  claim 15  further comprising
 a headphone insertion point and/or remote headphone software on the exercise weight.   
   
   
       17 . The multipurpose exercise weight of  claim 5  comprising
 wherein the digital device is an iPhone, iPod or MP3 player.   
   
   
       18 . The multipurpose exercise weight of  claim 5  comprising
 a first media device and a second media device;   wherein the first media device is an iPhone, iPod or MP3 player; and   wherein the second media device is a light device.   
   
   
       19 . A multipurpose exercise weight comprising
 an exercise weight;   a digital device; and   a recharging or docking station for the digital device.   
   
   
       20 . A method of using the multipurpose exercise weight of  claim 1  further comprising
 operating the digital device while exercising with the multipurpose exercise weight of  claim 1 .   
   
   
       21 . A method of exercising comprising
 raising the multipurpose exercise weight of  claim 1  over an exerciser's head;   wherein each of the exerciser's hands is holding each of the diametrically opposed handgrips;   wherein the concave surface of the exercise weight is facing the exerciser; and   wherein the digital device is operating.   
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 20   wherein the multipurpose exercise weight is positioned in front of the exerciser at hip level before said raising step.   
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 20   wherein the multipurpose exercise weight is positioned behind the exerciser's head before said raising step.   
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 20  further comprising
 moving the exercise weight from overhead to along one side of the exerciser's body and about parallel to the exerciser's body to along one side of the exerciser's body and about parallel to the exerciser's body;   moving the exercise weight from the one side of the exerciser's body to the front of the exerciser's body at about hip level, wherein the concave surface is facing upwards;   moving the exercise weight from hip level to along the other side of the exerciser's body and about parallel to the exerciser's body;   returning the exercise weight to the overhead position;   wherein the moving steps for a fluid circular motion.   
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 20  further comprising
 moving the exercise weight in an arc path from overhead to between the exerciser's legs while the exerciser is bending the exerciser's knees.   
   
   
       26 . A method of exercising comprising
 moving the multipurpose exercise weight of  claim 1  in orbital circles around an exerciser's head;   wherein each of the exerciser's hands is holding each of the diametrically opposed handgrips;   wherein the concave surface of the exercise weight is facing the head of the exerciser; and   wherein the digital device is operating.   
   
   
       27 . A method of exercising comprising
 moving the multipurpose exercise weight of  claim 1  from an exerciser's first side to the exerciser's second side;   wherein the multipurpose exercise weight is positioned at about hip level; and   wherein the concave surface is facing the exerciser;   wherein each of the exerciser's hands is holding each of the diametrically opposed handgrips; and   wherein the digital device is operating.   
   
   
       28 . A method of exercising comprising
 moving the multipurpose exercise weight of  claim 1  towards the chest of an exerciser from about knee level;   wherein the exerciser is bent at the waist;   wherein the exerciser's knees are bent;   wherein the concave surface is facing the exerciser;   wherein each of the exerciser's hands is holding each of the diametrically opposed handgrips; and   wherein the digital device is operating.   
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 20   wherein the digital device emits a sound bath around the exerciser.   
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 20   wherein the digital device is an iPhone, and   wherein the iPhone is configured to perform a workout program application.   
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 12   wherein the heart rate monitor is configured to store a history of heart rate data and is configured to upload heart rate data.