Exercise apparatus and method for exercising

Abstract

An exercise apparatus used for exercise and more specifically musculoskeletal physical therapy and rehabilitation purposes. The exercise apparatus particularly, but not exclusively, uses a combination of weight, a structure adapted for weight training by a person, and a means to suspend the weight wherein the suspended weight is adapted to have motion in the x, y and z axis during an exercise movement that results in increased joint strength and decreased joint pain during and after physical therapy and rehabilitation exercises.

1 . A lifting apparatus able to be used by a person comprising:
 a weight;   a barbell with an inner portion diameter and an outer portion diameter, the barbell comprised of a material chosen from the group consisting of fiberglass, plastics, carbon fiber and wood; the barbell adapted_to secure the weight thereto for weight training by a person; and   an elastomeric member for suspending the weight from the barbell,   wherein the suspended weight is adapted to have motion in the x, y, and z axes during an exercise movement that appears chaotic and erratic.   
   
   
       2 . The lifting apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a means for fastening the weight to the elastomeric member for suspending the weight from the barbell. 
   
   
       3 . The lifting apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the means for fastening the weight is substantially C-shaped. 
   
   
       4 . The lifting apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a fastener to secure the elastomeric member for suspending the weight from the barbell. 
   
   
       5 . The lifting apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the elastomeric member for suspending the weight is an elastic band. 
   
   
       6 . The lifting apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the elastic band is of differing tensions and lengths. 
   
   
       7 . The lifting apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the barbell is adapted to be gripped by a person. 
   
   
       8 . A lifting apparatus able to be used by a person comprising:
 a weight;   a barbell with an inner portion diameter and an outer portion diameter, the barbell comprised of a material chosen from the group consisting of fiberglass, plastics, carbon fiber and wood, the barbell adapted to secure the weight thereto for weight training by a person; and   an elastomeric band for suspending the weight from the barbell,   wherein the suspended weight is adapted to have motion in the x, y and z axes during an exercise movement that appears chaotic and erratic.   
   
   
       9 . The lifting apparatus of  claim 11 , further comprising a means for fastening the weight to the elastomeric band for suspending the weight from the barbell. 
   
   
       10 . The lifting apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the means for fastening the weight is substantially C-shaped. 
   
   
       11 . The lifting apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the elastic band is of differing tensions and lengths. 
   
   
       12 . The lifting apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the barbell is adapted to be gripped by a person. 
   
   
       13 . The lifting apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the outer portion has perpendicular slots that divide the outer portion into equal quadrants, the slots running from the end of the barbell to a length not as long as the outer portion. 
   
   
       14 . A lifting apparatus able to be used by a person comprising:
 a weight;   a barbell with an inner portion diameter of first material chosen from the group consisting of fiberglass, plastics, carbon fiber and wood, and an outer portion diameter of second material chosen from the group consisting of fiberglass, plastics, carbon fiber or wood, the barbell adapted to secure the weight thereto, the outer portion having perpendicular slots that divide the outer portion into quadrants, the slots running from the end of the barbell to a length not as long as the outer portion; and   an elastomeric member for suspending the weight from the structure,   wherein the suspended weight is adapted to have motion in the x, y and z axes during an exercise movement that appears chaotic and erratic.