Functional Resistance Exercise Apparatus

Abstract

A functional resistance exercise apparatus includes a glove for a user's hand. At least one loop is securely disposed or formed on the glove, and a resistive element is attachable to the loop which generates force in opposition to the user's movement of the hand wearing the glove in substantially any direction. The resistive element is preferably an elastic band securable at one end to the loop and at the other end to a fixed point, or a cable attached to a weight. The apparatus preferably also includes a vest having at least one loop attached thereto. The band is attachable at one end to the glove and at the other end to the vest. Both the glove and the vest preferably have reinforced portions upon which their respective loops are attached to prevent stretching or tearing of the glove or vest.

1 . A functional resistance exercise apparatus, comprising:
 a glove wearable on a user's hand, said glove having a main section;   at least one first loop securely disposed on said glove; and;   a resistive element attachable to said loop which generates force in opposition to the user's movement of the hand wearing said glove in substantially any direction.   
   
   
       2 . A functional resistance exercise apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said resistive element comprises:
 a cable having a first end securable to said first loop and a second end; and   a weight securable to said second end of said cable.   
   
   
       3 . A functional resistance exercise apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said resistive element comprises an elastic band securable to said loop on said glove. 
   
   
       4 . A functional resistance exercise apparatus according to  claim 3 , said elastic band comprising a first end securable to said first loop on said glove and a second end securable to a substantially fixed point. 
   
   
       5 . A functional resistance exercise apparatus according to  claim 4 , said second end further comprising a handle adapted to be held by a hand other than the hand upon which said glove is worn. 
   
   
       6 . A functional resistance exercise apparatus according to  claim 4 , further comprising a torso-covering garment having at least one third loop securely attached thereto,
 wherein said second end further comprises a fourth loop securable to said third loop.   
   
   
       7 . A functional resistance exercise apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein at least one of said third and fourth loops comprises an openable ring securable to the other of said third and fourth loops. 
   
   
       8 . A functional resistance exercise apparatus according to  claim 1 , said at least one first loop being disposed on at least one of a front side of said main section, a palm side of said main section, a wrist portion, or a finger of said glove. 
   
   
       9 . A functional resistance exercise apparatus according to  claim 1 , said at least one first loop comprising multiple loops disposed on different locations on said glove. 
   
   
       10 . A functional resistance exercise apparatus according to  claim 1 , said main section further comprising a reinforced portion, wherein said first loop is disposed on said reinforced portion. 
   
   
       11 . A functional resistance exercise apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said first loop comprises at least two holes formed in said glove, and wherein at least a portion of said resistive element is threaded through said holes in said glove. 
   
   
       12 . A functional resistance exercise apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein at least one of said first end and said second end comprises an openable ring respectively attachable to said first loop or said substantially fixed point. 
   
   
       13 . A functional resistance exercise apparatus according to  claim 6 , said at least one third loop comprising multiple loops disposed on different locations on said torso-covering garment. 
   
   
       14 . A functional resistance exercise apparatus according to  claim 6 , said torso-covering garment further comprising a reinforced portion, wherein said at least one third loop is disposed on said reinforced portion. 
   
   
       15 . A functional resistance exercise apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein said at least one third loop comprises at least two holes formed in said torso-covering garment, and wherein at least a portion of said resistive element is threaded through said holes in said torso-covering garment. 
   
   
       16 . A functional resistance exercise apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein said first loop comprises at least two holes formed in said reinforced portion, and wherein at least a portion of said resistive element is threaded through said holes in said reinforced portion. 
   
   
       17 . A functional resistance exercise apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein said reinforced portion is less stretchable than said main section. 
   
   
       18 . A functional resistance exercise apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein said reinforced portion is less stretchable than a main portion of said torso-covering garment. 
   
   
       19 . A functional resistance exercise apparatus according to  claim 17 , wherein said first loop comprises at least two holes formed in said reinforced portion, and wherein at least a portion of said resistive element is threaded through said holes in said reinforced portion. 
   
   
       20 . A functional resistance exercise apparatus according to  claim 18 , wherein said third loop comprises at least two holes formed in said reinforced portion, and wherein at least a portion of said resistive element is threaded through said holes in said reinforced portion. 
   
   
       21 . A functional resistance exercise apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising an outer cover disposed on said glove adapted to selectively cover said at least one first loop. 
   
   
       22 . A functional resistance exercise apparatus according to  claim 21 , said outer cover further comprising a closing mechanism adapted to selectively secure said outer cover over said at least one first loop. 
   
   
       23 . A functional resistance exercise apparatus, comprising:
 a glove wearable on a user's hand, said glove having a main section;   at least one resistive load attachment mechanism disposed on said glove, adapted to receive an attachable load which generates force in opposition to the user's movement of the hand wearing said glove in at least one direction.