Kettlebell

Abstract

The invention provides a kettlebell having a substantially hollow body and a curved handle, where the handle is integrally coupled to the body at two handle coupling locations proximate the top of the body. The handle defines a grip area in a location farthest from the body. The handle is tapered, with the widest part of the handle located proximate the handle coupling locations, and the narrowest part of the handle located in the grip area. The taper provides improved cross-sectional strength at the intersection of the handle and the body.

1 . An exercise device, comprising:
 a substantially hollow body; and   a curved handle extending from the body and integrally coupled to the body at two handle coupling locations proximate to the top of the body, the handle defining a grip area located farthest from the body;   where the handle is tapered with the widest portions of the handle located proximate the handle coupling locations, and the narrowest portion of the handle located in the grip area.   
     
     
         2 . The exercise device of  claim 1 , where the cross-sectional shape of the handle is uniform along at least most of its length. 
     
     
         3 . The exercise device of  claim 1 , where the cross-sectional shape of the handle in the grip area is different than the cross-sectional shape of the handle proximate the handle-coupling locations. 
     
     
         4 . The exercise device of  claim 3 , where the portion of the handle in the grip area is configured with a symmetrical cross-sectional shape, and the portions of the handle proximate the handle coupling locations are each configured with an asymmetrical cross-sectional shape. 
     
     
         5 . The exercise device of  claim 4 , where the handle defines a longitudinal axis that lies in a handle-bisecting plane, and at least the handle is symmetric with respect to the handle-bisecting plane. 
     
     
         6 . The exercise device of  claim 5 , where the diameter of the handle along axes that are perpendicular to the handle-bisecting plane gradually increases from the grip area to the handle coupling locations. 
     
     
         7 . The exercise device of  claim 6 , where the diameter of the handle along axes that are in the handle-bisecting plane is essentially constant from the grip area to the handle coupling locations. 
     
     
         8 . The exercise device of  claim 5 , where the taper of the handle is only on the sides of the handle that are spaced from the handle-bisecting plane. 
     
     
         9 . The exercise device of  claim 8 , where the handle is nominally cylindrical, and the taper is accomplished by ridges of gradually increasing height extending from the handle on two sides of the handle. 
     
     
         10 . The exercise device of  claim 1 , where the body is generally spherical in shape. 
     
     
         11 . The exercise device of  claim 1 , where the body is made of a polymer. 
     
     
         12 . The exercise device of  claim 11 , where the polymer is PVC. 
     
     
         13 . The exercise device of  claim 1 , where the handle is generally elliptically shaped. 
     
     
         14 . The exercise device of  claim 1 , where the handle is substantially hollow. 
     
     
         15 . The exercise device of  claim 1 , where the body has a generally flat bottom. 
     
     
         16 . The exercise device of  claim 1 , further comprising a flowable material filling at least some of the hollow body. 
     
     
         17 . The exercise device of  claim 1 , where the hollow body comprises a removable plug. 
     
     
         18 . An exercise device, comprising:
 a substantially hollow body made of polymer and having a generally flat bottom, and comprising a removable plug;   a substantially hollow, generally elliptically-shaped handle extending from the body and integrally coupled to the body at two handle coupling locations proximate to the top of the body, the handle defining a grip area located farthest from the body;   a flowable material filling at least some of the hollow body;   where the handle is tapered with the widest portions of the handle located proximate the handle coupling locations, and the narrowest portion of the handle located in the grip area;   where the portion of the handle in the grip area is configured with a symmetrical cross-sectional shape, and the portions of the handle proximate the handle coupling locations are each configured with an asymmetrical cross-sectional shape;   where the handle defines a longitudinal axis that lies in a handle-bisecting plane, and at least the handle is symmetric with respect to the handle-bisecting plane;   where the diameter of the handle along axes that are perpendicular to the handle-bisecting plane gradually increases from the grip area to the handle coupling locations; and   where the diameter of the handle along axes that are in the handle-bisecting plane is essentially constant from the grip area to the handle coupling locations.   
     
     
         19 . An exercise device, comprising:
 a substantially hollow body made of polymer and having a generally flat bottom, and comprising a removable plug;   a substantially hollow, generally elliptically-shaped handle extending from the body and integrally coupled to the body at two handle coupling locations proximate to the top of the body, the handle defining a grip area located farthest from the body;   a flowable material filling at least some of the hollow body;   where the handle is tapered with the widest portions of the handle located proximate the handle coupling locations, and the narrowest portion of the handle located in the grip area;   where the portion of the handle in the grip area is configured with a symmetrical cross-sectional shape, and the portions of the handle proximate the handle coupling locations are each configured with an asymmetrical cross-sectional shape;   where the handle defines a longitudinal axis that lies in a handle-bisecting plane, and at least the handle is symmetric with respect to the handle-bisecting plane;   where the taper of the handle is only on the sides of the handle that are spaced from the handle-bisecting plane; and   where the handle is nominally cylindrical, and the taper is accomplished by ridges of gradually increasing height extending from the handle on two sides of the handle.