Low-impact inertial exercise device

Abstract

In one aspect of the disclosed embodiments, an inertial exercise device has an elongate member with opposing first and second end portions, and a sleeve movably coupled to the elongate member and disposed between the first and second end portions of the elongate member. A first elastic resistance element interfaces between the elongate member and the sleeve. A user-induced rhythmic movement of the sleeve along the elongate member alternatively toward the opposing first and second end portions causes the first elastic resistance element to alternately compress and extend as the first and second end portions of the elongate member oscillate relative to the sleeve.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An inertial exercise device, comprising:
 a central shaft having an inertia;   an actuating sleeve slidably mounted around the central shaft, the actuating sleeve comprising a hand grip and an internal bore;   a first mass rigidly linked together with a second mass, with the hand grip of the actuating sleeve disposed between the first mass and the second mass;   a first slide bearing and a second slide bearing each rigidly mounted to the actuating sleeve within the internal bore of the actuating sleeve to slidably support oscillation of the actuating sleeve relative to the central shaft; and   at least one elastic resistance element mounted on the central shaft concentric with and inside the internal bore of the actuating sleeve and disposed between the first slide bearing and the second slide bearing;   wherein the central shaft is slidable relative to the actuating sleeve between a first position with the at least one elastic resistance element compressed by the first slide bearing and a second position with the at least one elastic resistance element extended; and   wherein the inertia of the central shaft causes the actuating sleeve to oscillate relative to the central shaft in response to alternating rhythmic linear motion imparted to the actuating sleeve by a user of the inertial exercise device.