System, method and apparatus for multiple modes of exercise

Abstract

An application for a dual use weight lifting apparatus includes a first independent weighted portion and a second independent weighted portion. Each of the independent weighted portions has handles suitable for grasping by a user and each of the independent weighted portions has a mating surface opposing the handles. The apparatus includes a way to removably hold the independent weighted portions together at the mating surfaces, thereby forming a joined weight lifting apparatus. The independent weighted portions are used as kettle weights when disconnected and as medicine balls when connected.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A dual use weight lifting apparatus comprising:
 a first independent weighted portion and a second independent weighted portion, each of the independent weighted portions having handles suitable for grasping by a user and each of the independent weighted portions having a mating surface opposing the handles; and   means for removably holding the independent weighted portions together at the mating surfaces, thereby forming a joined weight lifting apparatus;   whereas the independent weighted portions are used as kettle weights when disconnected and the independent weighted portions are used as medicine balls when connected.   
     
     
         2 . The dual use weight lifting apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the means for connecting comprises magnets beneath the mating surfaces such that the magnets beneath the mating surface of the first independent weighted portion attract the magnets beneath the mating surface of the second independent weighted portion thereby removably holding the first independent weighted portion together with the second independent weighted portion. 
     
     
         3 . The dual use weight lifting apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising at least one catch, the catch interfaced between the independent weighted portions, the catch removably holding the independent weighted portions together. 
     
     
         4 . The dual use weight lifting apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the means for connecting comprises strips of magnets within grooves of the mating surfaces such that the strips of magnets within the mating surface of the first independent weighted portion attract the strips of magnets within the mating surface of the second independent weighted portion thereby holding the first independent weighted portion together with the second independent weighted portion. 
     
     
         5 . The dual use weight lifting apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the means for connecting comprises a key on the mating surface of the first independent weighted portion and a keyhole on the mating surface of the second independent weighted portion thereby when the key is in the keyhole, the first independent weighted portion is removably held together with the second independent weighted portion. 
     
     
         6 . The dual use weight lifting apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the means for connecting comprises hook material on the mating surface of the first independent weighted portion and loop material on the mating surface of the second independent weighted portion thereby when the hook material is pressed against the loop material, the first independent weighted portion is removably held together with the second independent weighted portion. 
     
     
         7 . The dual use weight lifting apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second independent weighted portions each include a mass centrally located behind the mating surfaces. 
     
     
         8 . A method of exercising comprising:
 providing a first independent weighted portion and a second independent weighted portion, each of the independent weighted portions having handles suitable for grasping by a user and each of the independent weighted portions having a mating surface opposing the handles;   and each of the independent weighted portions having magnets interfaced with each mating surface;   separating the independent weighted portions by applying an external force to overcome attraction forces between the magnets;   using the independent weighted portions as kettle weights;   joining the independent weighted portions by force of the magnets; and   using the joined independent weighted portions as a medicine ball.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the magnets are beneath the mating surfaces such that the magnets beneath the mating surface of the first independent weighted portion attract the magnets within the mating surface of the second independent weighted portion thereby removably holding the first independent weighted portion together with the second independent weighted portion. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising at least one catch, the catch interfaced between the independent weighted portions, the step of joining further comprising the step of closing the latch thereby holding the independent weighted portions together. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the means for connecting comprises strips of magnets within grooves of the mating surfaces such that the strips of magnets within the mating surface of the first independent weighted portion attract the strips of magnets within the mating surface of the second independent weighted portion thereby removably holding the first independent weighted portion together with the second independent weighted portion. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the mating surface of the first independent weighted portion further comprises a key structure and the mating surface of the second independent weighted portion further comprises a keyhole structure thereby when the key structure is engaged with the keyhole structure, the first independent weighted portion is removably held together with the second independent weighted portion. 
     
     
         13 . A dual use weight lifting apparatus comprising:
 a first weighted portion having a first handle suitable for grasping by a user and a first mating surface, the first mating surface opposing the first handle;   a second weighted portion having a second handle suitable for grasping by the user and a second mating surface, the second mating surface opposing the second handle;   at least one magnet interfaced with the first mating surface; and   at least one magnet interfaced with the second mating surface;   whereas the magnets attract each other when the first mating surface is engaged with the second mating surface, thereby removably holding the first mating surface to the second mating surface until an external force separates the first mating surface from the second mating surface.   
     
     
         14 . The dual use weight lifting apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the magnets are imbedded beneath the first and second mating surfaces such that the magnets beneath the first mating surface attract the magnets beneath the second mating surface thereby removably holding the first weighted portion together with the second weighted portion. 
     
     
         15 . The dual use weight lifting apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the magnets beneath the first mating surface are oriented such that a north pole of the magnets within the first mating surface is closest to the first mating surface and the magnets beneath the second mating surface are oriented such that a south pole of the magnets within the second mating surface is closest to the second mating surface. 
     
     
         16 . The dual use weight lifting apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein at least one of the magnets beneath the first mating surface is oriented such that a north pole of the at least one of the magnets beneath the first mating surface is closest to the first mating surface and at least another one of the magnets beneath the first mating surface is oriented such that a south pole of the at least another one of the magnets beneath the first mating surface is closest to the first mating surface and at least one of the magnets beneath the second mating surface is oriented such that a north pole of the at least one of the magnets beneath the second mating surface is closest to the second mating surface and at least another one of the magnets beneath the second mating surface is oriented such that a south pole of the at least another one of the magnets beneath the second mating surface is closest to the second mating surface. 
     
     
         17 . The dual use weight lifting apparatus of  claim 13 , further comprising at least one catch, the catch interfaced between the weighted portions, the catch removably holding the weighted portions together. 
     
     
         18 . The dual use weight lifting apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the magnets are strips of magnets and the strips of magnets are affixed to the first and second mating surfaces such that the strips of magnets on the first mating surface attract the strips of magnets on the second mating surface thereby holding the first weighted portion together with the second weighted portion. 
     
     
         19 . The dual use weight lifting apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the magnets are strips of magnets and the strips of magnets are set flush within grooves of the first and second mating surfaces such that the strips of magnets on the first mating surface attract the strips of magnets on the second mating surface thereby holding the first weighted portion together with the second weighted portion with minimal gap between the first and second mating surfaces. 
     
     
         20 . The dual use weight lifting apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the first and second weighted portions each include a mass centrally located behind the first and second mating surfaces.