Adjustable Exercise Apparatus

Abstract

Provided is exercise equipment for performing a variety of exercises for upper body exercises such as push-up, pull-up, and dip styles of exercise as well as core strengthening exercises. In some embodiments, the device allows for vertical and horizontal adjustments to a variety of positions allowing for general use for persons of all sizes and levels of abilities, from the beginner to the highly experienced and athletic person. The equipment also allows for detachment of hand grips to which weights can be attached for performing a variety of arm, wrist, shoulder and other kettle bell style exercises. Additionally the hand grips of the inventive device can be removed and positioned on a longitudinal bar to allow for barbell style exercises.

1 . An exercise device, comprising:
 (a) an adjustable crossbeam having first and second ends, the first end securely attached to substantially the center of a first floor bar and the second end securely attached to substantially the center of a second floor bar, forming a base,   (b) first and second substantially vertical beams, the first beam having an end securely attached to the center of the first floor bar and the second beam having an end securely attached to substantially the center of the second floor bar, the first and second vertical beams positioned substantially perpendicular to the base and essentially parallel to each other, and   (c) a multifunctional gripping mechanism comprising a pair of hand grips which:
 a. are capable of being individually fitted over the first and second vertical beams and slideably adjusted substantially vertically along the axes of the vertical beams, wherein notches are incrementally positioned around the top and bottom of each collar, and wherein the notches are configured for alignment with apertures that are positioned on the substantially vertical beams to which the gripping mechanism is slideably attached using a locking mechanism, and wherein each hand grip is capable of being rotationally adjusted and locked into a plurality of rotational positions, and 
 b. are capable of being completely removed from the exercise device and adapted to receive to one or more weights. 
   
     
     
         2 . The exercise device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 (a) the first end of the crossbeam is securely attached to a first bracket and the second end of the crossbeam is securely attached to a second bracket,   (b) each of the first and second floor bars comprises two half beams, wherein each of the first and second half beams of the first floor bar is attached to the first bracket at one end and each of the first and second half beams of the second floor bar is attached to the second bracket at one end, and wherein each halfbeam is configured for arrangement substantially perpendicular to and in the same plane as the crossbeam in a first configuration of the device, and   (c) the end of the first vertical beam which is securely attached to substantially the center of the first floor bar is securely attached to the first bracket and the end of the second vertical beam which is securely attached to substantially the center of the second floor bar is securely attached to the second bracket, wherein the substantially vertical beams extend substantially perpendicularly to the halfbeams and the crossbeam in the first configuration of the device, wherein the halfbeams are foldable to become substantially parallel to the vertical beams in a second configuration of the device.   
     
     
         3 . The exercise device of any of  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the one or more weights is adapted to be attached to the hand grip and to each other. 
     
     
         4 . The exercise device of  claim 3 , wherein the weight includes a threaded male protrusion extending outward from one face of the weight and a threaded female recession extending inward from the opposite face of the weight, the female threading being configured to receive the male threading. 
     
     
         5 . The exercise device of  claim 4 , wherein the depth of the female recession is about 10-75 percent of the thickness of the plate and the height of the male protrusion is slightly less than the depth of the female recession. 
     
     
         6 . The exercise device of  claim 5 , wherein the gripping portion of each hand grip is covered with a pliable material for gripping comfort. 
     
     
         7 . The exercise device of  claim 6 , further comprising a padded stationary substantially horizontal bar attached to the end of each of the two half beams and substantially perpendicular to the crossbeam. 
     
     
         8 . A method of exercising using any one of the devices of  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the hand grips are removed from the exercise device and weights are securely attached. 
     
     
         9 . A method of exercising using the device of  claim 3 , wherein the hand grips are removed from the exercise device and weights are securely attached. 
     
     
         10 . A method of exercising using the device of  claim 4 , wherein the hand grips are removed from the exercise device and weights are securely attached. 
     
     
         11 . A method of exercising using the device of  claim 5 , wherein the hand grips are removed from the exercise device and weights are securely attached.