Exercise device and method of exercising

Abstract

An exercise device handpiece includes a handgrip extending between a lower end and an upper end with a wrist extension disposed on the handgrip. The wrist extension extends a distance from the handgrip to the wrist of a user holding the handgrip. The wrist extension having an inner facing portion configured to be disposed adjacent to or contiguous with said user's wrist and an opposing outer facing portion adapted to releasably receive a resistance band connector attached to a resistance band. The handpiece prevents or opposes abduction or adduction of the wrist of the user when holding the handgrip.

1 . An exercise device handpiece comprising:
 a handgrip extending between a lower end and an upper end;   a wrist extension disposed on said handgrip and extending therefrom to the wrist of a user holding said handgrip, said wrist extension having an inner facing portion configured to be disposed adjacent to or contiguous with said user's wrist and an opposing outer facing portion adapted to releasably receive a resistance band connector attached to a resistance band;   wherein said handpiece prevents or opposes movement of said user's hand about their wrist when holding said handgrip.   
     
     
         2 . A handpiece according to  claim 1  wherein handpiece prevents or opposes adduction/abduction and/or extension/flexion of said wrist of said user holding said handgrip. 
     
     
         3 . A handpiece according to  claim 1  wherein said wrist extension extends from said handgrip terminating a predetermined distance beyond said wrist towards the elbow of said user. 
     
     
         4 . A handpiece according to  claim 1  wherein said wrist extension is substantially planar and said outer facing portion of said wrist extension is configured to releasably receive said resistance band connector. 
     
     
         5 . A handpiece according to  claim 4  wherein said wrist extension outer face includes a shaped slot, one end configured to receive said connector and an opposing end to retain said connector in said slot, and a latch movable between a locked position to prevent movement of said band connector along said slot and an open position allowing movement. 
     
     
         6 . A handpiece according to  claim 5 , wherein said latch is substantially planar and spaced apart from said slot and includes a pin extending toward or in to said slot when in said latch locked position to prevent movement of said band connector along said slot, said pin being disposed clear of said slot when said latch is moved in to said open position. 
     
     
         7 . A handpiece according to  claim 5  wherein said latch is biased in to said closed position. 
     
     
         8 . A handpiece according to  claim 1 , wherein said wrist extension is disposed at or adjacent said handgrip lower end and said handpiece includes a strap mounted to opposing ends of said handgrip and being releasably attachable at said handgrip lower end. 
     
     
         9 . A handpiece according to  claim 1  including a position sensor disposed within said handgrip and/or said wrist extension, said position sensor configured to transmit signals for receipt by a remotely disposed position receiver, said signals indicative of movement of said position sensor. 
     
     
         10 . A handpiece according to  claim 9  wherein said resistance bands extend from said handpiece and attach at another end to said user and said position receiver is attached to said user. 
     
     
         11 . A handpiece according to  claim 10 , wherein said resistance bands connect at said another end to a belt configured to be worn about the waist or torso of said user and said position sensor is disposed in or on said belt. 
     
     
         12 . A handpiece according to  claim 5  wherein said resistance band connector includes:
 a body extending between a top end and a lower end having a resistance band rotatably mounted thereto; 
 an extension portion disposed at or adjacent said body top and extending therefrom a predetermined distance, said extension portion projecting outwardly away from said body and upwardly away from said lower end; 
 a head support shaft extending from said extension portion, said head support shaft configured to slide along said slot; and 
 a head disposed on or about an end of said support shaft distal said body, said ahead having a wider diameter and said head support shaft such that said shaft is configured to slide along said slot, and wherein part of said slot on one side of said latch is narrower than set head diameter to retain said resistance band connector. 
 
     
     
         13 . A handpiece according to  claim 12  wherein said band connector body extension portion is configured to rotate about an axis substantially perpendicular to said slot. 
     
     
         14 . A handpiece according to  claim 10  wherein movement of said handpiece relative to said position receiver and corresponding movement of said resistance band is determined from signals received by said position receiver, and work or energy to move said resistance band is determined to provide an energy expenditure in moving said handpiece and said resistance band. 
     
     
         15 . An exercise device comprising a belt configured to be worn by a user, and a pair of exercise device handpieces according to  claim 1 , each said handpiece being releasably attachable to said belt by respective resistance bands disposed intermediate. 
     
     
         16 . An exercise device according to  claim 15  including a position sensor disposed in each said handpiece and configured to wirelessly transmit a signal indicative of the position of each handpiece and movement thereof to a remote position receiver disposed within said belt. 
     
     
         17 . An exercise device according to  claim 16 , wherein said position receiver is configured to transmit signals to a remote computing device to determine movement of said handpieces relative to said position receiver and corresponding movement of said resistance band and calculate work or energy to move said resistance bands determined to provide the energy expenditure in moving said handpieces and said resistance bands. 
     
     
         18 . An exercise device according  claim 17  including a pair of position receivers, wearing one said position receiver is disposed at or adjacent said connection of said resistance bands to said belt and said energy or work is calculated corresponding to movement of each said handpiece.