Apparatus and method for strength conditioning

Abstract

An apparatus for conditioning and strengthening an individual comprising a housing defining a fluid retaining chamber adapted to receive fluid such that the housing can be provided with a predetermined weight and at least two handles extending from the housing. The handles are spatially disposed on the housing so as to permit the individual to lift the housing. The housing and corresponding fluid retaining chamber each have a substantially hourglass profile viewed from the upper side and the lower side. Also, the housing further comprises at least two openings extending through the housing from the upper side to the lower side and equally spaced on opposite sides of a center line of the housing, and each of the openings is traversed by one of the handles.

1 . An apparatus for conditioning and strengthening an individual, comprising:
 a housing defining a fluid retaining chamber adapted to receive fluid such that the housing can be provided with a predetermined weight; and   at least two handles extending from the housing, the handles being spatially disposed on the housing so as to permit the individual to lift the housing.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the housing has an upper side, a lower side opposite the first side, a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a first side, and a second side opposite the first side, and wherein the first and second sides are curvilinear and the upper side and the lower side are substantially planar. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the housing has a substantially hourglass profile viewed from the upper side and the lower side and wherein the fluid retaining chamber has a corresponding hourglass profile. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein the housing further comprises at least two openings extending through the housing from the upper side to the lower side and equally spaced on opposite sides of a center line of the housing, and wherein each of the openings is traversed by one of the handles. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein the handles traversing the openings are axially aligned with a longitudinal axis of the housing. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein the housing has a notch formed on each of the first and second ends extending from the upper side to the lower side, and wherein at least one handle traverses each of the notches. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6  wherein the handles traversing the notches extend parallel to one another and are oriented in a direction normal to the longitudinal axis of the housing. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein the housing further comprises at least two openings extending through the housing from the upper side toward the lower side and equally spaced on opposite sides of a center line of the housing, and wherein each of the openings is traversed by one of the handles. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the housing is provided with an opening for adding and withdrawing fluid and a cover for sealing the opening. 
     
     
         10 . An apparatus for conditioning and strengthening an individual, comprising:
 a housing defining a fluid retaining chamber having a predetermined volume and adapted to receive fluid such that the housing can be provided with a predetermined weight;   a fluid mass disposed within the fluid retaining chamber, the fluid mass having a predetermined volume less than the predetermined volume of the fluid retaining chamber of the housing so that the fluid mass is movable within the fluid retaining chamber in response to movement of the housing during exercise; and   at least two handles extending from the housing, the handles being spatially disposed on the housing so as to permit the individual to lift the housing.   
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein the housing has an upper side, a lower side opposite the first side, a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a first side, and a second side opposite the first side, and wherein the first and second sides are curvilinear and the upper side and the lower side are substantially planar. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the housing has a substantially hourglass profile viewed from the upper side and the lower side and wherein the fluid retaining chamber has a corresponding hourglass profile. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the housing further comprises at least two openings extending through the housing from the upper side to the lower side and equally spaced on opposite sides of a center line of the housing, and wherein each of the openings is traversed by one of the handles. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein the handles traversing the openings are axially aligned with a longitudinal axis of the housing. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14  wherein the housing has a notch formed on each of the first and second ends extending from the upper side to the lower side, and wherein at least one handle traverses each of the notches. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15  wherein the handles traversing the notches extend parallel to one another and are oriented in a direction normal to the longitudinal axis of the housing. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein the housing further comprises at least two openings extending through the housing from the upper side toward the lower side and equally spaced on opposite sides of a center line of the housing, and wherein each of the openings is traversed by one of the handles. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein the housing is provided with an opening for adding and withdrawing the fluid mass and a cover for sealing the opening.