Stretch assist block

Abstract

A stretch assist aid for safely and incrementally increasing a user's flexibility while objectively measuring the user's progress.

1 . A stretch assist aid for achieving and objectively measuring gains in flexibility, the stretch assist aid comprising: a block having a top surface, an opposing bottom surface, a first side surface, an opposing second side surface, a first end surface, and an opposing second end surface, and further having a plurality of handholds on at least two of the opposing surfaces. 
     
     
         2 . The block of  claim 1  wherein the block is of strength enough to support a person standing on it. 
     
     
         3 . The block of  claim 1  wherein the block is hollow. 
     
     
         4 . The block of  claim 1  wherein the handholds comprise cutouts from the surfaces. 
     
     
         5 . The block of  claim 1  wherein the handholds comprise rods. 
     
     
         6 . The block of  claim 1  wherein the handholds are sequentially spaced. 
     
     
         7 . A stretch assist aid for reducing injury in stretching, said aid comprising: a block having at least two planar surfaces of sufficient size for standing on, the block being of sufficient strength for standing on, and further comprising at least two opposing sides comprising a plurality of sequentially spaced handholds. 
     
     
         8 . The block of  claim 7  wherein the block is hollow. 
     
     
         9 . The block of  claim 7  wherein the handholds comprise cutouts from the surfaces. 
     
     
         10 . The block of  claim 7  wherein the handholds comprise rods. 
     
     
         11 . A method for incrementally increasing a user's physical range of motion, the method comprising:
 the user placing at least one foot against a surface of a block and simultaneously grasping at least two of a plurality of sequentially placed handholds found on opposing end surfaces of the block.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the block is hollow. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the block is of strength enough to support a person standing on it. 
     
     
         14 . The block of  claim 1  wherein the handholds comprise cutouts from the surfaces. 
     
     
         15 . The block of  claim 1  wherein the handholds comprise rods inserted into the surfaces.