Dumbbell with Eccentric Bar

Abstract

A dumbbell incorporates an eccentric handhold portion of a bar to elevate the handhold portion to an elevated position. Elevating the handhold farther from the ground increases the effectiveness of push-ups and push-up rows by increasing the range of motion over conventional dumbbells. When the dumbbell is placed on the floor, the elevated handhold allows a user to more comfortably put their feet between the floor and the handhold, allowing the dumbbell to function as a foothold for sit-ups. Additionally, the dumbbell retains the functionality and usability of a conventional dumbbell, and may be used for a variety of other exercises, including, but not limited to, curls, dumbbell presses, and shoulder presses.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A dumbbell comprising:
 a first weight having a first footprint and a first central axis perpendicular to the first footprint;   a second weight having a second footprint and a second central axis perpendicular to the second footprint; and   a single bar having a first end and a second end, opposite the first end and connected through a central portion, wherein the first end is coupled to the first weight and the second end is coupled to the second weight such that the first weight and the second weight are coaxial and the central portion of the single bar is offset from the first central axis and the second central axis.   
     
     
         2 . The dumbbell of  claim 1 , wherein the first end of the single bar extends from the first weight at the first central axis at a first bend angle with respect to the first central axis and the second end of the single bar extends from the second weight at the second central axis with respect to the second central axis at a second bend angle to offset the central portion from the first central axis and the second central axis. 
     
     
         3 . The dumbbell of  claim 2 , wherein the first bend angle is in a first range of 40° to 50° with respect to the first central axis and the second bend angle is in a second range of 40° to 50° with respect to the second central axis. 
     
     
         4 . The dumbbell of  claim 3 , wherein the first bend angle is equal to the second bend angle. 
     
     
         5 . The dumbbell of  claim 1 , wherein the central portion of the single bar is cylindrical in shape with a bar central axis oriented parallel to the first central axis and the second central axis. 
     
     
         6 . The dumbbell of  claim 1 , wherein the single bar is cylindrical in shape with a bar central axis oriented parallel to the first central axis and the second central axis. 
     
     
         7 . The dumbbell of  claim 1  further comprising a handgrip mounted around the central portion of the single bar. 
     
     
         8 . The dumbbell of  claim 7 , wherein the handgrip is rotatable with respect to the single bar. 
     
     
         9 . The dumbbell of  claim 7 , wherein a gripping surface on an outer surface of the handgrip is textured. 
     
     
         10 . The dumbbell of  claim 7 , wherein the handgrip comprises an inner layer having an inner diameter larger than an outer diameter of the central portion of the bar and an outer layer wrapped around the inner layer. 
     
     
         11 . The dumbbell of  claim 7 , wherein the single bar and the handgrip lie completely within the first footprint of the first weight and the second footprint of the second weight. 
     
     
         12 . The dumbbell of  claim 1 , wherein the single bar lies completely within the first footprint of the first weight and the second footprint of the second weight. 
     
     
         13 . The dumbbell of  claim 1 , wherein the first weight has a first planar surface parallel to the first central axis and the second weight has a second planar surface parallel to the second central axis such that when the first planar surface and the second planar surface rest on a flat surface, the central portion of the single bar is offset above the first central axis and the second central axis in a vertical plane, with the first central axis, the second central axis, and a central portion central axis lying in a vertical plane perpendicular to the first planar surface and the second planar surface. 
     
     
         14 . A method of using a first dumbbell and a second dumbbell, each dumbbell comprising a first weight having a first footprint and a first central axis perpendicular to the first footprint, a second weight having a second footprint and a second central axis perpendicular to the second footprint, and a single bar having a first end and a second end, opposite the first end and connected through a central portion, wherein the first end is coupled to the first weight and the second end is coupled to the second weight such that the first weight and the second weight are coaxial and the central portion of the single bar is offset from the first central axis and the second central axis, the method comprising:
 a) placing the first dumbbell on a flat surface with the central portion of the first dumbbell in a first elevated position;   b) placing the second dumbbell on a flat surface with the central portion of the second dumbbell in a second elevated position;   c) grasping the central portion of the first dumbbell with a first hand;   d) grasping the central portion of the second dumbbell with a second hand; and   e) performing at least one pushup while grasping the dumbbells.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising:
 f) performing at least one row while grasping the dumbbells. 
 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising:
 f) placing at least one foot under the central portion of the first dumbbell; and 
 g) performing at least one sit-up with the at least one foot under the central portion of the first dumbbell. 
 
     
     
         17 . A method of using a dumbbell comprising a first weight having a first footprint and a first central axis perpendicular to the first footprint, a second weight having a second footprint and a second central axis perpendicular to the second footprint, and a single bar having a first end and a second end, opposite the first end and connected through a central portion, wherein the first end is coupled to the first weight and the second end is coupled to the second weight such that the first weight and the second weight are coaxial and the central portion of the single bar is offset from the first central axis and the second central axis, the method comprising:
 a) placing the dumbbell on a flat surface with the central portion in an elevated position;   b) placing at least one foot under the central portion of the dumbbell; and   c) performing at least one sit-up with the at least one foot under the central portion of the dumbbell.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising:
 d) grasping the central portion of the dumbbell with a hand; and 
 e) performing at least one curl while grasping the dumbbell.