Apparatus for providing support when performing plank training exercises and methods of manufacturing and using same

Abstract

Exercise apparatuses, and methods of making and manufacturing same, for performing a plank exercise are provided. The apparatuses include a first support member that operates to rest against the chest/body of a user, and a second support member that is attached to, and extends away from, the first support member and may rest on a surface, such as a floor, mat, etc. The apparatuses may include one or more base components to add instability and increase the difficulty of workouts, the base components operating to rest on the surface, instead of the second support member or other component(s), when used. Since an individual, who has not developed proper form and strength, performing the plank exercise can lead to serious injuries, the apparatus/device permits the user to perform the plank exercise more easily and safely while permitting the user to employ the base components to increase the difficulty of an exercise.

1 . An exercise apparatus for performing one or more plank exercises, the apparatus comprising:
 a first support member having at least a first surface, a first side and a second side, the at least first surface of the first support member extending between the first and second sides for a predetermined length;   at least one second support member having a first and second end, the first end of the at least one second support member being connected to the first support member, the at least one second support member extending at least one of substantially transversely and substantially perpendicularly away from the first support member and the at least one second support member operating to provide vertical support to the exercise apparatus; and   at least one base component having a first end and a second end, the first end of the at least one base component being attached, or releasably connected, to at least one of the first support member and the at least one second support member, the at least one base component extending away from the first support member and being sized and shaped to at least one of provide, create and add a predetermined amount of instability to the exercise apparatus, thereby increasing the difficulty of performing the one or more plank exercises, wherein:
 (i) the first support member, the at least one second support member and the at least one base component are sized and shaped such that the exercise apparatus operates as a device for performing the one or more plank exercises; and 
 (ii) at least one of the second end of the at least one second support member and the second end of the at least one base component operate to at least one of rest on, contact and communicate with at least a surface for performing the one or more plank exercises. 
   
     
     
         2 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of:
 the exercise apparatus operates to receive an upper portion of a body of a user on the first support member and to permit the user to place at least one of one or more hands, one or more elbows and one or more forearms of the user on at least the surface for the performing one or more plank exercises;   one or more upper arms of the user: (i) are substantially transverse, or substantially perpendicular, to at least the surface for performing the one or more plank exercises; and (ii) extend from respective sides of the exercise apparatus to permit the user to perform the one or more plank exercises;   the exercise apparatus operates to remove at least a portion of the weight of the body of the user from at least one of one or more hands, one or more arms and one or more clavicles and/or shoulders of the user, thereby reducing or removing stress from at least one of the one or more hands, the one or more arms and the one or more clavicles and/or shoulders of the body;   the at least one base component is sized and shaped such that the at least one base component operates to reduce the amount of contact between the exercise apparatus and the surface on which the user is exercising as compared to the amount of contact that the exercise apparatus would otherwise have with the surface when not including the at least one base component therein or thereon, thereby operating to provide, create or add the predetermined amount of instability;   the second end of the at least one base component operates to provide at least one of a surface of contact, a line of contact and a point of contact with the surface on which the user is exercising;   the second end of the at least one base component comprises at least one of: a rounded surface, a point or pointed surface, a flat or substantially flat surface, and a spring/coil or spring-like structure;   the shape of the at least one base component is at least one of: substantially a circle, a circle, substantially a semi-circle, a semi-circle, substantially a cone, a cone, substantially a pillar, a pillar, substantially a post, a post, a spring, and substantially a spring; and   the first end of the at least one base component is attached to at least one of the first support member and the at least one second support member along a perimeter thereof such that the at least one base component has one or more sides, the one or more sides of the at least one base component being sloped and tapering away from the at least one of the first support member and the at least one second support member.   
     
     
         3 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein at least one of:
 the first support member further comprises: (i) a third side and a fourth side on opposite sides of the first support member, the third and fourth sides extending between the first and second sides; and (ii) one or more contours or indentations for receiving one or more portions of the body of the user of the exercise apparatus; and   the one or more contours or indentations of the first support member include at least one of:
 at least one clavicle/shoulder and/or arm contour or indentation disposed on, and in communication with, at least one of the first side and the second side of the first support member, the at least one clavicle/shoulder and/or arm contour or indentation operating to receive at least one of a portion of at least one clavicle and/or shoulder and a portion of at least one arm of the user; 
 two clavicle/shoulder and/or arm contours or indentations, the first clavicle/shoulder and/or arm contour or indentation being disposed on, and in communication with, the first side of the first support member and the second clavicle/shoulder and/or arm contour or indentation being disposed on, and in communication with, the second side of the first support member, the two clavicle/shoulder and/or arm contours or indentations operating to each receive at least one of at least one clavicle and/or shoulder and at least one arm of the user; 
 one or more pectoral muscle and/or breast contours or indentations disposed on, and in communication with, the third side of the first support member, the one or more pectoral muscle and/or breast contours or indentations operating to receive at least one of a portion of at least one pectoral muscle and a portion of at least one breast of the user; 
 at least one chest and/or upper body contour or indentation disposed on, and in communication with, the at least first surface of the first support member, the at least one chest and/or upper body contour or indentation operating to receive at least one of a portion of a chest, a portion of an upper body and a portion of the upper portion of the user; and 
 at least one neck and/or chin contour or indentation disposed on, and in communication, the fourth side of the first support member, the at least one neck and/or chin contour or indentation operating to receive at least one of a portion of a neck and a portion of a chin of the user. 
   
     
     
         4 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein at least one of:
 at least one of a depth of the at least one clavicle/shoulder and/or arm contours or indentations and a depth of the two clavicle/shoulder and/or arm contours or indentations is at least one of: about zero inches to about 5 inches; about zero inches to about 5 inches at the deepest location thereof; and about zero inches to about 5 inches where the depth defines a radius thereof;   at least one of a length of the first side of the first support member and a length of the second side of the first support member is at least one of: about 1 inch to about 19 inches; about 1 inch to about 20 inches; about zero inches to about 19 inches, and about zero inches to about 20 inches;   at least one of a length of the third side of the first support member and a length of the fourth side of the first support member is at least one of: about 3 inches to about 19 inches; and about 3 inches to about 36 inches;   at least one of a length, a width, a thickness and a depth of the at least one second support member is at least one of: about 3 inches to about 19 inches; and about 3 inches to about 36 inches;   at least one of a length, a width, a thickness and a depth of the at least one base component is at least one of: about 3 inches to about 19 inches; and about 3 inches to about 36 inches;   a depth of the at least one neck and/or chin contour or indentation is at least one of: about zero inches to about 4 inches at the deepest location thereof; and about zero inches to about 2 inches at the deepest location thereof;   a depth of the one or more pectoral muscle and/or breast contours or indentations is at least one of: about zero inches to about 4 inches at the deepest location thereof; and about zero inches to about 2 inches at the deepest location thereof;   at least one of a height of the at least one second support member and a length of the at least one second support member is about 4 inches to about 25 inches;   at least one of a height of the at least one second support member and a length of the at least one base component is about 4 inches to about 25 inches;   at least one of a height of the chest and/or upper body contour or indentation of the first support member and a depth of the chest and/or upper body contour or indentation of the first support member is at least one of: about zero inches to about 2 inches; and about zero inches to about 4 inches;   a height of the exercise apparatus is about 4 inches to about 25 inches; and   at least one of a length, a width and a diameter of the base component is at least one of:   about 3 inches to about 36 inches.   
     
     
         5 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein at least one of:
 the exercise apparatus further comprises a cushion disposed on, or as part of, the at least first surface of the first support member and operating to receive at least one of a portion of the upper portion of the user and a portion of the chest of the user thereon;   at least one of the cushion, the first support member, the at least one second support member and the at least one base component comprise at least one of: plastic, clear plastic, polyurethane polymer, foam, polymer foam, balsa wood, wood, rubber, hard rubber, cork, a soft material, a material that operates to be inflated with air, textile material, polymer, thermoplastic polyurethane polymer, cloth fabric, vinyl, leather, suede, synthetics, a substantially resilient material, a hard or rigid material, metal, polytetrafluoroethylene, carbon fiber, and fiber;   the first support member further comprises a second surface on the opposite side of the at least first surface such that the at least first surface and the second surface are facing away from each other, the second surface being attached to, or releasably connected to, at least one of the at least one second support member and the at least one base component such that at least one of the at least one second support member and the at least one base component extends away therefrom;   the first support member further comprises a second surface on the opposite side of the at least first surface such that the at least first surface and the second surface are facing away from each other, the second surface being attached to, or releasably connected to, at least one of the first end of the at least one second support member and the first end of the at least one base component such that at least one of the at least one second support member and the at least one base component extends away therefrom; and   the at least one second support member at least one of slopes and tapers inwardly from the first end of the at least one second support member to a predetermined location along at least one of the length and the height of the at least one second support member and then at least one of slopes and tapers outwardly from the predetermined location to the second end of the at least one second support member.   
     
     
         6 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 5 , further comprising a base element connected or attached to the second end of the at least one second support member and disposed between the at least one second support member and the at least one base component when the at least one second support member is attached to, or releasably connected to, the at least one base component, the base element being sized and shaped such that the base element operates to add horizontal support or stability to the exercise apparatus or to provide a foundation or surface on which to attach or releasably connect the at least one base component thereto. 
     
     
         7 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the base element at least one of: (i) extends radially in all directions from the second end of the at least one second support member to add the horizontal support or stability or to provide the foundation or the surface for the at least one base component; (ii) extends away in one or more directions for one or more predetermined distances from the second end of the at least one second support member to add the horizontal support or stability or to provide the foundation or the surface for the at least one base component; and (iii) is sized and shaped to be at least one of: a circle, a square, a rectangle, a semi-circle, and an oval. 
     
     
         8 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one second support member comprises at least one of: (i) one support member; (ii) two or more support members; and (iii) three support members. 
     
     
         9 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the first end of the at least one second support member includes a surface attached to the first support member, at least one of the surface of the at least one second support member and the first end of the at least one second support member having substantially the same, or the same, shape or surface area as the at least first surface of the first support member such that the at least one second support member includes the one or more contours or indentations and the second support member and the one or more contours or indentations of the second support member extend substantially transversely, or substantially perpendicularly away, from the first support member for a predetermined distance. 
     
     
         10 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein at least one of:
 the exercise apparatus further comprises a cushion disposed on, or as part of, the at least first surface of the first support member and operating to receive at least one of a portion of the upper portion of the user and a portion of the chest of the user thereon;   at least one of the cushion, the first support member, the at least one second support member and the at least one base component comprise at least one of: plastic, clear plastic, polyurethane polymer, foam, polymer foam, balsa wood, wood, rubber, hard rubber, cork, a soft material, a material that operates to be inflated with air, textile material, polymer, thermoplastic polyurethane polymer, cloth fabric, vinyl, leather, suede, synthetics, a substantially resilient material, a hard or rigid material, metal, polytetrafluoroethylene, carbon fiber, and fiber;   the first support member further comprises a second surface on the opposite side of the at least first surface such that the at least first surface and the second surface are facing away from each other, the second surface being attached to, or releasably connected to, at least one of the at least one second support member and the at least one base component such that at least one of the at least one second support member and the at least one base component extends away therefrom;   the first support member further comprises a second surface on the opposite side of the at least first surface such that the at least first surface and the second surface are facing away from each other, the second surface being attached to, or releasably connected to, at least one of the first end of the at least one second support member and the first end of the at least one base component such that at least one of the at least one second support member and the at least one base component extends away therefrom; and   at least one of the first support member, the cushion, the at least one second support member and the at least one base component are integral.   
     
     
         11 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the first end of the at least one second support member is attached to the first support member along a perimeter of the first support member such that the at least one second support member has a first side, a second side, a third side and a fourth side, the first side of the at least one second support member extending substantially transversely or substantially perpendicularly away from the first side of the first support member, the second side of the at least one second support member extending substantially transversely or substantially perpendicularly away from the second side of the first support member, the third side of the at least second support member at least one of being sloped and tapering away from the third side of the first support member, and the fourth side of the at least second support member at least one of being sloped and tapering away from the fourth side of the first support member. 
     
     
         12 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein at least one of:
 the exercise apparatus further comprises a cushion disposed on, or as part of, the at least first surface of the first support member and operating to receive at least one of a portion of the upper portion of the user and a portion of the chest of the user thereon;   at least one of the cushion, the first support member, the at least one second support member and the at least one base component comprise at least one of: plastic, clear plastic, polyurethane polymer, foam, polymer foam, balsa wood, wood, rubber, hard rubber, cork, a soft material, a material that operates to be inflated with air, textile material, polymer, thermoplastic polyurethane polymer, cloth fabric, vinyl, leather, suede, synthetics, a substantially resilient material, a hard or rigid material, metal, polytetrafluoroethylene, carbon fiber, and fiber;   the first support member further comprises a second surface on the opposite side of the at least first surface such that the at least first surface and the second surface are facing away from each other, the second surface being attached to, or releasably connected to, at least one of the at least one second support member and the at least one base component such that at least one of the at least one second support member and the at least one base component extends away therefrom;   the first support member further comprises a second surface on the opposite side of the at least first surface such that the at least first surface and the second surface are facing away from each other, the second surface being attached to, or releasably connected to, at least one of the first end of the at least one second support member and the first end of the at least one base component such that at least one of the at least one second support member and the at least one base component extends away therefrom; and   at least one of the first support member, the cushion, the at least one second support member and the at least one base component are integral.   
     
     
         13 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the first end of the at least one second support member is attached to the first support member along a perimeter of the first support member such that the at least one second support member has a first side, a second side, a third side and a fourth side, the first side of the at least one second support member at least one of being sloped and tapering away from the first side of the first support member, the second side of the at least one second support member at least one of being sloped and tapering away from the second side of the first support member, the third side of the at least second support member at least one of being sloped and tapering away from the third side of the first support member, and the fourth side of the at least second support member at least one of being sloped and tapering away from the fourth side of the first support member. 
     
     
         14 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein at least one of:
 (i) at least one of the first support member, the cushion, the at least one second support member and the at least one base component are integral;   (ii) the first support member includes a cushion disposed thereon, or as part of the at least first surface of the first support member, the cushion operating to receive at least one of a portion of the upper portion of the user and a portion of the chest of the user thereon;   (iii) at least one of the first support member, the cushion, the at least one second support member and the at least one base component comprise at least one of: plastic, clear plastic, polyurethane polymer, foam, polymer foam, balsa wood, wood, rubber, hard rubber, cork, a soft material, a material that operates to be inflated with air, textile material, polymer, thermoplastic polyurethane polymer, cloth fabric, vinyl, leather, suede, synthetics, a substantially resilient material, a hard or rigid material, metal, polytetrafluoroethylene, carbon fiber, and fiber;   (iv) the first and second sides of the at least one second support member at least one of: include at least one of the clavicle/shoulder and/or arm contours or indentations; and each include one of the two clavicle/shoulder and/or arm contours or indentations;   (v) at least one of the at least one clavicle/shoulder and/or arm contours or indentations and the two clavicle/shoulder and/or arm contours or indentations extend from the first support member along at least one of the length and the height of the at least one second support member to the second end of the at least one second support member;   (vi) at least one of the at least one clavicle/shoulder and/or arm contours or indentations and the two clavicle/shoulder and/or arm contours or indentations extend from the first support member along at least one of the length and the height of the at least one second support member for a predetermined distance;   (vii) at least one of the one or more pectoral muscle and/or breast contours or indentations and the at least one neck and/or chin contour or indentation extend from the first support member along at least one of the length and the height of the at least one second support member for a predetermined distance;   (viii) at least one of the width and the depth of the at least one of the one or more pectoral muscle and/or breast contours or indentations and the at least one neck and/or chin contour or indentation decreases as the at least one of the one or more pectoral muscle and/or breast contours or indentations and the at least one neck and/or chin contour or indentation extend away from the first support member;   (ix) the first support member further comprises a second surface on the opposite side of the at least first surface such that the at least first surface and the second surface are facing away from each other, the second surface being attached to, or releasably connected to, at least one of the at least one second support member and the at least one base component such that at least one of the at least one second support member and the at least one base component extends away therefrom; and   (x) the first support member further comprises a second surface on the opposite side of the at least first surface such that the at least first surface and the second surface are facing away from each other, the second surface being attached to, or releasably connected to, at least one of the first end of the at least one second support member and the first end of the at least one base component such that at least one of the at least one second support member and the at least one base component extends away therefrom.   
     
     
         15 . A method of performing one or more plank exercises, comprising:
 placing at least one of a portion of a chest and a portion of an upper body of a user on a first support member of an exercise apparatus, the first support member having at least a first surface, a first side and a second side, the at least first surface of the first support member extending between the first and second sides a predetermined length, and the first support member being attached to, or releasably connected to, at least one of a first end of at least one base component, a first end of at least one second support member and a first end of at least one second support member where the at least one second support member is disposed between the first support member and the at least one base component, the at least one of the at least one second support member and the at least one base component extending at least one of substantially transversely and substantially perpendicularly away from the first support member;   placing at least one of a second end of the at least one second support member of the exercise apparatus and a second end of the at least one base component of the exercise apparatus on a surface or a floor for performing the one or more plank exercises such that at least one of the at least one second support member provides vertical support to the exercise apparatus and such that the at least one base component operates to at least one of provide, create and add a predetermined amount of instability to the exercise apparatus, thereby increasing the difficulty of performing the one or more plank exercises; and   placing at least one of one or more hands, one or more elbows and one or more forearms of the user on the surface or the floor for performing the one or more plank exercises, wherein   the first support member, the at least one second support member and the at least one base component are sized and shaped such that the exercise apparatus operates as a device for performing the one or more plank exercises.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising at least one of:
 arranging one or more upper arms of the user substantially transversely, or substantially perpendicularly, to the surface or the floor for performing one or more plank exercises such that the one or more upper arms of the user extend from respective side(s) of the exercise apparatus to permit the user to perform the one or more plank exercises;   operating the plank exercise apparatus to remove at least a portion of the weight of the body of the user from at least one of the one or more hands, one or more arms and one or more clavicles/shoulders of the user, thereby reducing or removing stress from at least one of the one or more hands, the one or more arms and the one or more clavicles/shoulders of the body; and   operating the plank exercise apparatus such that the at least one base component operates to reduce the amount of contact between the exercise apparatus and the surface on which the user is exercising as compared to the amount of contact that the exercise apparatus would otherwise have with the surface when not including the at least one base component therein or thereon, thereby operating to provide, create or add the predetermined amount of instability.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein at least one of:
 the second end of the at least one base component operates to provide at least one of a surface of contact, a line of contact and a point of contact with the surface on which the user is exercising;   the second end of the at least one base component comprises at least one of: a rounded surface, a point or pointed surface, a flat or substantially flat surface, and a spring/coil or spring-like structure;   the shape of the at least one base component is at least one of: substantially a circle, a circle, substantially a semi-circle, a semi-circle, substantially a cone, a cone, substantially a pillar, a pillar, substantially a post, a post, a spring, and substantially a spring;   the first end of the at least one base component is attached to at least one of the first support member and the at least one second support member along a perimeter thereof such that the at least one base component has one or more sides, the one or more sides of the at least one base component being sloped and tapering away from the at least one of the first support member and the at least one second support member;   the first support member further comprises: (i) a third side and a fourth side on opposite sides of the first support member, the third and fourth sides extending between the first and second sides; and (ii) one or more contours or indentations for receiving one or more portions of a body of a user of the exercise apparatus;   the one or more contours or indentations of the first support member include at least one of:
 at least one clavicle/shoulder and/or arm contour or indentation disposed on, and in communication with, at least one of the first side and the second side of the first support member, the at least one clavicle/shoulder and/or arm contour or indentation operating to receive at least one of a portion of at least one clavicle and/or shoulder and a portion of at least one arm of the user; 
 two clavicle/shoulder and/or arm contours or indentations, the first clavicle/shoulder and/or arm contour or indentation being disposed on, and in communication with, the first side of the first support member and the second clavicle/shoulder and/or arm contour or indentation being disposed on, and in communication with, the second side of the first support member, the two clavicle/shoulder and/or arm contours or indentations operating to each receive a portion of at least one of at least one clavicle and/or shoulder and a portion of at least one arm of the user; 
 one or more pectoral muscle and/or breast contours or indentations disposed on, and in communication with, the third side of the first support member, the one or more pectoral muscle and/or breast contours or indentations operating to receive at least one of a portion of at least one pectoral muscle and a portion of at least one breast of the user; 
 at least one chest and/or upper body contour or indentation disposed on, and in communication with, the at least first surface of the first support member, the at least one chest and/or upper body contour or indentation operating to receive at least one of a portion of a chest, a portion of an upper body and a portion of the upper portion of the user; and 
 at least one neck and/or chin contour or indentation disposed on, and in communication, the fourth side of the first support member, the at least one neck and/or chin contour or indentation operating to receive at least one of a portion of a neck and a portion of a chin of the user; 
   at least one of a depth of the at least one clavicle/shoulder and/or arm contours or indentations and a depth of the two clavicle/shoulder and/or arm contours or indentations is at least one of: about zero inches to about 5 inches; about zero inches to about 5 inches at the deepest location thereof; and about zero inches to about 5 inches where the depth defines a radius thereof;   at least one of a length of the first side of the first support member and a length of the second side of the first support member is at least one of: about 1 inch to about 19 inches; about 1 inch to about 20 inches; about zero inches to about 19 inches, and about zero inches to about 20 inches;   at least one of a length of the third side of the first support member and a length of the fourth side of the first support member is at least one of: about 3 inches to about 19 inches; and about 3 inches to about 36 inches;   at least one of a length, a width, a thickness and a depth of the at least one second support member is at least one of: about 3 inches to about 19 inches; and about 3 inches to about 36 inches;   a depth of the at least one neck and/or chin contour or indentation is at least one of: about zero inches to about 4 inches at the deepest location thereof; and about zero inches to about 2 inches at the deepest location thereof;   a depth of the one or more pectoral muscle and/or breast contours or indentations is at least one of: about zero inches to about 4 inches at the deepest location thereof; and about zero inches to about 2 inches at the deepest location thereof;   at least one of a height of the at least one second support member and a length of the at least one second support member is about 4 inches to about 25 inches;   at least one of a height of the chest and/or upper body contour or indentation of the first support member and a depth of the chest and/or upper body contour or indentation of the first support member is at least one of: about zero inches to about 2 inches; and about zero inches to about 4 inches;   a height of the exercise apparatus is about 4 inches to about 25 inches;   at least one of a length, a width, a thickness and a depth of the at least one base component is at least one of: about 3 inches to about 19 inches; and about 3 inches to about 36 inches;   at least one of a height of the at least one second support member and a length of the at least one base component is about 4 inches to about 25 inches; and   at least one of a length, a width and a diameter of the base component is at least one of: about 3 inches to about 36 inches.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising at least one of:
 disposing a cushion on, or integrating or forming a cushion into, the at least first surface of the first support member between the first support member and at least one of the upper portion of the body of the user and the chest of the body of the user, wherein at least one of the cushion, the first support member, at least the second support member and the at least one base component comprise at least one of: plastic, clear plastic, polyurethane polymer, foam, polymer foam, balsa wood, wood, rubber, hard rubber, cork, a soft material, a material that operates to be inflated with air, textile material, polymer, thermoplastic polyurethane polymer, cloth fabric, vinyl, leather, suede, synthetics, a substantially resilient material, a hard or rigid material, metal, polytetrafluoroethylene, carbon fiber, and fiber; and   disposing a base element between the at least one second support member and the at least one base component when the at least one second support member is attached to, or releasably connected to, the at least one base component, the base element being sized and shaped such that the base element operates to add horizontal support or stability to the exercise apparatus or to provide a foundation or surface on which to attach or releasably connect the at least one base component thereto.   
     
     
         19 . A method of manufacturing an exercise apparatus for performing one or more plank exercises, comprising:
 forming a first support member having at least a first surface, a first side and a second side, the at least first surface of the first support member extending between the first and second sides for a predetermined length by sizing and shaping the first support member to receive, or accommodate, at least an upper portion, a back or a chest of at least one of a mold of a manikin, an anatomical model of a human body and a mold of a human model;   forming at least one second support member having a first end and a second end and at least one base component having a first end and a second end by attaching the first end of the at least one second support member to the first support member, by attaching or releasably connecting the first end of the at least one base component to at least one of the first support member and the at least one second support member, and sizing and shaping the at least one second support member and the at least one base component based on the at least one of the mold of the manikin, the anatomical model of the human body and the mold of the human model such that the at least one second support member extends at least one of substantially transversely and substantially perpendicularly away for a predetermined distance from the first support member, the at least one base component extends away from the first support member for a predetermined distance and is sized and shaped to at least one of provide, create and add a predetermined amount of instability to the exercise apparatus, thereby increasing the difficulty of performing the one or more plank exercises, and at least one of the second end of the at least one second support member and the second end of the at least one base component operates to rest on at least a surface for performing one or more plank exercises, thereby providing vertical support to the exercise apparatus, the predetermined distance that the at least one second support member extends and the predetermined distance that the at least one base component extends being selected such that at least one of: (i) at least one of one or more hands, one or more elbows and one or more forearms of the at least one of the manikin, the anatomical model of the human body and the mold of the human model operate to rest on the surface for performing the one or more plank exercises; and (ii) the exercise apparatus operates to permit a user to place at least one of one or more hands, one or more elbows and one or more forearms of the user on at least the surface for the performing one or more plank exercises; and   forming one or more contours or indentations on at least one of the first support member, the at least one second support member and the at least one base component of the plank exercise apparatus, based on one or more contours of at least one portion of the at least one of the manikin, the anatomical model of the human body and the mold of the human model such that: (i) the one or more contours or indentations of the plank exercise apparatus operate to receive at least one corresponding portion of a body of a user of the plank exercise apparatus, the portion including at least one of: a back, an upper portion of a body, a side, a shoulder, a clavicle, a neck, a chin, an arm, a chest, a breast and a pectoral muscle of the user; and (ii) the first support member, the at least one second support member and the at least one base component are sized and shaped such that exercise apparatus operates as an apparatus for performing the one or more plank exercises.   
     
     
         20 . An exercise apparatus for performing one or more plank exercises, the apparatus comprising:
 a first support member having at least a first surface, a first side and a second side, the at least first surface of the first support member extending between the first and second sides for a predetermined length; and   at least one second support member having a first and second end, the first end of the at least one second support member being attached to the first support member, the at least one second support member extending at least one of substantially transversely and substantially perpendicularly away from the first support member and the second end of the at least one second support member operating to rest on at least a surface for performing one or more plank exercises, thereby providing vertical support to the exercise apparatus, wherein   the first support member and the at least one second support member are sized and shaped such that exercise apparatus operates as a device for performing the one or more plank exercises; and the at least one second support member is located on the first support member such that the at least one second support member at least one of provides, creates and adds a predetermined amount of instability to the exercise apparatus, thereby increasing the difficulty of performing the one or more plank exercises.