Exercise apparatus

Abstract

Methods and exercise apparatuses for assisting in squats, upper body exercises, and toe raises are disclosed. The exercise apparatus includes a support and a resistance member. The support includes a top surface that is angled relative to a horizontal plane. The user pulls on and tensions the resistance member by hand for balance and support during a squats or toe raises. The user can pull on and tension the resistance member by hand for upper body exercises as well.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An exercise apparatus comprising:
 a support comprising an inclined top surface, the inclined top surface having a top edge and a bottom edge; and   at least one resistance member having a hand grip,   wherein the support is constructed and arranged to restrain a portion of the resistance member.   
     
     
         2 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the support includes a channel that extends through the support; and   the channel is constructed and arranged to receive the portion of the resistance member.   
     
     
         3 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the support includes an empty space beneath the top surface; and   the empty space is constructed and arranged to receive the portion of the resistance member.   
     
     
         4 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the top surface of the support has a length from the top edge to the bottom edge, the length being such that during use at least a portion of a user's heels extend beyond the top edge while at least a portion of the user's toes extend beyond the bottom edge when the user stands on the top surface. 
     
     
         5 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the top surface has a length from the top edge to the bottom edge, the length being 3 to 3.5 inches. 
     
     
         6 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the length of the top surface is 3.125 inches. 
     
     
         7 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the top surface forms an incline angle of 22 to 25 degrees with respect to a horizontal plane. 
     
     
         8 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the angle is 22.5 degrees. 
     
     
         9 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one resistance member has a resistance of 5 to 60 pounds. 
     
     
         10 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the resistance member is anchored to the support. 
     
     
         11 . An exercise apparatus consisting essentially of:
 a support having an inclined top surface; and   a resistance member having two hand grips,   wherein the support is constructed and arranged to restrain a portion of the resistance member.   
     
     
         12 . A method of exercising, comprising:
 providing a support on a horizontal plane, the support having a top surface that forms an angle with respect to the horizontal plane, the top surface having a bottom edge and a top edge;   placing at least one foot upon the top surface such that a heel of the at least one foot points in an upward direction;   holding onto a hand grip of at least one resistance member by hand;   moving to a squat position from an upright position, then returning to an upright position, while the at least one foot remains on the support.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one foot is placed upon the support such that at least a portion of the heel extends past the top edge of the top surface by a heel extension distance. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the heel extension distance equals 15 to 40 percent of a length of the at least one foot. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the heel extension distance equals 25 percent of the length of the at least one foot. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the first and second feet are placed upon the top surface such that at least a portion of the toes extend beyond the bottom edge of the top surface. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising pulling the at least one resistance member upwardly by hand away from the support. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising performing an upper body exercise with the at least one resistance member. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising performing a bicep curl with the at least one resistance member. 
     
     
         20 . A method of exercising, comprising:
 providing a support on a horizontal plane, the support having a top surface that forms an angle with respect to the horizontal plane, the top surface having a bottom edge and a top edge;   placing at least one foot upon the support such that toes of the at least one foot point upwardly;   holding onto a hand grip of at least one resistance member by hand;   raising a heel of the at least one foot; and   holding onto the hand grip of the at least one resistance member by hand while raising the heel.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the at least one foot is placed upon the support such that at least a portion of the heel extends past the bottom edge of the top surface while at least a portion of the toes extend past the top edge of the top surface.