Systems for simultaneously contracting body core muscles and a computerised instructional unit for facilitating same

Abstract

An exercise apparatus for exercising muscles of a user comprising a main body, an abdominal crunch exercise member pivotally attached to the main body, the abdominal crunch member configured to engage an upper body area of a user, an abdominal contact member attached to the main body, the abdominal contact member configured to engage an abdominal area of user; and an electronic vibration unit capable of causing a portion of the apparatus to vibrate.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An exercise apparatus for exercising muscles of a user comprising:
 a main body   a first element connected to the main body, the first element providing resistance for an front abdominal contact exercise;   a second element connected to the main body, the second element providing resistance for an abdominal crunch exercise; and   a third element connected to the main body, the third element providing resistance for a lateral pull exercise, wherein   the first, second, and third element are connected to the main body so that the front abdominal contact exercise, the abdominal crunch exercise, and the lateral pull exercise can be performed simultaneously by the user.   
     
     
         2 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first element's resistance, the second element's resistance, and the third element's resistance is adjustable. 
     
     
         3 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least two of the first element's resistance, the second element's resistance, and the third element's resistance are adjustable. 
     
     
         4 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the abdominal crunch exercise is an angular abdominal crunch exercise. 
     
     
         5 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a pair of leg supports connected to a bottom portion of the main body. 
     
     
         6 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the pair of leg supports are pivotally connected to the bottom portion of the main body. 
     
     
         7 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the pair of leg supports are configured to rest on the user's thighs while the front abdominal contact exercise, the abdominal crunch exercise, and the lateral pull exercise are performed simultaneously by the user. 
     
     
         8 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising an electronic coach. 
     
     
         9 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the electronic coach comprises computer memory for storing information relating to a user's use of the apparatus over a period of time. 
     
     
         10 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is configured for the user to simultaneously contract twenty-six of the user's abdominal muscles, the user's latissimus dorsi, the user's arms, and the user's back muscles.