Apparatus and method for more effective exercise

Abstract

An apparatus worn on the hands to prevent the formation of a conventional fist and instead promote the optimal posture/position for making a structurally superior fist—the A-Fist in the CoreFIST Training Method. The apparatus and method aligns the fingers to create Correct Bone Alignment through the fingers, hands, wrists, arms & shoulders enabling the user to throw harder, more powerful punches with less chance of injury. The Method for using such apparatus helps align the bones of the fingers and hands to engage in more effective punching/striking and walking/running exercise as well as many traditional calisthenics.

I claim: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for more effective exercise worn on one or more hands to prevent the formation of a conventional fist, wherein said apparatus is structured and arranged to prevent flexion and facilitate extension of the most distal digit of the last two bones of each of the middle finger, ring finger and index finger. 
     
     
         2 . The apparatus for more effective exercise worn on one or more hands to prevent the formation of a conventional fist, according to  claim 1 , wherein said apparatus further comprises one or more indicators to guide and instruct a user to arrange the ring finger adjacent to and overlapping with a portion of the middle finger. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus for more effective exercise worn on one or more hands to prevent the formation of a conventional fist, according to  claim 1 , wherein said apparatus further comprises one or more indicators to guide and instruct a user to arrange the index finger and ring finger adjacent to and overlapping with a portion of the middle finger. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus for more effective exercise worn on one or more hands to prevent the formation of a conventional fist, according to  claim 1 , having an interior portion and an exterior portion wherein said apparatus is worn on the middle finger. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus for more effective exercise worn on one or more hands to prevent the formation of a conventional fist, according to  claim 4 , wherein said apparatus is configured into a cylinder having a proximal and distal end wherein said proximal and distal ends are open allowing the apparatus to be worn on the middle finger by slipping the middle finger into the proximal end and extending a portion of the middle finger out the distal end. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus for more effective exercise worn on one or more hands to prevent the formation of a conventional fist, according to  claim 4 , wherein said apparatus is configured into a cylinder having a proximal and distal end wherein said proximal end is open and said distal end is closed allowing the apparatus to be worn on the middle finger by slipping the middle finger into the proximal end. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus for more effective exercise worn on one or more hands to prevent the formation of a conventional fist, according to  claim 5 , wherein said open ended cylinder further includes fastening members to allow a user to adjust the diameter of the open ended cylinder thereby adjusting the size and fit of the apparatus on the middle finger. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus for more effective exercise worn on one or more hands to prevent the formation of a conventional fist, according to  claim 6 , wherein said closed distal ended cylinder further includes flexible support members which encircle the ring and index finger to guide, support and secure the encircled fingers into a location adjacent to and overlapping with a portion of the middle finger on which the apparatus is worn. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus for more effective exercise worn on one or more hands to prevent the formation of a conventional fist, according to  claim 4 , wherein said apparatus further includes rigid support elements within said interior portion. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus for more effective exercise worn on one or more hands to prevent the formation of a conventional fist, according to  claim 4 , wherein said apparatus further includes vent openings extending from said interior portion to said exterior portion for ventilating the middle finger when worn by a user. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus for more effective exercise worn on one or more hands to prevent the formation of a conventional fist, according to  claim 1 , wherein said apparatus is incorporated into a glove. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus for more effective exercise worn on one or more hands to prevent the formation of a conventional fist, according to  claim 4 , wherein said apparatus is removably attachable to a glove. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus for more effective exercise worn on one or more hands to prevent the formation of a conventional fist, according to  claim 12 , wherein said wherein said apparatus further includes fastening elements for removably attaching said apparatus to a glove. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus for more effective exercise worn on one or more hands to prevent the formation of a conventional fist, according to  claim 12 , wherein said fastening elements for removably attaching said apparatus to a glove includes hook and loop material. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus for more effective exercise worn on one or more hands to prevent the formation of a conventional fist, according to  claim 12 , wherein said apparatus is removably attachable to a glove, and further wherein said glove includes additional support structure in the form of straps having fastening elements for securing the index finger and ring finger in a position adjacent to and overlapping with the middle finger of the user. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus for more effective exercise worn on one or more hands to prevent the formation of a conventional fist, according to  claim 15 , wherein said straps having fastening elements includes straps constructed with hook and loop material. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus for more effective exercise worn on one or more hands to prevent the formation of a conventional fist, according to  claim 3 , wherein said one or more indicators to guide and instruct a user to arrange the index finger and ring finger adjacent to and overlapping with a portion of the middle finger is comprised of a three-dimensionally shaped support to be held in the hand, whereby when held and clenched the user's fingers are supported by said three-dimensionally shaped support to be held in the hand to arrange the index finger and ring finger adjacent to and overlapping with a portion of the middle finger. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus for more effective exercise worn on one or more hands to prevent the formation of a conventional fist, according to  claim 17 , wherein said three-dimensionally shaped support to be held in the hand further includes a middle finger knuckle support member incorporating a cast semi ridged structure material. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus for more effective exercise worn on one or more hands to prevent the formation of a conventional fist, according to  claim 18 , wherein said three-dimensionally shaped support to be held in the hand further includes a middle finger knuckle support member incorporating a cast semi ridged structure formed in a polymer or elastomeric material. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus for more effective exercise worn on one or more hands to prevent the formation of a conventional fist, according to  claim 5 , wherein said open ended cylinder is incorporated into a strap extending from said apparatus. 
     
     
         21 . A method for more effective exercise comprising the steps of:
 providing an apparatus for more effective exercise worn on one or more hands to prevent the formation of a conventional fist, wherein said apparatus is structured and arranged to prevent flexion and facilitate extension of the most distal digit between the last two bones of each of the middle finger, ring finger and index finger; and   using said apparatus to instruct oneself or others in the formation of a fist wherein the middle finger is folded down into the center region of the palm; the ring finger is folded down adjacent to and overlapping with a portion of the middle finger; the index finger is folded down adjacent to and overlapping with a portion of the middle finger; wherein the most distal joint of each the middle, ring and index fingers remains straight and not flexed.   
     
     
         22 . The method for more effective exercise according to  claim 21 , further comprising the step of using the apparatus to secure the index finger, middle finger and ring finger by wrapping the thumb around the index finger and wrapping the pinky around the ring finger. 
     
     
         23 . A method for using an apparatus for more effective exercise worn on one or more hands to prevent the formation of a conventional fist wherein said apparatus is structured and arranged to prevent flexion and facilitate extension of the most distal digit between the last two bones of each of the middle finger, ring finger and index finger, comprising, the steps of:
 placing an apparatus on one or more hands which prevents the formation of a conventional fist, wherein said apparatus prevents flexion and facilitates extension of the most distal digit between the last two bones of the middle finger, ring finger and index finger; and   exercising and training with said apparatus worn on the hand.