Multi-function Jump Rope and Resistance Band

Abstract

An exercise band adapted for use in multiple exercise types, such as speed-endurance exercise and strength training. The exercise band includes bi-modal handles that arrange for ease of use in either jump rope mode or resistance band mode. The handle(s) may be arranged in multiple ways to allow for various grip orientations to better accommodate multiple exercise types. Also included is a method for modifying a jump rope to allow for reorientation of the handles for strength training.

I claim: 
     
         1 . An exercise band apparatus, comprising:
 two handles each comprising a hollow passage extending through the handle;   one or more elastic ropes coupled to the two handles and comprising a first end portion, a second end portion opposite the first end portion, and a middle portion positioned between the first end portion and the second end portion, each of the first and second end portions extending through the hollow passage of a different handle of the two handles and comprising a handle coupling, the one or more ropes sized to allow the handles to rotate independently of the one or more ropes and each handle coupling sized to resist passage of the handle coupling through the hollow passage;   two rope couplings positioned on the one or more ropes, each rope coupling configured to removably couple to a different handle coupling when the one or more ropes are in a resistance configuration, and disengage from the handle couplings when the one or more ropes are in an endurance configuration.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one weight sleeve coupled to the middle portion of the one or more elastic ropes. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein each hollow passage comprises a flared flange at each end of the hollow passage. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the one or more elastic ropes comprises three elastic ropes, the first end portion comprising a first handle rope of the three elastic ropes, the second end portion comprising a second handle rope of the three elastic ropes, and the middle portion comprising a middle rope of the three elastic ropes. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein each of the first and second handle ropes comprise two handle couplings, wherein both of the handle couplings on each of the first and second handle ropes are coupled to a different rope coupling of the two rope couplings when the three elastic ropes are in a resistance configuration, and one of the handle couplings on each of the first and second handle ropes is coupled to a different rope coupling of the two rope couplings when the three elastic ropes are in an endurance configuration. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein each of the hand couplings comprises an anchoring block and an eyelet, and each of the rope couplings comprises a carabiner. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the one or more elastic ropes comprises one elastic rope, each of the handle couplings comprises a carabiner, and each of the rope couplings comprises a stopper comprising a hole extending therethrough sized to engage with the carabiner when the elastic rope is in a resistance configuration. 
     
     
         8 . An interchangeable exercise band system, comprising:
 a first elastic middle rope of a first elasticity strength and comprising two opposing ends and two rope couplings, each rope coupling positioned proximate a different end of two opposing ends;   two handle ropes, each handle rope comprising two handle couplings configured to removably couple to the two rope couplings, wherein when both of the two handle couplings on each handle rope are removably coupled to a different rope coupling of the two rope couplings, the elastic rope is in a resistance configuration, and when one of the two handle couplings on each handle rope is removably coupled to a different rope coupling of the two rope couplings, the elastic rope is in an endurance configuration; and   two handles, each handle rotatably coupled to a different handle rope of the two handle ropes such that the handle rotates independent of the handle rope to which the handle is coupled.   
     
     
         9 . The exercise band system of  claim 8 , wherein each handle rope extends through a hollow passage on the respective handle, each hollow passage sized to allow the handle to rotate independent of the handle rope to which the handle is coupled. 
     
     
         10 . The exercise band system of  claim 9 , further comprising at least one weight sleeve coupled to the elastic middle rope. 
     
     
         11 . The exercise band system of  claim 10 , wherein each of the two handle ropes comprises an elastic handle rope. 
     
     
         12 . The exercise band system of  claim 11 , wherein each of the two rope couplings comprises a carabiner and each of the handle couplings comprises an eyelet. 
     
     
         13 . The exercise band system of  claim 12 , wherein each hollow passage comprises a flared flange at each end of the hollow passage. 
     
     
         14 . The exercise band system of  claim 13 , further comprising a second elastic middle rope of a second elasticity strength different than the first elasticity strength, the second elastic middle rope comprising two opposing ends and two carabiners each positioned proximate a different end of the two opposing ends. 
     
     
         15 . The exercise band system of  claim 14 , wherein the two handles each comprise a first diameter, and the system further comprises:
 two second handle ropes, each second handle rope comprising two handle couplings configured to removably couple to the carabiners of either the first or the second elastic middle ropes;   two second handles each comprising a second diameter different than the first diameter, each second handle rotatably coupled to a different second handle rope of the handle ropes such that the handle rotates independent of the handle rope to which the handle is coupled.   
     
     
         16 . The exercise band system of  claim 13 , wherein the hollow passage of each handle extends through a plastic support and each handle further comprises a foam grip portion at least partially surrounding an exterior surface of the plastic support. 
     
     
         17 . A method of modifying one or more elastic ropes from an endurance configuration to a resistance configuration, comprising:
 forming a first handle loop by removably coupling a first handle coupling on a first end portion of the one or more elastic ropes to a first rope coupling positioned on a middle portion of the one or more elastic ropes, the first end portion of the one or more elastic ropes extending through a hollow passage on a first handle, the hollow passage of the first end portion sized to allow the first handle to rotate independent of the first end portion of the one or more elastic ropes and prevent passage of the second handle coupling through the hollow passage; and   forming a second handle loop by removably coupling a second handle coupling on a second end portion of the one or more elastic ropes to a second rope coupling positioned on the middle portion of the one or more elastic ropes, the second end portion of the one or more elastic ropes extending through a hollow passage on a second handle, the hollow passage on the second handle sized to allow the second handle to rotate independent of the second portion of the one or more elastic ropes and prevent passage of the second handle coupling through the hollow passage.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 removably coupling the first end portion to the first rope coupling; and   removably coupling the second end portion to the second rope coupling.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the first rope coupling comprises a first carabiner, the second rope coupling comprises a second carabiner, the first handle coupling comprises a first eyelet, and the second handle coupling comprises a second eyelet. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the first rope coupling comprises a first stopper, the second rope coupling comprises a second stopper, the first handle coupling comprises a first carabiner, and the second handle coupling comprises a second carabiner.