Core Exercise Device

Abstract

The present invention is core exercise device that allows lateral movement during a core exercise such as a sit-up, leg lift, or crunch in order to activate, exercise, and strengthen core muscles.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A core exercise device, comprising:
 a freestanding frame comprising a first frame section and a second frame section;   a support configured to receive a human during exercises having a first end and a second end and supported by the freestanding frame, wherein the freestanding frame is in communication with the first end and the second end of the support;   a lateral rocking movement assembly in communication with the support; and   a brake in communication with the support to adjust lateral movement when applied.   
     
     
         2 . The core exercise device of  claim 1  wherein the support comprises a substantially rigid elongate structure. 
     
     
         3 . The core exercise device of  claim 1  wherein the first frame section is in communication with the first end of the support. 
     
     
         4 . The core exercise device of  claim 3  wherein the second frame section is in communication with the second end of the support. 
     
     
         5 . The core exercise device of  claim 1  wherein the support comprises a first and second support section and the first support section is configured to rotate about the lateral rocking movement assembly independent of the second support section. 
     
     
         6 . The core exercise device of  claim 1  wherein the first frame section of the freestanding frame is configured to provide a plurality of heights for the first end of the support. 
     
     
         7 . The core exercise device of  claim 1  wherein the lateral rocking movement assembly comprises a first movement assembly configured to rotate about a central axis and a second movement assembly configured to rotate about the central axis; and wherein the first movement assembly is configured to rotate independent of the second movement assembly. 
     
     
         8 . The core exercise device of  claim 7  wherein the first movement assembly allows a movement of the first end the support, the second movement assembly allows a movement of the second end the support, and wherein the movement is substantially in a plane perpendicular to the central axis. 
     
     
         9 . The core exercise device of  claim 8  wherein the movement is induced by a body weight movement of the human received on the support. 
     
     
         10 . The core exercise device of  claim 8  wherein the portion or portions of the support are supporting one or more selected from a group consisting of substantially the entire body of the user, substantially the lower body of the user, substantially the upper body of the user, and substantially the midsection of the user 
     
     
         11 . The core exercise device of  claim 1  further comprising one or more resistance elements configured to selectively adjust the lateral movement. 
     
     
         12 . The core exercise device of  claim 11  wherein the one or more resistance elements are selected from a group consisting of springs, magnets, and pneumatic cylinders. 
     
     
         13 . The lateral movement assembly of  claim 11  further comprising one or more controllers for selectively adjusting the lateral movement. 
     
     
         14 . The core exercise device of  claim 7  wherein the lateral rocking movement assembly comprises one or more elements selected from a group of elements in communication with the support and the freestanding frame consisting of:
 a hanging element that hangs at least a portion of the support from the freestanding frame, 
 a spring clement that supports at least a portion of the support on the freestanding frame, a rotatable element that supports at least a portion of the support on the freestanding frame, and a compressible element that supports at least a portion of the support on the freestanding frame. 
 
     
     
         15 . The core exercise device of  claim 1  wherein the brake further comprises at least one handle that is accessible by a user and a brake element in communication with the freestanding support such that the brake can inhibit or substantially stop movement of the support thereby controlling a resistance of movement of the support. 
     
     
         16 . The core exercise device of  claim 1  further comprising a removable lower body support configured to be receive on an upper surface of the support and beneath a portion of the human user's legs. 
     
     
         17 . The core exercise device of  claim 1  further comprising a holding device configured for receiving at least a portion of the human user's lower extremities and holding the portion in a substantially fixed relationship relative to the support. 
     
     
         18 . The core exercise device of  claim 1  further comprising a holding device configured for receiving at least a portion of the human user's upper extremities and holding the portion in a substantially fixed relationship relative to the support. 
     
     
         19 . A core exercise device comprising:
 a substantially elongate and rigid support configured to receive a human during exercises having an opposing fore end and aft end;   a first freestanding frame section in communication with the fore end of the support,   a second freestanding frame section in communication with the aft end of the support, configured to support the aft end of the support at a plurality of selectable heights;   a lateral rocking movement assembly comprising a first movement assembly in communication with the fore end of the support and a second movement assembly in communication with the aft end of the support, wherein the first and second movement assemblies are coaxial and configured to independently rotate about a central axis.   
     
     
         20 . A method of core exercising comprising steps of:
 adjusting a height of an end of a support or an opposite end of the support;   adjusting a resistance element to allow lateral rocking movement of at least one portion of the support about a central axis;   mounting the support in a lying position with the feet of a user proximal to one end of the support;   minimizing lateral rocking movement of the support while moving one or more body parts of the user selected from a group consisting of at least one lower extremity, a lower body, a mid-section, an upper body, and a head; and   dismounting the support.