Exercise apparatus

Abstract

An exercise apparatus and method for exercising at least a user's abdominal muscles is provided having a support frame, a platform pivotally connected to the support frame and having means for tilting the platform relative to the frame between a forward tilting position and a rearward tilting position. A bracket connects the platform to the support frame and includes a friction bearing mechanism for rotating the platform 360 degrees. A resistance element is secured between the support frame and platform.

I claim: 
     
         1 . An exercise apparatus for exercising at least a user's abdominal muscles comprising:
 a support frame;   a platform connected to said support frame and having means for tilting said platform relative to said frame between a forward tilting position and a rearward tilting position; and   means for connecting said platform to said support frame, wherein said connecting means includes a swivel means for rotating the platform 360 degrees, wherein said platform simultaneously tilts and rotates relative to said support frame.   
     
     
         2 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the platform is padded memory foam. 
     
     
         3 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the means for connecting the platform to the support frame is a bracket. 
     
     
         4 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 3  wherein the swivel means of the bracket includes a friction bearing mechanism having a plurality of ball bearings and a channel for retaining the ball bearings within the mechanism. 
     
     
         5 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the support frame includes a pair of tubular support members attached to a pair of cross members. 
     
     
         6 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 5  wherein the tubular support members include non-skid gripping feet. 
     
     
         7 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a resistance element frame for providing resistance to the tilting means. 
     
     
         8 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the resistance element is at least one spring removably connected to the platform and support frame. 
     
     
         9 . An exercise apparatus for exercising at least a user's abdominal muscles comprising:
 a support frame;   a padded platform having means for tilting said platform relative to said frame between a forward tilting position and a rearward tilting position;   a bracket connecting said platform to said support frame, having means for swiveling the platform, wherein the swivel means includes a friction bearing mechanism having a plurality of ball bearings and a channel for retaining the ball bearings within the mechanism; and   at least one resistance element secured between said support frame and said padded platform for providing exercise resistance.   
     
     
         10 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 9  further comprising a mounting plate coupled to the support frame. 
     
     
         11 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 10  further comprising a fastening means having a vertical axis for connecting the bracket to the mounting plate and allowing the platform to rotate 365 degrees about the vertical axis. 
     
     
         12 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the bracket includes a pair of upwardly extending sides having horizontally aligned apertures. 
     
     
         13 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 12  wherein the titling means includes a channel member having a pair of parallel sides, a clearance space defined between the sides and horizontally aligned holes within the sides. 
     
     
         14 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 13  further comprising a fastening means having a horizontal axis, wherein the holes of the channel member align with the apertures of the bracket and are secured together by the fastening means along the horizontal axis, for allowing the platform to tilt about the axis of the fastening means. 
     
     
         15 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 9  wherein one or more of the resistance elements are springs. 
     
     
         16 . A method of exercising by a user, the steps comprising:
 providing an exercise apparatus comprising a support frame;   a padded platform pivotally connected to said support frame and having means for tilting said platform relative to said frame between a forward tilting position and a rearward tilting position;   means for connecting said platform to said support frame, wherein said connecting means includes a swivel means for rotating the platform 360 degrees;   positioning the support frame on a flat surface;   resting at least one body part on the padded platform; and   performing an exercise utilizing at least the abdominal and core muscles in tilting and twisting motions by tilting and swiveling the platform to strengthen, contract or stretch the muscles.   
     
     
         17 . The method of exercising of  claim 16  the steps further comprising positioning at least one body part on the ground for stability and increased resistance. 
     
     
         18 . The method of exercising of  claim 16  the steps further comprising increasing exercise resistance by securing a spring between said support frame and said padded platform.