Protective garment for weightlifting

Abstract

A garment for protection of a weightlifter from impact from or contact with a weight bar or barbell is provided. The garment may include one or more padding strip members on the anterior, dorsal, and/or top surfaces and positioned over those areas of a wearer's body contacted by a weight bar or barbell when performing certain lifts. A padding strip member may comprise a hollow member into which is placed a cushioning member configured to absorb or dissipate an impact. The outer surface of a padding strip member may be configured to prevent slippage while the bar or barbell is held in contact with the outer surface. The garment may be manufactured from one or more stretchable materials such that the garment fits snuggly against a wearer's body, and the one or more padding strip members are configured to allow for unimpeded movement while performing weightlifting or other exercise activities.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A garment, comprising:
 a bra member having an anterior surface, a dorsal surface, a neck opening, a first arm opening, and a second arm opening, and;   a first padding strip member having a first width, a first thickness, and a first volume,   wherein the first padding strip member is configured to absorb a first impact having a first force such that the first force is distributed throughout at least a portion of the first volume,   wherein the first padding strip member is attached to the shirt member such that it covers an area of the dorsal surface, and   wherein the garment is configured to fit snuggly against a user's body such that no loose portion thereof impedes the user's motion.   
     
     
         2 . A garment according to  claim 1 , wherein the first padding strip member comprises:
 a first hollow member having an outer surface and an inner surface defining a space; and   a first cushioning material,   wherein the first cushioning material is at least one of: a first foam, a first gel, and a first rubber, and   wherein the first hollow member is configured to receive the first cushioning material within the space defined by the inner surface of the first hollow member.   
     
     
         3 . A garment according to  claim 2 , wherein the first foam is at least one of: a closed cell foam, a rebond foam, and a polyurethane foam,
 wherein the first gel is at least one of: a neoprene gel and a polyurethane gel, and   wherein the first rubber is a lycra rubber.   
     
     
         4 . A garment according to  claim 3 , wherein the first width is from about 2 cm to about 17 cm. 
     
     
         5 . A garment according to  claim 4 , wherein the first thickness is from about 0.5 cm to about 6.0 cm. 
     
     
         6 . A garment according to  claim 5 , wherein first padding strip member is configured such that when the garment is worn by the user, the first padding strip member is positioned over a portion of at least one of: the user's cervical vertebrae at at least one of levels C4 to C7, the user's occipital vertebrae at at least one of levels C2 to C7, and the user's thoracic vertebrae at at least one of levels T1 to T3. 
     
     
         7 . A garment according to  claim 5 , wherein the first padding strip member is configured such that when the garment is worn by the user, the first padding strip member is positioned to absorb an impact from a barbell as the user performs a weightlifting lift. 
     
     
         8 . A garment according to  claim 7 , wherein the weightlifting lift is at least one of: a back squat, a back push press, and a back split jerk. 
     
     
         9 . A garment according to  claim 5 , further comprising: a second padding strip member having a second width, a second thickness, and a second volume,
 wherein the first padding strip member is attached to the shirt member such that it covers a first area of the anterior surface, and   wherein the second padding strip member is attached to the shirt member such that it covers a second area of the anterior surface.   
     
     
         10 . A garment according to  claim 9 , wherein the second padding strip member comprises:
 a second hollow member having an outer surface and an inner surface defining a space; and   a cushioning material,   wherein the second cushioning material is at least one of: a second foam, a second gel, and a second rubber, and   wherein the second hollow member is configured to receive the second cushioning material within the space defined by the inner surface of the second hollow member.   
     
     
         11 . A garment according to  claim 10 , wherein the second foam is at least one of: a closed cell foam, a rebond foam, and a polyurethane foam,
 wherein the second gel is at least one of: a neoprene gel and a polyurethane gel, and   wherein the second rubber is a lycra rubber.   
     
     
         12 . A garment according to  claim 11 , wherein the second width is from about 2 cm to about 17 cm. 
     
     
         13 . A garment according to  claim 12 , wherein the second thickness is from about 0.5 cm to about 6.0 cm. 
     
     
         14 . A garment according to  claim 13 , wherein the first padding strip member is configured such that when the garment is worn by the user, the first padding strip member is positioned over a portion of at least one of: the user's left trapezius muscle, the user's left cervical fascia muscle, the user's left pectoralis major (sternal head) muscle, the user's left pectoralis major (clavicular head) muscle, the user's left clavicle, the user's left cephalic vein, the user's left supraclavicular nerves, and
 wherein the second padding strip member is configured such that when the garment is worn by the user, the second padding strip member is positioned over a portion of at least one of: the user's right trapezius muscle, the user's right cervical fascia muscle, the user's right pectoralis major (sternal head) muscle, the user's right pectoralis major (clavicular head) muscle, the user's right clavicle, the user's right cephalic vein, and the user's right supraclavicular nerves.   
     
     
         15 . A garment according to  claim 13 , wherein the first padding strip member and the second padding strip member are positioned to absorb a first impact and a second impact from a barbell as the user performs a weightlifting lift. 
     
     
         16 . A garment according to  claim 15 , wherein the weightlifting lift is at least one of: a front squat, a front push press, a split jerk, a press lift, and a thruster. 
     
     
         17 . A garment, comprising:
 a bra member having an anterior surface and a dorsal surface,   a hollow member, and   a cushioning material,   wherein the hollow member is configured to receive the cushioning material,   wherein the garment is skin-tight when worn by a user, and   wherein the hollow member is attached to the anterior surface such that the cushioning material absorbs an impact from a barbell as the user performs a weightlifting lift.   
     
     
         18 . A garment according to  claim 17 , wherein the weightlifting lift is at least one of: a power clean lift, a front squat, a front push press, a split jerk, a press lift, and a thruster. 
     
     
         19 . A garment according to  claim 18 , wherein the garment is made from at least one of: a 2-way stretch fabric and a 4-way stretch fabric, a tempra-fiber, merino, polyester, bamboo fiber, and a synthetic fiber having at least one moisture wicking component. 
     
     
         20 . A garment according to  claim 19 , wherein the hollow member is attached to the dorsal surface such that the cushioning member absorbs an impact from a barbell as the user performs a weightlifting lift. 
     
     
         21 . A garment according to  claim 20 , wherein the weightlifting lift is at least one of: a back squat, a back push press, and a back split jerk. 
     
     
         22 . A garment according to  claim 21 , wherein the garment is made from at least one of: a 2-way stretch fabric and a 4-way stretch fabric, a tempra-fiber, merino, polyester, bamboo fiber, and a synthetic fiber having at least one moisture wicking component.