Method and Apparatus for Fitness Exercise

Abstract

In accordance with one embodiment, a method and apparatus for fitness exercise, generally comprising an arcuate board and exercise bands is provided for use in combination with routines designed to enhance the results which may be achieved by presently known exercise machines using a compact, portable device that can be used to exercise nearly every muscle in the body and in both strength exercises and stretching exercises.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for fitness exercise comprising:
 an oblong board for use on a floor having a top surface, a bottom surface, first short side and a second short side and two long sides, said top surface providing a place upon which a person may stand while performing an exercise;   wherein said board is arcuate and said bottom surface comprises an apex for engaging said floor when said person is performing said exercise; and   said top surface further comprising a plurality of anti-slip members transversing said board.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising at least two exercise bands having a first end and a second end. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  comprising a first exercise band wherein said first exercise band first end is releasably attached to said first short side; and
 a second exercise band wherein said second exercise band first end is releasably attached to said second short side. 
 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3  further comprising a first handle and a second handle wherein said first handle is releasably attached to said first exercise band second end; and said second handle is releasably attached to said second exercise band second end. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the arcuate portion extends along more than half the length of said board and said first short side and said second short side are at least one inch above the floor when said apex is in contact with the floor. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said anti-slip members comprise a plurality non-slip positioning pads transversing the lateral axis of the board. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said apex is textured to create an increased coefficient of friction between the board and the floor. 
     
     
         8 . A method for fitness exercise comprising:
 providing a oblong board for use on a floor having a top surface, a bottom surface comprising an apex adapted to rock from side to side on the floor, a first short side and a second short side and two long sides, said top surface providing a place upon which a person may stand while performing an exercise; said top surface further comprising a plurality of anti-slip members transversing said board; placing said board on the floor; having a person stand on said top surface with legs spaced shoulder-width apart and with feet positioned above said positioning pads; and, while said person is standing on said board, and without restraining said sliding element except by said floor and said feet, performing an exercise program including rocking said board without moving said feet.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising the steps of providing at least two exercise bands having a first end and a second end, a first exercise band first end is releasably attached to said first short side of said board; and a second exercise band wherein said second exercise band first end is releasably attached to said second short side of said board; and performing said exercising program. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein said exercise program comprises one or more routines selected from the group consisting of: routines performed with said person standing and facing forward while shifting their weight from one side to the other; routines performed with said person standing and facing forward and holding said exercise bands while shifting their weight from one side to the other; routines performed with said person standing and facing to their right and holding said exercise bands while shifting their weight from one side to the other; routines performed with said person standing and facing to their left and holding said exercise bands while shifting their weight from one side to the other; and routines performed with said person standing and facing forward and holding said exercise bands at shoulder-level and then raising them overhead while maintaining their balance. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein said exercise program comprises two or more routines selected from said group. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8  wherein said anti-slip members comprise a plurality non-slip positioning pads transversing the lateral axis of the board. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8  wherein said apex is textured to create an increased coefficient of friction between the board and the floor. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8  wherein said performing comprises a strength development exercise routine for improving strength, peripheral nervous system activity, balance, flexibility, and joint stabilization.