Exercise apparatus and method

Abstract

An apparatus and method, for introduction of unilateral and asymmetrical movements into a plurality of exercises is generally described. In an embodiment, the exercise apparatus is provided in which asymmetrical weight loading enables introduction of unilateral and asymmetric movements into the plurality of exercises. In a further embodiment, a method of instructing and/or using the exercise apparatus is provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An exercise apparatus for introducing unilateral and asymmetric movements into a plurality of exercises, comprising:
 a first lateral member and a second lateral member rigidly disposed in a parallel arrangement;   a plurality of connecting members rigidly disposed and extending transversely between the first lateral member and the second lateral member in a connecting arrangement, the connecting members being equidistantly spaced apart, wherein the connecting members comprise a first connecting member, a last connecting member, and a plurality of intermediate connecting members positioned between the first connecting member and the last connecting member, wherein the first connecting member is disposed near a first end of each of the first and second lateral members and the last connecting member is disposed near a second end of each of the first and second lateral members, wherein the first end and second end form extended portions extending from the first and second lateral members, wherein the extended portions extend symmetrically beyond the first and last connecting members, and wherein the ends of each of the extended portions comprise a slip-resistant cap;   an axes of symmetry of the exercise apparatus about which the apparatus is balanced;   a plurality of holding members rigidly secured near the ends, the holding members being positioned in proximity to the first and last connecting members, and extending from the first and second lateral members in a same direction; and   a plurality of friction grips positioned on one or more of the connecting members and the lateral members.   
     
     
         2 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second lateral members and the connecting members, have a same outer dimension. 
     
     
         3 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the lateral members and the connecting members, further comprise a strong and lightweight material selected from the group comprising metal, alloy, high-strength plastic material, wood, fiberglass and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the lateral members and the connecting members are formed from a material having a tubular shape, and having an outside diameter of between about one inch to about two inches. 
     
     
         5 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the connecting members, are spaced at a distance of about 12 inches to about 18 inches apart, along the length of the lateral members. 
     
     
         6 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus has a uniform density around horizontal and vertical axes of symmetry. 
     
     
         7 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the caps further comprise a durable and slip-resistant material selected from the group comprising plastic, fabric, gripping tape, soft-touch surfaces, and the like. 
     
     
         8 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the holding members are configured for attaching additional weight, adding resistance, providing space between the apparatus and a contact surface, and for mounting a display of the apparatus. 
     
     
         9 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the friction grips further comprise a material that is suitable for gripping and handling the apparatus. 
     
     
         10 . A method for introducing unilateral and asymmetric variables to an exercise movement, thereby controllably improving the conditioning of an exerciser to enhance the exerciser's ability to respond to chaotic physical stimuli and reduce potential injury in the exerciser's routine activities, comprising:
 selecting an exercise movement using an exercise apparatus, wherein the exercise apparatus comprises:
 a first lateral member and a second lateral member rigidly disposed in a parallel arrangement; 
 a plurality of connecting members rigidly disposed and extending transversely between the first lateral member and the second lateral member in a connecting arrangement, the connecting members being equidistantly spaced apart, wherein the connecting members comprise a first connecting member, a last connecting member, and a plurality of intermediate connecting members positioned between the first connecting member and the last connecting member, wherein the first connecting member is disposed near a first end of each of the first and second lateral members and the last connecting member is disposed near a second end of each of the first and second lateral members, wherein the first end and the second end form symmetrical extended portions extending from of the first and second lateral members, wherein the extended portions extend symmetrically beyond the first and last connecting members, and wherein the ends of each of the first and second ends extended portions of each of the first and second lateral members comprise a slip-resistant cap; 
 an axes of symmetry of the exercise apparatus about which the apparatus is balanced; 
 a plurality of holding members rigidly secured near the ends, the holding members being positioned in proximity to the first and last connecting members, and extending from the first and second lateral members in a same direction; and 
 a plurality of friction grips positioned on one or more of the connecting members and the lateral members; 
   selecting a starting foot stance position;   gripping the exercise apparatus in a balanced state around the axes of symmetry;   lifting the apparatus to a starting position;   selecting defined gripping positions using one or more of the plurality of friction grips on the exercise apparatus moving the exercise apparatus to an imbalanced state offset from the axes of symmetry;   selecting a subsequent foot position;   selecting a speed for performing the exercise movement;   then returning the gripping of the exercise apparatus to the balanced state around the axes of symmetry; and   returning the apparatus to the starting position.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the step of selecting an exercise movement further comprises selecting targeted conditioning of the exerciser's upper body, lower body or abdomen. 
     
     
         12 . The step of  claim 10 , wherein the gripping positions and foot positions are selected based on levels of difficulty from a lowest level of difficulty to a highest level of difficulty. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the step of selecting an exercise movement is selected from a group of positions comprising pull, push, rotational/transverse, multi-planar, side-to-side, dragging, angled lifting and angled lowering. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the step of performing the exercise movement further comprises varying combinations of the defined gripping positions, the foot positions, the exercise movement and the speed of the exercise movement. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the step of selecting an exercise movement further includes the step of tailoring the selection to the fitness level of the exerciser. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the step of performing the exercise movement includes pushing, pulling, twisting, pressing, rotating, dragging or holding of the exercise apparatus in static and dynamic motions along the length of the exercise apparatus. 
     
     
         17 . A method of instructing an exerciser for introducing unilateral and asymmetric variables to an exercise movement, thereby controllably improving the conditioning of an exerciser to enhance the exerciser's ability to respond to chaotic physical stimuli and reduce potential injury in the exerciser's routine activities, comprising:
 selecting a starting position for the exerciser to perform an exercise movement by gripping an exercise apparatus in a balanced state around an axes of symmetry of the exercise apparatus, wherein the exercise apparatus comprises:
 a first lateral member and a second lateral member rigidly disposed in a parallel arrangement; 
 a plurality of connecting members rigidly disposed and extending transversely between the first lateral member and the second lateral member in a connecting arrangement, the connecting members being equidistantly spaced apart, wherein the connecting members comprise a first connecting member, a last connecting member, and a plurality of intermediate connecting members positioned between the first connecting member and the last connecting member, wherein the first connecting member is disposed near a first end of each of the first and second lateral members and the last connecting member is disposed near a second end of each of the first and second lateral members, wherein the first end and second end form extended portions extending from the first and second lateral members, wherein the extended portions extend symmetrically beyond the first and last connecting members, and wherein the ends of each of the extended portions comprise a slip-resistant cap; 
 an axes of symmetry of the exercise apparatus about which the apparatus is balanced; 
 a plurality of holding members rigidly secured near the ends, the holding members being positioned in proximity to the first and last connecting members, and extending from the first and second lateral members in a same direction; and 
 a plurality of friction grips positioned on one or more of the connecting members and the lateral members; 
   selecting a starting foot stance position for the exerciser;   instructing the exerciser to grip the exercise apparatus and to lift the apparatus to the starting position;   selecting an exercise movement for the exerciser to perform including selecting defined gripping positions on the exercise apparatus for the exerciser to move the exercise apparatus to an imbalanced state offset from the axes of symmetry;   selecting a subsequent foot position for the exerciser;   selecting a speed for the exerciser to perform the exercise movement; and   instructing the exerciser to return to the initial gripping position wherein the apparatus is returned to the balanced state around the axes of symmetry and to return the apparatus to the starting position.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the step of selecting an exercise movement further comprises selecting targeted conditioning of the exerciser's upper body, lower body or abdomen. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the step of instructing the exerciser to perform the exercise movement further comprises instructing the exerciser to vary combinations of defined gripping positions, foot positions, exercise movement or sequence of exercise movements and speed of the exercise movement(s). 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the step of instructing the exerciser to perform the exercise movement includes instructing the exerciser to push, pull, twist, press, rotate, drag or hold the exercise apparatus in static and dynamic motions along the length of the exercise apparatus.