Plyometric Jump Training Device

Abstract

A plyometric jump training device used to improve health and human fitness includes an elevated perimeter surrounding a central hollow cavity. This device requires the user to control his/her body trajectory to jump on or over the top surface, then down to land inside a smaller central cavity, forcing the athlete to land in a confined space. The device also incorporates lateral jumping into and out of the central hollow cavity, along with other exercise drills to further enhance the workout.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An exercise apparatus for conducting plyometric exercises by a user comprising:
 an elevated perimeter structure having an elevated top surface and a bottom surface adapted for placement on a ground surface;   the elevated top surface and having a height with an elevated top surface to be no less than nine inches high, the elevated top surface being sufficiently strong to support a user when jumping from the ground surface to the elevated top surface;   a central hollow cavity surrounded by the elevated perimeter structure, the central hollow cavity being of sufficient size to receive the feet of the user when jumping from either the ground and over the elevated perimeter or from the elevated top surface and into the central hollow cavity;   the top surface of the perimeter structure having a textured surface to prevent slippage of the user; and   the top edges of the perimeter structure having smoothed and rounded features to protect the athlete during use; and   a bottom surface of the perimeter structure having channels for water drainage in the event the exercise apparatus becomes wet.   
     
     
         2 . The exercise apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the perimeter structure comprises several pieces which are joined together to surround the central hollow cavity. 
     
     
         3 . The exercise apparatus according to  claim 2 , where the collection of perimeter structures has two or more different elevation levels for the top surfaces that all surround the central hollow cavity. 
     
     
         4 . The exercise apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the perimeter structure takes the shape of square. 
     
     
         5 . The exercise apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the perimeter structure takes the shape of a circle. 
     
     
         6 . The exercise apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the perimeter structure takes the shape of a triangle. 
     
     
         7 . The exercise apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the perimeter structure takes the shape of a rectangle. 
     
     
         8 . The exercise apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the perimeter structure takes the shape of a parallelogram. 
     
     
         9 . The exercise apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the perimeter structure takes the shape of a hexagon. 
     
     
         10 . The exercise apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the perimeter structure takes the shape of an octagon. 
     
     
         11 . The exercise apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the perimeter structure takes the shape of a polygon.