Exercise platform system

Abstract

An exercise system is disclosed that includes multiple exercise platforms. These platforms may be stacked or used individually. Each platform in a stack may be successively smaller than the one stacked immediately below it, and exercise challenge may be raised or lowered depending on the level of the stack. The platforms may include features that allow for improved stacking, such as sidewall protrusions that enhance the fit between two stacked platforms, reducing the risk of toppling, slipping, and/or injury. Gripping materials may be used to enhance traction on portions of the platforms, and visual enhancements such as glow in the dark materials, illumination, or other markings may increase the ability of a user to accurately place body parts on the platforms during exercise.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a plurality of exercise platforms, each of which comprises a top surface and a base, the top surface being parallel to a bottom surface of the base for that exercise platform;   wherein a first one of the exercise platforms comprises a lip situated below its top surface, the lip being configured to allow the base of a second one of the exercise platforms to be stacked vertically on top of the lip, and wherein the lip of the first exercise platform includes a plurality of protrusions configured to engage the base of the second exercise platform; and   wherein the top surface of each of the plurality of exercise platforms is successively smaller in area as they ascend in height when stacked, and wherein each is strong enough to support at least two hundred pounds of weight.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the base of each of one or more of the exercise platforms comprises an angular sidewall that is integrally formed with at least a portion of the top surface of that exercise platform. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein for each of the one or more of the exercise platforms the angular sidewall and the at least a portion of the top surface comprise a molded plastic. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein for each of the one or more of the exercise platforms, the molded plastic has sufficient strength to allow a force of at least 1000 pounds to be applied to the top surface of that exercise platform. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the top surface of each of the plurality of exercise platforms is at least 20% smaller in area than the immediate lower exercise platform as they ascend in height when stacked, and wherein the plurality of exercise platforms includes at least three platforms. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein for each of one or more of the exercise platforms, the base, and top surface is circular. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the lip of the first exercise platform comprises:
 a flat area parallel to the top surface for the first exercise platform; and   a sidewall that is perpendicular to the top surface for the first exercise platform.   
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the plurality of protrusions bulge outwardly from the sidewall of the lip of the first exercise platform lip, and wherein the first exercise platform is configured to fit together with the base of the second exercise platform via the plurality of protrusions making contact with a material that comprises the bottom surface of the base of the second exercise platform. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein for each of one or more of the exercise platforms, the base comprises a hollow inner portion and the bottom surface of the base comprises a contiguous gripping surface configured to engage a lip of an immediately lower exercise platform when the exercise platforms are stacked. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the contiguous gripping surface is polyurethane. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the polyurethane comprises a glow in the dark material. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein for each of the plurality of exercise platforms, the top surface and base are oval or polygonal. 
     
     
         13 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a plurality of exercise platforms, each of which comprises a top surface and a base, the top surface being parallel to a bottom surface of the base for that exercise platform;   wherein the plurality of exercise platforms comprises a means for mounting the base of a second one of the exercise platforms vertically on top of a first one of the exercise platforms;   wherein the top surface of each of the plurality of exercise platforms is successively at least 20% smaller in area as they ascend in height when stacked in a particular order, and is strong enough to support two hundred pounds of weight.   
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the means for mounting comprises a plurality of bulges extending outward from a sidewall of a lip of the first exercise platform. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the means for mounting comprises a plurality of bulges extending inward from an interior of the base of the second exercise platform toward a sidewall of a lip of the top surface of the first exercise platform. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the second exercise platform comprises a means for disengaging the means for mounting. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the means for disengaging comprises a plurality of cutouts in the base of the second exercise platform. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the plurality of exercise platforms each comprise a lip integrally formed with at least a portion of the top surface and at least a portion of the base for that platform;
 wherein, when stacked in the particular order, the sidewalls of the plurality of exercise platforms form a have a constant angle relative to the base of the first exercise platform.   
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the base for each of the plurality of exercise platforms comprises a hollow inner portion and a bottom surface. 
     
     
         20 . A system, comprising:
 first, second, and third exercise platforms, each primarily composed of a molded plastic, each respectively having a top surface parallel to a bottom surface of a base for that exercise platform, the first and second exercise platforms each having a respective lip situated below their top surface;   wherein the lip of the first exercise platform is configured to fit together with the base of the second exercise platform, and wherein the lip of the second exercise platform is configured to fit together with the base of the third exercise platform;   wherein the top surfaces of the first, second, and third exercise platforms are each successively at least 15% smaller in area, and each is strong enough to support at least 200 pounds; and   wherein each of the first, second, and third exercise platforms has means for illuminating at least a portion of that respective exercise platform.