Device for assisting with plank exercises

Abstract

A device for assisting with plank exercises includes an elongated main body having a first axial end, an oppositely disposed second axial end and opposite lateral side walls extending therebetween. The main body comprises at least two telescoping members that may be adjusted to vary the length of the main body and the corresponding degree of stress provided by the exercise. The device includes a support brace positioned in proximity to the first axial end and a base member positioned in proximity to the second axial end. An ankle support is mounted to or extends from the main body. A post extends outwardly from a top surface of the main body and may receive at least one circular weight. The device is oriented so that the support brace rests on the user's lower back and buttocks area and the anterior portions of a user's lower legs rest on the ankle support.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device for assisting with plank exercises, which comprises:
 an elongated main body, the elongated main body having a first axial end and a second axial end situated opposite the first axial end; and   a support brace, the support brace being positioned in proximity to the first axial end of the elongated body;   wherein the support brace is at least partially in communication with the body of a user and the second axial end of the elongated body is at least indirectly in communication with the ground or floor when the device is being used by the user.   
     
     
         2 . A device for assisting with plank exercises as defined by  claim 1 , which further comprises:
 a base member, the base member being situated on the elongated main body in proximity to the second axial end and extending downwardly therefrom.   
     
     
         3 . A device for assisting with plank exercises as defined by  claim 2 , wherein the base member includes at least two legs that extend outwardly and downwardly from the elongated main body in proximity to the second axial end thereof. 
     
     
         4 . A device for assisting with plank exercises as defined by  claim 1 , wherein the elongated main body includes a top surface, and wherein the device further comprises:
 at least one post, the at least one post extending outwardly from the top surface of the elongated main body and being dimensioned to receive a plate-type weight thereon.   
     
     
         5 . A device for assisting with plank exercises as defined by  claim 1 , which further comprises:
 an ankle support, the ankle support being affixed to the elongated main body between the first and second axial ends thereof, and extending outwardly therefrom to provide support to a user's ankles.   
     
     
         6 . A device for assisting with plank exercises as defined by  claim 5 , wherein the ankle support is formed as a cross-member that is perpendicularly situated on the elongated main body. 
     
     
         7 . A device for assisting with plank exercises as defined by  claim 5 , wherein the elongated main body includes opposite lateral side surfaces, and wherein the ankle support is formed as a pair of diametrically opposing posts that extend outwardly from the opposite lateral side surfaces of the elongated main body. 
     
     
         8 . A device for assisting with plank exercises as defined by  claim 1 , wherein the elongated main body comprises at least a first telescoping member and a second telescoping member, the second telescoping member being at least partially receivable within the first telescoping member and being selectively extendable therefrom and retractable therein to adjust the overall length of the elongated main body. 
     
     
         9 . A device for assisting with plank exercises as defined by  claim 8 , which further comprises:
 a reducer, the reducer being interconnected between the first telescoping member and the second telescoping member to center and align one of the first and the second telescoping members at least partially within the other of the first and second telescoping members.   
     
     
         10 . A device for assisting with plank exercises as defined by  claim 8 , wherein at least one of the first telescoping member and the second telescoping member has at least one hole formed diametrically therein, and at least the other one of the first telescoping member and the second telescoping member has a plurality of spaced apart holes formed diametrically therein and at least partially along the axial length thereof, and wherein the overall length of the elongated main body is fixed by aligning the holes in the first telescoping member and the second telescoping member and inserting a pin therethrough. 
     
     
         11 . A device for assisting with plank exercises as defined by  claim 8 , which further comprises:
 means for adjustably locking the first and second telescoping members in a relative position to one another.   
     
     
         12 . A device for assisting with plank exercises, which comprises:
 an elongated main body, the elongated main body having a first axial end and a second axial end situated opposite the first axial end; and   a leg support, the leg support being positioned in proximity to the first axial end of the elongated body;   wherein the leg support is at least partially in communication with the legs of a user and the second axial end of the elongated body is at least indirectly in communication with the ground or floor when the device is being used by the user.   
     
     
         13 . A device for assisting with plank exercises as defined by  claim 12 , which further comprises:
 a base member, the base member being situated on the elongated main body in proximity to the second axial end and extending downwardly therefrom.   
     
     
         14 . A device for assisting with plank exercises as defined by  claim 13 , wherein the base member includes at least two legs that extend outwardly and downwardly from the elongated main body in proximity to the second axial end thereof. 
     
     
         15 . A device for assisting with plank exercises as defined by  claim 12 , wherein the leg support is formed as a cross-member that is perpendicularly situated on the elongated main body. 
     
     
         16 . A device for assisting with plank exercises as defined by  claim 12 , wherein the elongated main body includes opposite lateral side surfaces, and wherein the leg support is formed as a pair of diametrically opposing posts that extend outwardly from the opposite lateral side surfaces of the elongated main body. 
     
     
         17 . A device for assisting with plank exercises as defined by  claim 12 , which further comprises:
 an ankle support, the ankle support being affixed to the elongated main body between the first and second axial ends thereof, and extending outwardly therefrom to provide support to a user's ankles.   
     
     
         18 . A device for assisting with plank exercises as defined by  claim 17 , wherein the ankle support is formed as a cross-member that is perpendicularly situated on the elongated main body. 
     
     
         19 . A device for assisting with plank exercises as defined by  claim 17 , wherein the elongated main body includes opposite lateral side surfaces, and wherein the ankle support is formed as a pair of diametrically opposing posts that extend outwardly from the opposite lateral side surfaces of the elongated main body. 
     
     
         20 . A device for assisting with plank exercises as defined by  claim 12 , wherein the elongated main body comprises at least a first telescoping member and a second telescoping member, the second telescoping member being at least partially receivable within the first telescoping member and being selectively extendable therefrom and retractable therein to adjust the overall length of the elongated main body. 
     
     
         21 . A device for assisting with plank exercises as defined by  claim 20 , which further comprises:
 a reducer, the reducer being interconnected between the first telescoping member and the second telescoping member to center and align one of the first and the second telescoping members at least partially within the other of the first and second telescoping members.   
     
     
         22 . A device for assisting with plank exercises as defined by  claim 20 , wherein at least one of the first telescoping member and the second telescoping member has at least one hole formed diametrically therein, and at least the other one of the first telescoping member and the second telescoping member has a plurality of spaced apart holes formed diametrically therein and at least partially along the axial length thereof, and wherein the overall length of the elongated main body is fixed by aligning the holes in the first telescoping member and the second telescoping member and inserting a pin therethrough. 
     
     
         23 . A device for assisting with plank exercises as defined by  claim 20 , which further comprises:
 means for adjustably locking the first and second telescoping members in a relative position to one another.