Exercise Assistance Band

Abstract

A band is provided for assisting a user with exercises. The band is configured for attachment to a support structure, such as a squat rack, having first and second arms. The band includes a main body extending from a first end portion to a second end portion, the main body being formed of a band material having a relatively low hardness. A first loop is formed at the first end portion and is sized to receive the first arm of the support structure. A second loop is formed at the second end portion and is sized to receive the second arm of the support structure.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A band to assist with exercises for use with a support structure having first and second arms elevated above a base surface, the band comprising:
 a main body extending from a first end portion to a second end portion, the main body being formed of a band material having Shore A Durometer hardness less than approximately 45;   a first loop formed at the first end portion sized to receive the first arm of the support structure;   a second loop formed at the second end portion sized to receive the second arm of the support structure.   
     
     
         2 . The band of  claim 1 , in which the first and second arms of the support structure are disposed at a squat height above the base surface, and in which the main body has a width sufficient to receive a buttocks of a user and thickness sufficient to support at least a weight of the user. 
     
     
         3 . The band of  claim 2 , in which the width of the main body is approximately four inches and the thickness of the main body is approximately ½ inch. 
     
     
         4 . The band of  claim 3 , in which the main body has a length of at least forty inches. 
     
     
         5 . The band of  claim 1 , in which the main body is deformable from a normal state, in which the main body has a normal length, to a stretched state, in which the main body has a stretched length, in which a ratio of the stretched length to the normal length defines a stretch capacity, and in which the band material has a stretch capacity of at least 300%. 
     
     
         6 . The band of  claim 1 , in which the band material comprises pure gum rubber. 
     
     
         7 . The band of  claim 1 , in which the band material comprises polyurethane. 
     
     
         8 . The band of  claim 1 , in which:
 the first end portion of the main body defines a first terminal end and a first connection point, the band further comprising a first fastener to secure the first terminal end to the first connection point to form the first loop; and   the second end portion of the main body defines a second terminal end and a second connection point, the band further comprising a second fastener to secure the second terminal end to the second connection point to form the second loop.   
     
     
         9 . The band of  claim 1 , in which:
 the first end portion of the main body defines a first terminal end and a plurality of first connection points, the band further comprising a first fastener configured to secure the first terminal end to a selected one of the plurality of first connection points to form the first loop; and   the second end portion of the main body defines a second terminal end and a plurality of second connection points, the band further comprising a second fastener configured to secure the second terminal end to a selected one of the plurality of second connection points to form the second loop.   
     
     
         10 . The band of  claim 9 , in which the first fastener comprises a bolt sized for insertion through the selected one of the plurality of first connection points, a first washer bordering the first terminal end, and a second washer bordering the selected one of the plurality of first connection points.