Muscle strengthening system and method

Abstract

This disclosure relates to a weighted strength training device. The device comprises a sleeve portion, a flexible weight, and a wrapping portion. The sleeve portion may flexibly form fit around an extremity of a user. The sleeve portion may include a weight pocket configured to carry a flexible weight against the extremity of the user. The weight may be configured to substantially conform to a shape of the extremity of the user while the weight is carried by the weight pocket against the extremity of the user. The wrapping portion and the sleeve portion may form a single piece. The wrapping portion may be configured to flexibly wrap around the sleeve portion, cover the pocket, and secure the flexible weight in the pocket such that the sleeve and weight are substantially prevented from sliding during activity.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A weighted strength training device worn by a user during athletic activity, the device comprising:
 a sleeve portion configured to flexibly form fit around an extremity of the user, the sleeve portion including a weight pocket configured to removably carry a flexible weight against the extremity of the user;   the flexible weight, the flexible weight configured to substantially conform to a shape of the extremity of the user while the flexible weight is carried by the weight pocket against the extremity of the user; and   a wrapping portion coupled to the sleeve portion such that the wrapping portion and the sleeve portion form a single piece, the wrapping portion configured to flexibly wrap around the sleeve portion, cover the weight pocket, and secure the flexible weight in the weight pocket.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the wrapping portion is coupled to the sleeve portion along a first end of the wrapping portion, wherein the wrapping portion stretches around the sleeve portion to form a layer around the sleeve portion, and wherein a second end of the wrapping portion removably couples with the first end via a hooking mechanism included on the first end and the second end to maintain the wrapping portion in a stretched position. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the hooking mechanism is Velcro. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the weight pocket is located on an outer side of the sleeve portion such that the weight pocket does not irritate skin of the user during athletic activity. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the wrapping portion covers the weight pocket entirely. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a second weight pocket included in the sleeve portion and a second flexible weight, wherein the wrapping portion flexibly wraps around the sleeve portion, covers both pockets, and secures both flexible weights in the pockets. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the sleeve portion forms a flexible tube that flexes around the extremity of the user when the sleeve portion is moved into a desired position on the extremity of the user. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the sleeve portion is worn around an arm of the user between a wrist and an elbow of the user. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the flexible weight has a mass of about 4 oz. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the flexible weight has a length of about 3.5 inches, a width of about 3.5 inches, and a thickness of about 0.25 inches. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the sleeve portion is worn around a leg of the user between an ankle and a knee of the user. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the flexible weight has a mass of about 4 oz. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the flexible weight has a length of about 3.5 inches, a width of about 3.5 inches, and a thickness of about 0.25 inches. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the sleeve portion and the wrapping portion are formed from a resilient material. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible weight comprises a series of two or more flexible weights having incrementally different masses, wherein the series of two or more flexible weights are used interchangeably by the user in the weight pocket during athletic activity. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible weight is formed from a polymeric material. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible weight has material properties including an elastic modulus configured to facilitate movement of the flexible weight to substantially conform to the shape of the extremity of the user while the flexible weight is carried by the weight pocket against the extremity of the user. 
     
     
         18 . A method for forming a weighted strength training device worn by a user during athletic activity, the method comprising:
 forming a sleeve portion that flexibly form fits around an extremity of the user,   forming a weight pocket in the sleeve portion configured to removably carry a flexible weight against the extremity of the user;   receiving, with the weight pocket, the flexible weight, the flexible weight configured to substantially conform to a shape of the extremity of the user while the flexible weight is carried by the weight pocket against the extremity of the user;   coupling a wrapping portion to the sleeve portion such that the wrapping portion and the sleeve portion form a single piece; and   flexibly wrapping the wrapping portion around the sleeve portion to cover the weight pocket and secure the flexible weight in the weight pocket.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising coupling the wrapping portion to the sleeve portion along a first end of the wrapping portion, stretching the wrapping portion around the sleeve portion to form a layer around the sleeve portion, and removably coupling a second end of the wrapping portion with the first end via a hooking mechanism included on the first end and the second end to maintain the wrapping portion in a stretched position. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising forming a second weight pocket in the sleeve portion, receiving a second flexible weight with the second weight pocket, and flexibly wrapping the wrapping portion around the sleeve portion to cover both pockets and secure both flexible weights in the pockets.