Exercise apparatus and method of making the same

Abstract

An exercise apparatus and method of using an exercise apparatus are disclosed. The exercise apparatus includes a first elongate track and a second elongate track, a first handle, and a second handle. Each track is coupled to a base member such that each track is configured to extend away from the base member in the opposite direction relative to the other track. The first and second elongate tracks are moveable along at least a portion of a length of the base member. The first handle is slidably coupled to the first elongate track such that the first handle is movable along the length of the first elongate track. The second handle is slidably coupled to the second elongate track such that the second handle is movable along the length of the second elongate track.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An exercise apparatus comprising:
 a first elongate track and a second elongate track, each track coupled to a base member such that each track is configured to extend away from the base member in the opposite direction relative to the other track, wherein the first and second elongate tracks are moveable along at least a portion of a length of the base member;   a first handle slidably coupled to the first elongate track such that the first handle is movable along the length of the first elongate track; and   a second handle slidably coupled to the second elongate track such that the second handle is movable along the length of the second elongate track.   
     
     
         2 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first elongate track and second elongate track comprises a substantially T-shaped cross-section. 
     
     
         3 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a cushion attached to the base member and configured to receive the chest of a user of the apparatus, wherein the cushion is configurable to different heights above the base member. 
     
     
         4 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first outer stopper and first inner stopper, each stopper configured to attach to the first elongate track and define a portion of a first elongate movement that the first handle is restricted to move within.   
     
     
         5 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 a second outer stopper and second inner stopper, each stopper configured to attach to the second elongate track and define a portion of a second elongate movement that the second handle is restricted to move within.   
     
     
         6 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the base member includes at least one stability flap configured to substantially stabilize the apparatus. 
     
     
         7 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a first grip portion of the first handle is configured to rotate in place about an axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the first elongate track, and wherein a second grip portion of the second handle is configured to rotate in place about an axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the second elongate track. 
     
     
         8 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first stand and a second stand attached to the first track and second track, respectively, opposite the base member and configured to, along with the base member, support the respective track.   
     
     
         9 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising at least two attachment positions along the length of the base member, the first and second elongate tracks moveable along at least a portion of the length of the base member between the at least two attachment positions. 
     
     
         10 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second elongate tracks are each moveable along the length of the base member to form different angles of incline with respect to a surface upon which the base member rests. 
     
     
         11 . An exercise apparatus comprising:
 a first elongate track and a second elongate track coupled to one another and to a base member, wherein each track is configured to extend away from the base member in the opposite direction relative to the other track and wherein the first and second elongate tracks are each coupled to the base member, each elongate track being moveable along a length of the base member so that each elongate track is vertically moveable between attachment positions along at least a portion of the length of the base member;   a first handle slidably coupled to the first elongate track such that the first handle is movable along the length of the first elongate track; and   a second handle slidably coupled to the second elongate track such that the second handle is movable along the length of the second elongate track,   wherein the first and second elongate tracks are removable from the base member, the first handle is configured to rotate in place, and the second handle is configured to rotate in place.   
     
     
         12 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein at least one of the first elongate track and second elongate track comprises a T-shaped cross-section. 
     
     
         13 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a first outer stopper and first inner stopper, each stopper configured to attach to the first elongate track and define a portion of the first elongate movement that the first handle is restricted to move within; and   a second outer stopper and second inner stopper, each stopper configured to attach to the second elongate track and define a portion of the second elongate movement that the second handle is restricted to move within.   
     
     
         14 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the base member includes at least one stability flap configured to substantially stabilize the apparatus. 
     
     
         15 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the first and second elongate tracks are rotatably coupled to the base member such that each track is adapted to pivot about the base member allowing the tracks to be arranged extending away from the base member in the same direction. 
     
     
         16 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a first stand and a second stand attached to the first track and second track, respectively, opposite the base member and configured to, along with the base member, support the respective track.   
     
     
         17 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the first and second elongate tracks are each moveable along the length of the base member to form different angles of incline with respect to a surface upon which the base member rests. 
     
     
         18 . A method of using an exercise apparatus, the method comprising:
 providing the exercise apparatus having a base member, at least one track, and at least one handle;   configuring the exercise apparatus for use;   grasping the at least one handle of the exercise apparatus; and   sliding the at least one handle along the at least one track.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the exercise apparatus further includes a chest support. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising contacting the chest support with a user's chest while grasping the at least one handle of the exercise apparatus.