Exercise apparatus

Abstract

Apparatuses and methods are disclosed for performing various physical exercises. A push-up apparatus is disclosed including a handle member having a first distal end portion and a second distal end portion, and first and second support members, each including a substantially flat support surface and a bearing structure rotatably coupled to one of the first and second distal end portions of the handle member, the bearing structure being positioned such that a respective distal end of the handle member is closer to a top surface of the respective support member opposite the support surface than to the support surface. The handle member is configured to rotate axially about a central axis of the handle member independently of the first and second support members.

1 . A push-up apparatus, comprising:
 a handle member having a first distal end portion and a second distal end portion; and   first and second support members, each including:
 a substantially flat support surface; and 
 a bearing structure rotatably coupled to one of the first and second distal end portions of the handle member, the bearing structure being positioned such that a respective distal end of the handle member is closer to a top surface of the respective support member opposite the support surface than to the support surface; 
   wherein the handle member is configured to rotate axially about a central axis of the handle member independently of the first and second support members.   
     
     
         2 . The push-up apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first support member includes one or more weights disposed between the bearing structure and the support surface of the first support member. 
     
     
         3 . The push-up apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the push-up apparatus is configured to be utilized as a dumbbell for weight training exercises. 
     
     
         4 . The push-up apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein movement of the handle member in a substantially circular motion about the central axis of the handle member causes the support surface of at least one of the first and second support members to rotate independently of the handle member about the central axis. 
     
     
         5 . The push-up apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first support member is fixed to the second support member such that axial rotation of the first support member causes similar axial rotation of the second support member. 
     
     
         6 . The push-up apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first support member is fixed to the second support member by an internal shaft disposed at least partially within the handle member and connected between the first and second support members. 
     
     
         7 . The push-up apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the handle member is detachable from the first support member. 
     
     
         8 . The push-up apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the top surface of each of the first and second support members includes a rounded apex surface. 
     
     
         9 . An exercise apparatus, comprising:
 a handle member having a first distal end portion and a second distal end portion; and   first and second support members, each including:
 a substantially flat support surface; 
 a top surface positioned opposite at least a portion of the support surface; and 
 a bearing structure rotatably coupled to one of the first and second distal end portions of the handle member; 
   wherein the handle member is configured to rotate axially about a central axis of the handle member independently of the first and second support members; and   wherein the first support member has a height dimension extending between the support surface and the top surface of the first support member, the height dimension intersecting the central axis of the handle member at a point that is a distance that is more than half of the height dimension away from the support surface of the first support member.   
     
     
         10 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the first support member includes one or more weights disposed between the bearing structure and the support surface of the first support member. 
     
     
         11 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the exercise apparatus is configured to be utilized as a dumbbell for weight training exercises. 
     
     
         12 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein movement of the handle member in a substantially circular motion about the central axis of the handle member causes the support surface of at least one of the first and second support members to rotate independently of the handle member axially about the central axis. 
     
     
         13 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the first support member is fixed to the second support member such that axial rotation of the first support member causes similar axial rotation of the second support member. 
     
     
         14 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the handle member is detachable from the first and second support members. 
     
     
         15 . A method of performing a physical exercise, the method comprising:
 placing first and second exercise devices against a substantially flat ground surface, each of the first and second exercise devices including:
 a handle member having a first distal end portion and a second distal end portion; and 
 first and second support members, each including a substantially flat support surface and a bearing structure rotatably coupled to one of the first and second distal end portions of the handle member, the bearing structure being positioned such that a coupled distal end of the handle member is closer to a top surface of the respective support member opposite the support surface than to the support surface; 
   grasping the handle members of the first and second exercise devices;   adjusting a rotational angle of the first and second exercise devices by axially rotating the handle members of the first and second exercise devices axially independently of the respective first and second support members of each of the first and second exercise devices; and   performing a push-up exercise while grasping the handle members.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 lifting the first exercise device away from the ground surface; and   performing a weight training exercise at least in part by moving the handle member of the first exercise device in a substantially circular motion about a central axis of said handle member, thereby causing the support surface of at least one of the first and second support members of the first exercise devices to rotate independently of said handle member about the central axis.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the first support member of the first exercise device is fixed to the second support member of the first exercise device such that axial rotation of said first support member causes similar axial rotation of said second support member. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the first support member of the first exercise device is fixed to the second support member by an internal shaft disposed at least partially within the handle member of the first exercise device and connected between said first and second support members. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising detaching the handle member of the first exercise device from the first and second support members of the first exercise device. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said moving the handle member in a substantially circular motion is performed at least in part by grasping the handle member of the first exercise device with two hands and moving the handle member of the first exercise device in a substantially circular motion using the two hands.