Exercise apparatus

Abstract

An exercise apparatus comprising a base that can be oriented at any angle and that defines a plurality of connection interfaces, each of which can be designed to support one end of a resilient member in a cantilevered disposition. The connection interfaces can be positioned at or adjusted to a widely varying range of locations and angular orientations with respect to the base. Each resilient members can be configured to support one or more removable stiffening members that provide a resistance force when a force is exerted thereon so as to bend the resilient member.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An exercise device, comprising:
 a first base element supported by a support structure;   a first set of connection interfaces supported by the first base element, the first set of connection interfaces comprising a first connection interface having a first axial centerline and positioned at a first angular orientation and a second connection interface having a second axial centerline and positioned at a second angular orientation that is different than the first angular orientation; and   a pair of independently deflectable resilient members each configured to produce a resistance force when a user exerts a force thereon so as to deflect at least a portion of each resilient member from the longitudinal axis of the relaxed position of each resilient member;   wherein:
 each connection interface is configured to provide a removable support for each resilient member so as to support each resilient member in a cantilever disposition; and 
 the first base element is configured such that a user exercises while standing, kneeling, or sitting directly on a ground surface or on a seated structure directly supported by the ground surface. 
   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , comprising:
 the pair of resilient members comprise a first resilient member configured to be supported by any one of the connection interfaces in a cantilever disposition; and   a second resilient member configured to be supported by any one of the connection interfaces in a cantilever disposition;   wherein:
 the first and second resilient members are configured to produce a resistance force when a user exerts a force thereon so as to bend at least a portion of the resilient member, effecting an exercising of one or more muscles in the user's body; 
 the first resilient member is stiffer than the second resilient member such that a greater force is required to bend at least a portion of the first resilient member as compared to the second resilient member; and 
 each connection interface is configured to support either one of the first and second resilient members. 
   
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , comprising:
 the pair of resilient members comprise a first resilient member configured to be supported by any one of the connection interfaces in a cantilever disposition; and   a second resilient member configured to be supported by any one of the connection interfaces in a cantilever disposition;   wherein:
 the first and second resilient members are configured to produce a resistance force when a user exerts a force thereon so as to bend at least a portion of the resilient member, effecting an exercising of one or more muscles in the user's body; 
 the first resilient member has a cross-sectional size that is different than the cross-sectional size of the second resilient member; and 
 each connection interface is configured to support either one of the first and second resilient members. 
   
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first base element is supported by a frame structure that is supported by the support structure. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the support structure is a ground or a wall surface. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first base element has a generally arcuate shape. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein one or more of the connection interfaces are openings formed generally perpendicular to an arcuate surface of the first base element. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a second base element supported by the support structure, the second base element comprising a second set of connection interfaces supported by the second base element, the second set of connection interfaces comprising a third connection interface having a third axial centerline and positioned at a third angular orientation and a fourth connection interface having a fourth axial centerline and positioned at a fourth angular orientation that is different than the third angular orientation. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein:
 the first axial centerline and the second axial centerline define a first plane;   the third axial centerline and the fourth axial centerline define a second plane; and   the first plane is not coplanar with the second plane.   
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the device is configured such that the first set of connection interfaces can be used by a first user and the second set of connection interfaces can be simultaneously used by a second user. 
     
     
         11 . An exercise device, comprising:
 a first base element supported by a support surface;   a second base element supported by a support surface;   a first set of connection interfaces supported by the first base element, the first set of connection interfaces comprising a first connection interface having a first axial centerline and positioned at a first angular orientation and a second connection interface having a second axial centerline and positioned at a second angular orientation that is different than the first angular orientation;   the second base element comprising a second set of connection interfaces supported by the second base element, the second set of connection interfaces comprising a third connection interface having a third axial centerline and positioned at a third angular orientation and a fourth connection interface having a fourth axial centerline and positioned at a fourth angular orientation that is different than the third angular orientation; and   a plurality of independently deflectable resilient members each configured to produce a resistance force when a user exerts a force thereon so as to deflect at least a portion of each resilient member from the longitudinal axis of the relaxed position of each resilient member;   wherein:
 each connection interface is configured to provide a removable support for each resilient member so as to support each resilient member in a cantilever disposition; 
 the first base element is configured such that a user exercises by deflecting one or more of the resilient members supported by the first base element; and 
 the second base element is configured such that a user exercises by deflecting one or more of the resilient members supported by the second base element; and 
 the second base element is positioned so as to be usable at the same time the first base element is being used. 
   
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11 , comprising:
 the plurality of resilient members comprise a first resilient member configured to be supported by any one of the connection interfaces in a cantilever disposition; and   a second resilient member configured to be supported by any one of the connection interfaces in a cantilever disposition;   wherein:
 the first and second resilient members are configured to produce a resistance force when a user exerts a force thereon so as to bend at least a portion of the resilient member, effecting an exercising of one or more muscles in the user's body; 
 the first resilient member is stiffer than the second resilient member such that a greater force is required to bend at least a portion of the first resilient member as compared to the second resilient member; and 
 each connection interface is configured to support either one of the first and second resilient members. 
   
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 11 , comprising:
 the plurality of resilient members comprise a first resilient member configured to be supported by any one of the connection interfaces in a cantilever disposition; and   a second resilient member configured to be supported by any one of the connection interfaces in a cantilever disposition;   wherein:
 the first and second resilient members are configured to produce a resistance force when a user exerts a force thereon so as to bend at least a portion of the resilient member, effecting an exercising of one or more muscles in the user's body; 
 the first resilient member has a cross-sectional size that is different than the cross-sectional size of the second resilient member; and 
 each connection interface is configured to support either one of the first and second resilient members. 
   
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the first base element and the second base element are supported by a frame structure that is supported by the support structure. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the support structure is a ground or a wall surface. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the first base element and the second base element each have a generally arcuate shape. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein one or more of the connection interfaces are openings formed generally perpendicular to an arcuate surface of the first base element and the second base element. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the first axial centerline and the second axial centerline define a first plane;   the third axial centerline and the fourth axial centerline define a second plane; and   the first plane is not coplanar with the second plane.   
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the device is configured such that the first set of connection interfaces can be used by a first user and the second set of connection interfaces can be simultaneously used by a second user. 
     
     
         20 . A method of exercising one or more muscles of the body using an exercise device, comprising:
 standing directly on a ground surface;   supporting at least a portion of at least one resilient member with a first connection interface;   grasping the at least one resilient member with one's hand or hands;   exerting a force on the at least one resilient member so as to deflect at least a portion of the resilient member from the longitudinal axis of the relaxed position of the resilient member and effect an exercising of one or more muscles in the user's body; and   adjusting the angular orientation of the centerline of the at least one resilient member from the first angular orientation to the second angular orientation by disengaging the resilient member from the first connection interface and supporting the resilient member with a second connection interface, the second connection interface having a different position and/or angular orientation compared to the first connection interface.