Spine saver auxiliary support apparatus for bench press and method for using same

Abstract

The spine saver device is an assistive device which slides over a standard bench used for bench pressing weights. The spine saver device straddles the bench of the equipment and includes a leg support pad with two recesses designed to accept and position the user's legs for desired lumbar support when performing bench press movements and lifting.

I claim: 
     
         1 . An auxiliary leg positioner device for properly positioning a person's legs and calves on a bench of a bench press equipment for desired placement of the person's back while executing a bench press movement, comprising:
 a leg support pad;   said leg support pad further comprising a transverse member having a first recess and a second recess, both of said recesses adapted to support said calves of said legs of said person; and   a support frame resting on a floor and straddling said bench of said bench press equipment and supporting said leg support pad above said bench.   
     
     
         2 . The auxiliary leg positioner device of  claim 1  wherein said first recess and said second recess are generally semi-cylindrical. 
     
     
         3 . The auxiliary leg positioner device of  claim 1  wherein said support frame comprises a pair of legs configured to be situated on either side of said bench. 
     
     
         4 . The auxiliary leg positioner device of  claim 1  wherein said support frame includes a mechanism to adjust the height of said leg support pad. 
     
     
         5 . A spine saver device to aid in positioning a user's legs while the user performs a bench press lift on a bench, comprising:
 a leg support pad, further comprising, a support pad top having a center shoulder, a first recess and a second recess on opposite sides of said center shoulder, a first side shoulder adjacent to said first recess and opposite said center shoulder, and a second side shoulder adjacent to said second recess and opposite said center shoulder;   wherein said first recess and said second recess are concave into said leg support pad and generally semi-cylindrical;   a support frame, further comprising a first leg and a second leg, wherein said first leg is attached to a first end of said leg support pad and said second leg is attached to a second end of said leg support pad;   wherein said first leg and said second leg are sized so as to extend vertically on opposite sides of said bench; and   wherein said support frame holds said leg support pad transversely above said bench.   
     
     
         6 . The spine saver device of  claim 5  wherein said support frame is not attached to said bench. 
     
     
         7 . The spine saver device of  claim 5  wherein said support frame is rotatably attached to said bench. 
     
     
         8 . The spine saver device of  claim 6  further comprising a height adjuster that allows for the raising and lowering of said leg support pad. 
     
     
         9 . The spine saver device of  claim 7  further comprising a height adjuster that allows for the raising and lowering of said leg support pad. 
     
     
         10 . The spine saver device of  claim 5  further comprising a support brace having a first end and a second end, and wherein said support brace first end is attached to said first leg and said support brace second end is attached to said second leg, and wherein said support brace is positioned above said bench. 
     
     
         11 . The spine saver device of  claim 5  further comprising a top bar having a first end and a second end, and wherein said top bar first end is attached to said first leg and said top bar second end is attached to said second leg, and wherein said top bar is positioned above said bench. 
     
     
         12 . The spine saver device of  claim 10  further comprising a top bar having a first end and a second end, and wherein said top bar first end is attached to said first leg and said top bar second end is attached to said second leg, and wherein said top bar is positioned above said bench. 
     
     
         13 . The spine saver device of  claim 5 , further comprising:
 wherein said first leg and said second leg are angled outwardly along their length;   a second end of said first leg is attached near a center of a first floor brace;   a second end of said second leg is attached near a center of a second floor brace;   a foot is attached at each end of said first floor brace; and   a foot is attached at each and of said second floor brace.