Apparatus, system, and method for transverse abdominis exercise

Abstract

An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for exercising transverse abdominis muscles, the apparatus comprising a hemispheric element configured to rest over an area of a User's midsection and a belt configured to secure the hemispheric element in contact with the area of the User's midsection wherein the area of the User's midsection may be a User's belly button.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for exercising transverse abdominis muscles, the apparatus comprising:
 a hemispheric element configured to contact an area of a User's midsection; and   a belt configured to secure the hemispheric element in contact with the area of the User's midsection.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the area of the User's midsection is a User's belly button. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the hemispheric element is solid or hollow and comprises at least one of hard rubber, plastic, metal, wood, synthetic foam, and leather. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the hemispheric element is a least one of permanently attached and detachably attached to the belt. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the hemispheric element is in the range of from 1.0 to 1.5, 1.5 to 2.0, 2.0 to 2.5, 2.5 to 3.0, 3.0 to 3.5, 3.5 to 4.0, 4.0, 4.0 to 4.5, and 4.5 to 5.0 inches in diameter. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the belt comprises at least one of neoprene, nylon, spandex, lycra, gortex, rubber, and other elastic and non-elastic material. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the belt comprises at least one of wool, cotton, silk, bamboo, other natural fiber, and a blend of natural and synthetic materials. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the belt is circular and may be slipped on over the User's head or stepped into by the User and pulled up. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the belt is decorated or monogrammed with a preconfigured or custom design. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a fastener for securing the belt around a waist of the User. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein the fastener comprises at least one of a pressure sensitive multiple hook and loop pairing, a hook and eye, a button, a buckle, a snap, and other fastening means. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein the fastener is adjustable in order to allow the hemispheric element to contact the area of the User's midsection with comfortable tension. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein a position of the fastener on the belt is at least one of adjacent to a side of the hemispheric element, opposite the hemispheric element, any intermediate position, and integral to the belt. 
     
     
         14 . A system for exercising transverse abdominis muscles, the system comprising:
 a hemispheric element configured to rest over an area of a User's midsection;   a belt configured to secure a convex face of the hemispheric element in contact with the area of the User's midsection; and   exercise instructions for use of the hemispheric element and the belt.   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the exercise instructions are in an at least one of a personal coaching, print, tactile, audio, audio-visual, and video format. 
     
     
         16 . A method for exercising transverse abdominis muscles, the method comprising:
 providing a User with a hemispheric element and a belt configured to secure a convex face of the hemispheric element in contact with an area of the User's midsection;   applying the hemispheric element and the belt to an area the User's midsection;   the User performing exercise while noting the engagement of the transverse abdominis muscles; and   removing the hemispheric element and the belt.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the area of the User's midsection is a User's belly button. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising adjusting the belt such that the hemispheric element contacts the area of the User's midsection with comfortable pressure. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising providing the User with instructions for exercise. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising evaluating a need for further exercise and performing the further exercise if indicated.