Isometric Back, Neck, and Spine Exercise Apparatus

Abstract

An isometric exercise device has two handles and surfaces adapted for interaction with a user's head and/or neck to provide resistance to generally upward or downward movement or force from the user's head. The device can be used to perform a wide variety of back and neck exercises.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An isometric spine exercise device, comprising:
 a base;   a hand grip to the left of the base;   a hand grip to the right of the base;   an upward facing surface above the base supported by one or more first vertical support members attached to the base; and   a downward facing surface above the upward facing surface.   
     
     
         2 . The isometric spine exercise device of  claim 1  wherein the upward facing surface is a padded generally horizontal surface. 
     
     
         3 . The isometric spine exercise device of  claim 1  wherein the downward facing surface is a strap connected to the body adapted to be raised above the body. 
     
     
         4 . The isometric spine exercise device of  claim 1  wherein the distance of the upward facing surface from the bottom of the body is adjustable. 
     
     
         5 . The isometric spine exercise device of  claim 1  wherein the upward facing surface is an air cushion. 
     
     
         6 . The isometric spine exercise device of  claim 1  wherein the downward facing surface is part of a generally oxbow-shaped bridge attached to the body. 
     
     
         7 . The isometric spine exercise device of  claim 1  wherein the body defines a space adapted to contain an air cushion. 
     
     
         8 . An isometric spine exercise device, comprising:
 a base;   one or more first vertical support members extending above the base;   an upward facing surface attached to the first vertical support members above the first vertical support members;   two handles, each attached to opposite sides of the base and first vertical support members; and   a downward facing surface above the upward facing surface attached to one or more second vertical support members attached to the base and/or the first vertical support members.   
     
     
         9 . The isometric spine exercise device of  claim 8  wherein the upward facing surface is a padded generally horizontal surface. 
     
     
         10 . The isometric spine exercise device of  claim 1  wherein the downward facing surface is a strap connected to the body adapted to be raised above the body. 
     
     
         11 . The isometric spine exercise device of  claim 8  wherein the distance of the upward facing surface from the bottom of the body is adjustable. 
     
     
         12 . The isometric spine exercise device of  claim 8  wherein the upward facing surface is an air cushion. 
     
     
         13 . The isometric spine exercise device of  claim 8  wherein the downward facing surface is part of a generally oxbow-shaped bridge attached to the body. 
     
     
         14 . An isometric spine exercise device, comprising:
 a base;   at least two first vertical support members connected by a bridge attached to and rising above the base;   a pair of handles on the base to either side of the arch;   an upward facing surface on the top of the bridge; and   a downward facing surface on the bottom of the bridge.   
     
     
         15 . The isometric spine exercise device of  claim 14  wherein the upward facing surface is a padded generally horizontal surface. 
     
     
         16 . The isometric spine exercise device of  claim 14  wherein the downward facing surface is a strap connected to the body adapted to be raised above the body. 
     
     
         17 . The isometric spine exercise device of  claim 14  wherein the distance of the upward facing surface from the bottom of the body is adjustable. 
     
     
         18 . The isometric spine exercise device of  claim 14  wherein the upward facing surface is an air cushion. 
     
     
         19 . The isometric spine exercise device of  claim 14  wherein the downward facing surface is part of a generally oxbow-shaped bridge attached to the body.