Gymnastic training apparatus and methods

Abstract

Athletic, and more particularly gymnastic, training apparatus and methods are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a pommel portion of a pommel horse training apparatus, the pommel portion including a plurality of elongate pommel segments. A first pommel segment from the plurality of elongate pommel segments is coupled to a second pommel segment from the plurality of elongate pommel segments. A centerline of the first pommel segment is non-parallel to a centerline of the second pommel segment. The centerline of the first pommel segment is coplanar with the centerline of the second pommel segment.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a pommel portion of a pommel horse training apparatus, the pommel portion including a plurality of elongate pommel segments, a first pommel segment from the plurality of elongate pommel segments being coupled to a second pommel segment from the plurality of elongate pommel segments, a centerline of the first pommel segment being non-parallel to a centerline of the second pommel segment, the centerline of the first pommel segment is coplanar with the centerline of the second pommel segment.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein an interior angle formed by an intersection of the centerline of the first pommel segment and the centerline of the second pommel segment is within the range of about 45 degrees to about 144 degrees. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of elongate pommel segments includes three to ten pommel segments. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of elongate pommel segments has an outer perimeter in the shape of a polygon. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first pommel segment is directly coupled to and in contact with the second pommel segment. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of elongate pommel segments includes a third pommel segment and a fourth pommel segment, the third pommel segment has a centerline substantially coplanar with and parallel to the first pommel segment, the fourth pommel segment having a centerline substantially coplanar with and parallel to the second pommel segment. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the pommel portion includes a plurality of support posts coupled to the plurality of elongate pommel segments such that the plurality of support posts space the plurality of elongate pommel segments apart from a support surface, the plurality of support posts including a number of support posts that is no greater in number than a number of pommel segments in the plurality of elongate pommel segments. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the pommel portion includes a support member and a plurality of support posts, the plurality of elongate pommel segments are coupled to the support member by the plurality of support posts such that the plurality of elongate pommel segments are spaced apart from a surface of the support member, the support member configured to removably couple the pommel portion to a base portion. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the pommel portion has an outermost perimeter from a top view of the pommel portion, the pommel portion includes a pad disposed about at least a portion of the outermost perimeter of the pommel portion. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the pommel portion includes a support member coupled to the plurality of elongate pommel segments,   the plurality of elongate pommel segments define an inner perimeter from a top view of the pommel portion,   a surface of the support member and the inner perimeter defined by the plurality of elongate pommel segments collectively define, from the top view of the pommel portion, an interior region, the pommel portion including a pad disposed on the surface of the support member within the interior region.   
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a base portion coupled to the pommel portion, the base portion including a first end portion, a second end portion opposite the first end portion, and a plurality of sidewalls disposed between the first end portion and the second end portion, the first end portion of the base portion coupled to the pommel portion.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a plurality of mat sections having a first configuration in which the plurality of mat sections are removably coupled together and a second configuration in which the plurality of mat sections are uncoupled, the plurality of mat sections in the first configuration having an outer perimeter and an inner perimeter defining an opening, the opening defined by the inner perimeter of the plurality of mat sections in the first configuration is configured to receive therein at least a portion of the base portion, the inner perimeter of the plurality of mat sections in the first configuration having a shape complementary to an outer perimeter shape of the base portion.   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the shape of the inner perimeter of the plurality of mat sections in the first configuration is a hexagon, the outer perimeter of the plurality of mat sections in the first configuration is in the shape of a polygon different than the hexagon. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of mat sections includes at least a first mat section that has an upper surface with an outermost perimeter that has a first polygonal shape and a second mat section that has an upper surface with a perimeter that has a second polygonal shape different from the first polygonal shape. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein an upper surface of each mat section from the plurality of mat sections defines a polygonal shape. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a base portion coupled to the pommel portion, the base portion having an outer perimeter in the shape of a polygon, the plurality of elongate pommel segments having an outer perimeter in the shape of the polygon.   
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an elongate member configured to be removably coupled to the pommel portion, a first end portion of the elongate member being disposed adjacent a side portion of the pommel portion and a second end portion of the elongate member is extended longitudinally away from the side portion of the pommel portion when the elongate member is removably coupled to the pommel portion, the elongate member has an upper surface configured for a user to practice gymnastic skills.   
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first pommel segment, the second pommel segment, or adjacent end portions of the first pommel segment and the second pommel segment, is at least partially enclosed in a pad. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the pommel portion includes a support member and a plurality of posts that are disposed between the plurality of elongate pommel segments and the support member,   the support member, the plurality of posts and the plurality of elongate pommel segments collectively define an interior volume, and   the pommel portion includes a pommel distinct from the plurality of elongate pommel segments, the pommel is spaced apart from, and at least partially disposed within the interior volume.   
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the pommel portion includes a support member and a plurality of posts that are disposed between the plurality of elongate pommel segments and the support member,   the support member, the plurality of posts and the plurality of elongate pommel segments collectively define an interior volume, and   the pommel portion includes a padded pommel at least partially disposed within the interior volume, the padded pommel is distinct from the plurality of elongate pommel segments, the padded pommel includes an inner pommel and an outer pad, the outer pad is disposed over at least upper and side surfaces of the inner pommel, the padded pommel has a cross-sectional diameter that is greater than a cross-sectional diameter of the first pommel segment.   
     
     
         21 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a pommel portion including a first set of parallel pommel segments and a second set of parallel pommel segments coupled to the first set of parallel pommel segments, the second set of parallel pommel segments being non-parallel to the first set of parallel pommel segments, each pommel segment from the first set of parallel pommel segments and from the second set of parallel pommel segments being linearly arranged on a substantially common geometric plane.   
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the first set of parallel pommel segments is directly coupled to the second set of parallel pommel segments. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the pommel portion includes a third set of parallel pommel segments, the third set of parallel pommel segments being non-parallel to each of the first set of parallel pommel segments and the second set of parallel pommel segments. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the pommel portion has an outer perimeter in the shape of a polygon. 
     
     
         25 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a pommel portion of a pommel horse training apparatus, the pommel portion including a plurality of pommel segments forming a closed geometric shape, each pommel segment from the plurality of pommel segments having a centerline, the centerline of each pommel segment from the plurality of pommel segments being disposed on a geometric plane, the plurality of pommel segments defining an opening within the closed geometric shape; and   a plurality of posts configured to support the pommel above and spaced apart from a support surface.   
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein the closed geometric shape is a polygon or a circle. 
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , further comprising:
 the support surface, the support surface including a support member coupled to the plurality of posts; and   a base portion, the support member removably coupled to and disposed on the base portion.   
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , further comprising:
 a sensor unit disposed in the opening of the plurality of pommel segments, the sensor unit configured to detect at least one of (1) a threshold amount of pressure caused by contact of a user with the sensor unit, (2) proximity, within a predetermined distance, of a user with a portion of the sensor unit, or (3) a threshold amount of movement of the sensor unit with respect to the pommel portion, the sensor unit configured to produce a signal in response to detection of the at least one of the threshold amount of pressure, the proximity, or the threshold amount of movement.   
     
     
         29 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , further comprising a metronome coupled to the pommel horse training apparatus.