Apparatus for Increasing Core Strength and Improving Balance

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a training apparatus for increasing core body strength and balance and for providing a repetitive pitching motion exercise for baseball pitchers. The training apparatus comprises a frame structure having a pair of laterally spaced base members for bracing the apparatus on the floor. Each base member is attached to an upright support member that are attached at the top by a lateral connector. A balance pulley is attached to the lateral connector and a balance cord is threaded through the balance pulley. The balance cord has a ball attached to one end and a foot strap attached to the opposite end, such that a user of the apparatus attaches the balance cord foot strap to the non-pivot foot of the user, grabs and extends the ball simulating a throwing motion involving the forward extension of the arm and the forward leaning of the upper body thereby placing the balance cord in tension and lifting the users non-pivot foot and leg upwards towards the balance pulley, thereby forcing the user into a prototypical pitching form. Through repetition, the user strengthens the core muscles, improves balance and increases muscle memory, all in a manner that trains the user to consistently achieve the prototypical pitching form.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A training apparatus for increasing core strength and improving balance, said apparatus comprising:
 A frame structure having a pair of laterally spaced base members, each said base member attached to an upright support member, said support members attached at the top by a lateral connector, said support members being height adjustable in order to raise and lower the lateral connector;   A balance pulley attached to the underside of the lateral connector and extending downward, said balance pulley capable of swiveling and having an adjustable resistance;   A balance cord threaded through the balance pulley, said cord having a ball attached to a first end and a foot strap attached to the second end;   A variable tension wheel attached to one or more of the base members,   A tension cord having a first end attached to the tension wheel and a second end with a foot strap,   Whereby, when in use, the balance cord foot strap and the tension cord foot strap are both attached to the non-pivot foot of a user and the user grabs the ball end of the balance cord and simulates a throwing motion involving the forward extension of the arm and the forward leaning of the upper body thereby placing the balance cord in tension and lifting the users non-pivot foot and leg upwards towards the balance pulley while such upward foot motion is resisted by the tension cord.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  where the balance pulley is a multi-wheel pulley. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a mat having a foot guide for indicating where a user should place a pivot foot and having a balance bubble for creating instability to the user when performing the exercise. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  where said laterally spaced base members include attachment means for attaching an accessory. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4  where the accessory is a balance handle. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a wearable apparatus and one or more stabilizing cords, each said stabilizing cord attached at one end to said frame and having second end adapted to be attachable to the wearable apparatus. 
     
     
         7 . A training apparatus for increasing core strength and improving balance, said apparatus comprising:
 A frame structure having a pair of laterally spaced base members, each said base member attached to an upright support member, said support members attached at the top by a lateral connector;   A balance pulley attached to the lateral connector;   A balance cord threaded through the balance pulley, said cord having a grip attached to a first end and a foot strap attached to the second end;   Whereby, when in use, the balance cord foot strap is attached to the non-pivot foot of a user and the user, while gripping the grip end of the balance cord, simulates a throwing motion involving the forward extension of the arm and the forward leaning of the upper body thereby placing the balance cord in tension and lifting the users non-pivot foot and leg upwards towards the balance pulley.   
     
     
         8 . The training apparatus of  claim 7  where said support members are height adjustable. 
     
     
         9 . The training apparatus of  claim 7  where the balance pulley has a variable resistance. 
     
     
         10 . The training apparatus of  claim 7  where grip is a baseball attached to the balance cord. 
     
     
         11 . The training apparatus of  claim 7  further comprising a variable tension wheel attached to one or more of the base members, and
 a tension cord having a first end attached to the tension wheel and a second end with a foot strap. 
 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 7  where the balance pulley is a multi-wheel pulley. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 7  further comprising a mat having a foot guide for indicating where a user should place a pivot foot and having a balance bubble for creating instability to the user when performing the exercise. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 7  where said laterally spaced base members include attachment means for attaching one or more balance handles. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 7  further comprising a wearable apparatus and one or more stabilizing cords, each said stabilizing cord attached at one end to said frame and having second end adapted to be attachable to the wearable apparatus.