Force distributing grip for exercise equipment

Abstract

In some embodiments, the current invention relates to a system and/or method to distribute forces and/or arrange the geometry of a grip of exercise equipment to server to strengthen a grasping muscle of the user. For example, the grip may be designed to be held by one or more fingers in partially open and/or an unlocked position. For example, the grip may be designed for different fingers to grasp at different geometries and/or forces to exercise grasping muscles. In some embodiments, the grip has a variable geometry, for example it may be tapered (for example, as a cut off conical section) and/or bulging and/or with an indentation. The grip may be made of elastomer such as artificial polymer, latex and/or silicone. Optionally the grip has a non slip surface. In some embodiments, the grip fits over a handle of a piece of exercise equipment.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A grip add on comprising:
 a cavity for placing around a handle;   a variable thickness body having a variable gripping width for different fingers of a hand grasping said handle wherein:
 at least one finger position has a first width of between 35 to 150 mm and 
 at least one other finger position has a second width and a ratio of said first width to said second width is greater than 1.1. 
   
     
     
         2 . The grip of  claim 1 , wherein said width is greater than 1.5. 
     
     
         3 . The grip of  claim 1 , wherein said width is greater than 3. 
     
     
         4 . The grip of  claim 1 , wherein said grip is made of plastic. 
     
     
         5 . The grip of  claim 1 , wherein said grip has a hardness of between 50A to 70A on a Shore durometer scale. 
     
     
         6 . The grip of  claim 1 , wherein said grip has a tapered shape. 
     
     
         7 . The grip of  claim 1 , wherein said cavity is cylindrical with an inner diameter configured to fit a bar of 28 mm. 
     
     
         8 . The grip of  claim 1 , wherein said cavity is cylindrical with an inner diameter of between 25 to 32 mm. 
     
     
         9 . The grip of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 a slit facilitating placing said cavity over a bar.   
     
     
         10 . The grip of  claim 1 , wherein said grip has a tapered shape. 
     
     
         11 . The grip of  claim 10 , wherein said grip has a shape of a conical section. 
     
     
         12 . The grip of  claim 1 , wherein said grip has centrally bulging shape. 
     
     
         13 . The grip of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an indentation configured to facilitate proper positioning of a thumb.   
     
     
         14 . A method of developing a gripping muscle comprising:
 supplying an exercise device with a handle;   placing on the handle a grip having a wide portion with a width of between 35 to 150 mm and a narrow portion having a width no more than 0.9 times the width of said wide portion;   holding said grip with at least one finger on said wide portion and at least one other finger on said narrow portion;   exercising with said device while holding said grip.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further wherein said holding includes positioning a pinky on a wider portion than a pointer finger. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , further wherein said holding includes positioning a pointer finger on a wider portion than a pinky. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said grip has a cavity and said placing includes positioning said handle in said cavity. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said grip includes a slit and wherein said placing includes opening said slit and sliding said handle through said slit into said cavity. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said grip has a tapered shape and wherein said placing includes positioning said tapered shape on said handle with a narrow portion pointed outward for grasping with a pinky. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said grip has a tapered shape and wherein said placing includes positioning said tapered shape on said handle with a narrow portion pointed inward for grasping with a pointer finger.