Garment apparatus and method for exercise

Abstract

An apparatus for targeted fat tissue loss in the form of a garment is provided. The garment is configured, for example, as a pair of either short or long pants, and comprises an integrated elastic member. The elastic member conforms to and compresses with an inward pressure a targeted body region of the wearer's body. For example, a region proximate to the lower torso/waist of the wearer may be targeted. The garment further comprises a zipper and waistband portion. The zipper extends vertically, for example, on the side of the garment, making the garment easier to put on and take off. The waistband portion helps secure the garment to the wearer's body.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . An exercise garment configured as a pair of pants, comprising:
 (a) a pants portion;   (b) a substantially flat elastic member, said substantially flat elastic member defining an upper edge, a lower edge, a first side edge, and a second side edge, said substantially flat elastic member being configured and dimensioned to extend around a wearer's body, said substantially flat elastic member having a length smaller than the waist of the wearer, and a width dimensioned to extend upwardly from the center of the waist of the wearer's body to a point on the wearer's body substantially displaced above the center of the waist of the wearer, said width further being dimensioned to extend downwardly from the center of the waist of the wearer's body to a point on the wearer's body substantially displaced below the center of the waist of the wearer; and   (c) an attachment member securing said flat elastic member to said pants portion.   
     
     
         2 . An exercise garment as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising a zipper, said zipper comprising a first strip of mating zipper teeth secured to said first side edge and a second strip of mating zipper teeth secured to said second side edge, said first and second strips being configured to extend across the width of said substantially flat elastic member, said first and second strips of mating zipper teeth being configured and dimensioned to connect the first side edge and second side edge of the elastic member, said zipper being oriented substantially transverse to either said upper edge or said lower edge. 
     
     
         3 . Said exercise garment as stated in  claim 1  further comprising an elastic waistband portion attached to said pants portion configured and dimensioned to extend around the wearer's body. 
     
     
         4 . Apparatus as in  claim 2 , wherein said exercise garment further comprises a closure device positioned at the top of said zipper. 
     
     
         5 . Apparatus as in  claim 4 , wherein said closure joins said first side edge to said second side edge. 
     
     
         6 . Apparatus as in  claim 4 , wherein said zipper is secured to said closure joins said first side and second side edge via said stitching. 
     
     
         7 . Apparatus as in  claim 1 , wherein said substantially flat elastic member comprises a neoprene-like material. 
     
     
         8 . Apparatus as in  claim 1 , wherein said pants portion is configured to act as a pair of long pants. 
     
     
         9 . An exercise garment configured as a pair of pants, comprising:
 (a) a garment member defining a wraparound structure having a portion configured and dimensioned to extend around the waist and/or abdomen and/or hips of a user, said garment member comprising a waist portion proximate the upper portion of said garment member and a leg receiving portion positioned below said waist portion;   (b) an elastic member, said elastic member defining an upper edge, a lower edge, a first side edge, and a second side edge, said elastic member being configured and dimensioned to extend around a wearer's body, said elastic member having a length substantially smaller than the waist of the wearer, and a width dimensioned to extend upwardly from the center of the waist of the wearer's body to a point on the wearer's body substantially displaced above the center of the waist of the wearer, said width further being dimensioned to extend downwardly from the center of the waist of the wearer's body to a point on the wearer's body substantially displaced below the center of the waist of the wearer; and   (c) an attachment member securing said flat elastic member to said pants portion.   
     
     
         10 . An exercise garment as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising a zipper, said zipper comprising a first strip of mating zipper teeth secured to said first side edge and a second strip of mating zipper teeth, said second strip of mating zipper teeth mating with said first strip of mating zipper teeth, said second strip of mating zipper teeth being secured to said second side edge, said first and second strips being configured to substantially extend across the width of said elastic member, said first and second strips of mating zipper teeth being configured and dimensioned to connect the first side edge and second side edge of the elastic member, said zipper being oriented substantially transverse to either said upper edge or said lower edge. 
     
     
         11 . An exercise garment as in  claim 1  further comprising an elastic waistband portion attached to said pants portion configured and dimensioned to extend around the wearer's body. 
     
     
         12 . An exercise garment as in  claim 10 , wherein said pants are long pants which include leg portions configured and dimensioned to cover a substantial portion of the thighs and/or calves of the user. 
     
     
         13 . An exercise garment as in  claim 10 , wherein said pants are short pants which do not include leg portions and is configured and dimensioned to leave the calves of the user uncovered. 
     
     
         14 . An exercise garment as in  claim 10 , wherein said elastic member is substantially flat. 
     
     
         15 . An exercise garment as in  claim 10 , wherein said attachment member comprises thread and secures said elastic member to said garment member along the waist portion of said garment member. 
     
     
         16 . A method for exercising using the garment of  claim 9 , comprising:
 (a) putting on the garment;   (b) adjusting the position of the elastic member to over lie and area of the body where size reduction is desired; and   (c) performing an exercise involving muscles positioned below the elastic member.   
     
     
         17 . A method as in  claim 16 , further comprising
 (d) removing the garment.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the garment includes a closure at the upper and of the zipper, and the closure is engaged prior to completely zipping up the garment. 
     
     
         19 . A garment as in  claim 9  further comprising a closure, said closure comprising male and female members, and where in wherein the closure is positioned on the inside of the garment and the female member extends toward the outside of the garment. 
     
     
         20 . A method as in  claim 16 , wherein the elastic member is positioned over a body part to be reduced, such as the waist or abdomen.