Gymnastics hip circle training apparatus and method

Abstract

The present invention provides an apparatus and method for use in training in the skills of gymnastics front and back hip circles, which may be used by a gymnast without assistance or spotting by a coach. The apparatus is constructed and arranged to keep a gymnast in a correct body position and to prevent the gymnast from being able to successfully complete the skill if the gymnast shifts from the correct body position, thereby providing the gymnast instant feedback. The apparatus comprises a plastic tube having a right side, a left side, an interior lumen and an exterior surface, a rod located within the plastic tube interior lumen, a right adjustable strap, a left side adjustable strap, a right side end cap, and a left side end cap. The apparatus may further comprise an optional vinyl or foam pad located on the exterior of the plastic tube.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A gymnastic training apparatus for training gymnastic hip circles on a stationary gymnastic bar device, the gymnastic training apparatus comprising:
 (a) a cylindrical sleeve comprising a right sleeve portion, a left sleeve portion, an exterior surface, and an interior sleeve lumen having a right sleeve opening and a left sleeve opening; the cylindrical sleeve further comprising a pair of right axial bores and a pair of left axial bores;   (b) an interior core rod located within the interior sleeve lumen of the cylindrical sleeve, the interior core rod having a right axial core rod channel and a left axial core rod channel;   (c) a right end cap located at the right cylindrical sleeve end;   (d) a left end cap located at the left cylindrical sleeve end;   (d) a right adjustable strap constructed and arranged to extend through the right core rod opening and the right sleeve bores, the right adjustable strap comprising a first right strap end, a second right strap end and a right adjustable securement element constructed and arranged to securely retain the right strap; and   (e) a left adjustable strap constructed and arranged to extend through the left core rod opening and the right sleeve bores, the left adjustable strap comprising a first left strap end, a second left strap end and a left adjustable securement element constructed and arranged to securely retain the left strap; the gymnastic training apparatus being constructed and arranged to be removably and securely mounted to the gymnastic bar device and to be adjustable to a gymnast on the stationary gymnastic bar device by adjustment of the right adjustable strap and the left adjustable strap.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a resilient pad removably located on the exterior surface of the cylindrical sleeve. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the resilient pad is made of vinyl material, foam material, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the cylindrical sleeve is made of a plastic material. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the right end cap and the left end cap are made of polyvinylchloride (PVC). 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the interior core rod comprises a wood dowel. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the right adjustable strap securement element and the left adjustable strap securement element comprise Velcro® hook and loop fasteners. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the right adjustable strap securement element comprises a right adjustable buckle located at the first right strap end, and the left adjustable strap securement element comprises a left adjustable buckle located at the first left strap end. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein the right adjustable buckle further comprises a right adjustable cam buckle or a right adjustable strap ratchet and the left adjustable buckle further comprises a left adjustable cam buckle or a left adjustable strap ratchet, the right and left adjustable cam buckles or strap ratchets respectively being constructed and arranged to securely hold the right adjustable strap and the left adjustable strap in place. 
     
     
         10 . A gymnastic training method comprising the steps of:
 (a) providing a gymnastic training apparatus as in  claim 1 ;   (b) providing a stationary gymnastics bar device;   (c) placing and securing the gymnastic training apparatus on the stationary gymnastics bar device so that the gymnastic training apparatus hangs from the stationary gymnastics bar device a first predetermined distance, the predetermined distance defining a space between the gymnastic training apparatus and the stationary gymnastics bar device;   (d) having a gymnast with a pair of arms and a pair of legs, who is using the stationary gymnastics bar device assume a front support position on the stationary gymnastics bar device;   (e) having the gymnast place the pair of legs through the space between the gymnastic training apparatus and the stationary gymnastics bar device while holding the front support position;   (f) adjusting the gymnastic training apparatus to the gymnast using the stationary gymnastics bar device so that the gymnastic training apparatus hangs from the stationary gymnastics bar device a second predetermined distance, the second predetermined distance being low enough to rest against the pair of legs of the gymnast at an upper thigh area or lower buttocks area of the gymnast when the gymnast is in the front support position so that the gymnastic training apparatus supports the gymnast against the stationary gymnastics bar device; and   (g) having the gymnast starting in the front support position holding onto the stationary gymnastics bar device circle forward to complete a forward hip circle, or circle backward to complete a back hip circle in a correct body position maintained by the gymnastic training apparatus without assistance or physical spot from a coach.