Weighted shin guard

Abstract

A weighted shin guard is designed to be worn during exercise for building strength, endurance and speed. The weighted shin guard moves the weight from the ankle to the shin, where it is no longer putting a strain on the ankle joint and affecting joint movement. The weighted shin guard is similar in size and shape to traditional shin guards, and can be worn discreetly, unlike other conventional ankle or shin strapped weights. In addition, the weighted shin guard includes the built-in functionality of protecting the shin from impact, enabling the user to switch seamlessly between traditional shin guards and weighted shin guards.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A weighted shin guard comprising:
 an exterior layer providing impact resistance;   a weighted material layer disposed behind the exterior layer, the weighted material providing additional weight to the weighted shin guard between about 0.5 pounds and 8 pounds; and   an inner padding layer disposed behind the weighted material layer.   
     
     
         2 . The weighted shin guard of  claim 1 , wherein the weighted material layer is formed from a metal. 
     
     
         3 . The weighted shin guard of  claim 2 , wherein the metal is stainless steel. 
     
     
         4 . The weighted shin guard of  claim 1 , further comprising an outer padding layer disposed between the exterior layer and the weighted material layer. 
     
     
         5 . The weighted shin guard of  claim 4 , wherein the outer padding layer is formed as a foam layer. 
     
     
         6 . The weighted shin guard of  claim 1 , wherein the inner padding layer is formed as a foam layer. 
     
     
         7 . The weighted shin guard of  claim 1 , wherein exterior layer is formed from a silicone rubber material. 
     
     
         8 . The weighted shin guard of  claim 1 , wherein the exterior layer further provides impact absorption. 
     
     
         9 . The weighted shin guard of  claim 1 , wherein the weighted material layer includes at least two weighted material layers disposed adjacent each other. 
     
     
         10 . The weighted shin guard of  claim 1 , wherein the exterior layer, the weighted material layer and the inner padding layer are integrated into a single unit. 
     
     
         11 . The weighted shin guard of  claim 1 , further comprising a surface pattern disposed on an exterior face of the exterior layer. 
     
     
         12 . The weighted shin guard of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the exterior layer and the interior layer include a lip covering an outer periphery of the weighed material layer. 
     
     
         13 . A weighted shin guard, comprising:
 an exterior layer providing impact resistance and impact absorption;   at least one metal layer disposed behind the exterior layer, the at least one metal layer having a weight from about 0.5 to about 8 pounds; and   an inner padding layer disposed behind the weighted material layer.   
     
     
         14 . The weighted shin guard of  claim 13 , further comprising an outer padding layer disposed between the exterior layer and the weighted material layer. 
     
     
         15 . The weighted shin guard of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one metal layer includes at least two metal layers disposed adjacent each other. 
     
     
         16 . The weighted shin guard of  claim 13 , wherein the exterior layer, the at least one metal layer and the inner padding layer are integrated into a single unit. 
     
     
         17 . The weighted shin guard of  claim 13 , wherein the exterior layer is formed from a silicone rubber material. 
     
     
         18 . The weighted shin guard of  claim 13 , wherein at least one of the exterior layer and the interior layer include a lip covering an outer periphery of the weighed material layer. 
     
     
         19 . A method for providing supplemental above-the-ankle weight and shin protection to a user during an exercise, comprising:
 applying a weighted shin guard about at least a portion of a shin of the user, the weighted shin guard including an exterior layer providing impact resistance and impact absorption, at least one metal layer, having a weight from about 0.5 to about 8 pounds, disposed behind the exterior layer.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the exterior layer, the at least one metal layer and the inner padding layer are integrated into a single unit. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein:
 the exterior layer is formed from a silicone rubber material; and   at least one of the exterior layer and the interior layer include a lip covering an outer periphery of the weighed material layer.