Device, system and method for performing compound multi-directional resistance exercises

Abstract

A system for performing multi-directional resistance exercises including a handheld exercise device with a handle portion and a weighted portion connected to the handle portion, wherein the handheld exercise device is configured and dimensioned to create an exercise stimulus upon application of a first directional force generated by a muscle or group of muscles of a user, which first directional force is oriented substantially aligned with and opposed to the force of gravity exerted upon the weighted handheld exercise device; and at least one resistance device including a resistance element configured and dimensioned to compress upon application of a force exerted thereon, the at least one resistance device connected to the handheld exercise device to dispose the resistance element at an orientation such that a second directional force applied by a user to compress the resistance element against a surface.

1 . A system for performing multi-directional resistance exercises, comprising:
 a handheld exercise device including a handle portion and at least one weighted portion connected to the handle portion, wherein the handheld exercise device is configured and dimensioned to create an exercise stimulus upon application of a first directional force generated by a muscle or group of muscles of a user, which first directional force is oriented substantially aligned with and opposed to the force of gravity exerted upon the weighted handheld exercise device; and   at least one resistance device including a resistance element configured and dimensioned to compress upon application of a force exerted thereon, the at least one resistance device connected to the handheld exercise device to dispose the resistance element at an orientation such that a second directional force applied by a user to compress the resistance element against a surface.   
     
     
         2 . A system according to  claim 1 , where the handheld exercise device is selected from the group consisting of dumbbells and kettlebells. 
     
     
         3 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one resistance device further includes a sleeve configured to at least partially enclose the resistance element and further configured to connect the resistance element to the handheld exercise device. 
     
     
         4 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one resistance device is permanently secured to the handheld device. 
     
     
         5 . The system according to  claim 3 , wherein the sleeve is expandable and further configured to removably attach the resistance element to the handheld exercise device. 
     
     
         6 . The resistance system according to  claim 1 , wherein the resistance element is constructed from one or more of a compressible foam, rubber and a spring. 
     
     
         7 . The resistance system according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one resistance device comprises a first resistance device including a first resistance element and a second resistance device including a second resistance element, the first and second resistance devices being connected to the handheld exercise device at different orientations with respect to the other. 
     
     
         8 . The resistance system according to  claim 6 , wherein the first and second resistance elements are configured and dimensioned to have different compressibility relative to each other. 
     
     
         9 . The resistance system according to  claim 7 , wherein the first resistance element is a resilient foam having a first compressibility and the second resistance element is a resilient foam having a second compressibility different from the first compressibility. 
     
     
         10 . A handheld exercise device for multi-directional resistance exercises comprising:
 a bar-shaped handle having a first end and a second end;   a first weighted portion connected to the first end of the handle;   a second weighted portion connected to the second end of the handle; and   at least one resistance device configured and dimensioned such that at least a portion thereof is compressible sufficient to compress upon application of a force exerted thereon, the at least one resistance device connected to the first weighted portion at an orientation such that a first directional force applied to compress the at least one resistance device against a surface is substantially non-aligned with the force of gravity acting upon the handheld exercise device,   wherein upon use the handheld exercise device creates a first and second exercise stimuli resulting from application of first and second directional forces generated by a muscle or group of muscles of a user, the first directional force being oriented substantially aligned with and opposed to the force of gravity exerted upon the handheld exercise device and the second directional force being oriented substantially non-aligned with the force of gravity causing the at least one resistance device to compress when contacted by a surface.   
     
     
         11 . The handheld exercise device according to  claim 10 , the at least one resistance device including a resistance element and a sleeve, wherein the sleeve is configured to connect the resistance element to the handheld exercise device such that the sleeve at least partially encloses the resistance element. 
     
     
         12 . The handheld exercise device according to  claim 11 , wherein the sleeve is expandable and further configured to removably attach the resistance element to the handheld exercise device. 
     
     
         13 . The handheld exercise device according to  claim 10 , wherein the at least one resistance device includes one or more of a compressible foam, rubber and a spring. 
     
     
         14 . The handheld exercise device according to  claim 11 , wherein the at least one resistance device comprises a first resistance device including a first compressible resistance element and a first sleeve, and a second compressible resistance device including a second resistance element and a second sleeve, the first resistance device being connected to the first weighted portion and the second resistance device being connected to the second weighted portion. 
     
     
         15 . The handheld exercise device according to  claim 14 , wherein the first and second compressible resistance elements are configured and dimensioned to have different compressibility such that the force required to compress the first and second resistance elements the same predetermined amount differ from each other. 
     
     
         16 . A system for use with handheld exercise equipment comprising:
 at least one pair of resistance devices, wherein each resistance device includes:
 a compressible resistance element having a first predetermined compressibility; and 
 an elastic sleeve having an opening formed at an end thereof to receive the compressible resistance element within the sleeve, wherein the sleeve is configured to attach the resistance device to a weighted portion of a handheld exercise device such that the sleeve at least partially encloses the resistance element. 
   
     
     
         17 . The system according to  claim 16  wherein the at least one pair of resistance devices includes first and second pairs of resistance devices wherein the compressible resistance elements of the first pair of resistance devices has a first predetermined compressibility and the compressible resistance elements of the second pair of resistance devices having a second predetermined compressibility different from the first predetermined compressibility. 
     
     
         18 . The resistance system according to  claim 16 , wherein the resistance elements are constructed from one or more of a compressible foam, rubber and a spring. 
     
     
         19 . A resistance device comprising:
 a body portion including at least one compressible resistance element having a first predetermined compressibility; and   a connector positioned on the body portion, the connector configured and dimensioned to removably attach the resistance exercise device to an end portion of a dumbbell such that the compressible resistance element is disposed to extend away from an end portion of a dumbbell when the resistance device is attached thereto.   
     
     
         20 . The resistance device of  claim 19 , where the connector includes an elastic sleeve at least partially enveloping the compressible resistance element, wherein the sleeve is configured to attach the resistance device to a dumbbell.