Exercise band, kit, and method of use thereof

Abstract

An exercise band including a waist band and a resistance band. The waist band is configured to be wrapped around the waist of a user and the resistance band is stretchable between an unstretched position and a stretched position. The waist band is configured to be releasably connected to the resistance band. Further, an exercise kit including a waist band and a number of resistance bands is disclosed. Each resistance bands in the exercise kit requires a different force for stretching the resistance band between the unstretched and stretched positions. Furthermore, a method for a user to exercise is disclosed. The method includes providing an exercise band, wrapping the waist band around the waist of the user, crossing the resistance band, stepping onto a portion of the resistance band, and performing squatting exercises such that the resistance band opposes the user's movement during the squatting exercise.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An exercise band, comprising:
 a waist band including an elongate strap having a first end and a second end, wherein the waist band is configured to be partially wrapped about a waist of a user during use, and wherein each of the first and second ends of the elongate strap includes a first connector; and   a resistance band including an elongate body having a first end and a second end, wherein the resistance band is stretchable between an unstretched position and a stretched position through the application of a force, and wherein each of the first and second ends of the elongate body includes a second connector,   wherein the first connector at the first end of the strap is configured to be releasably connected to the second connector at the first end of the resistance band, and wherein the first connector at the second end of the strap is configured to be releasably connected to the second connector at the second end of the resistance band.   
     
     
         2 . The exercise band of  claim 1 , wherein the elongate strap is stretchable so as to conform to the waist of the user. 
     
     
         3 . The exercise band of  claim 1 , further comprising a reinforcing tab at the first and second ends of the strap, wherein the reinforcing tab includes the first connector. 
     
     
         4 . The exercise band of  claim 1 , wherein the strap includes an interior surface and an exterior surface opposite the interior surface, and wherein the interior surface includes an anti-slip feature to prevent slipping of the waist band when on the user. 
     
     
         5 . The exercise band of  claim 1 , wherein the first connector includes a loop or a slot. 
     
     
         6 . The exercise band of  claim 1 , wherein the second connector includes a carabiner or an enlarged head piece. 
     
     
         7 . The exercise band of  claim 1 , wherein the resistance band includes a substantially circular or flat cross-sectional profile. 
     
     
         8 . The exercise band of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second ends of the strap are configured to be disconnected from each other during use of the exercise band. 
     
     
         9 . An exercise kit, comprising:
 a waist band including an elongate strap having a first end and a second end, wherein the waist band is configured to be at least partly wrapped about a waist of a user during use, and wherein each of the first and second ends of the elongate strap includes a first connector;   a plurality of resistance bands, wherein each resistance band includes an elongate body having a first end and a second end, wherein the resistance band is stretchable between an unstretched position and a stretched position through the application of a force, and wherein each of the first and second ends of the elongate body includes a second connector;   wherein the first connector at the first end of the strap is configured to be releasably connected to the second connector at the first end of the resistance band, and wherein the first connector at the second end of the strap is configured to be releasably connected to the second connector at the second end of the resistance band, and   wherein each of the plurality of resistance bands in the exercise kit requires a different force for stretching the resistance band between the unstretched position and the stretched position.   
     
     
         10 . The exercise kit of  claim 9 , wherein the elongate strap is stretchable so as to conform to the waist of the user. 
     
     
         11 . The exercise kit of  claim 9 , further comprising a reinforcing tab at the first and second ends of the strap, wherein the reinforcing tab includes the first connector. 
     
     
         12 . The exercise kit of  claim 9 , wherein the strap includes an interior surface and an exterior surface opposite the interior surface, and wherein the interior surface includes an anti-slip feature to prevent slipping of the waist band when on the user. 
     
     
         13 . The exercise kit of  claim 9 , wherein the first connector includes a loop or a slot. 
     
     
         14 . The exercise kit of  claim 9 , wherein the second connector includes a carabiner or an enlarged head piece. 
     
     
         15 . The exercise kit of  claim 9 , wherein the resistance band includes a substantially circular or flat cross-sectional profile. 
     
     
         16 . The exercise kit of  claim 9 , wherein the first and second ends of the strap are configured to be disconnected from each other during use of the exercise band. 
     
     
         17 . The exercise kit of  claim 9 , wherein each of the plurality of resistance bands has a different color. 
     
     
         18 . A method for a user to exercise, comprising:
 providing an exercise band, the exercise band comprising:
 a waist band including an elongate strap having a first end and a second end; and 
 a resistance band including an elongate body having a first end connected to the first end of the strap and a second end connected to the second end of the strap, wherein the resistance band is stretchable between an unstretched position and a stretched position through the application of a force; 
   partially wrapping the waist band around a waist of the user such that the resistance band is in front of the user;   crossing the resistance band such that the resistance band intersects itself in front of the user;   stepping onto a portion of the resistance band to restrain the resistance band beneath the user's feet; and   performing squatting exercises with the resistance band restrained beneath the user's feet such that the resistance band opposes the user's movement for a portion of the squatting exercise.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the step of performing squatting exercises may be hands free. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising performing arm exercises simultaneous with performing squatting exercises. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein stepping onto a portion of the resistance band is done while the user is in at least a partially squatted position. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising:
 detaching the resistance band from the waist band; 
 attaching another resistance band to the waist band; and 
 performing the crossing step, stepping step, and performing step using the another resistance band.