Methods and kits for portable, low impact resistance exercising

Abstract

The present invention discloses improved, low-cost systems, kits and methods for resistance exercising using stretchable bands that easily attach to and detach from the exerciser's footwear. The kits and methods disclosed enable an exerciser to easily train different muscle groups through repetitive, long-chain, paths of motion, all in a single session, while minimizing risk of injury both from band snapback and in the midst of an exercise set. One category of rotational exercises disclosed by the present invention comprises the exerciser rotating through constantly changing “angles of resistance.

1 . A method for a user to exercise at least one part of a human body using a resistance band system having (i) a stretchable band with first and second ends; (ii) a handle connected to the first end and adapted to be gripped by one or both hands of the user; (iii) a shoe attachment adapted to be removably secured to a first shoe worn by the user; and (iv) a connector connected to the second end of the band for removably, but securely connecting the second end of the band to the shoe attachment when the shoe attachment is secured to the shoe, the method comprising:
 a. with the shoe attachment secured to one of the user's shoes, connecting the second end of the band to the shoe attachment;   b. with a hand of the user holding the handle and the shoe of the user in place, positioning the handle such that the band system is in a relatively low resistance, exercise start position;   c. stretching the band to an increased resistance position; and   d. returning the band system to the start position.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further including repeating steps b through d. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of stretching of the band is performed by the user's hand moving the handle to a second extended position. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein two hands of the user hold the handle and both hands move the handle to the second position. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of stretching the band is performed by the user moving the foot of the user that is connected to the band to a third position. 
     
     
         6 . A method for exercising a core muscle group of a human body of a user using a resistance band system having a stretchable band with a first end and second end;
 a handle connected to the first end and adapted to be gripped by one or both hands of the user; a shoe attachment adapted to be secured to a first shoe worn by the user; a connector connected to the second end for removably, but securely connecting the second end of the band to the shoe attachment, the method comprising:
 a. removably attaching the second end of the band to the foot attachment connected to the first shoe; 
 b. clutching with at least one hand the handle connected to the first end; 
 c. positioning the handle to one side of the body around a vertical axis defined by the user when standing, thereby causing the upper part of the body of the user to rotate in the direction of the handle relative to the position of the first shoe; and 
 d. while maintaining the position of the first shoe of the user, swinging the handle across the front of the body to the opposite side of the body. 
   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the connector connected to the second end is a carabiner connector. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the handle is ring-shaped. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the handle is removable from the band. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 6 , where the step of positioning the handle to one side of the body results in the shoulders of the body rotating approximately 90 degrees and the core of the body rotating approximately 45 degrees around a vertical axis defined by an upright body, both rotations relative to the position of the first shoe. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 6 , where the step of positioning the handle to one side of the body results in the shoulders of the body rotating more than 90 degrees and the core of the body rotating more than 45 degrees around a vertical axis defined by an upright body, both rotations relative to the position of the first shoe. 
     
     
         12 . A portable kit for resistance training comprising:
 a. a first stretchable band with first and second ends;   b. a handle connectable to the first end and adapted to be gripped by one or both hands of the user;   c. a shoe attachment adapted to be secured to a first shoe worn by the user; and   d. a connector connectable to the second end of the band for removably, but securely connecting the second end of the band to the shoe attachment when the shoe attachment is secured to the shoe.   
     
     
         13 . The kit of  claim 12 , wherein the handle is a ring handle. 
     
     
         14 . The kit of  claim 12 , further including a second connector connectable to the first end of the band. 
     
     
         15 . The kit of  claim 14 , wherein the connectors are carabiner connectors. 
     
     
         16 . The kit of  claim 12 , wherein the shoe attachment is a right shoe attachment, and further including a left shoe attachment. 
     
     
         17 . The kit of  claim 12 , further including a second stretchable band with first and second ends having a stretching resistance force that is greater than the first stretchable band. 
     
     
         18 . The kit of  claim 17 , wherein the first and second stretchable bands are color coded, each color representing a different stretch resistance force.