System and method for improving performance of traditional weight stack weightlifting machines

Abstract

A system for improving performance of traditional weight stack weightlifting machines includes: an anchor including an anchor body, first anchor pin, a second anchor pin, a third anchor pin, a first anchor connection point, a second anchor connection point, wherein each of the first anchor pin, the second anchor pin, and the third anchor pin extend from the anchor body in a first direction, wherein the second anchor pin and third anchor pins define a first horizontal plane, wherein the first anchor pin is located above the first horizontal plane; first and second locking collars, each comprising a locking collar body, a locking collar lock, and a locking collar connection point; a first resistance band and a second resistance band, each spanning the respective first and second anchor connection points and locking collar connection points.

1 . A system comprising:
 an anchor including an anchor body, a first anchor pin, a second anchor pin, a third anchor pin, and one or more anchor connection points, wherein each of the first anchor pin, the second anchor pin, and the third anchor pin extend from the anchor body in a first direction, wherein the second anchor pin and third anchor pin define a first horizontal plane, wherein the first anchor pin is located above the first horizontal plane;   a first Locking collar comprising a first locking collar body, a first locking collar lock, and a first locking collar connection point;   a second locking collar comprising a second locking collar body, a second locking collar lock, and a second locking collar connection point;   a first resistance band spanning the one or more anchor connection points and the first locking collar connection point; and   a second resistance band spanning the one or more anchor connection points and the second locking collar connection point.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more anchor connection points include a first anchor connection point and a second anchor connection point and each of the first anchor connection point and the second anchor connection point is an eyelet. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the first anchor pin is located between the first anchor connection point and the second anchor connection point. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more anchor connection points include a first anchor connection point and a second anchor connection point and each of the first anchor connection point and the second anchor connection point are located above the first horizontal plane. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first locking collar connection point and the second locking collar connection point is an eyelet. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first resistance band and the second resistance band are removably secured to the one or more anchor connection points. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first resistance band and the second resistance band are removably secured to the first locking collar connection point and the second locking collar connection point, respectively. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first anchor pin is shorter than the second anchor pin and the third anchor pin. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein an axial centerline of the second anchor pin is parallel to an axial centerline of the third anchor pin. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the axial centerline of the second anchor pin is offset more than 1.5 inches from the axial centerline of the third anchor pin as measured along the first horizontal plane. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first locking collar body and the second locking collar body are C-shaped tubes. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein each of the first locking collar body and the second locking collar body include an inner diameter that is larger than an outer diameter of the first vertical guide rail and the second vertical guide rail of a traditional weight stack weightlifting machine, respectively. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first locking collar lock and the second locking collar lock include a hinged locking arm. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first locking collar connection point and the second locking collar connection point extend from a front surface of the respective first locking collar and second locking collar. 
     
     
         15 . A method of improving performance of traditional weight stack weightlifting machines comprising the steps of:
 inserting a first anchor pin of an anchor into a weight selection hole associated with a first weight plate located in a bottom position of a weight stack such that a second anchor pin and a third anchor pin are each located below a bottom surface of the first weight plate located at the bottom of the weight stack;   securing a first locking collar to a first vertical guide rail in a position above a second weight plate located in a top position of the weight stack;   securing a second locking collar to a second vertical guide rail in a position above the second weight plate located in the top position of the weight stack;   connecting a first resistance band to a first anchor connection point of the anchor and to a first locking collar connection point of the first locking collar; and   connecting a second resistance band to a second anchor connection point of the anchor and to a second Locking collar connection point of the second locking collar.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising the step of lifting the second weight plate vertically against the force of gravity along a path defined by the first vertical rail and the second vertical rail such that the first resistance band and the second resistance band each stretch an increasing amount as the second weight plate moves vertically against the force of gravity. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the first resistance band stretches along an axial length that runs at an oblique angle with respect to the first vertical guide rail and the second resistance band stretches along an axial length that runs at an oblique angle with respect to the second vertical guide rail. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the first anchor connection point and second anchor connection point are located on opposite sides of the first anchor pin. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein each of the first resistance band and the second resistance band are removably connected to the first anchor connection point and the second anchor connection point, respectively. 
     
     
         20 . A system comprising:
 an anchor including an anchor body, first anchor pin, a second anchor pin, a third anchor pin, a first anchor connection point eyelet, and a second anchor connection point eyelet, wherein each of the first anchor pin, the second anchor pin, and the third anchor pin extend from the anchor body in a first direction, wherein the second anchor pin and third anchor pins define a first horizontal plane, wherein the first anchor pin is located above the first horizontal plane, wherein the first anchor pin is located between the first anchor connection point and the second anchor connection point, wherein the first anchor connection point and the second anchor connection point are each located above the first horizontal plane, wherein the first anchor pin is shorter than the second anchor pin and the third anchor pin, wherein an axial centerline of the second anchor pin is parallel to an axial centerline of the third anchor pin and the axial centerline of the second anchor pin is offset more than 1.5 inches from the axial centerline of the third anchor pin as measured along the first horizontal plane;   a first locking collar in the form of a C-shaped tube comprising a first locking collar body, a first locking collar lock, and a first locking collar connection point;   a second locking collar in the form of a C-shaped tube comprising a second locking collar body, a second locking collar lock, and a second locking collar connection point, wherein each of the first locking collar connection point and the second locking collar connection point is an eyelet;   a first resistance band removably secured to and spanning the first anchor connection point and the first locking collar connection point; and   a second resistance band removably secured to and spanning the second anchor connection point and the second locking collar connection point.