초록 ▼

A method of exercising in which selected muscle tissue contacts against externally applied pressure. A user places an object, or member, in contact with a body part, and applies pressure to the member, which is transmitted through the body-contacting surface of the member to the underlying muscle ti

A method of exercising in which selected muscle tissue contacts against externally applied pressure. A user places an object, or member, in contact with a body part, and applies pressure to the member, which is transmitted through the body-contacting surface of the member to the underlying muscle tissue. The pressure provides resistance to muscle expansion as occurs during a muscle contraction. A plurality of body-contacting surfaces is provided, each having different dimensions, which will allow a user to alter the pattern in which pressure is transmitted to the underlying tissue. This will allow a user to select an appropriate body-contacting surface to develop specific portions of muscle, rather than muscles as a whole. Pressure can be applied to the member in various ways, such as by manual force or with the use of a strap that is wrapped around the member and the body part being exercised.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. An exercise device comprising: a) an elongated, substantially narrow member having a body-contacting surface that is curved lengthwise corresponding generally to the curvature of the anterior part of the abdomen; b) a protuberance in the middle of said body-contacting surface

What is claimed is: 1. An exercise device comprising: a) an elongated, substantially narrow member having a body-contacting surface that is curved lengthwise corresponding generally to the curvature of the anterior part of the abdomen; b) a protuberance in the middle of said body-contacting surface, said protuberance forming a ridge having angled sides such that said protuberance is shaped to generally correspond to the vertically oriented depression at the midline of the rectus abdominis muscle; c) means for gripping said member for the purpose of applying pressure, said means projecting at least two inches above said member, such that when said member is placed horizontally against the abdomen with said protuberance positioned against said vertically oriented depression, said pressure applied to said member will be transmitted to underlying muscle tissue, said protuberance further concentrating pressure into the central portion of the rectus abdominis muscle, said pressure resisting the contraction of said underlying muscle tissue so that it is exercised to a greater degree than adjacent uncovered muscle tissue, thus allowing a user to develop precise portions of their rectus abdominis muscle. 2. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein said gripping means are detachable. 3. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein said gripping means comprise vertically oriented, rod-shaped handles. 4. The exercise device of claim 1, further comprising a strap, said strap being able to wrap around said user's lower torso and said member, forming a closed loop and establishing the position of said member against said user's abdomen, such that abdominal expansion will induce tension in said strap, causing said strap to exert pressure on said member, said pressure being transmitted to underlying muscle tissue. 5. A method of exercising the abdominal muscles comprising the steps of: a) providing an exercise device having an elongated, substantially narrow member having a body-contacting surface that is curved lengthwise corresponding generally to the curvature of the anterior part of the abdomen, a protuberance in the middle of said surface, said protuberance forming a ridge having angled sides, such that the protuberance is shaped to generally correspond to the vertically oriented depression at the midline of the rectus abdominis muscle; b) selecting an area of the rectus abdominis muscle to exercise; c) placing said member in contact with said area, such that said protuberance contacts said vertically oriented depression; d) applying a force on said member in an inward direction; and e) contracting said area against said force; whereby said area is exercised to a greater degree than adjacent uncovered muscle tissue, allowing a user to develop precise portions of their rectus abdominis muscle. 6. The method of claim 1 wherein said exercise device further comprises gripping means to aid in the application of said force. 7. An exercise device comprising: a) a plurality of members, said members being substantially rigid and having at least one curved surface, one or more of said members being chosen by an exerciser and placed in overlying relation to a selected area of muscle; b) a strap partially encircling at least one of said chosen members, a force being exerted on said strap, causing tension to be generated in said strap, so that pressure is transmitted to said selected area of muscle, said plurality of members being individually dimensioned so that a user may alter the transmission pattern of said pressure; c) a securing means consisting of slots present in at least one of said members, allowing the strap to be weaved through for securement at various locations along the strap; whereby said pressure provides concentrated resistance to said selected area of muscle, such that during exercise when the selected area expands in girth, the pressure resists the expansion of the selected area, such that the selected area is exercised to a greater degree than adjacent uncovered muscle tissue, thus allowing a user to develop precise portions of muscle tissue. 8. The exercise device of claim 7 wherein said slots consist of 4 or more slots, allowing said member to be rotated and placed against said selected area of muscle in different orientations. 9. A method for firming a portion of the gluteus maximus muscle by applying pressure to said muscle as said muscle contracts in order to resist muscle bulging, the method comprising the steps of: a) providing at least one substantially rigid member having at least one curved body-contacting surface; b) providing a strap partially encircling said member; c) selecting an area of the gluteus maximus muscle to be exercised; d) placing said member in contact with said area of the gluteus maximus muscle; e) manually pushing forward on said strap to put pressure on the muscle, thereby causing resistance to be transmitted through said member to said area of the gluteus maximus muscle to prevent the muscle from bulging; and f) contracting said area of the gluteus maximus muscle; whereby said pressure resists said selected area of the gluteus maximus muscle from expanding in girth, so that said selected area of the gluteus maximus muscle is exercised to a greater degree than adjacent uncovered muscle tissue, thus allowing a user to develop precise portions of the gluteus maximus muscle and minimize strain on the joints. 10. The method of claim of 9, wherein said body-contacting surface has at least one of a horizontal or a vertical curvature that is opposed to the curvature of the gluteus maximus muscle. 11. The method of claim of 9, wherein said body-contacting surface is convex. 12. The method of claim 9, wherein the portion of the member that contacts the gluteus maximus muscle is no more than 6 inches in at least one of a horizontal or vertical direction. 13. The method of claim 9, wherein said strap further comprises handles attached to said strap. 14. The method of claim 9, wherein said strap is elastic. 15. The method of claim 9, wherein said strap is inelastic. 16. A method for exercising an area of muscle comprising the steps of: a) providing at least one member having at least one curved body contacting surface; b) providing multiple body contacting surfaces, by way of said member being flippable or rotatable, or by way of providing a plurality of interchangeable members, each having individually dimensioned surfaces, or by way of providing one or more rigid, individually dimensioned shells, said shells being able to be placed in contact with said member, thus allowing the transmission pattern of said pressure to be altered, giving said user a greater degree of control over the muscle tissue that is developed; c) providing a strap partially encircling said member; d) selecting an area of muscle to be exercised; e) placing said member in an overlying relation to said area of muscle; f) manually exerting a force on the opposing sections of said strap in a direction oriented away from said at least one member, thereby generating tension in said strap, causing pressure to be transmitted through said at least one member to said area of muscle to prevent the muscle from bulging; and g) contracting said area of muscle; whereby said pressure resists said selected area of muscle from expanding in girth, so that said selected area of muscle is exercised to a greater degree than adjacent uncovered muscle tissue, thus allowing a user to develop precise portions of muscle tissue. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein said strap is elastic. 18. The method of claim 16, wherein said strap is inelastic. 19. The method of claim 16, wherein said strap further comprises handles attached to said strap.