Weighted exercise apparatus and method

Abstract

Exercise weights and method, regarding belts, handweights, arm weights, ankle weights, and knuckles weights.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An ankle weight system comprising: 
 an adjustable weighting system; and    a mechanism for holding the weighting system to an ankle of the user.    
     
     
         2 . A system as described in  claim 1  wherein the weighting system includes a first weight of at least one pound and at least a second weight of at least one pound.  
     
     
         3 . A system as described in  claim 2  wherein the holding mechanism includes a first cell and at least a second cell which is attachable and separable from the first cell, said first cell holding the first weight, said second cell holding the second weight.  
     
     
         4 . A system as described in  claim 3  wherein each cell has a strap which is adapted to wrap around the leg of a user.  
     
     
         5 . A system as described in  claim 4  wherein the first cell includes a first zipper mechanism, and the second cell includes a second zipper mechanism which zips with the first zipper mechanism.  
     
     
         6 . A method for exercising comprising the steps of: 
 zipping a first cell having a first weight to a second cell having a second weight;    placing the first cell and second cell around the leg;    pulling a strap of the first cell tight around the leg, and    pulling a strap of the second cell tight around the leg.    
     
     
         7 . A wrist weight system comprising: 
 a weight portion weighing at least 15 ounces having a first end and a second end;    a stretchable band portion that connects with the first end and the second end of the weight portion and together with the weight portion forms a closed continuous essentially cylindrical shape with an opening having a diameter through which the user inserts the wrist; and    an adjustable tensioning portion connected to the weight portion which varies the tension of the weight portion about the wrist.    
     
     
         8 . A system as described in  claim 7  wherein the tensioning portion includes a strap having a fixed strap end connected to the first end of the weight portion and a free strap end, said strap having a first connector portion adjacent the free strap end, said tensioning portion includes a second connector portion disposed adjacent the second end of the weight portion which mates with the first connector portion to maintain the weight portion at a desired tension about the wrist of the user.  
     
     
         9 . A system as described in  claim 8  wherein the first connector portion and second connector portion are hook and loop fasteners, respectively.  
     
     
         10 . A method for exercising comprising the steps of: 
 inserting a wrist through an opening of a wrist weight having an essentially cylindrical shape; and    pulling a tensioning portion of the wrist weight so a weighted portion of the wrist weight is tightened about the rest; and    securing the tensioning portion to the weighted portion to maintain the tension of the weighted portion.    
     
     
         11 . A belt-ankle-wrist-thigh weight system comprising: 
 a first weight portion;    a first attachment portion connected to the first weight portion which is attachable to a user;    a second weight portion;    a second attachment portion connected to the second weight portion which is attachable to a user, said second attachment portion attachable and separable with said first attachment portion to form a third continuous weight portion of the first and second weight portion which is attachable to a user.    
     
     
         12 . A system as described in  claim 11  wherein the first weight portion and the second weight portion each have a plurality of weights that are held by the respective attachment portion.  
     
     
         13 . A system as described in  claim 12  wherein each attachment portion has a plurality of pockets, each pocket holding a weight.  
     
     
         14 . A system as described and  claim 13  wherein the first attachment portion includes a first strap to which pockets are attached, said first strap having hook and loop fasteners which holds the first weight portion to the user, the second attachment portion includes a second strap to which pockets are attached, said second strap having hook and loop fasteners which hold the second weight portion to the user and to the first attachment portion.  
     
     
         15 . A system as described in  claim 14  wherein said first and second attachment portions each have a loop through which a strap passes to form an attachment.  
     
     
         16 . A method for exercising comprising the steps of: 
 attaching a first weight portion to a second weight portion;    strapping the first and second weight portions around the hips of a user so the first and second weight portions are situated over the right and left hips, respectively;    removing the first and second weight portions from the user;    separating the first and second weight portions;    strapping the first weight portion to the right thigh of the user; and    strapping the second weight portion to the left thigh of the user.    
     
     
         17 . An exercise apparatus comprising: 
 a weight;    a holder for a weight, said holder having a pocket which holds the weight, said pocket having a slot through which the weight is placed into or removed from the pocket, said pocket having a smooth outer surface with no protrusions or flap or zipper extend from the surface.    
     
     
         18 . A handweight comprising: 
 a holder portion which is adapted to fit about the hand and wrist of a user, said holder portion holding a first weight about the hand and a second weight about the wrist, said first and second weight being adjustable;    a first weight; and    a second weight.    
     
     
         19 . A handweight as described in  claim 18  wherein the holder portion includes a first holder portion disposed about the hand in which the first weight can be changed and a second holder portion disposed about the wrist in which the second weight can be changed.  
     
     
         20 . A handweight as described in  claim 19  wherein the first holder portion is a first pocket with a slot, the second holder portion is a second pocket with a slot, said first weight inserted into or removed from the first pocket through the slot, said second weight inserted into or removed from the-second pocket through the slot.  
     
     
         21 . A handweight as described in  claim 20  wherein the holder portion includes a third pocket disposed about the hand, and a fourth pocket disposed about the wrist, and a third weight which is removably installable in the third pocket and a fourth weight which is newly installed in the fourth pocket.  
     
     
         22 . A handweight as described in  claim 21  wherein the holder portion is one piece.  
     
     
         23 . A handweight as described in  claim 22  wherein the holder portion has a first side and a second side and a first strap and a second strap on the first side, said first strap and said second strap connecting with the second side when the holder portion is about the hand of the user.  
     
     
         24 . A handweight as described in  claim 23  wherein the first strap and second strap and second side have hook and loop fasteners which mate to connect the first and second straps with the second side.  
     
     
         25 . A handweight as described in  claim 24  wherein the holder portion has an inner surface which is smooth and has no seams.  
     
     
         26 . A handweight as described in  claim 18  wherein the first weight is magnetic.  
     
     
         27 . A method for exercising comprising the steps of: 
 placing a holder portion about the hand and wrist of a user;    removing a first weight from a first pocket over the hand of the holder portion;    removing the second weight from a second pocket over the wrist of the holder portion;    inserting a new first weight having a different weight than the first weight into the first pocket; and    inserting a new second weight having a different weight then the second weight into the second pocket.    
     
     
         28 . A handweight comprising: 
 a holder portion which fits about the hand and has a plurality of pockets, each pocket with a slot, that are adapted to be disposed about the knuckles of a user, and a plurality of weights which are removably disposed in respective pockets, each weight inserted in and removed from the pocket through respective slots in the pockets.    
     
     
         29 . A handweight comprising: 
 a one-piece holder portion with a pocket, and a one-piece continuous foldable weight which is disposed in the handweight and holder portion and extends about the hand of a user when the handweight is on the hand of the user.    
     
     
         30 . An exercise apparatus comprising: 
 a vest adapted to fit about the chest and back of a user, said vast having pockets which hold weights; and    an adjustable fitting mechanism which can tighten the vest about the user from the right and left sides of the user.    
     
     
         31 . An apparatus as described in  claim 30  wherein the pockets are disposed on the inner surface of the vest.  
     
     
         32 . An apparatus as described in  claim 31  wherein the weights can be changed to vary the total weight of the vest.  
     
     
         33 . An apparatus as described in  claim 32  wherein the vest has a back and a front with a right side and left side, and the vest has a zipper which connects the right side and left side together.  
     
     
         34 . An apparatus as described in  claim 33  wherein the fixing mechanism includes a first loop and strap mechanism connected to the right side and the back, and a second loop and strap mechanism connected to the left side and the back, each loop and strap mechanism adjustable to vary the tension of the vest about the user.