Exercise and stretching pole and method of using same

Abstract

A device and method for stretching muscles and increasing flexibility. A pole or rod like device is used with various exercises and body motions to stretch and increase flexibility. While believed beneficial for all sports, the method and device are believed to help increase golf club head speed and thus driving distance of a golf ball.

1 - 17 . canceled  
     
     
         18 . A method for improving a golf swing using an elongated rod having an upper end and a lower end, said method comprising a user of the rod doing the following: 
 (a) placing said lower end of said rod on the ground in front of the user;    (b) gripping said rod with both hands;    (c) assuming the approximate position for addressing the ball; and    (d) moving the user's arms to the back-swing position while maintaining said grip and keeping said lower end of said rod on the ground.    
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising: 
 (e) moving the user's arms to the finish-swing position while keeping said lower end of said rod member on the ground.  
 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein step (e) is carried out after step (d).  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising: 
 (e) while holding the back-swing position of step (d), drawing the lower end of said rod progressively towards the foot on the back-swing side of the user's body.  
 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 18  wherein step (b) comprises gripping said rod at a height above said user's head during.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22  wherein said rod member is gripped at a position at least one inch above said user's head.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 18  wherein: 
 step (c) includes said user standing up straight with feet approximately shoulder width apart and knees slightly flexed; and  
 said arms are held straight out in front.  
 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising the following: 
 (e) while holding the back-swing position of step (d), dropping towards a sitting position.  
 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 18  wherein step (b) comprises right handed users gripping said rod with their right hand above the left hand, and left handed users gripping said rod with their left hand above the right hand.  
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 18  wherein step (e) comprises keeping said left arm straight during the back-swing motion as the arm moves toward the right side of the user where the user is right handed, or keeping said right arm straight during the back-swing motion as the arm moves towards the left side of the user where the user is left handed.  
     
     
         28 . A method for stretching using an elongated rod having an upper end and a lower end, said method comprising the user doing the following: 
 (a) placing said lower end of said rod on the ground in front of the user;    (b) standing up straight with feet apart;    (c) gripping said rod with both hands at about chest height or higher; and    (d) moving the user's arms to a back-swing position while maintaining said grip and keeping said lower end of said rod member on the ground.    
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28  further comprising: 
 (d) moving the user's arms to the finish-swing position while keeping said lower end of said rod member on the ground.  
 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 28  wherein step (d) comprises keeping said left arm straight during the back-swing motion as the arm moves toward the right side of the user where the user is right handed, or keeping said right arm straight during the back-swing motion as the arm moves towards the left side of the user where the user is left handed.  
     
     
         31 . A method for stretching neck muscles using an elongated rod having an upper end and a lower end, said method comprising the user doing the following: 
 (a) standing up straight with feet about shoulder width apart:    (b) placing said rod on one side of the user approximately in line with the user's shoulder;    (c) placing the user's arm that is opposite said one side on the user's hip;    (d) gripping said rod at about shoulder height with the user's hand located on the arm on said one side;    (e) straightening said arm that is gripping said rod; and    (f) tilting the user's head towards the side away from said rod.    
     
     
         32 . (canceled):  
     
     
         33 . (canceled)  
     
     
         34 . (canceled)  
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 18  wherein said rod comprises an extendable rod, said rod including first and second rod sections that are displaceable relative to one another to change the length of said device, said first and second rod sections being lockable relative to one another to fix said rod at a desired length; and 
 a handle positioned at said upper end of said rod to be capable of being gripped by a user.  
 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35  wherein said handle is tapered, at least over a portion of said handle, increasing in thickness in a direction away from said upper end toward said lower end.  
     
     
         37 . A device in accordance with  claim 18  wherein said rod includes indicia located thereon, said indicia indicating a length of the device.  
     
     
         38 . A device in accordance with  claim 18  wherein said device includes indicia located thereon, said indicia including instructions for the use of the device for purposes of stretching.  
     
     
         39 . A device in accordance with  claim 35  wherein said rod includes indicia illustrating a person using the device.  
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 28  wherein said rod comprises an extendable rod, said rod including first and second rod sections that are displaceable relative to one another to change the length of said device, said first and second rod sections being lockable relative to one another to fix said rod at a desired length; and 
 a handle positioned at said upper end of said rod to be capable of being gripped by a user, said handle being tapered, at least over a portion of said handle, increasing in thickness in a direction away from said upper end toward said lower end.