Exercise apparatus

Abstract

The present invention provides for exercise apparatus for exercising the core muscles of the human body and comprising an elongate member having a central portion with an engagement formation for locating the said central portion on the rear neck region of a user, first and second laterally extending portions each arranged for engagement by raised respective upper limbs of the user, the first and second laterally extending portions being movable in a resilient manner relative to the said central portion so that the said first and second laterally extending portions can flex relative to the said central portion, and so as to facilitate lifting of a user's ribcage and in particular twisting of the trunk/torso thereby working the core muscles through twisting (rotational), side bending (lateral) and forward bending (flexion) movement of the apparatus about the core axis.

1 . Exercise apparatus for exercising the core muscles of the human body and comprising an elongate member having a central portion with an engagement formation for locating the said central portion on the rear neck region of a user, first and second laterally extending portions each arranged for engagement by raised respective upper limbs of the user, the first and second laterally extending portions being movable in a resilient manner relative to the said central portion so that the said first and second laterally extending portions can flex relative to the said central portion. 
   
   
       2 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first and second laterally extending portions are each arranged to extend over a respective shoulder region of the user. 
   
   
       3 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first and second laterally extending portions are arranged to include weighting means for increasing the weight thereof. 
   
   
       4 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the weighting means located at the distal end regions of the first and second laterally extending portions remote from the said central portion. 
   
   
       5 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the weighting means comprise hollow chambers arranged for receiving a weighting medium. 
   
   
       6 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the weighting means includes engagement formations upon which one or more solid weights can be mounted as required. 
   
   
       7 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the said first and second laterally extending portions comprise separate members connected to the central portion by a resilient connection means. 
   
   
       8 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the resilient connector means comprise a spring members. 
   
   
       9 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the said first and second laterally extending portions are formed integral with the said central portion. 
   
   
       10 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the elongate member is formed of a resilient material. 
   
   
       11 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first and second laterally extending portions is arranged to be gripped by a respective hand of the user. 
   
   
       12 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein each of the said first and second laterally extending portions is arranged for engagement by the underside of each respective forearm of the user. 
   
   
       13 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the said first and second laterally extending portions include support formations arranged for locating the said underside for the respective forearms of the user thereon. 
   
   
       14 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the said support formations for the undersides of the respective forearms are arranged to extend along a longitudinal axis substantially perpendicular to the axis along which the said central portion extends. 
   
   
       15 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the said first and second laterally extending portions are arranged to extend substantially at right angles relative to the longitudinal axis of the said central portion. 
   
   
       16 . Exercise apparatus comprising an elongate member having a central portion with an engagement formation for locating the said central portion on the rear neck region of a user, first and second laterally extending portions each arranged for engagement by raised respective upper limbs of the user and each comprising support formations for supporting respectively the under forearms of the user. 
   
   
       17 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 16 , and arranged such that when located on the user, the said support formations are at a lower level than the said central portion. 
   
   
       18 . Exercise apparatus comprising an elongate member having a central portion with an engagement formation for locating the said central portion on the rear neck region of a user, first and second laterally extending portions each arranged for engagement by raised respective upper limbs of the user and each comprising weighting means for providing an increase in the weight of the apparatus in the regions of the said laterally extending portions. 
   
   
       19 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 18 , and configured so as to balance by way of the said central portion when located on the rear neck region of the user and when not engaged by the said upper limbs.