Weighted Exercise Chaps and Method

Abstract

An exercise device and method for the lower body. The device includes a belt and weighted chaps system which hold one or more individual weight inserts. The device includes removable section: a thigh section connected to the belt section and the option of a calf section connected to the thigh section. The device includes pockets on the weighted chaps and belts to adjust the position of weight, and flexible solid weight inserts that are held between a non stretch support and a stretch pocket layer secured against the leg which and conform to the contours of the leg, the weights are preferably made of dense material suspended in a flexible matrix. The method includes positioning and storing weights, the connection to external resistance, and exercise to increase muscle strength, stamina, jump height, bone density, circulation, and to treat nervous system disorders.

1 . A lower body exercise system comprising:
 a belt system connected around a user's waist; and   a weighted chap system connected around a user's leg; and   a support system, which connects the weighted chap system to the belt system to maintain the position of the weighted chap system on the leg during exercise.   
   
   
       2 . A system as described in  claim 1  wherein the weighted chap system includes a weighted thigh system connected about the user's thigh between the waist and knee. 
   
   
       3 . A system as described in  claim 1  wherein the weighted chap system includes a weights calf system connected about the user's calf between the knee and the foot. 
   
   
       4 . A system as described in  claim 1  wherein the support system includes a system which connects the calf system to the thigh system to maintain the position of the calf system on the user's leg. 
   
   
       5 . A system as described in  claim 1  wherein the weight in the weight system is adjustable. 
   
   
       6 . A system as described in  claim 1  wherein the connection system includes a mechanism for removing and attaching the weighted chap system. 
   
   
       7 . A system as described in  claim 1  wherein the connection system includes a mechanism for adjusting the location of the weight system on the user's leg. 
   
   
       8 . A system as described in  claim 1  wherein the support system connects the weighted chap system to the belt system on the front of the user. 
   
   
       9 . A system as described in  claim 1  wherein the weighted chap system includes pockets to hold individual weight inserts. 
   
   
       10 . A system as described in  claim 9  wherein the weight inserts are a flexible solid and have a durometer of less than or equal to 50 shore A. 
   
   
       11 . A system as described in  claim 10  wherein the weight inserts are a composite material made up of dense particles in a flexible matrix. 
   
   
       12 . A system as described in  claim 11  wherein the matrix is a polymer and the particles are a form of metal, stone, ceramic, or carbon from 1 micron to more than 300 microns in diameter. 
   
   
       13 . A system as described in  claim 9  wherein the weight inserts are covered with a fabric shell. 
   
   
       14 . A system as described in  claim 9  wherein the weight inserts are less than 0.25 to more than 1 inch in thickness, less than 1 to more than 3 inches wide and less than 2 to more than 6 inches in length. 
   
   
       15 . A system as described in  claim 1  wherein the belt system includes a storage mechanism to hold weight inserts. 
   
   
       16 . A system as described in  claim 15  wherein the storage mechanism is stretch pockets. 
   
   
       17 . A system as described in  claim 1  wherein the belt system adjusts to fit different waist sizes wherein the size adjustments are made at the back of the user. 
   
   
       19 . A system as described in  claim 1  wherein the weighted chap system includes a non stretch support layer and a stretch pocket layer. 
   
   
       20 . A system as described in  claim 19  wherein the non stretch support layer is on the outside and the stretch pocket layer is on the inside against the user. 
   
   
       21 . A system as described in  claim 20  wherein the stretch pocket layer contains one or more pockets, each pocket having a slot. 
   
   
       22 . A system as described in  claim 21  wherein the slot is shorter than the width of the weight insert and stretches to allow the weight insert to fit into the pocket. 
   
   
       23 . A system as described in  claim 22  wherein the pocket stretches to fit the weight insert and hold the weight securely on all sides. 
   
   
       24 . A system as described in  claim 23  wherein the pocket can stretch to accommodate more than one weight insert. 
   
   
       25 . A system as described in  claim 21  wherein the stretch pocket layer is a stretch fabric. 
   
   
       26 . A system as described in  claim 21  wherein the stretch pocket layer is a laminate. 
   
   
       27 . A system as described in  claim 26  wherein the laminate is a fabric covered rubber. 
   
   
       28 . A system as described in  claim 27  wherein the rubber is neoprene. 
   
   
       29 . A system as described in  claim 3  wherein the weighted thigh system and weighted calf system include a connection mechanism to secure the weighted thigh system to the thigh. 
   
   
       30 . A system as described in  claim 29  wherein the connection mechanism includes a stretchable strap. 
   
   
       31 . A system as described in  claim 30  wherein the stretchable strap is made of fabric laminated to rubber and secured with hook and loop fasteners. 
   
   
       32 . A system as described in  claim 30  wherein the stretchable strap is equal to or greater than 1 to 10 inches wide. 
   
   
       33 . A system as described in  claim 29  wherein the weight inserts are held against the user by the connection mechanism and bend to fit the contour of the user's leg. 
   
   
       34 . A system as described in  claim 4  wherein the weighted calf system includes a system that connects the weighted thigh system on one or both sides of the knee. 
   
   
       35 . A system as described in  claim 4  wherein the weighted calf system is connected to the weighted thigh system with a stretch support fabric which goes over the user's knee. 
   
   
       36 . A system as described in  claim 1  wherein the belt system includes connection mechanisms for connecting resistance devices. 
   
   
       37 . A system as described in  claim 1  wherein the weighted chap system includes connection mechanisms for connecting resistance devices. 
   
   
       38 . A resistance system as described in  claim 36  which includes elastic material. 
   
   
       39 . A system as described in  claim 1  wherein the weighted chap system includes suspenders which go over the shoulders. 
   
   
       40 . A lower body system for exercise comprising:
 a belt system connected around a users waist; and   a weight system connected around the users legs which is connected to the belt system; and   the weight system containing flexible solid weight inserts.   
   
   
       41 . A weight insert as described in  claim 40  where the weight insert has a durometer of equal to or less than 50 shore A. 
   
   
       42 . A weight insert as described in  claim 41  where the weight insert is comprised of clay. 
   
   
       43 . A weight insert as described in  claim 42  where the weight insert includes dense material suspended in a flexible matrix 
   
   
       44 . A method of exercise comprising:
 the steps of wearing weights on the legs of a user;   and connecting the user to external resistance, and   having the user move so as to move the weights while additional resistance is applied.   
   
   
       45 . A method of exercising as described in  claim 44  including the steps of:
 inserting weight inserts into pockets, and connecting the belt to a user's waist and weighted chap system to the user's leg, and moving the user's legs to move the weighted chap system.   
   
   
       46 . A method of exercise as described in  claim 45  where the user moves the weight inserts into different pockets. 
   
   
       47 . A method of exercise as described in  claim 46  where the user stores weights from the weighted chap system in the belt. 
   
   
       48 . A method for treating nervous system disorders to increase the connection between the user's brain and movement of parts of the user's body including;
 weighting portions of the user's lower body and having the user move the weighted section; and   having the user move less weighted sections of the users body.   
   
   
       49 . A method for increasing bone density and blood circulation including the steps of wearing weights on the lower body; and
 moving the lower body to increase impact when the foot touches the ground; and   increase blood flow to the leg muscles to move the lower body.   
   
   
       50 . A method for increasing bone density and circulation as described in  claim 49  wherein the weights are worn on the waist. 
   
   
       51 . A method for increasing bone density and circulation as described in  claim 49  wherein the weights are worn on the thigh. 
   
   
       52 . A method for increasing bone density and circulation as described in  claim 49  wherein the weights are worn on the calf. 
   
   
       53 . A lower body system as described in  claim 1  wherein:
 an outer support system comprising a breathable mesh; and   an inner support system comprising a breathable mesh; and   connected together to form weight pockets between the inner and outer support layer.   
   
   
       54 . A system as described in  claim 53  wherein one support layer includes a strip of stretchable material with slots through which weights can be inserted. 
   
   
       55 . A system as described in  claim 53  where the weights are semi-solid material with a hardness equal to or less than 50 shore A.