Step exercise and physical therapy device

Abstract

An improved step exercise platform is presented, that can be used to address specific muscle groups in the legs. The muscle groups can be exercised with a proper angle taken by the foot, which is held at said angle by means of angled steps on the front, back, and sides of the invention. Certain muscle conditions such as Piriformis Syndrome can be treated in physical therapy by means of this invention, and certain training goals can be reached as well.

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       5 . A step exercise device comprised of a pedestal base, a left step, a right step, a front step, a back step, and a center step,
 the step exercise device cast or machined from light-weight, rigid, strong material,   the center step in a flat shape, the left, right, front, and back steps each placed at an angle to the center step, the angle of placement between five (5) and thirty (30) degrees,   the five steps each possessing a landing surface on their upper sides, the landing surface comprised of a material that possesses a high coefficient of friction,   the five steps and the plurality of landing surfaces large enough to accommodate a human foot,   the upper surface of the step exercise device possessing a plurality of hook points arranged around the upper surface of the step exercise device,   the angle at which the steps are place with respect to the horizontal selected to maximize the ergonomic and biomechanical effect of placing a human foot on said steps during an exercise routine.   
   
   
       6 . A step exercise device as in  claim 1  where the material is selected from the list of plastic, aluminum, and ceramic, and the hook points are constructed as a formed slot cut or cast into the material of the step exercise device. 
   
   
       7 . A method of using a step exercise device as in  claim 1 , comprised of the steps of
 attaching elastic tubing to one or more hook points,   performing 30 wide regular squats while stepping on the step exercise device without using the tubing for resistance,   performing 30 wide regular squats while stepping on the step exercise device with using the tubing for resistance,   pausing at the bottom of every repetition of the above exercises for a count of five,   doing pulses, or little repetitions at the bottom of each of the above exercises.   
   
   
       8 . A method of using a step exercise device as in  claim 1 , comprised of the steps of
 attaching elastic tubing to one or more hook points,   standing stationary at the bottom or top of range of motion and doing upper body exercises, as follows:   bicep curls,   triceps extensions,   shoulder press,   front raises,   lateral raises,   rows,   reverse flies,   chest flies,   rear delts.