Portable exercise, balance and flexibility device and method

Abstract

A portable, free standing, exercise device for exercise, core strength, balance, and coordination training as well as general cardio vascular fitness and physical therapy. The exercise device includes a substantially rigid platform for supporting a user. Two spaced apart exercise arms extend upwards and away from the platform to respective rotatable grip assemblies. The exercise arms are attached to the platform through spring members that allow generally unrestrictive multi-axis movement relative to the platform and also maintain the exercise arms in a generally vertical position when not in use. The platform is designed to be used on any generally flat surface or alternatively can be placed on an unstable base to allow for a great challenge to the muscles and systems of balance.

1 . An exercise device comprising:
 A platform having an upper surface adapted to support a user;   A plurality of spaced apart elongated exercise supporting arms flexibly connected to the platform at a base end and extending outwardly from the platform to a grip assembly at the opposing end, each exercise supporting arm adapted for supporting at least a portion of the weight of the user;   Wherein the user can exercise using at least a portion of the body weight for resistance while using at least one exercise supporting arm for support.   
     
     
         2 . The exercise device of  claim 1  wherein each grip assembly is rotatably coupled to the exercise arm such that a user can move the exercise supporting arm through the grip assembly without significant wrist action. 
     
     
         3 . The exercise device of  claim 1  wherein the platform is adapted to mount on top of a base member. 
     
     
         4 . The exercise device of  claim 3  wherein the base member provides an unstable support for the platform. 
     
     
         5 . The exercise device of  claim 1  wherein each exercise arm comprises a spring adapted to provide a force that resists movement relative to the initial position and that returns the exercise arm to the initial position. 
     
     
         6 . The exercise device of  claim 5  wherein the exercise arm comprises a flexible material. 
     
     
         7 . An exercise device comprising:
 A platform having an upper surface adapted to support a user;   An elongated exercise supporting arm extending from a base end to a grip assembly at the opposing end; and   A multi-axis pivot assembly connecting the base end of the exercise supporting arm to the platform and supporting the exercise supporting arm in an initial position extending outwardly from the upper surface of the platform while allowing multi-axis movement of the exercise supporting arm relative to the initial position; and   Wherein the pivot assembly provides a resistive force to any movement of the exercise supporting arm relative to the initial position and that returns the exercise arm to the initial position such that the user can exercise using the exercise supporting arm for support.   
     
     
         8 . The exercise device of  claim 7  wherein the grip assembly is rotatable relative to an elongated axis along the exercise arm. 
     
     
         9 . The exercise device of  claim 8  further comprising:
 A second exercise supporting arm and pivot assembly spaced apart from the first exercise arm and pivot assembly and adapted to be generally parallel to the first exercise supporting arm when in the initial position.   
     
     
         10 . The exercise device of  claim 9  wherein the resistive force provided by each pivot assembly is limited so as to generally only provide sufficient force to return the respective exercise supporting arm to its initial position while not being used. 
     
     
         11 . The exercise device of  claim 10  wherein the platform comprises a wood based material. 
     
     
         12 . The exercise device of  claim 10  wherein the platform comprises a substantially rigid composite material. 
     
     
         13 . The exercise device of  claim 10  wherein the pivot assembly comprises an elastic member. 
     
     
         14 . The exercise device of  claim 10  wherein the pivot assembly comprises a coil spring. 
     
     
         15 . The exercise device of  claim 10  further comprising an elastic member adapted to couple the spaced apart exercise arms together wherein resistance is created when moving one exercise arm relative to the other exercise arm. 
     
     
         16 . The exercise device of  claim 10  wherein the platform has a lower surface adapted for contact with a base member. 
     
     
         17 . The exercise device of  claim 16  wherein the base member is adapted to provide an unstable support for the platform. 
     
     
         18 . The exercise device of  claim 17  wherein the upper surface and lower surfaces of the platform further comprise non slip surfaces. 
     
     
         19 . A portable exercise device comprising:
 A substantially rigid platform having an upper surface adapted to support a user and a lower surface adapted for placement on a supporting surface;   A plurality of spaced apart elongated exercise supporting arms, each extending from a base end to a rotatable grip assembly at the opposing end; and   A plurality of multi-axis pivot assemblies, each pivot assembly coupling the base end of an exercise supporting arm to the platform and supporting the exercise arm in an initial position extending outwardly from the upper surface of the platform while allowing multi-axis movement of the exercise arm relative to the initial position; and   Wherein each pivot assembly allows generally free planar movement of the grip assemblies relative to the surface of the platform and sufficient support to return the exercise supporting arm to the initial position when not in use such that the user can exercise through body weight resistance while using the exercise supporting arms for balance and support.   
     
     
         20 . A method of exercising using an exercise device comprising the steps of:
 (1) Providing a portable exercise device comprising:   A substantially rigid platform having an upper surface adapted to support a user and a lower surface adapted for use on a supporting surface;   A plurality of spaced apart elongated exercise supporting arms, each extending from a base end to a rotatable grip assembly at the opposing end; and   A plurality of multi-axis pivot assemblies, each pivot assembly coupling the base end of an exercise supporting arm to the platform and supporting the exercise arm in an initial position extending outwardly from the upper surface of the platform while allowing multi-axis movement of the exercise arm relative to the initial position; and   Wherein each pivot assembly allows generally free planar movement of the grip assemblies relative to the surface of the platform and sufficient support to return the exercise supporting arm to the initial position when not in use;   (2) Placing the lower surface on a supporting surface;   (3) Placing at least a portion of a user body weight on at least one of the exercise arms such that a downward pressure is applied to the exercise arms; and   (4) Using at least one of the exercise arms for support while moving the body through exercises and using at least the weight of the body for resistance.