Antigravity Muscle Exerciser and Methods of Using Same

Abstract

The invention provides exercise device ( 1 ) comprising a pair of opposed longitudinal handles ( 2, 3 ) which are rigidly separated at their proximal ends by a spacing member ( 4 ). The spacing member has a central portion ( 5 ) which is displaced from the handles. The central portion includes an indicator ( 6 ) of a force applied by way of the device. The invention further provides methods of exercise which utilise the subject device.

1 . An exercise device comprising:
 a pair of opposed longitudinal handles which are rigidly separated at their proximal ends by a spacing member, wherein the spacing member has a central portion which is displaced from the handles and the central portion includes an indicator of a force applied by way of the device.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said handles are angled away from a plane normal to a central plane of the device at up to 10° 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said handles have hand-grips associated therewith to aid the gripping of the handles. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the distal end of each handle comprises a knob. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said force indicator comprises a deformable member or spring. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said force indicator comprises an electronic device which emits an auditory or visual signal when a desired force is applied. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the force at which an auditory or visual signal is emitted by the indicator is adjustable. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said central portion of the device is padded to afford greater comfort when the device is applied to the head of a user. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein said padding is shaped to accommodate the head of a user. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein said force indicator is incorporated into said padding. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1  which further includes a hemispherical member detachably fitted to the outer surface of the central portion. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said device is of a unitary or structure with a bifurcation which forms said central portion. 
     
     
         13 . A method of strengthening and increasing the stability of the spine by providing a self resisted axial head load, the method comprising the steps of:
 a) holding the device according to  claim 1  by said handles;   b) positioning the central portion of the device against the top of the head;   c) applying pressure on the device via the hands holding the device while counter-acting that pressure with an opposite axial force, wherein said applied pressure generates a force no greater than a maximum force signal given by the indicator included in the device;   d) relaxing the applied pressure while reducing the counteractive force; and   e) repeating steps (c) and (d).   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said method is performed with a user in a vertical or supine position. 
     
     
         15 . A method of maintaining upper trunk postural alignment and spinal stability during lower limb exercise, the method comprising the steps of:
 a) holding the device according to  claim 1  by said handles;   b) positioning the central portion of the device against the top of the head; and   c) holding the upper trunk in postural alignment while exercising the lower limbs.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said method is performed with a user wearing a posture indicator comprising:
 an adjustable belt formed from a flexible but inextensible material; and   a solid and impervious spine contact member comprising a plurality of ridges fixed to the inside surface of said belt at a portion thereof which spans the lumbar region of a wearer when said belt is in situ such that in use, the spine contact member is positioned within the lumbar curve of the wearer and the ridges are in contact with the lumbar spine and adjacent lumbar regions, thereby providing tactile feedback regarding posture to the wearer without providing passive support.   
     
     
         17 . A method of graduated unstable weight-bearing exercise for the spine, shoulder girdle
 and arms, the method comprising the steps of:
 a) holding the device according to  claim 1  by said handles; 
 b) positioning the device against a surface; and 
 c) bending and extending the arms to move the body towards or away from the surface. 
   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15  wherein said method is performed with a user wearing a posture indicator comprising:
 an adjustable belt formed from a flexible but inextensible material; and   a solid and impervious spine contact member comprising a plurality of ridges fixed to the inside surface of said belt at a portion thereof which spans the lumbar region of a wearer when said belt is in situ such that in use, the spine contact member is positioned within the lumbar curve of the wearer and the ridges are in contact with the lumbar spine and adjacent lumbar regions, thereby providing tactile feedback regarding posture to the wearer without providing passive support.   
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 7  wherein said device is of a unitary or structure with a bifurcation which forms said central portion. 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 8  wherein said device is of a unitary or structure with a bifurcation which forms said central portion.