Exercise apparatus and apparel

Abstract

The invention provides an exercise apparatus containing a compressible member, which provides physical instability and improves core muscle development in an exercising person. In addition, the invention provides an article of clothing containing a compressible member or material which provides physical instability to a person performing active or passive exercise.

1 . An exercise vest comprising a compressible member positioned to contact a portion of the torso and/or buttocks of a person when said person is using strength-enhancing physical resistance equipment, wherein said compressible member causes during exercise, physical instability that requires continuous adjustment of said person's core muscles. 
     
     
         2 . The vest of  claim 1 , wherein the instability caused by said vest requires continuous adjustment of one or more of the following muscle groups: abdominal/core muscles; back and side muscles (including oblique, intercostal, and serratus muscles); back muscles; back and torso muscles; chest and buttock muscles; or upper body and back muscles. 
     
     
         3 . The vest of  claim 1 , wherein the rigidity or resistance of said compressible members can be manually adjusted or programmed to change during the exercise. 
     
     
         4 . The vest of  claim 2 , wherein the rigidity or resistance of said compressible members can be manually adjusted or programmed to change during the exercise. 
     
     
         5 . The vest of  claim 1 , wherein said the vest includes multiple compressible members which can be physically rearranged or programmed to provide instability to different locations in said vest, which allows exercise of different muscle groups. 
     
     
         6 . The vest of  claim 1 , wherein said compressible member comprises a semi-rigid plastic material. 
     
     
         7 . The vest of  claim 6 , wherein the vest includes multiple compressible members which can be physically rearranged by the individual or by a small motor built into the vest, to provide instability to different locations in the vest, which allows exercise of different muscle groups. 
     
     
         8 . The vest of  claim 1 , further comprising a vibration element to allow continuous or adjustable instability to a person exercising. 
     
     
         9 . The vest of  claim 8 , wherein said vibration element can be programmed or adjusted to promote destabilization of different muscles during exercise. 
     
     
         10 . The vest of  claim 1 , wherein said compressible member is available, or packaged for sale, with different degrees of thickness and/or compressibility. 
     
     
         11 . The vest of  claim 6 , wherein said compressible member is available, or packaged for sale, with different degrees of rigidity and/or compressibility. 
     
     
         12 . The vest of  claim 8 , wherein said vibration element is available, or packaged for sale, to provide continuous or adjustable levels of vibration. 
     
     
         13 . An article of clothing comprising a compressible member positioned to contact a portion of the torso and/or buttocks of a person when said person is using strength-enhancing physical resistance equipment, wherein said compressible member causes during exercise, physical instability that requires continuous adjustment of said person's abdominal muscles. 
     
     
         14 . The clothing of  claim 13 , wherein said compressible member comprises a semi-rigid plastic material. 
     
     
         15 . The clothing of  claim 13 , further comprising a vibration element, said vibration element such that, when said clothing is worn during exercise, said vibration element causes physical instability that requires continuous adjustment of muscles by the person.