Stability bar system

Abstract

A stability bar system is disclosed for use in exercising and muscle toning. The system provides an unstable base to engage core muscles while performing exercises. The bar has a central attachment point, and multiple off-center attachment points on which to attach resistance tubing, bands, cables, or straps. The body of the bar is made from rigid plastic or metal, and allows for diverse exercises by providing interchangeable attachments, and multiple configurations, to vary stability and resistance. The bar may also be used to perform body weight exercises. The stability bar system is designed to allow an exerciser to engage core muscles while focusing on other, primary muscles.

1 . An exercise apparatus, comprising:
 a rigid bar having a central attachment point and a plurality of off-center attachment points distributed along the rigid bar;   at least one band of a plurality of bands removably attachable to one of the plurality of off-center attachment points.   
     
     
         2 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one band is one of an elastic resistance band, an elastic resistance tube, and a cable band. 
     
     
         3 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a flexible, substantially non-elastic strap removably attachable to the central attachment point. 
     
     
         4 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the central attachment point and the plurality of off-center attachment points respectively lie on the bar in opposed radial directions. 
     
     
         5 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a carabiner connects the at least one band to the off-center attachment point. 
     
     
         6 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one band has a handle. 
     
     
         7 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the plurality of off-center attachment points are symmetrical on either side of the central attachment point.   
     
     
         8 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the attachment points are evenly spaced. 
     
     
         9 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein:
 a first set of off-center attachment points are close to the center of the bar;   a second set of off-center attachment points are close to the ends of the bar; and   a third set of off-center attachment points are midway between the first set of off-center attachment points and second set of off-center attachment points.   
     
     
         10 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a pair of bands, each removably attachable to one of the plurality of off-center attachment points on opposing sides of the central attachment point. 
     
     
         11 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the bar is metal. 
     
     
         12 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the flexible, non-elastic strap is adapted to be connected to the central attachment point by a metal ring or a carabiner. 
     
     
         13 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the central attachment point and the plurality of off-center attachment points, each comprise a pair of oval holes. 
     
     
         14 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the central attachment point, and the plurality of off-center attachment points, each comprise metal loops. 
     
     
         15 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising end-caps on the rigid bar. 
     
     
         16 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the bar is plastic. 
     
     
         17 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the bar comprises two partial bars which attach to a center member to form the rigid bar. 
     
     
         18 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the central attachment point is a tab with a cut-out, extending radially from the center member. 
     
     
         19 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the center member is an internally threaded cuff; and the two partial bars each include a threaded portion for screw-threaded engagement with the cuff. 
     
     
         20 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 18 , further comprising a flexible, non-elastic strap connectable to the central attachment point. 
     
     
         21 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the plurality of attachment points comprise tabs with holes, the tabs extending radially from the rigid bar. 
     
     
         22 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the bar is substantially straight. 
     
     
         23 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the bar is substantially curved. 
     
     
         24 . A method of using the apparatus of  claim 6 , comprising the steps of:
 providing a stationary frame for attaching the central attachment strap;   attaching a first elastic resistance band and a second elastic resistance band to a first and second of the plurality of off-center attachment points;   gripping the handle bars of the elastic resistance bands and stretching the band by pushing or pulling.