Soft-sided kettlebells

Abstract

Detailed are exercise devices including soft-sided kettlebells. The devices may be weighted variably yet retain all functionality of existing rigid-sided kettlebells. Nesting of internal components may reduce, if not prevent, relative movement of the components when a kettlebell is in use.

1 . A kettlebell comprising:
 a. a soft-sided body having a hollow interior region and defining a recess;   b. a handle assembly configured for connection to the body in use;   c. weighting material positioned in the hollow interior region; and   d. a variable weighting assembly configured for placement within the recess so as not to shift position relative to the body in use.   
     
     
         2 . A kettlebell according to  claim 1  in which the handle assembly comprises a handle and a base. 
     
     
         3 . A kettlebell according to  claim 2  in which the base defines first and second openings. 
     
     
         4 . A kettlebell according to  claim 3  further comprising a first strap having first and second ends, the first end connected to the body and the second end configured for connection to the first end after being threaded through the first opening. 
     
     
         5 . A kettlebell according to  claim 4  further comprising a second strap threaded through the second opening and having at least one end permanently connected to the body. 
     
     
         6 . A kettlebell according to  claim 5  in which the variable weighting assembly comprises an inner compartment having rigid or semi-rigid walls. 
     
     
         7 . A kettlebell according to  claim 6  in which the variable weighting assembly further comprises at least one weight vessel. 
     
     
         8 . A kettlebell according to  claim 7  in which the body and the at least one weight vessel comprise fabric. 
     
     
         9 . A kettlebell according to  claim 8  in which the handle assembly is permanently connected to the body yet moveable relative thereto. 
     
     
         10 . A kettlebell according to  claim 9  in which the handle assembly is moveable between a first position in which the base covers the recess and a second position allowing access to the recess. 
     
     
         11 . A kettlebell according to  claim 10  in which the weighting material comprises a mixture of sand and iron chips. 
     
     
         12 . A kettlebell according to  claim 11  in which the at least one weight vessel is frictionally fitted into the inner compartment. 
     
     
         13 . A kettlebell comprising:
 a. a body having a hollow interior region and defining a recess;   b. a handle assembly configured for connection to the body in use;   c. first weighting material positioned in the hollow interior region; and   d. a variable weighting assembly configured for placement within the recess, the variable weighting assembly comprising a first component nested within a second component.   
     
     
         14 . A kettlebell according to  claim 13  in which the second component has rigid or semi-rigid walls. 
     
     
         15 . A kettlebell according to  claim 14  in which the first component is soft-sided. 
     
     
         16 . A kettlebell according to  claim 15  in which the variable weighting assembly further comprises a third component nested within the first component. 
     
     
         17 . A kettlebell according to  claim 16  in which the third component is soft-sided. 
     
     
         18 . A kettlebell according to  claim 17  further comprising second weighting material positioned within the first and third components. 
     
     
         19 . A kettlebell according to  claim 18  in which the first and second weighting materials have the same composition. 
     
     
         20 . A exercise device in the form of a kettlebell comprising:
 a. a soft-sided body having a hollow interior region and defining a recess;   b. a handle assembly permanently connected to the body and comprising:
 i. a handle; and 
 ii. a base defining first and second openings and being moveable between a first position in which it covers the recess and a second position allowing access to the recess; 
   c. a first strap having first and second ends, the first end connected to the body and the second end configured for connection to the first end after being threaded through the first opening;   d. a second strap threaded through the second opening and having at least one end permanently connected to the body;   e. a variable weighting assembly configured for placement within the recess so as not to shift position relative to the body in use and comprising:
 i. an inner compartment having rigid or semi-rigid walls; 
 ii. a soft-sided outer weight vessel configured for nesting within the inner compartment; and 
 iii. a soft-sided inner weight vessel configured for nesting within the outer weight vessel; and 
   f. weighting material positioned within the hollow interior region of the body and within the inner and outer weight vessels.