Mobile Exercise Device

Abstract

Techniques and structure are disclosed for providing and using an exercise device which is mobile and self-contained. In some instances, the device may include a binding positionable on a user's leg, an anchoring device positionable on the user's torso, and a resistive element which operatively couples the leg binding to the anchoring device. In some such instances, the resistive element may be directed over one or more of the user's shoulders. In some cases, the device can be configured to be used on both of a user's legs. In some instances, the device may be used to exercise (e.g., develop, train, work out, exert, condition, etc.) a user's leg muscles, for example, without outside or otherwise external support/anchoring (e.g., from a person or other stationary object).

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An exercise apparatus comprising:
 a leg binding positionable on a user's leg;   an anchoring device positionable on the user's torso; and   a resistive element configured to operatively couple the leg binding with the anchoring device, wherein the resistive element has a length that is sufficient to allow the resistive element to pass from the user's leg, over the user's shoulder, and to the anchoring device.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the leg binding comprises:
 an upper leg cuff positionable on an upper portion of the user's leg; and   a lower leg cuff positionable on a lower portion of the user's leg.   
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the upper and lower leg cuffs are operatively coupled with one another. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the anchoring device comprises at least one of a belt positionable about the user's waist, a harness positionable about the user's torso, and/or a shoulder pad including a channel configured to direct the resistive element over the user's shoulder. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the resistive element comprises at least one of an elastomeric member, a spring member, a hydraulic member, and/or a pneumatic member. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the resistive element comprises at least one of an elastomeric band, sheet, strand, strap, braid, and/or tube. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the resistive element has an adjustable length. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the resistive element has an adjustable resistance level. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the resistance level is capable of extemporal/on-the-fly adjustment. 
     
     
         10 . A method of exercising, the method comprising:
 affixing a resistive element of a given resistance level to a user's leg;   passing a portion of the resistive element over the user's shoulder;   anchoring the resistive element to a portion of the user's torso; and   causing the user to engage in movement of the leg.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising:
 affixing the resistive element to the user's other leg; and 
 passing a portion of the resistive element over the user's other shoulder. 
 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein movement of the leg comprises walking, jogging, running, overspeed training, cycling, skiing, skating, rowing, or jumping. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein movement of the leg is performed in a reverse direction. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising adjusting the resistance level of the resistive element. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein adjusting the resistance level comprises at least one of exchanging the resistive element for a resistive element of a different resistance level, changing an effective length of the resistive element, and/or utilizing a plurality of resistive elements. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein movement of the leg comprises at least one of a concentric reaction in the user's gluteus muscles, a concentric reaction in the user's hamstring muscles, an eccentric reaction in the user's hip flexor muscles, extension of the user's hip joint, acceleration of knee drive, and/or a hip flexion concentric reaction. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein movement of the leg occurs absent any anchoring provided by an external object or person. 
     
     
         18 . An exercise system comprising:
 a first leg binding comprising:
 a first upper leg cuff positionable on an upper portion of a user's first leg; and 
 a first lower leg cuff positionable on a lower portion of the user's first leg; 
 wherein the first upper leg cuff and the first lower leg cuff are operatively coupled with one another; 
   a second leg binding comprising:
 a second upper leg cuff positionable on an upper portion of the user's second leg; and 
 a second lower leg cuff positionable on a lower portion of the user's second leg; 
 wherein the second upper leg cuff and the second lower leg cuff are operatively coupled with one another; 
   an anchoring device positionable on the user's torso; and   a resistive element configured to operatively couple each of the first leg cuff and the second leg cuff to the anchoring device, the resistive element passing over the user's shoulder.   
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18  further comprising a resistance adjustment component configured to permit adjustment of a resistance level of the resistive element. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the anchoring device comprises at least one of a belt positionable about the user's waist, a harness positionable about the user's torso, and/or a shoulder pad including a channel configured to direct the resistive element over the user's shoulder.