Paddle Exercise Apparatus

Abstract

A paddle exercise apparatus includes a rod, a handle, and a weight member. The a rod includes first and second ends and is configured for grasping by a first hand of a user at a location between the first and second ends. The handle is positioned at the first end of the rod and is configured for grasping by a second hand of the user. The weight member is mounted to the rod and adjustably positioned between the first and second ends of the rod to alter a resistance of the paddle exercise apparatus when the user moves the paddle exercise apparatus through a paddling motion.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An paddle exercise apparatus, comprising:
 a rod having first and second ends and being configured for grasping by a first hand of a user at a location between the first and second ends;   a handle positioned at the first end of the rod and being configured for grasping by a second hand of the user;   a weight member mounted to the rod and adjustably positioned between the first and second ends of the rod to alter a resistance of the paddle exercise apparatus when the user moves the paddle exercise apparatus through a paddling motion.   
     
     
         2 . The paddle exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the handle has an asymmetrical shape. 
     
     
         3 . The paddle exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the rod passes through the weight member. 
     
     
         4 . The paddle exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the weight member comprises a releasable locking assembly operable to fix a position of the weight member along a length of the rod. 
     
     
         5 . The paddle exercise apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the releasable locking assembly comprises a twist locking assembly. 
     
     
         6 . The paddle exercise apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the releasable locking assembly comprises a pivot locking assembly. 
     
     
         7 . The paddle exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising an end cap positioned at the second end of the rod. 
     
     
         8 . The paddle exercise apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the end cap comprises a cushioning material. 
     
     
         9 . The paddle exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the rod has a length of at least 5 ft between the first and second ends. 
     
     
         10 . The paddle exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the weight member has a weight of at least 3 lbs. 
     
     
         11 . The paddle exercise apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the weight member has a weight in the range of about 5 lbs to about 7 lbs. 
     
     
         12 . An paddle exercise apparatus comprising:
 an elongate rod;   a weight member slidable along a length of the rod and operable to fix a position of the weight member a different locations along the length of the rod to vary a resistance to movement of the rod when the paddle exercise apparatus is used to simulate a paddling motion by a user.   
     
     
         13 . The paddle exercise apparatus of  claim 12 , further comprising a handle positioned at an end of the rod. 
     
     
         14 . The paddle exercise apparatus of  claim 12 , further comprising an end cap positioned at an end of the rod. 
     
     
         15 . The paddle exercise apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the weight member includes a body portion and a locking assembly, the locking assembly being operable to releasably fix an axial position of the weight member along the length of the rod. 
     
     
         16 . The paddle exercise apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the locking assembly comprises a lever, and rotating the lever applies a clamping force to the rod to releasably connect the weight member to the rod. 
     
     
         17 . The paddle exercise apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the locking assembly comprises mating tapered surfaces and an actuator, and rotating the actuator moves the tapered surfaces relative to each other to releasably connect the weight member to the rod. 
     
     
         18 . A method of exercising, comprising:
 providing a paddle exercise apparatus comprising a rod, a handle positioned at one end of the rod, and a weight member;   releasably mounting the weight member to the rod at a first location along a length of the rod;   grasping the handle with a first hand of a user, grasping the rod with a second hand of the user, and moving the paddle exercise apparatus through a paddling motion;   releasably mounting the weight member to the rod at a second location along the length of the rod;   grasping the handle with the first hand of a user, grasping the rod with the second hand of the user, and moving the paddle exercise apparatus through the paddling motion;   wherein the weight member provides different resistance during the paddling motion when in the first and second locations.   
     
     
         19 . The paddle exercise apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the weight member comprising a locking assembly, and releasably mounting the weight member to the rod includes operating the locking assembly to releasably secure the weight member to the rod. 
     
     
         20 . The paddle exercise apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the locking assembly comprises an actuator, and operating the locking assembly includes rotating the actuator about a longitudinal axis of the rod. 
     
     
         21 . The paddle exercise apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the locking assembly comprises an actuator, and operating the locking assembly includes pivoting the actuator about an axis arranged perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the rod.