Variable-tension exercise apparatus and related conditioning method

Abstract

A movable sled configured to be pushed by a user having a frame member, a ground engaging mechanism coupled to the frame member, and at least one elastic member coupled on a first end to the frame member and configured to be coupled to a user on a second end. Wherein, as the user moves the frame along the underlying surface the elastic member provides resistance to the user.

1 . A movable sled configured to be pushed by a user, comprising:
 a frame member;   a ground engaging mechanism coupled to the frame member; and   at least one elastic member coupled on a first end to the frame member and configured to be coupled to a user on a second end;   wherein, as the user moves the frame along the underlying surface the elastic member provides resistance to the user.   
     
     
         2 . The movable sled of  claim 1 , further comprising an adjustable member coupled to the frame member, wherein the elastic member is coupled to the frame member through the adjustable member. 
     
     
         3 . The movable sled of  claim 2 , further wherein the adjustable member repositions the elastic member away from the ground engaging mechanism. 
     
     
         4 . The movable sled of  claim 3 , further wherein the adjustable member repositions the elastic member widthwise relative to the frame member. 
     
     
         5 . The movable sled of  claim 2 , further wherein the adjustable member extends from the frame member at an angle between 85 degrees and 45 degrees. 
     
     
         6 . The movable sled of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one grip bar coupled to the frame member and extending perpendicular therefrom; wherein the grip bar is positioned to allow the user to move the frame member by applying a pushing force to the grip bar. 
     
     
         7 . The movable sled of  claim 1 , further wherein the ground engaging mechanism is a skid plate. 
     
     
         8 . The movable sled of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one weight coupler coupled to the frame member and configured to position a weighted plate thereon. 
     
     
         9 . The movable sled of  claim 1 , further wherein the second end of the elastic member has a loop sized to be positioned around a user's leg. 
     
     
         10 . A sled workout system, comprising:
 a sled frame assembly having a ground engaging mechanism positioned thereon and configured to move along an underlying surface;   a first and second elastic member coupled to the sled frame assembly on a first end and configured to be coupled to legs of a user on a second end; and   a grip point on the sled frame assembly positioned to allow a user to push the sled frame assembly along the underlying surface through contact at the grip point;   wherein, as the user moves the sled frame assembly along the underlying surface, the first and second elastic member provide additional resistance to the legs of the user.   
     
     
         11 . The sled workout system of  claim 10 , further wherein the first and second elastic members are coupled to the sled frame assembly through an adjustable member, wherein the adjustable member is repositionable to reposition the first ends of the first and second elastic member relative to the sled frame assembly. 
     
     
         12 . The sled workout system of  claim 11 , further wherein the adjustable member is repositionable to reposition the first ends of the first and second elastic member away from the ground engaging mechanisms. 
     
     
         13 . The sled workout system of  claim 11 , further wherein the adjustable member is repositionable to reposition the first ends of the first and second elastic member away from one another. 
     
     
         14 . The sled workout system of  claim 11 , wherein the first and second elastic members are removable and configured to exert adjustable loads on the user by substituting elastic members of higher or lower resistance. 
     
     
         15 . The sled workout system of  claim 11 , further comprising a handle assembly removably coupled to the sled frame assembly. 
     
     
         16 . The sled workout system of  claim 15 , wherein said handle assembly further comprises a plurality of handles coupled to the frame member. 
     
     
         17 . An athletic conditioning method, comprising the steps of:
 providing a sled having a frame, at least one ground engaging mechanism, and a first and second resistance member coupled to the frame;   instructing a user to couple the first resistance member to the user's first leg and to couple the second resistance member to the user's second leg;   instructing the user to move said frame by exerting an applied force on the frame; and   positioning the first and second resistance member to resist movement of the user's first and second leg away from the sled frame.   
     
     
         18 . The athletic conditioning method of  claim 17 , further comprising providing an adjustable member and coupling the first and second resistance member to the frame through the adjustable member. 
     
     
         19 . The athletic conditioning method of  claim 18 , further comprising adjusting the height of the adjustable member to correlate with a about knee height of the user. 
     
     
         20 . The athletic condition method of  claim 17 , further comprising adjusting the width of the adjustable member to correlate with a hip width of the user.