Kettle bell and methods of use thereof

Abstract

A kettle bell including a weighted mass and a handle or grasping ring extending from an upper portion of the mass, and at least one opening or receiver formed through at least a portion of the mass and/or handle. In example embodiments, the at least one opening or receiver is provided for accommodating interengagement with the end male receivers of a barbell or other exercise device. In other example embodiments, one or more portions of the kettle bell is at least partially deformable or flexible.

1 . An exercise device comprising:
 a weighted body having a first end and a second end opposite the first end;   a handle attached to the first end of the weighted body, wherein the handle is configured to allow a user's hand to grasp the handle; and   an opening in the weighted body, wherein the opening extends from a first side of the weighted body to a second side of the weighted body, the first side of the weighted body being generally opposite the second side of the weighted body.   
     
     
         2 . The exercise device of  claim 1 , wherein the handle extends along a first direction and wherein the opening in the weighted body extends along a second direction, wherein the second direction is generally transverse the first direction. 
     
     
         3 . The exercise device of  claim 1 , wherein the center of gravity of the exercise device is located in a position relative the second end of the body to orient the second end of the body towards a ground surface. 
     
     
         4 . The exercise device of  claim 1 , wherein the opening in the body is configured to be offset from the center of gravity of the exercise device in a direction towards the first end of the body. 
     
     
         5 . The exercise device of  claim 1 , wherein the second end of the body is substantially flat such that the exercise device does not roll when placed on a surface. 
     
     
         6 . The exercise device of  claim 1 , wherein the opening is configured to facilitate attachment of the exercise device to the collar end of a barbell. 
     
     
         7 . The exercise device of  claim 4 , wherein one or more exercise devices can be removably and pivotably attached to opposing collar ends of a barbell, and wherein the one or more exercise devices can freely pivot while the second side of the body generally remains closer to a ground surface relative to the first side. 
     
     
         8 . The exercise device of  claim 7 , wherein the pivoting or swaying of the one or more exercise devices causes a user that is manually operating or lifting the barbell to exert further stability effort during the lifting thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The exercise device of  claim 1 , wherein a user can grasp the handle with two hands or a single hand to perform one or more manual exercises with the exercise device. 
     
     
         10 . The exercise device of  claim 1 , wherein at least the weighted body comprises iron. 
     
     
         11 . The exercise device of  claim 1 , wherein the exercise device comprises a total weight of between 5-115 pounds. 
     
     
         12 . The exercise device of  claim 1 , wherein the weighted body, when viewed from a side thereof, generally defines a triangular shape formed between outer ends of a surface defined at the second end thereof and portions of the weighted body that are generally nearest the opening. 
     
     
         13 . The exercise device of  claim 1 , wherein the handle is substantially rigid and integrally formed with the weighted body. 
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . An exercise device comprising:
 a weighted body having a first end, a second end, a first side and a second side;   a handle attached to the first end of the weighted body; and   an opening in the weighted body, the opening extending from the first side to the second side;   wherein when viewing the weighted body from the first or second side thereof, outermost portions of a surface defined at the second end of the weighted body and portions of the weighted body that are generally nearest the opening collectively define a triangular shape.   
     
     
         16 . A method of using an exercise device comprising:
 providing an exercise device, the exercise device comprising a weighted body, a handle and an opening in the weighted body, the weighted body having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the handle attached to the first end of the weighted body, wherein the handle is configured to allow a user's hand to grasp the handle, and the opening extending from a first side of the weighted body to a second side of the weighted body, the first side of the weighted body being generally opposite the second side of the weighted body;   grasping the handle of the exercise device with one or more hands of a user;   performing one or more exercises;   providing a barbell comprising male collar end receivers;   removably and pivotally attaching at least one exercise device to each of the collar end receivers, wherein the collar end receivers are fitted through the opening in the weighted body of the respective exercise device; and   performing one or more exercises by grasping and lifting the barbell.   
     
     
         17 . The method of using an exercise device of  claim 16 , wherein the handle extends along a first direction and wherein the opening in the weighted body extends along a second direction, wherein the second direction is generally transverse the first direction. 
     
     
         18 . The method of using an exercise device of  claim 16 , wherein the center of gravity of the exercise device is located in a position relative the second end of the body to orient the second end of the body towards a ground surface. 
     
     
         19 . The method of using an exercise device of  claim 16 , wherein the opening in the body is configured to be offset from the center of gravity of the exercise device in a direction towards the first end of the body. 
     
     
         20 . The method of using an exercise device of  claim 16 , wherein the exercise devices can freely pivot about the male collar end receivers of the barbell while the second sides of the body generally remain closer to a ground surface relative to the first side. 
     
     
         21 . The method of using an exercise device of  claim 20 , wherein the pivoting or swaying of the exercise devices causes a user that is manually operating or lifting the barbell to exert further stability effort during the lifting thereof.