Exercise device, system, and method

Abstract

An exercise system, device, and method may allow a user of a wheelchair to perform various leg exercises. The system may include a wheelchair, resistance bands, and an exercise device. The exercise device may include a base, a footrest stand, and a resistance stand. The footrest stand and the resistance stand may both extend from the base. The footrest stand may allow a user to rest feet thereon and to push against the exercise device. The resistance stand may provide a place of attachment for resistance bands and provide resistance as a user performs various leg exercises while in a wheelchair.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An exercise device for use with a wheelchair comprising:
 a base having a receiving end and a resistance end;   a footrest mounted to the receiving end of the base and configured to receive feet of a user sitting in a wheelchair and to withstand a force exerted against the footrest by the user; and   a resistance stand mounted to the resistance end of the base and having one or more points of attachment for one or more resistance members, the resistance members configured to provide resistance against the force exerted on the footrest by the user.   
     
     
         2 . The exercise device for use with a wheelchair of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more resistance members are comprised of one or more resistance bands, the one or more resistance bands being configured to removably attach to the one or more points of attachment of the resistance stand and to removably attach to the wheelchair. 
     
     
         3 . The exercise device for use with a wheelchair of  claim 2 , wherein the one or more resistance bands are further configured to provide resistance against the force exerted on the footrest by the user. 
     
     
         4 . The exercise device for use with a wheelchair of  claim 1 , wherein the footrest is configured to withstand the force exerted on the footrest by the user generated from the user primarily engaging his/her quadricep, hamstring, and gluteal muscles in performing a leg press motion. 
     
     
         5 . The exercise device for use with a wheelchair of  claim 1 , wherein, the footrest is configured to withstand the force exerted on the footrest by the user generated from the user primarily engaging his/her calf muscles in performing a calf raise motion. 
     
     
         6 . The exercise device for use with a wheelchair of  claim 1 , wherein the footrest is comprised of a plate and a stand, the plate mounted to the stand and being configured to receive the user's feet and being angled between the vertical and horizontal and the stand being mounted to the base and elevating the plate above the base. 
     
     
         7 . The exercise device for use with a wheelchair of  claim 3 , wherein the one or more points of attachment are positioned on the resistance stand such that the one or more resistance bands are substantially parallel with the base when removably attached to the one or more points of attachment and removably attached to the wheelchair. 
     
     
         8 . The exercise device for use with a wheelchair of  claim 1  further comprising one or more supporting members configured to support the resistance stand against a force exerted against the resistance stand by the one or more resistance members when the user exerts the force against the footrest. 
     
     
         9 . An exercise system comprising:
 a wheelchair; and   an exercise device, the exercise device comprising a base having a receiving end and a resistance end, a footrest mounted to the receiving end, and a resistance stand mounted to the resistance end;   wherein the footrest is configured to receive feet of a user sitting in the wheelchair and to withstand a force exerted against the footrest by the user, the force exerted by the user pushing the wheelchair away from the exercise device; and   wherein the wheelchair is connected to the exercise device by one or more resistance members configured to resist the force exerted by the user on the footrest and to pull the wheelchair back toward the exercise device when the user stops applying the force against the footrest.   
     
     
         10 . The exercise system of  claim 9 , wherein the resistance stand is comprised of one or more points of attachment, and wherein the one or more resistance members are comprised of one or more resistance bands, the one or more resistance bands being configured to removably attach to the one or more points of attachment of the resistance stand and to removably attach to the wheelchair. 
     
     
         11 . The exercise system of  claim 10 , wherein the one or more resistance bands are further configured to provide resistance against the force exerted on the footrest by the user. 
     
     
         12 . The exercise system of  claim 11 , wherein the one or more points of attachment are positioned on the resistance stand such that the one or more resistance bands are substantially parallel with the base when removably attached to the one or more points of attachment and removably attached to the wheelchair. 
     
     
         13 . The exercise system of  claim 9 , wherein the force pushing the wheelchair away from the exercise device is generated from the user primarily engaging his/her quadricep, hamstring, and gluteal muscles in performing a leg press motion against the footrest. 
     
     
         14 . The exercise system of  claim 9 , wherein the force pushing the wheelchair away from the exercise device is generated from the user primarily engaging his/her calf muscles in performing a calf raise against the footrest. 
     
     
         15 . A method for an exerciser to exercise his/her legs while in a wheelchair comprising the steps of:
 (a) utilizing an exercise device comprising a base and a footrest mounted to the base;   (b) removably attaching one or more resistance bands to the exercise device;   (c) removably attaching the one or more resistance bands to the wheelchair;   (d) the exerciser sitting in the wheelchair and placing his/her feet on the footrest;   (e) the exerciser exerting a force against the footrest to push the wheelchair away from the exercise device, the one or more resistance bands resisting the force;   (f) the exerciser controllably releasing the force against the footrest, the one or more resistance bands pulling the wheelchair back toward the exercise device; and   (g) repeating steps (e) and (f).   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the force exerted by the exerciser against the footrest in step (e) is generated from the exerciser primarily engaging his/her quadricep, hamstring, and gluteal muscles in performing a leg press motion against the footrest. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the force exerted by the exerciser against the footrest in step (e) is generated from the exerciser primarily engaging his/her calf muscles in performing a calf raise motion against the footrest. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the exercise device further comprises a resistance stand configured to have resistance bands removably attached thereto, and step (b) further comprising removably attaching one or more resistance bands to a left side of the resistance stand and one or more resistance bands to a right side of the resistance stand. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein step (c) further comprises removably attaching one or more resistance bands to the right side of the wheelchair and one or more resistance bands to the left side of the wheelchair. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising the step of positioning the wheelchair proximate to the footrest prior to step (d).