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Apparatus and method for promoting fitnessRelated Patent Categories: Exercise Devices, User Manipulated Force Resisting Apparatus, Component Thereof, Or Accessory Therefor, Utilizing Weight Resistance, Weight Worn On Body Of UserApparatus and method for promoting fitness description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070066455, Apparatus and method for promoting fitness. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
[0001] A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. [0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/718,513, filed Sep. 20, 2005, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. BACKGROUND [0003] 1. Field of the Invention [0004] The present invention relates generally to physical fitness, and more particularly to promotion and improvement of physical fitness using weights borne by a user wearing a weight vest, belt and wrist strap in combination with a particular method for exercising. [0005] 2. Background of the Invention [0006] It is well known in the art that physical fitness is a desirable quality for health and well-being. Various systems and methods of promoting and improving physical fitness through the ages have included cardiovascular training through aerobic exercise such as running, biking, swimming, walking and the like. Other methods of improving physical fitness include strength training through weight-lifting systems wherein large amounts of weights are lifted for a limited number of repetitions to produce a desired gain in muscle mass. Conventional weight-lifting methods include for example, universal weight systems, free-weight systems, bow-based systems, and band-based systems. All of these conventional weight-lifting methods rely on the principle of moving a significant load a short distance to stress a targeted muscle group. Generally speaking, the weightlifting process involves a user moving a load from a resting position to stressed position in opposition to the forces of gravity. Following the move, the person exercising generally controls the load as the gravitational forces work to return the load from the stressed position back to the resting position. [0007] One problem with conventional physical fitness systems and methods is the stress caused on the body. It is well known in the art that typical aerobic exercises can cause problems in the joints and ligaments of the exerciser. Similarly, it is well known that conventional weight-lifting systems can cause muscle strain, and fatigue and can result in unintended injuries to the exerciser by accidental loss of control of the weight equipment. [0008] Another problem with conventional physical fitness systems and methods is that the exerciser must generally take time out of his or her daily schedule to allow time for exercising and time for cleaning up or resting after the exercising process is over. Conventional physical fitness regimen generally involves extreme exertion for the exerciser and results in fatigue and/or sweating by the exerciser. It is generally not appropriate for one to return to their normal routine without first cleaning up. Accordingly, conventional fitness programs require time to prepare for the exercise, including time to change into appropriate clothing and time to warm up, time to complete the exercise, followed by time to cool down and finally time to clean up and change back into regular clothing. [0009] Garments, such as vests, jackets and pants, designed to hold weights are known in the arts. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,384,369 to Prince discloses an exercise suit including a jacket and pants having numerous pockets. The pockets in Prince carry bags containing liquid to provide weight loading and massaging muscle simulation. U.S. Pat. No. 4,602,387 to Zakrzewski discloses a weight vest incorporating means for wearing an adjustable amount of weight via specially shaped pockets conforming to the weight shape by means of an elastic strap. U.S. Pat. No. 5,010,596 to Brown et al. discloses a conformable weighted conditioning garment having a plurality of pouches for holding weights. U.S. Pat. No. 6,081,924 to Ott discloses a weighted training vest having pockets that can hold any combination of weights packets to arrive at a desired load. In each case, each of these known weight-bearing garments are designed to carry varying loads by varying the size or the material held within one or more pockets. However, in each case, the general principle is to have a generally set amount of weight which is then varied in sizable amounts from one work-out to another by adding or removing enough weight to make a measurable difference in load on the user. None of these garments are specifically designed for use in an exercise regimen wherein only very small changes in the load are made from work-out to work-out thereby creating a virtually unnoticeable change in the load to the user. While each of the garments could conceivably be so used, their designs and the weighting apparatus disclosed are not conducive to minute changes which would not produce undue stress on the user. While the garment disclosed in Prince might be suited for making small changes in the load by making small changes in the amount of liquid held in the pockets, there is no convenient means for measuring the amount of weight added or removed because of the difficulty in adding or removing a precise amount of liquid to or from each of the many pockets. [0010] U.S. Pat. No. 6,692,413 to Greenberg et al. discloses a weight jacket specifically designed to improve strength by adding resistance to weight-bearing activities using lower weight loads. This weight jacket is more closely related to the concept of using weights in a manner so as to increase strength without increasing stress on the wearer. However, the jacket disclosed in Greenberg does not include the plurality of weights having masses varying in very small increments so as to produce increased results over a very long time. [0011] Conventional exercise systems and method routinely teach that one must exert a certain amount of energy to gain strength or fitness. A well-know slogan embodying this concept is "no pain, no gain." That is, one achieves maximum benefit by stressing the muscles, joints, and psyche of the exerciser. However, as is known in the art, anytime a body is stressed, there is a need for a recovery period wherein the body rebuilds itself. While such conventional exercise systems and methods may work for short term gains, there is usually a point at which further gains are just not possible and the method is not suitable for everyone. A need therefore exists for a system and method of gaining fitness without the need to overstress the body and without a need for a recovery period. [0012] A need therefore exists for a system and method of promoting and improving physical fitness without the need for strenuous exercising. [0013] A need therefore exists for a system and method of promoting and improving physical fitness without the need for interrupting one's daily routine. [0014] A need therefore exists for a system and method of promoting and improving physical fitness by adding very small portions of weights to the user with changes made over a very long period of time so that strength is increased without additional stress on the user. [0015] A need therefore exists for a system and method of promoting and improving physical fitness using a weight vest, belt and wrist strap and a weight system specifically designed to add very small amounts of weights to the user with changes made over a long period of time so that strength is increased without additional stress on the user. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0016] The present invention discloses a method of improving the strength of a person or animal by slowly training the body to accommodate extra weight. Once a very small amount of weight is added to the body the person or animal may engage in routine exercise or activities without any undue fatigue because the additional weight is so small. Then, when the person or animal is ready to progress to the next level, the amount of weight is increased in very small proportion. It has been found that by using very small amounts of weight applied at various points on the body for balance, the body can build strength without suffering any fatigue or other deterioration related to conventional exercise. The method of the present invention results in greatly improved strength over a very long time. [0017] In another aspect of the present invention, a wearable exercise apparatus is provided to allow a user to improve strength accordingly to the method of the present invention. The wearable exercise apparatus for a human being may comprise a waist belt, a torso belt and a pair of wrist straps having pockets adapted to store a plurality of very small weights distributed about points of the body providing balance. The weights are gradually increased over time as described herein and when the pockets become full, there may be additional pockets to store larger weights which may be substituted for the cumulative weight of the smaller objects in the pockets. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0018] FIG. 1 is a flow chart of showing the steps in an embodiment of the present invention. [0019] FIG. 2 is a drawing showing an individual using a weight system according to one aspect of the present invention. [0020] FIG. 3 shows a front-view of a waist belt according to one aspect of the present invention. [0021] FIG. 4 shows a top cross-sectional view of a weight belt according to one aspect of the present invention. Continue reading about Apparatus and method for promoting fitness... Full patent description for Apparatus and method for promoting fitness Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Apparatus and method for promoting fitness patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Apparatus and method for promoting fitness or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Training machine Next Patent Application: Exercise extension handle Industry Class: Exercise devices ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Apparatus and method for promoting fitness patent info. 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