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Strength training treadmillRelated Patent Categories: Exercise Devices, Involving User Translation Or Physical Simulation Thereof, Treadmill For Foot TravelStrength training treadmill description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060135322, Strength training treadmill. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
[0001] This application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/623,770 filed Nov. 1, 2004 which is incorporated by reference herein. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates to exercise equipment and methods of exercising. In particular, the invention relates to methods and equipment for a total workout that involves both aerobic and strength training. [0004] 2. Description of Related Art [0005] Operators using conventional treadmills receive a cardiovascular aerobic workout without much in the way of strength training. The degree of exercise in aerobic workout is often measured by the operator's elevated heart pulse rate above a rest rate, all adjusted according to the operator's age. On the other hand, strength training has many advantages that work to complement a conventional treadmill workout. With strength training, the operator's heart pulse rate may be elevated, but seldom into the "fat burning" or "aerobic" ranges. However, building muscle mass through strength training has the benefit of increasing the rest metabolism of the operator so as to burn increased calories even during non-exercise periods. [0006] For strength training, operators conventionally use many diverse strength training machines. For example, one training machine may build strength in the operator's legs, while another machine may build strength in the operator's arms and shoulders. A conventional "universal machine" is reconfigurable to focus on one portion of the operator's body, then after being reconfigured, to focus on another portion of the operator's body. Even though reconfiguration of a universal machine may be designed to be convenient and quick, attention is not paid to being so quick that the heart rate does not significantly diminish during the reconfiguration. [0007] What is needed is a single machine that provides both strength training opportunities of all, or at least most, muscle groups while also having the capability of providing aerobic exercise, all within the context of an integrated exercise program that exercises the total body. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0008] The invention improves the state of the art by providing a single exercise apparatus that can support both strength training and aerobic training, and can be configured sufficiently quickly that an operator's heart pulse rate does not have time to significantly cool down during reconfiguration. [0009] In a first embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention, the apparatus includes a treadmill, and one or two hand grip mechanisms attached to a rear of the treadmill. [0010] In a second embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention, the apparatus includes a treadmill having at least one vertical member and a first plurality of hooks attached to a first vertical member of the at least one vertical member. Each hook is located on the first vertical member so as to be capable of hooking a resistance band that is to be stretched by an operator between the corresponding hook and a part of the operator undergoing resistance training. [0011] In a third embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention, the apparatus includes a treadmill and a coaching appliance. The coaching appliance includes either an audio-video appliance or an audio appliance. The audio-video appliance includes a video display screen, an audio speaker and an audio-video player capable of displaying a prerecorded coaching session on the video display screen and the audio speaker. The audio appliance includes an audio speaker and an audio player capable of playing a prerecorded coaching session on the audio speaker. [0012] In an embodiment of a method of providing strength and aerobic training to an operator according to the invention, the method includes moving a tread of a treadmill, and exhibiting instructions for any of (1) a simultaneous strength and aerobic training period, (2) alternating a strength training period and an aerobic training period, or (3) both. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS [0013] The invention will be described in detail in the following description of preferred embodiments with reference to the following figures. [0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention. [0015] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a hand grip mechanism according to an embodiment of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0016] An exemplary exercise apparatus 1 according to the invention includes a basic treadmill 10 (FIG. 1) having a moveable tread 20 that is capable of moving from the front 16 to the rear 18 of the treadmill. Treadmill 10 further includes vertical members 12, 13 onto which is attached a deck 14. Vertical members 12, 13 are not limited to strictly vertical members or even straight members. Vertical members 12, 13 simply provide support extending from the base of the treadmill to the deck 14. The basic treadmill may be augmented with features such as a water bottle holder 22 and other holders 24 capable of holding, for example, reading material. The apparatus 1 may also be supplied with an exercise mat 30 as will be beneficially employed by an operator who uses apparatus 1 for both strength training and aerobic training. For example, the exercise mat 30 may be advantageously used for strength training of an abdominal muscle group. [0017] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, in a first embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention, apparatus 1 includes a treadmill 10, and one or two hand grip mechanisms 110 attached to a rear 18 of the treadmill. In a typical use, the hand grip mechanism 110 enables an operator to quickly dismount from aerobic activity on the tread of the treadmill and begin strength training activities using the hand grip mechanism for pushups. The quickness with which the hand grip mechanism can be erected and exercise begun is such that the operator's heart pulse rate does not significantly slow down during the time that the hand grip mechanism is erected and locked in place. [0018] In a first variant of the first embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention, each hand grip mechanism 110 includes a hand grip 112, and a vertical mechanism 114. Vertical mechanism 114 is capable of telescoping in a direction 116 to adjust a distance between the hand grip 112 and a floor under the treadmill 10. Vertical mechanism 114 includes a vertical locking mechanism capable of locking the distance between the hand grip and the floor at any one of a plurality of predetermined distances, for example as depicted at 118, 120, 122. The adjustable vertical locations of the hand grips 112 together with the vertical locking mechanism enable the degree of difficulty of pushups to be altered to adjust for differing levels of fitness. Preferably, but not necessarily, the vertical locking mechanism includes any of a bayonet type connector, a pin inserted through a hole, a latching or other equivalent mechanism. [0019] In a first example of the first variant of the first embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention, the hand grip mechanism 110 is capable of rotating as depicted at 124 to adjust a rotary orientation of the hand grip 112. Each hand grip mechanism 110 further includes a rotary locking mechanism capable of locking the orientation of the hand grip at any of a plurality of predetermined orientations as depicted at 126, 128. The rotary orientations of the hand grips 112 together with the rotary locking mechanism enable the hand grips to be placed in a stowed orientation as depicted at 128 or placed in an operable orientation as depicted at 126. The stowed position permits safer operation of the treadmill against a tripping hazard, and the operable orientation 126 enables the operator to do pushups. Preferably, but not necessarily, the rotary locking mechanism includes a pin through a hole, a latching or an equivalent mechanism. [0020] In a second variant of the first embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention, each hand grip mechanism 110 includes a hand grip 112 capable of being rotated as depicted at 124 to adjust a rotary orientation of the hand grip. Each hand grip mechanism 110 further includes a rotary locking mechanism capable of locking the orientation of the hand grip at any of a plurality of predetermined orientations as depicted at 126, 128. The rotary orientations of the hand grips 112 together with the rotary locking mechanism enable the hand grips to be placed in a stowed orientation as depicted at 128 or placed in an operable orientation as depicted at 126. The stowed position permits safer operation of the treadmill against a tripping hazard, and the operable orientation 126 enables the operator to do pushups. Preferably, but not necessarily, the rotary locking mechanism includes a pin through a hole, a latching or an equivalent mechanism. Continue reading about Strength training treadmill... Full patent description for Strength training treadmill Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Strength training treadmill 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 Strength training treadmill or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Lighted trampoline Next Patent Application: Training equipment Industry Class: Exercise devices ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Strength training treadmill patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.14051 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Tyco , Unilever , Warner-lambert , 3m 174 |
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