GB2596604A

GB2596604A - Exercise belt

Info

Publication number: GB2596604A
Application number: GB2010265.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Miles Alexander
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2020-07-03
Filing date: 2020-07-03
Publication date: 2022-01-05
Also published as: GB202010265D0

Abstract

An upper body resistance running belt 10 and corresponding method of use, the belt comprising: a belt portion 20, at least one mounting point 30A/30B, which may be located along the rear, is supported by the belt portion, and at least one resistance member 40A/40B coupled to the at least one mounting point, the at least one resistance member being configured to be coupled to a hand of a user and pulled by the arm when jogging whilst wearing the running belt. There may be a resilient expansion region 24, which may be in series with the main belt. There may also be an inner non-slip surface 26, which may be provided on the rear of the belt, and there may be an outer low friction surface 22C, which may be located along side sections of the belt. The resistance member could be looped and provided with a handle.

Description

TITLE: EXERCISE BET T

DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to an exercise belt and associated method of use.

The recent world-wide introduction of social distancing restrictions to combat the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in the mass closing of public gyms leaving those without access to home gym equipment unable to continue their normal exercise regimes The present applicant has identified the need for improved exercise equipment that is 20 low-cost and suitable for use outdoors (e.g. during periods when social distancing restrictions limit access to public gyms).

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an upper body resistance running belt comprising: a belt portion; at least one mounting point (e.g. D-ring) supported by (e.g. provided on) the belt portion; and at least one resistance member (e.g. at least one resilient member such as a resistance band) coupled to the at least one mounting point, the at least one resistance member being configured to be coupled to (e.g. grasped by) a hand of a user and pulled by the user's arm when the user is jogging whilst wearing the running belt.

In this way, a running belt is provided that is configured to allow a user to exercise their upper body (e.g. perform arm exercises against the resistance of the at least one resistance 30 member to strengthen the user's shoulder, chest and upper arms) whilst jogging outside, thereby simultaneously performing both an upper and lower body workout.

In one embodiment, the at least one resistance member comprises a resistance band. Resistance bands are well-known in the art and typically comprise a section of a sheet or tube of a resilient (e.g. elastic) material, typically a synthetic rubber (e.g. elastomeric polymer).

In one embodiment, the at least one resistance member comprises a pair of (e.g. independently operable) resistance members, one for each hand of the user.

In one embodiment, the or each resistance member is a looped resistance member (e.g. resistance member threaded through an aperture in the at least one mounting point to form a closed loop). In this way, the user must pull against two parallel lengths of the resistance member during each arm stroke and the resistance of the resistance member is effectively doubled. This advantageously reduces the length of aim stroke required to achieve a desired resistance force which is desirable since arm movement is limited in a typical jogging action.

In one embodiment, the or each looped resistance member is provided with a handle portion (e.g. handle defining a sleeve for receiving a portion of the looped resistance member). In one embodiment, the or each looped resistance member has an unstretched length of no more than 10 inches.

In one embodiment, the at least one resistance member comprises a plurality of pairs of 15 looped resistance members coupled to the at least mounting point (e.g. to provide alternative resistances for selection by the user or to combine resistance in parallel).

In another embodiment, a further looped resistance member is coupled to the or each first-defined looped resistance member (e.g. combining the resistances in series).

In one embodiment, the belt portion defines a front section (e.g. to be positioned at the 20 front of the user's waist when the upper body resistance running belt is worn in an intended jogging orientation) and a rear section (e.g. to be positioned at a rear of the user's waist).

In one embodiment the belt portion further defines a pair of (e.g. opposed) lateral side sections separating the front and rear sections.

In one embodiment, the upper body resistance running belt includes a belt fastener (e.g. 25 two-part belt fastener such as a snap-fit side release buckle clip).

In one embodiment, the belt fastener is provided on the front section of the belt portion. In one embodiment, the at least one mounting point is located along the rear section of the belt portion (e.g. on an opposed side of the belt to the belt fastener).

In the case of an upper body resistance running belt comprising a pair of resistance members, the at least one mounting point may comprise a pair of mounting points (e.g. pair of laterally spaced mounting points) for mounting respective ones of the pair of resi stance members (e.g. a first mounting point for mounting a first resistance member of the pair and a second mounting point for mounting a second resistance member of the pair).

In one embodiment, the pair of laterally spaced mounting points are located along the rear section of the belt (e.g. so that the mounting points are behind the user when the upper body resistance running belt is worn in the intended jogging orientation).

In one embodiment, the belt portion includes at least one resilient expansion region (e.g. 5 configured to reduce stress on the belt portion as the user pulls on the at least one resistance member).

In one embodiment, the at least one resilient expansion region is provided in series with a main belt body of the belt portion. For example, in one embodiment the at least one resilient expansion region is attached to one end of the main belt body (e.g. between one end of the main 10 body and a part of the belt fastener).

In one embodiment, the at least one resilient expansion region comprises an elasticated region In one embodiment, the main belt body is formed from a stiff webbing (stiff relative to the at least one resilient expansion region).

In one embodiment, the at least one resilient expansion region is configured to stretch proportionally more than the main belt body in at least one direction (e.g. in the longitudinal direction of the belt portion) when the user pulls on the at least one resistance member. In one embodiment, the main belt body is substantially non-stretchable (e.g. relative to the at least one resilient expansion region), e.g, in the longitudinal direction of the belt 20 portion.

In one embodiment, the belt portion includes an inner non-slip surface (e.g to grip against the user's waist).

In one embodiment, the inner non-slip surface is provided on at least the rear section of the belt portion (e.g, provided substantially only on the rear section of the belt portion).

In one embodiment, the belt portion includes an outer low friction surface (e.g low friction relative to an inner surface of the belt portion and/or the inner non-slip surface). In one embodiment, the outer low friction surface is provided at least along the side sections of the belt portion.

In one embodiment, the upper body resistance running belt is configured to provide at 30 least one further mode of operation (e.g, at least one further upper body exercise).

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of exercising using an exercise belt, comprising the user-implemented steps of attaching an upper body resistance running belt as defined in accordance with any embodiment of the first aspect of the invention around the user's waist; and in a first mode of operation: holding the at least one resistance member in the user's hands (e.g. holding a first resistance member of a pair of resistance members in a first hand and a second resistance member of the pair in a second hand); and pulling on the at least one resistance member with each arm (e.g. pulling on the first resistance member with the first hand and pulling on the second resistance member with the second hand) whilst jogging.

In one embodiment, the method further comprises: in a second mode of operation: holding the at least one resistance member in the user's hands (e.g. holding a first resistance member of a pair of resistance members in a first hand and a second resistance member of the pair in a second hand); and pulling on the at least one resistance member with each hand (e.g. pulling on the first resistance member with the first hand and pulling on the second resistance member with the second hand) whilst standing in a fixed location to perform at least one arm exercise, An embodiment of the invention will now be described in detail, by way of example, 15 with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure IA is a schematic front perspective view of an upper body resistance running belt in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 1B is a schematic rear perspective view of the running belt of Figure IA; Figure 2 is schematic exploded view of components forming the running belt of 20 Figure IA; Figure 3A is a schematic view of the running belt of Figure 1 A when worn by a user; Figure 3B is a schematic view of the running belt of Figure IA when in use in a first mode of operation whilst a user is jogging; and Figure 3C is schematic view of the running belt of Figure IA when in use in a second 25 mode of operation whilst a user is exercising in a fixed location.

Figures IA and IB show an upper body resistance running belt 10 comprising: a belt portion 20; a pair of laterally spaced D-rings 30A, 30B mounted to the belt portion 20; and a pair of independently operable looped resistance bands 40A, 40B, one for each hand of the user, coupled to D-rings 30A, 30B respectively.

Belt portion 20 comprises a front section 20A (e.g. to be positioned at the front of the user's waist when the running belt is worn in its intended jogging orientation), a rear section 20B e.g. to be positioned at a rear of the user's waist) and a pair of lateral side sections 20C, 20D separating the front and rear sections.

D-rings 30A, 30B are provided along the rear section 20B of the belt portion 20 (e.g. such that the D-rings are positioned slightly behind the user).

A two-part belt fastener 50 (in this example, a two-part snap-fit side release buckle clip comprising a male part 52 and a female part 54) is provided on the front section 20A of the belt 5 portion 20.

Looped resistance bands 40A, 40B arc formed by sections of a sheet or tubing of elastic material, typically a synthetic rubber. The resistance bands 40A, 40B are coupled to D-rings 30A, 30B by tying ends of looped resistance band after threading one end through an aperture of the D-rings. As illustrated, for improved comfort each looped resistance band 40A, 40B is provided with a handle portion 42A, 42B comprising a sleeve 44A, 44B through which the looped resistance band 40A, 40B is threaded prior to coupling the looped resistance band 40A, 40B to D-rings 30A, 30B.

In use, each looped resistance band 40A, 40B is stretchable between a fully retracted position and a fully extended position. For optimal performance with a typical adult, the 15 length of each looped resistance band 40A, 40B when in the fully retracted position (the retracted length) is no more than 10 inches long.

For improved performance, belt portion 20 comprises a main belt body webbing 22 formed from a relatively stiff/non-stretchable webbing material and a strip of elastic material (resilient expansion region) 24 provided in series with the main belt body webbing 22 and operative in use to stretch and thereby break the force applied around the running belt 10 when the user pulls on looped resistance bands 40A, 40B whilst allowing movement for the user to breathe comfortably when running.

Since each looped resistance band 40A, 40B is simply tied to D-rings 30A, 30B, the looped resistance bands 40A, 40B may be readily replaced (e.g. with bands of a different resistance). Furthermore, at least one further looped resistance band may be attached to D-rings 30A, 30B to provide alternative resistances for selection by the user or to combine resistance in parallel or even in series (by coupling the further looped resistance band to the first looped resistance band).

An anti-slip strip 26 is provided on an inner surface of the rear section 20B of belt portion 30 20 and is operative to minimise movement of the belt portion 20 relative to the user's body when the user pulls on the looped resistance bands 40A, 40B. This allows stable positioning of the belt whilst forces are being exerted by the user.

In addition, main belt body webbing 22 has an outer low friction surface 22C operative to allow looped resistance bands 40A, 40B to slide against the outer surface with minimum friction created (e.g. in order to maintain integrity of the looped resistance band).

As illustrated in Figure 2, belt portion 20 is constructed from a section of main belt body webbing 22 and strip of elastic material 24 positioned between a first end 22A of the main belt body 22 and the male part 52 of two-part belt fastener 50. The female part 54 of the two-part belt fastener 50 is attached to a second end 22B of the main belt body 22. Anti-slip strip 26 is mounted to main belt body webbing 22 via an intermediate layer of webbing 28 to which D-rings 30A, 30B are stitched to, the intermediate layer of webbing 28 being operative to firm up the belt portion 20 along the rear section 20B of the belt portion 20.

With reference to Figures 3A and 3B, a method of exercising using running belt 10 is illustrated, comprising the user-implemented steps of attaching belt 10 around the user's waist (Figure 3A); and in a first mode of operation (Figure 3B): holding the looped resistance bands 40A, 40B in each hand by gripping onto handle portions 42A, 42B; and the user pulling on the looped resistance bands 40A, 40B with their arms whilst jogging. In this way, a running belt is provided that is configured to allow a user to exercise their upper body (e.g. perform arm exercises against the resistance of the at least one resistance member to strengthen the user's shoulder, chest and upper arms) whilst jogging outside.

Figure 3C illustrates a second (non-jogging) mode of operation in which a user: holds the looped resistance bands 40A, 40B in each hand by gripping onto handle portions 42A, 42B as before; and pulling on the looped resistance bands 40A, 40B whilst the user is standing in a fixed position. As illustrated, a variety of arm exercises may be performed in the second mode of operation.

Claims

Claims: I. An upper body resistance running belt comprising: a belt portion; at least one mounting point supported by the belt portion; and at least one resistance member coupled to the at least one mounting point, the at least one resistance member being configured to be coupled to a hand of a user and pulled by the user's arm when the user is jogging whilst wearing the running belt.
2. An upper body resistance naming belt according to claim 1, wherein the belt portion includes at least one resilient expansion region.
3. An upper body resistance running belt according to claim 2, wherein the at least one resilient expansion region is provided in series with a main belt body of the belt portion.
4. An upper body resistance rimming belt according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the belt portion includes an inner non-slip surface
5. An upper body resistance running belt according to claim 4, wherein the inner non-slip 20 surface is provided on at least a rear section of the belt portion.
6. An upper body resistance naming belt according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the belt portion includes an outer low friction surface.
7. An upper body resistance running belt according to claim 6, wherein the outer low friction surface is provided at least along side sections of the belt portion.
8. An upper body resistance running belt according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one resistance member comprises a pair of resistance members, one for each hand 30 of the user.
9. An upper body resistance running belt according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the or each resistance member is a looped resistance member.
10. An upper body resistance running belt according to claim 9, wherein the or each looped 5 resistance member is provided with a handle portion.
11. An upper body resistance running belt according to claim 9 or claim 10, wherein the or each looped resistance member has an unstretched length of no more than 10 inches.
12. An upper body resistance running belt according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one mounting point is located along a rear section of the belt portion.
13. An upper body resistance running belt according to claim 8 or any of claims 912 when dependent upon claim 8, wherein the at least one mounting point comprises a pair of mounting 15 points for mounting respective ones of the pair of resistance members.
14. An upper body resistance running belt according to claim 13, wherein the pair of laterally spaced mounting points are located along a rear section of the belt.
15. A method of exercising using an exercise belt, comprising the user-implemented steps of: attaching an upper body resistance running belt as defined in claim 1 to the user's waist; and in a first mode of operation: holding the at least one resistance member in the user's hands; and pulling on the at least one resistance member with each arm whilst jogging.
16. A method according to claim 15, wherein the method further comprises: in a second mode of operation: holding the at least one resistance member in the user's hands; and pulling on the at least one resistance member with each hand whilst standing in a fixed location to perform at least one arm exercise.