Power Swing Resistance Training Device

Description

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/430,781, filed on Dec. 7, 2023, the disclosure of which is

incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to athletic training devices and, more particularly, to resistance strength bands configured to attach at one end to a piece of athletic equipment and to attach at an opposite end to a support to allow individuals to train in areas with limited space and build strength and promote dynamic exercise.

BACKGROUND

Although commercial gyms are still popular, many people prefer to work out and exercise from home to save time and expense involved with traveling to and from the gym as well as to save money from costly gym membership fees. Moreover, pandemic often impose restrictions or closures of many commercial gyms. In addition, a number of people simply desire to avoid the crowds at commercial gyms and work out independently from home.

As a result, resistance bands have become a quite popular item for home workouts and training. Typically, they cost about the same as a one-month gym membership and a fraction of what other types of exercise equipment cost. Furthermore, they are easy to learn to use, allow an individual to create a wide range of exercises using a single piece of equipment and are safer than weight training, especially for younger and older athletes. Finally, they bring flexibility to one's exercise schedule because an individual can throw them into their suitcase or briefcase when they travel or go to the office as the resistance bands may be used with limited space.

One of the key advantages of resistance bands over exercise machines and free weights is that they allow a constant resistance over the full range of motion. For example, if you are working with free weights to do bicep curls, the resistance is created by gravity, so resistance is greater during the upswing of the curl (working against gravity) than it is on the downswing (assisted by gravity). With bands, the resistance is constant, which forces one to use more muscle groups, and helps to improve coordination and balance along with building strength.

Advantageously, resistance bands allow individuals to work out the same muscle groups as one would be able to exercise using free weights or specialized machines at the gym. Individuals often use their only body weight to perform exercises, such as standing on one end of the resistance band and pull upwards to do bicep curls. Alternatively, one may secure the band to a door and pull down to perform pulldowns or triceps pushdowns. Furthermore, the band may be wrapped around a vertical pole, fence post or tree to work out chest or other muscles.

Although conventional resistance bands may be secured to doors, poles, posts and trees, the types of exercises that may be performed are often limited due to the lack of a secure attachment means. Accordingly, there is a need for an improved resistance band having attachment devices at each opposed end so that greater resistance is provided and individuals may perform a wider range of exercises and utilize other athletic elements into their workouts, such as baseball/softball bats and golf clubs.

SUMMARY

In accordance with one aspect of the disclosure, a training device is provided. The training device includes a body having at least one hole positioned therein. The training device also includes an eyebolt insertable into the at least one hole. The training device further includes a plurality of interchangeable resistance bands, each having a first end and a second opposite end. The first end of the band is attached to the eyebolt and the second end of the band is attached to a support.

In one embodiment, the first and second ends of the band include an attachment device. The attachment device may be a clip. The support may be a door anchor. The plurality of interchangeable resistance bands may be different resistance strengths. The different resistance strengths may be between ten pounds and 30 pounds. The at least one hole may be a first hole and a second hole and wherein the first hole is configured to receive a first eyebolt, the second hole is configured to receive a second eyebolt, and one or more of the plurality of interchangeable resistance bands is attached to first the first eyebolt or second eyebolt.

In accordance with one aspect of the disclosure, a resistance training tool is provided. The resistance training tool includes an unitary body having a knob at a first end and a hole extending entirely through the body near a second, opposite end. The resistance trailing tool also includes a bolt extending through the hole and one or more resistance bands configured to attach to the bolt.

In one embodiment, the knob connects to a handle portion. The knob may be rounded and thicker than the handle portion. The handle portion connects to a barrel portion. The barrel portion may be thicker than the handle portion. The unitary body may be made of metal. The one or more resistance bands includes an elastic band extending between a first closed loop and a second closed loop. A fastening element attaches to each of the first and second closed loops. The bolt has a loop at one end. The resistance training tool includes a washer for securing the bolt within the hole. The one or more bands are further configured to attach to a support. The fastening element may be a carabiner clip.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the disclosure, a method of making a swing resistance training device is provided. The method includes the following steps: (1) providing an elongated rigid body; (2) creating at least one hole in the body; (3) inserting a bolt within the hole; and (4) attaching at least one resistance band to the bolt.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification, illustrate several aspects of this disclosure, and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the disclosure. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a power swing resistance training device forming one aspect of this disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a universal door anchor forming one aspect of this disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a plurality of adjustable resistance bands forming one aspect of this disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the power swing resistance training device in use and attached to a door forming one aspect of this disclosure; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the power swing resistance training device in use and attached to a fence forming one aspect of this disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments and like numerals represent like details in the various figures. Also, it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that process or other changes may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure. The following detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the invention is defined only by the appended claims and their equivalents. In accordance with the disclosure, a power swing resistance training device or tool 10 is hereinafter described.

As shown in FIGS. 1-5, the power swing resistance training device 10 is configured to attach to one or more of a plurality of interchangeable adjustable resistance bands 20. The resistance bands 20 may come in difference lengths, but preferably around forty-eight inches long. The resistance bands 20 may come into multiple resistance strengths so that children, adults, and seniors may use the power swing resistance training device 10. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, there may be five resistance bands in the following weights: 10 pounds, 15 pounds, 20 pounds, 25 pounds, and 30 pounds. Of course, it should be appreciated that there may be more or less resistance bands and in different weight increments, i.e., 10 pounds, 20 pounds, 30 pounds, 40 pounds, and 50 pounds.

Each resistance band 20 includes opposed ends 30, 40. Each of the opposed ends 30, 40 includes a closed loop or band 50, 60. An attachment or fastening element 70, 80 such as a carabiner clip as shown in FIG. 3 may connect to each of the closed loops 50, 60. The carabiner clip may be stainless steel. It should be appreciated other fastening elements may be used at the attachment elements. The first attachment element 70 attaches to the power swing resistance training device 10 and the second attachment element 80 attaches to a fixed element, such as a door (D) via a door anchor 90 shown in FIG. 2 or a fence (F) as shown in FIG. 5. The power swing resistance training device 10 may be used with a single resistance band or multiple bands, which may be mixed and matched to the desired resistance comfortable for the user. If all resistance bands 20 shown in FIG. 3 are used at once, the maximum resistance level would be 100 pounds.

As shown in FIG. 2, the door anchor 90 includes a nylon strap 180 forming a closed loop at one end and attached to a high density foam roller 190 at an opposite end. The door anchor 90 is designed to attach to any solid door without damaging the door or door jam, including the paint or wood. The thick and strong nylon webbing of the strap 180 protects the resistance bands from regular wear and tear.

As perhaps best shown in FIG. 1, the power swing resistance training device 10 may resemble a baseball bat. It is made of a rigid material, such as metal. It has a handle portion 100 that is relatively narrow and it becomes thicker as it extends into a barrel portion 110. The end of the barrel is a cap 120, while opposite the cap is a knob 130, which is a wider piece that keeps the bat from slipping from a user's hands. The barrel portion 110 of the baseball bat may have at least one hole 140 drilled through it such that an bolt 150 may be inserted. The at least one hole 140 extends entirely through the barrel portion 110. The bolt 150 typically has a loop at one end connected to a threaded body. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, a second hole 160 is drilled through the device to receive a second bolt 170. In the illustrated embodiment, an eye bolt is inserted into each hole and secured with a nut 200 on opposite end to the closed loop. It should be appreciated that a swivel eye bolt may be used as the attachment element to reduce likelihood that it comes unscrewed with twisting and turning.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a first attachment element (a clip in the illustrated embodiment) 70 is attached to the resistance band 10 and clipped to the eyebolt 150. A second attachment element (a clip in the illustrated embodiment) 80 is attached to the resistance band 10 and may be attached to the door anchor 90 like the one shown in FIG. 2, a door (D) as shown in FIG. 4, or a fence (F) as shown in FIG. 5. One or more resistance bands 20 may be attached to one or the other of the attachment elements 150, 170 in the respective holes 140, 160. Typically, if the resistance band(s) is attached to the first element 150 in hole 140, the tool focuses on building strength, helping to get the bat around, and generating bat speed. On the other hand, if the resistance band(s) is attached to the first element 160 in hole 170, the tool focuses on swing path and hand path. Furthermore, if the resistance band(s) is attached to the first element 160 in hole 170, the tool allows single arm training such that each hand may be isolated and the batter feels how each hand should feel through the swing path while working independently. It is also possible to isolate each hand for strength training movements.

Incorporating various different resistance bands meets the needs of individuals at all ages and for various resistance training goals. For example, heavier resistance bands are ideal for isometric holds, which provides a challenge for advanced players looking to build strength, while the lighter bands are perfect for dynamic exercises like bat whips, eccentric whips and single arm training. The door anchor 90 is included so the device 100 can be used at home and is easily transportable.

The power swing training device 10 may be used to simulate a baseball or softball swing. The power swing training device is designed to help young and old athletes develop a stronger, faster, and more consistent swing. The power swing resistance training device 10 may also be used to simulate other sport activities, such as a golf swing. Isometric holds with greater resistance help strengthen both a baseball/softball and golf swing. Each end of the resistance band 20 is securely affixed to the power swing resistance training device 10 and the support such that a wide variety of swing exercises may be performed safely and quickly.

Studies have shown that muscle activation is significantly higher with isometric holds compared to eccentric and concentric contractions. Furthermore, the power swing resistance training device allows the angle to be easily changed to isolate and develop different parts of the swing. Concentric movements with lighter resistance will help build a quicker and more efficient baseball/softball or golf swing. The power swing training device 10 works well to engage the user's muscles that are important for swinging, i.e., the core, legs, and wrist. The power swing resistance training device 10 provides fast-twitch muscle activation by engaging the core, legs, and wrist throughout extension, which forces the user to remain strong through the strike zone.

In use, the power swing resistance training device 10 allows a user to perform slow and controlled swings as part of their warmup or training routine, which is helpful in teaching sequencing and timing. The slow and controlled movements allow one to break down the swing and ensure all the movements in the swing have proper timing. The resistance provided by the bands allows the hands and body to feel proper positions throughout the swing. It also helps teach proper angles to optimize bat path through the hitting zone. The power swing resistance training device 10 allows a user to focus on a stable core and base by starting with the hips and staying connected with the barrel portion to back shoulder. As the user extends the power swing resistance training device 10 through point of contact and then holds. The user may slowly release the hold back to starting point, while emphasizing eccentric phase for maximum strength building. The power swing resistance training device 10 improves a user's power, bat speed, and consistency through the muscle memory-building resistance in every swing. Advantageously, the power swing resistance training device 10 is portable and easy to use and the door anchor allows a user to work out in the comfort of one's own home, field or gym.

The foregoing descriptions of various embodiments have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. These descriptions are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. The embodiments described provide the best illustration of the inventive principles and their practical applications to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the disclosure in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.