The invention as shown in FIG. 5 is an exercising device to enable a person to exercise his or her feet while seated. More particularly, the exercising device enables a person to simulate a walking action while seated. The exercising device has a base 1 a pivot beam 5, and two footrests 8. Rear parts of the footrests 8 can pivot with respect to the base 1 by way of ball and socket fittings, and forward parts of the footrests 8 can pivot with respect to the pivot beam 5 by way of additional ball and socket fittings. The pivot beam 5 can pivot with respect to the base 1 by way of a further ball and socket fitting. When the exercising device is in use the person can place his or her feet on the footrests and tilt both the feet and footrests from side to side. The person can also cause forward parts of the footrests 8 to move up and down alternately by way of the pivot beam 5 by alternately pushing his or her feet down against the footrests.
A contact element designed to hold a foot or hand is capable of being attached to various devices and structures that require a contact element or elements. The contact element includes a contoured, shaped piece of material and is configured to be attached. In the preferred embodiment, the contoured, shaped piece of material is ergonomically designed and has the approximate shape of a portion of a hyperbolic paraboloid with a surface that is convex in one direction and concave in the perpendicular direction, thereby optimizing comfort, support, and contact with a person's foot or hand.
Exercise apparatus and method of use involving a stationary base member, a freely rotatable rectangular foot support centrally attached to the top surface of the base member and having a width-adjustable foot placement area for positioning an operator's feet in line with his or her shoulders during use, the foot support also having an upper surface that is angled laterally upward from its center; as well as a height-adjustable upper torso support pivotally attached to one end of the base member that remains stationary during use and by which an operator can support his or her upper body in a substantially stationary position while the operator's lower torso and legs are alternatively made to rotate clockwise and counterclockwise. The angled foot support allows the operator to stretch and strengthen arm, shoulder, hip, back, leg, and foot muscles as the operator's weight is shifted alternatively from the inside bottom surface of one foot to the inside bottom surface of the other foot while his or her lower torso and legs are repetitively rotated back and forth. In a slightly bent knee position, operator movement duplicates that required in many sports and thereby will enhance operator balance, agility, and forward thrusting power for improved sports performance. Applications may include, but are not limited to, general improvement in overall torso flexibility, as well as training and warm up exercise for athletic activities, such as golf, tennis, basketball, football, baseball, softball, soccer, boxing, skating, skiing, and dancing.
An multimodal exercise device that is compact and designed for low impact therapeutic exercise allowing for multiple modes of motion for exercising or improving a user's circulation when the user places his or her feet or hands on the device's contact elements and moves them in at least one of the modes of motion. The device is preferentially used while the user is seated and can accommodate exercise in situations where exercise is not traditionally accomplished, such as at a desk, or while traveling in a plane, train, or automobile. The device includes a base, a stand, a connector, a beam, and two contact elements, configured in such a manner as to allow multiple modes of motion. Modes of motion include, but are not limited to, sliding, stepping, and cycling.
A generally rectangular exercise board with curved ends has an upper planer support surface. Beneath the support surface, are two projecting spaced parallel arcuate rockers. Each rocker has a flat portion adjacent to one long edge of the rocker board. The flat sections makes an angle of approximately 45.degree. with the planar surface of the board. A hemispherical projection is formed between the two rockers. A band of rubber is fastened to the board between the rockers which is arranged to accommodate a foot placed between the band of rubber and the bottom surface of the board so the front portion of the foot is elastically biased against the board and exercises can be performed by moving the foot away from the board to induce elastic strain in the band of rubber.
