Exercise device and methods for use

A hand-held exercise device for use in performing exercises from a supine or seated position, comprising:

• a substantially rigid assembly which includes left and right side hand grip portions held laterally spaced apart by a transverse middle portion which is continuous and coplanar with the hand grip portions;
• the middle portion being configured to fit around a back portion of a user's neck and to extend between the back portion of the user's neck and a front of the user's shoulders;
• the left side hand grip portion extending away from the middle portion and being configured to hold a user's left hand slightly forward of and above the user's left shoulder when gripped by the user's left hand;
• the right side hand grip portion extending away from the middle portion and being configured to hold a user's right hand slightly forward of and above the user's right shoulder when gripped by the user's right hand;
• the hand grip portions being spaced apart by a distance corresponding to the user's shoulder width so that the user's hands are held at shoulder width when grasping the hand grip portions during use;
• wherein the exercise device is comprised of three detachable tubular segments, one segment corresponding to the middle portion and two segments corresponding to each of the hand grip portions, respectively.

A hand-held exercise device for use in performing exercises from a supine or seated position, comprising:

• a substantially rigid assembly of predetermined length which includes left and right side hand grip portions held laterally spaced apart by a transverse middle portion which is continuous and coplanar with the hand grip portions;
• the middle portion being configured to fit around a back portion of a user's neck and to extend between the back portion of the user's neck and a front of the user's shoulders;
• the left side hand grip portion extending away from the middle portion and being configured to hold a user's left hand slightly forward of and above the user's left shoulder behind the user's face when gripped by the user's left hand;
• the right side hand grip portion extending away from the middle portion in a direction opposite to the left side hand grip portion and being configured to hold a user's right hand slightly forward of and above the user's right shoulder behind the user's face when gripped by the user's right hand;
• the left and right side hand grip portions being coaxially aligned along a common longitudinal axis and spaced apart sufficiently to hold the user's hands at shoulder width when grasping the hand grip portions during use;
• wherein each of the hand grip portions has an outermost end, and the exercise device has a length of less than about 30″ as measured along a straight line joining the outermost ends, and a width of about 5″ to about 6″ as measured along a straight line taken at right angles to the length.