Abdominal core and plank exercise apparatus

An exercise apparatus for enhancing a user's abdominal strengthening, facilitating the user's torso extension in a downward-facing position, the apparatus comprising:

• a frame having a centerline defined as an imaginary vertical plane dividing its left and right halves and a midway axis defined as an imaginary axis equidistant between its forwardmost and rearmost extents in plan view, the frame comprising a handle that includes a left elongated side and a right elongated side, each extending rigidly and symmetrically from an apex, arch, or other span central to the left and right elongated sides, said span straddling the centerline near the forwardmost points of said elongated sides and being arranged to extend between their uppermost grippable portions, when viewed from the side;
• a rigid linear support member defining a substantially straight central axis from end to end in plan view, wherein the rigid linear support member spans between the left elongated side and the right elongated side at a pair of substantially parallel sections of said elongated sides, with the rigid linear support member coupled to the elongated sides at or near its opposite ends and with its central axis oriented perpendicular relative to the centerline in plan view;
• at least one arm support pad, with a user-contacting surface positioned to contact a forearm of the user when the handle is grasped, while a portion of the user's lower limbs is in contact with a ground surface, and the user's knees are positioned behind the rearmost edge of the frame;
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• a component positioned between a pair of imaginary vertical planes that are parallel to the centerline and intersect the opposite ends of the rigid linear support member, the component having an exterior surface that includes a convex curved portion which, in a side view or in a cross section parallel to the centerline, includes a substantially continuous arc, wherein, with either the user-contacting surface of the at least one arm support pad or a portion of the frame positioned substantially parallel to the ground surface, at least a portion of the convex curved portion is positioned lower than the frame and, in plan view, is intersected by a vertical plane that includes at least a segment of the central axis of the rigid linear support member, and wherein at least a portion of the component is positioned both posterior to the midway axis and proximate to the centerline.

An exercise apparatus for enhancing a user's abdominal strengthening, facilitating the user's torso extension in a downward-facing position, the apparatus comprising:

• a frame having a centerline defined as an imaginary vertical plane dividing its left and right halves and a midway axis defined as an imaginary axis equidistant between its forwardmost and rearmost extents in plan view, the frame comprising a structural element of rigid construction with either a continuous curve or one or more symmetrically placed bends that extends across the centerline, spanning the uppermost portions of a left elongated arm and a right elongated arm and being connected to or integrally formed with each elongated arm at or near their uppermost portions when viewed from the side;
• at least one arm support pad, with a user-contacting surface, wherein, when viewed from the side in at least one configuration, each elongated arm includes a bend where a section before the bend extends at a lesser angle relative to a horizontal plane than the section after the bend, which angles upward to form an upward-angled portion for gripping, at least in part higher than the user-contacting surface of the at least one arm support pad, with the user-contacting surface positioned to contact a forearm of the user when the upward-angled portions are grasped, while a portion of the user's lower limbs is in contact with a ground surface, and the user's knees are positioned behind the rearmost edge of the frame, and wherein, for each elongated arm, a cross section of the arm below the highest point of the bend has substantially the same outer perimeter as a cross section of the arm above the highest point of the bend, each cross section being taken perpendicular to the arm's central axis;
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• a component with an exterior surface that includes a convex curved portion which, in a side view or in a cross section parallel to the centerline, includes a substantially continuous arc, wherein, in a configuration where either the user-contacting surface of the at least one arm support pad or a portion of the frame is oriented substantially parallel to the ground surface, at least part of the convex curved portion is positioned lower than the frame, and wherein at least a portion of the component is positioned both posterior to the midway axis and proximate to the centerline.

An exercise apparatus for enhancing a user's abdominal strengthening, facilitating the user's torso extension in a downward-facing position, the apparatus comprising:

• a left support arm and a right support arm positioned on opposite sides of a vertical centerline plane, each comprising a straight segment with a central axis which has an invariable lateral spacing relative to the other during use;
• a left handle provided on the left support arm;
• a right handle provided on the right support arm;
• a pair of arm support pads, comprising a left arm support pad and a right arm support pad, each having a respective base connected to the left and right support arms, respectively, with padding on each of the arm support pads extending from the center to the perimeter, wherein the pair of arm support pads is configured to engage the user's forearms when the left handle and the right handle are grasped;
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• one or more rounded elements, each with a curved surface, configured for dynamic contact, wherein each of the left handle and the left arm support pad associated with the left support arm is configured to move in a linear direction, independently from the right support arm, wherein an axis positioned through a center of at least one of the one or more rounded elements is constantly perpendicular to the vertical centerline plane during use.

An exercise apparatus for enhancing a user's abdominal strengthening, facilitating the user's torso extension in a downward-facing position, the apparatus comprising:

• a frame having a centerline defined as a plane, fixed in orientation relative to the frame, dividing its left and right halves, which are integrally formed as a unitary one-piece structure or permanently joined, the frame comprising a left elongated arm and a right elongated arm running substantially parallel to or converging toward each other and the centerline along part of their lengths, wherein each elongated arm includes a permanent bend or curvature in said arm's central axis near an upward-angled portion that serves as a handle or grip, and wherein the two elongated arms are rigidly spaced from each other, either by an arch spanning their uppermost handle or grip portions or by one or more structural members or frame portions that are fixed relative to the centerline and abutting at least one of the elongated arms at points substantially the same height as said arm's central axis;
• at least one arm support pad, comprising a user- contacting surface, wherein at least one handle or grip portion is fixedly angled at a non-zero angle relative to the plane of the user-contacting surface, wherein the padding of the arm support pad is in direct contact with a rigid support surface that underlies all or a portion of the padding, and wherein the user-contacting surface is further configured to contact a forearm of the user when the at least one handle or grip portion is grasped, while a portion of the user's lower limbs is in contact with a ground surface, and the user's knees are positioned behind the rearmost edge of the frame;
• a rigid linear support member, linear in that, in plan view, said member has a central axis whose laterally opposed ends are fixed on a common line substantially perpendicular to the centerline, wherein the central axis is defined as an imaginary path that runs through the centers of successive cross sections taken from one laterally opposed end to the other, and wherein the central axis is fixed within a plane that is permanently oriented substantially perpendicular to the centerline, said plane being configured to be substantially vertical;
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• a plurality of points where the apparatus contacts a ground surface, including points on a component having an exterior surface with a convex curved portion which, in a side view or in a cross section parallel to the centerline, includes a substantially continuous arc, wherein the convex curved portion is positioned such that at least a portion of it is lower than the frame and, in plan view, is located at least in part directly under the rigid linear support member's central axis, and wherein, in a configuration where the user-contacting surface of the arm support pad or a portion of the frame is substantially parallel to the ground surface, at least one of the plurality of points of ground contact is located along the arc, and the outermost lateral edge of the arm support pad or its rigid support surface coincides with an imaginary vertical plane parallel to the centerline, such that all of the plurality of points of ground contact on the same side of the centerline as the imaginary vertical plane are located inward of said plane.

An exercise apparatus for enhancing a user's abdominal strengthening, facilitating the user's torso extension in a downward-facing position, the apparatus comprising:

• a frame having a front half and a back half divided by a midway axis, the midway axis being an imaginary axis that, in at least one use configuration of the apparatus as viewed in plan, is equidistant from the apparatus's forwardmost and rearmost extents, and wherein the frame further has a centerline defined as an imaginary vertical plane dividing its left and right halves;
• a pair of handles or grip portions fixedly positioned on opposite sides of the centerline;
• at least one arm support pad mounted to the frame, comprising a user-contacting surface, wherein at least one handle or grip portion is fixedly angled at a non-zero angle relative to the plane of the user-contacting surface, wherein at least a portion of the padding of the arm support pad is configured to be in direct contact with a contoured or otherwise formed surface, a portion of which is fixedly positioned at the centerline rearward of the arm support pad's front edge, and wherein the user-contacting surface is further configured to contact a forearm of the user when the handle or grip portions are grasped, while a portion of the user's lower limbs is in contact with a ground surface, and the user's knees are positioned behind the rearmost edge of the frame;
• one or more rigid linear support members, at least one of which defines, in plan view, a substantially straight central axis whose laterally opposed ends are located on a line perpendicular to the centerline, such that the central axis of the rigid linear support member is fixed within a plane defined by the rigid linear support member, said plane being permanently oriented substantially perpendicular to the centerline, and wherein at least one of the one or more rigid linear support members is disposed behind the midway axis in plan view;
• and
• a plurality of points where the apparatus contacts a ground surface, including points on a component having an exterior surface with a convex curved portion which, in a side view or in a cross section parallel to the centerline, includes a substantially continuous arc, wherein, in a configuration where the user-contacting surface of the arm support pad or a portion of the frame is substantially parallel to the ground surface, the convex curved portion is positioned such that at least a portion of it is lower than the frame and, in plan view, is located at least in part directly under the rigid linear support member's central axis, with at least one point of the convex curved portion in contact with the ground surface directly under the rigid linear support member, and wherein, in said configuration, the forwardmost ground contact point of the apparatus is always located behind the forwardmost handle or grip portion.

An exercise apparatus for enhancing a user's abdominal strengthening, facilitating the user's torso extension in a downward-facing position, the apparatus comprising:

• a front half and a back half divided by a midway axis, the midway axis being an imaginary axis that, in at least one use configuration of the apparatus as viewed in plan, is equidistant from the apparatus's forwardmost and rearmost extents;
• a support structure of rigid construction and generally symmetrical geometry having a centerline defined as an imaginary vertical plane dividing the support structure into left and right halves, wherein the support structure comprises at least one arm support pad having a user-contacting surface and a base on which said arm support pad is disposed, wherein the base is positioned beneath a bottom surface of the arm support pad in direct contact with at least a portion of said bottom surface and extends around or proximate to at least half of the perimeter of the arm support pad, and wherein, in a side view, the support structure comprises an outermost lateral structure that, between the front edge and the rear edge of the arm support pad, does not extend substantially above an upper plane of the arm support pad's padding;
• at least one elongated arm, comprising a first section angled less steeply than a second section, and a permanent bend or joint therebetween, the first and second sections formed as a single, inseparable piece;
• a pair of handles or grip portions, at least one of which is disposed on the elongated arm near the permanent bend or joint at a forwardmost section of the elongated arm, the pair positioned on opposite sides of the centerline, extending upward in paths that are parallel or converging relative to each other and the centerline for most of their respective upward lengths, wherein the pair are connected such that, at all times during their use, they are positioned, at least in part, in the front half, wherein the at least one arm support pad is positioned on or connected to the support structure at an attachment point in the back half behind the midway axis and comprises a user-contacting surface, wherein at least one handle or grip portion is fixedly angled at a non-zero angle relative to the plane of the user-contacting surface, and wherein the user-contacting surface is further configured to contact a forearm of the user when at least one of the handle or grip portions is grasped and the arm support pad is in its most distal position relative to said handle or grip portion, while a portion of the user's lower limbs is in contact with a ground surface, and the user's knees are positioned behind the rearmost edge of the support structure;
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• one or more stationary, non-rolling ground-contacting members, each ground-contacting member having at least one surface located at or below the lowest plane of the support structure when viewed from the side, each configured to be in direct, level contact with the ground surface while the support structure is arranged substantially parallel to the ground surface, wherein the one or more ground-contacting members collectively provide multiple points of contact for stability, including at least three coplanar points of contact arranged in a single plane on the ground surface during use:
• a first point in a first region, a second point in a second region, and a third point in a third region, the first and second regions being laterally spaced apart across the centerline, and the third region being spaced from both the first and second regions, with at least one of these coplanar points being positioned beyond a vertical plane that runs parallel to the centerline and intersects an arm support pad on the same side of the centerline, and wherein all three coplanar points are configured to be stationary relative to adjacent portions of support structure, ensuring they always reside at the lowest point of their respective ground-contacting member during use.

An exercise apparatus for enhancing a user's abdominal strengthening, facilitating the user's torso extension in a downward-facing position, the apparatus comprising:

• a front half and a back half divided by a midway axis, defined as an imaginary axis equidistant from the apparatus's forwardmost and rearmost extents in plan view, in at least one use configuration of the apparatus;
• a support structure of rigid construction and generally symmetrical geometry having a centerline defined as an imaginary vertical plane dividing the support structure into left and right halves;
• a pair of handles or grip portions, positioned on opposite sides of the centerline, extending upward in paths that are parallel or converging relative to each other and the centerline for most of their respective upward lengths;
• at least one arm support pad, comprising a user- contacting surface and a base resting on and connected to the support structure, wherein at least one handle or grip portion is fixedly angled at a non-zero angle relative to the plane of the user-contacting surface, wherein at least a portion of the padding of the arm support pad is configured to be in direct contact with the base positioned under the bottommost surface of the padding and extending around or proximate to substantially all or a majority of the perimeter of the padding, wherein each of a left handle or grip portion and a right handle or grip portion is individually positionable and fixed at a cavity or opening integrally formed in the support structure, wherein the handle or grip portions are configured such that, at all times during their use, they are positioned, at least in part, in the front half, and wherein the user-contacting surface is further configured to contact a forearm of the user when the handle or grip portions are grasped and the arm support pad is in its most distal position relative to a handle or grip portion, while a portion of the user's lower limbs is in contact with a ground surface, and the user's knees are positioned behind the rearmost edge of the support structure;
• and
• one or more stationary, non-rolling ground-contacting members, each ground-contacting member having at least one surface located at or below the lowest plane of the support structure when viewed from the side, each configured to be in direct, level contact with the ground surface while the support structure is arranged substantially parallel to the ground surface, wherein the one or more ground-contacting members collectively provide multiple points of contact for stability, including at least three coplanar points of contact arranged in a single plane on the ground surface during use:
• a first point in a first region, a second point in a second region, and a third point in a third region, the first and second regions being laterally spaced apart across the centerline, and the third region being spaced from both the first and second regions, with at least one of these coplanar points being positioned beyond a vertical plane that runs parallel to the centerline and intersects an arm support pad on the same side of the centerline, and wherein all three coplanar points are configured to be stationary relative to adjacent portions of support structure, ensuring they always reside at the lowest point of their respective ground-contacting member during use.

An exercise apparatus for enhancing a user's abdominal strengthening, facilitating the user's torso extension in a downward-facing position, the apparatus comprising:

• a left half and a right half defined by an imaginary centerline;
• one or more rigid support surfaces, collectively defining a left portion and a right portion on opposite sides of the centerline;
• at least one channel or groove formed in the left portion and at least one channel or groove formed in the right portion, for a total of at least two distinct channels or grooves that are non- contiguous across the centerline, each channel or groove including or being proximate to at least one rigid edge or surface defining a linear, flat path of travel at a constant height relative to a ground surface, each channel or groove extending in the direction of travel;
• at least one support pad mounted on a base positionable along at least one of the channels or grooves and configured for sliding or linear movement along said channel or groove, with the at least one rigid edge or surface positioned to guide said movement, wherein the support pad is configured to contact an upper limb of the user, while a portion of the user's lower limbs is in contact with a ground surface, and the user's knees are positioned behind an imaginary vertical plane containing an end of the at least one channel or groove on the left and an end of the at least one channel or groove on the right;
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• one or more ground-contacting surfaces, defined as a stable surface in contact with the ground surface during use, positioned below the one or more rigid support surfaces, wherein at least one point of contact with the ground surface is located beyond a vertical plane that runs parallel to the centerline and intersects a support pad on the same side of the centerline.

An exercise apparatus for enhancing a user's abdominal strengthening, facilitating the user's torso extension in a downward-facing position, the apparatus comprising:

• a support structure of rigid construction and generally symmetrical geometry having a centerline defined as an imaginary vertical plane dividing the support structure into left and right halves, wherein the support structure integrally comprises a track member having a left section and a right section;
• at least one arm support pad positioned on or connected to the support structure, comprising a user-contacting surface and having a base extending around or proximate to substantially all or a majority of the perimeter of its padding, the base positioned under the bottommost surface of the padding in direct contact with at least a portion thereof;
• a pair of handles or grip portions, at least one of which is positioned on an elongated arm extending from the base, wherein the pair are positioned on opposite sides of the centerline, extending upward in paths that are parallel or converging relative to each other and the centerline for most of their respective upward lengths, fixedly angled at a non-zero angle relative to the plane of the user-contacting surface, wherein the elongated arm includes a lesser-angled section proximal to the base and, extending from an upward bend or angled joint, a steeper-angled section comprising a grip portion, wherein the at least one arm support pad is movable along at least one of the left or right section of the track member, with the base remaining substantially level throughout its movement, wherein each section of the track member defines a linear, flat path of travel and includes at least one channel or groove extending along the path of travel and terminating proximate the limit of travel in at least one direction, wherein portions of the left and right outer sides of the track member, along with at least one end of the channel or groove on the left section and at least one end of the channel or groove on the right section, are integrally formed from a unitary piece of material, and wherein the user-contacting surface is configured to contact a forearm of the user when at least one of the handle or grip portions is grasped and the arm support pad is in its most distal position relative to said handle or grip portion, while a portion of the user's lower limbs is in contact with a ground surface, and the user's knees are positioned behind the rearmost edge of the support structure;
• and
• one or more stationary, non-rolling ground-contacting members, each ground-contacting member having at least one surface located at or below the lowest plane of the support structure when viewed from the side, each configured to be in direct, level contact with the ground surface while the support structure is arranged substantially parallel to the ground surface, wherein the one or more ground-contacting members collectively provide multiple points of contact for stability, including at least three coplanar points of contact arranged in a single plane on the ground surface during use:
• a first point in a first region, a second point in a second region, and a third point in a third region, the first and second regions being laterally spaced apart across the centerline, and the third region being spaced from both the first and second regions, with at least one of these coplanar points being positioned beyond a vertical plane that runs parallel to the centerline and intersects an arm support pad on the same side of the centerline, and wherein all three coplanar points are configured to be stationary relative to adjacent portions of support structure, ensuring they always reside at the lowest point of their respective ground-contacting member during use.

An exercise apparatus for enhancing a user's abdominal strengthening, facilitating the user's torso extension in a downward-facing position, the apparatus, comprising:

• a front half and a back half divided by a midway axis, defined as an imaginary axis equidistant from the apparatus's forwardmost and rearmost extents when viewed in plan, in at least one use configuration of the apparatus;
• a support structure, comprising a left portion and a right portion, the two portions being separated by an imaginary centerline generally aligned with the user's midline when viewed in plan during use, each of rigid construction and positioned on opposite sides of the centerline, the left and right portions being generally symmetrically arranged and configured to underlie respective upper limbs of the user at or distal to the elbow, wherein at least one of the left or right portions includes a section positioned proximate the midway axis;
• one or more arm support pads, at least one of which includes a user-contacting surface configured to engage a portion of the user's upper limb at or distal to the elbow, and a base positioned beneath a bottom surface of said at least one arm support pad in direct contact with at least a portion of said bottom surface, the base extending around or proximate to at least half of the perimeter of the arm support pad, wherein, in at least one use position of the arm support pad, either the left portion or the right portion is intersected by an imaginary transverse vertical plane substantially equidistant from the front and rear edges of the arm support pad, wherein at least one of the left or right portions includes an elongated opening formed in a rigid exterior surface thereof, bounded by rigid opposing edges and extending in a substantially linear fashion, formed at least in part in the rear portion, wherein the exterior surface in which the elongated opening is formed has an upper edge extending in a substantially horizontal plane and includes at least one point in the rear portion that is spaced away from the midway axis, wherein, in at least an initial use position, the base is positioned substantially entirely in the back half of the apparatus and is configured to be supported at one or more points, including at least one point located on the rear portion spaced away from the midway axis, wherein the elongated opening is disposed at least in part beneath the base and configured to align the base therewith, wherein the perimeter of the base remains free from direct attachment to at least a portion of the left portion or the right portion on which it is disposed, wherein the left and right portions are further configured such that, across all use positions in which the at least one arm support pad is disposed on at least one of the left portion or the right portion, the arm support pad remains at a substantially constant vertical height relative to the ground surface, wherein, in plan view of the region between the base's left and right edges, at least one of the left or right portions extends beyond the front and rear ends of the base in at least one use position, and wherein the user-contacting surface is configured to engage a portion of the upper limb at or distal to the elbow, while a portion of the user's lower limbs is in contact with a ground surface, and the user's knees are positioned behind the rearmost edge of the at least one elongated opening;
• and
• one or more stationary, non-rolling ground-contacting members, defined as a ground-contacting member having at least one surface located at or below the lowest plane of at least one of the left portion or the right portion when viewed from the side, each configured to be in direct, level contact with the ground surface while the left portion and the right portion are arranged substantially parallel to the ground surface, wherein the one or more ground-contacting members collectively provide multiple points of contact for stability, including at least three coplanar points of contact arranged in a single plane on the ground surface during use:
• a first point in a first region, a second point in a second region, and a third point in a third region, the first and second regions being laterally spaced apart across the centerline, and the third region being spaced from both the first and second regions, with at least one of these coplanar points being positioned beyond a vertical plane that runs parallel to the centerline and intersects the at least one arm support pad on the same side of the centerline, and wherein all three coplanar points are configured to be stationary during use.

An exercise apparatus for enhancing a user's abdominal strengthening, facilitating the user's torso extension in a downward-facing position, the apparatus comprising:

• a front half and a back half divided by a midway axis, defined as an imaginary axis equidistant from the apparatus's forwardmost and rearmost extents when viewed in plan, in at least one use configuration;
• a left half and a right half defined by an imaginary centerline when viewed in plan, in at least one use configuration;
• one or more arm support pads, each being disposed on at least one base, said at least one base extending to the perimeter of the corresponding arm support pad and directly underlying its padding;
• one or more rigid support surfaces, collectively comprising a left portion and a right portion positioned symmetrically on opposite sides of the centerline;
• a first elongated opening and a second elongated opening, the first elongated opening being formed in the left portion and the second elongated opening being formed in the right portion;
• wherein each elongated opening extends in a substantially linear fashion in a direction of travel and has a pair of opposite longitudinal edges that run along its longest dimension;
• wherein at least one of the elongated openings has its opposite longitudinal edges formed, in whole or in part, by a single unitary one-piece structure;
• wherein at least one of the one or more arm support pads is movable along an elongated opening of the left or right portion underlying that pad's base while remaining at a substantially constant vertical height relative to a flat ground surface throughout its movement along the elongated opening;
• wherein, in plan view and for at least a portion of that movement, the base passes directly over, with its geometric center proximate to, the elongated opening or the unitary one- piece structure from which the opposite longitudinal edges are formed;
• and wherein at least one of the one or more arm support pads is configured to engage a forearm of the user at or distal to the elbow, while a portion of the user's lower limbs is in contact with a ground surface and the user's knees are positioned behind an imaginary vertical plane containing a rear edge of the left and right portions in at least one use configuration;
• and
• one or more ground-contacting surfaces, defined as a stable surface in contact with the ground surface during use, positioned below the one or more rigid support surfaces, wherein at least one point of contact with the ground surface is located beyond a vertical plane that runs parallel to the centerline and intersects a support pad on the same side of the centerline.

An exercise apparatus for enhancing a user's abdominal strengthening, facilitating the user's torso extension in a downward-facing position, the apparatus comprising:

• a left handle or grip portion and a right handle or grip portion positioned on opposite sides of a vertical centerline plane, each being laterally spaced from the vertical centerline plane;
• a pair of arm support pads, comprising a left arm support pad and a right arm support pad, each having a respective base connected to the left and right handles or grip portions, respectively, with each base spanning the underside of the corresponding arm support pad, wherein the pair of arm support pads is configured to engage a portion of the user's upper limbs at or distal to the elbow when the left and right handles or grip portions are grasped, wherein the left arm support pad and the left handle or grip portion are configured to move independently from the right arm support pad and the right handle or grip portion, each base being configured to move along a substantially linear path of predetermined finite length that lies substantially coplanar with the linear path of the other base, and wherein the left handle or grip portion and the right handle or grip portion are each configured to maintain a constant lateral spacing relative to the vertical centerline plane throughout said linear movement, in at least one use configuration.