Exercise device and method of using same

#The present invention relates to exercise equipment. In particular, the present invention relates to an exercising device that is worn by a user to selectively exercise selected groups of leg muscles.

#There are several devices known in the art that are worn by the user to provide additional resistance while exercising leg muscles. Such devices are disclosed in the following patents: 1 Inventor U.S. Patent No. Dicker 5,109,546 Castellanos 5,129,647 Maclean 5,203,754 Rose 5,490,826 Rumbarugh 6,179,760

#Most of the devices are bulky, and include various and numerous adjustment means for fitting the devices to the specific user. Some of the devices are also garments in and of themselves, or can not easily be worn under clothing. Furthermore, it would be difficult to wear the aforementioned devices if the user was attempting to discreetly wear such devices in an ordinary public setting.

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an exercising device of the present invention.

#FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the exercise device of the present invention worn by a user to exercise rear leg muscle groups.

#FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the exercise device of the present invention worn by the user to exercise front leg muscle groups.

#The exercise device of the present invention is generally indicated at 10 in FIG. 1. The exercise device 10 may be worn by a user to selectively exercise certain leg muscle groups, namely the quadriceps and gluteus maximi. The exercise device 10 generally comprises a waist member 12, first and second attachable resistance portions 14 and 16, and a belt 18.

#The waist member 12 is positionable about a waist or mid-section of the user. The waist or mid-section of the user may be defined as the portion of the human body located between the thorax and hips. However, it is well within the scope of the present invention that the waist or mid-section of the user further include a portion of the human body extending slightly below the hips. The waist member 12 is preferably constructed of a flexible material and may include a foam padding insert (not shown) sewn into the flexible material. An exterior surface 20 of the waist member 12 includes hook and loop fasteners, such as VELCRO®, disposed thereon. The length of the waist member 12 should be long enough to circumferentially circumscribe the waist or mid-section of the user such that opposing ends 22 and 24 of the waist member 12 are adjacent to respective frontal thigh regions of the user.

#Attached to the waist member 12 are resistance portions 14 and 16. Each resistance portion 14 and 16 includes a strap of elastic material 26 sewn to a loop portion 28, and an attaching member 30 attachable to the elastic strap 26 and the waist member 12. Preferably, the attaching member 30 is constructed of rigid material, such as plastic. However, it is within the scope of the present invention to construct the attaching member 30 of any suitable material durable to support attaching the elastic straps 26 to the waist member 12. The attaching member 30 and a proximate end 32 of the elastic strap 26 each include a surface having mateable hook and loop fasteners disposed thereon for attachment to one another. Each elastic strap 26 has a width less than a length of each attaching member 30. As such, the proximate end 32 of each elastic strap 26 attaches to less then a full surface area of each attaching member 30. The remaining surface area of the attaching members 30 mateably attaches to the hook and loop fasteners of the waist member 12.