1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to weights and a support system for exercising the abdominal muscles.
2. Prior art
Strengthening and toning the abdominal muscles is a common goal among exercise enthusiasts. Most of the methods used to meet this goal, however, have either biomechanical or physiological limitations.
Such methods that have physiological limitations are common trunk curl exercises that allow for a high number of repetitions, which have diminishing effects on the desired adaptations, i.e., stronger, firmer muscles.
In order for a muscle to become stronger and firmer, it has to work at certain intensity levels, below which negligible adaptations will occur. The muscles can only contract and perform for short periods of time when working at these higher intensity levels. To effectively train a muscle group for strengthening benefits, it is better to work at higher intensity levels and shorter durations.
Another physiological limitation of these exercises concerns neck muscle fatigue. As the various trunk curl exercises are performed, the trunk and head are lifted up and off the floor or bench. The weight of the head is supported by the neck muscles while the exercises are being performed. If the exerciser holds his/her hands behind his/her head, some weight may be relieved from the neck.
With many abdominal exercises, the exerciser's neck muscles become fatigued due to the prolonged and repeated isometric contractions that occur from having to support the head. This can result in stiff and/or sore neck muscles.
The basic abdominal curl exercise and its variations have a significant biomechanical limitation: the propensity for stretching the neck extensor muscles beyond their normal range of motion. This excessive flexing, which occurs when the exerciser allows his/her head to flex forward when performing the trunk curl exercise, can overstretch and strain the neck extensor muscles. This problem can be accentuated when the exerciser places the hands behind the top of the head and pulls, thus causing excessive neck flexion.
Another critical limitation of abdominal exercises concerns the effective and comfortable application of external resistance. By increasing the resistance that the abdominal muscles have to overcome to lift the trunk up and off the floor/bench when performing abdominal curl exercises, the intensity of the abdominal muscle effort is also increased. This increased effort is beneficial in that it results in a greater strengthening and toning effect on the abdominal muscles.
The relative degree of muscle strengthening that occurs during an athlete's training depends on the resistance which these muscles work against. Accordingly, any increase in resistance by means of weighted training devices, to impose more demands on these muscles and thereby strengthen them, is known to have a beneficial effect.
Up until now, the methods most commonly used to add resistance to abdominal curl exercises have involved barbell plates or dumbbells placed on the exerciser's chest or behind the head. These methods are not only awkward, cumbersome, and uncomfortable, but can be unsafe.