Resistance Training Handles for Forearm Strength and Endurance

This application claims priority to copending U.S. Application, Ser. No. 63/569,950, filed on Mar. 26, 2024, which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes.

The present disclosure relates generally to resistance training equipment. In particular, handles for building forearm strength and endurance through resistance training are described.

Resistance training is a popular way for athletes, sport enthusiasts, and fitness-minded people to build strength, muscle mass, muscle tone, and endurance. A variety of muscles can be targeted through resistance training, including muscles in the arms, legs, chest, and back. Often people engaged in particular sports or activities will target certain muscles and muscle groups through resistance training to enhance their performance in those sports and activities.

For example, rock climbing, motocross, and other motorcycle riding activities can be quite taxing on one's arms. In particular, competitive and/or intense motorcycle riding can tax one's forearms and lead to the condition known as arm pump or forearm pump.

Arm pump is a clinical condition in which an individual develops intermittent marked pain in the forearms after a period of exercise or exertion. The pain is thought to arise due to swelling of the muscles of the forearm. Forearm muscle swelling affects blood flow to the forearm muscles and causes local oxygen levels to drop.

When forearm pump occurs while riding a motorcycle, motorcycle riding limitations arise. For example, forearm pump limits one's ability to effectively manipulate a motorcycle handlebar. Further, overly taxed forearms limit one's ability to support himself or herself on the motorcycle via the handlebars. Moreover, insufficient forearm muscle endurance reduces the time one can safely operate a motorcycle.

It would be desirable to have a way to more effectively train arm muscles to avoid forearm pump and to improve performance in arm-intensive activities like motocross and rock climbing. It would be beneficial if a device allowed one to flex and extend his or her wrists under resistance to build forearm muscle strength and endurance. It would be convenient if a solution for training arm muscles could be easily integrated with conventional muscle training equipment.

Thus, there exists a need for forearm resistance training devices that improve upon and advance the design of known solutions for improving forearm muscle strength and endurance. Examples of new and useful resistance training handles relevant to the need for strengthening and improving the endurance of forearm muscles are discussed below.

The present disclosure is directed to resistance training handles for forearm strength and endurance. The resistance training handles include a shaft, a handle, and a coupler. The handle is rotationally mounted to the shaft. The coupler is secured to the shaft and configured to selectively couple to a resistance source. In some examples, the resistance training handle further comprises a second handle rotationally mounted to the shaft in a position spaced from the first handle. In certain examples with two handles, the spacing between the handles is selected to fall within a standard range of spacing between handles of motorcycles used for motocross races.

The disclosed resistance training handles will become better understood through review of the following detailed description in conjunction with the figures. The detailed description and figures provide merely examples of the various inventions described herein. Those skilled in the art will understand that the disclosed examples may be varied, modified, and altered without departing from the scope of the inventions described herein. Many variations are contemplated for different applications and design considerations; however, for the sake of brevity, each and every contemplated variation is not individually described in the following detailed description.

Throughout the following detailed description, examples of various resistance training handles are provided. Related features in the examples may be identical, similar, or dissimilar in different examples. For the sake of brevity, related features will not be redundantly explained in each example. Instead, the use of related feature names will cue the reader that the feature with a related feature name may be similar to the related feature in an example explained previously. Features specific to a given example will be described in that particular example. The reader should understand that a given feature need not be the same or similar to the specific portrayal of a related feature in any given figure or example.

The following definitions apply herein, unless otherwise indicated.

“Substantially” means to be more-or-less conforming to the particular dimension, range, shape, concept, or other aspect modified by the term, such that a feature or component need not conform exactly. For example, a “substantially cylindrical” object means that the object resembles a cylinder, but may have one or more deviations from a true cylinder.

“Comprising,” “including,” and “having” (and conjugations thereof) are used interchangeably to mean including but not necessarily limited to, and are open-ended terms not intended to exclude additional elements or method steps not expressly recited.

Terms such as “first”, “second”, and “third” are used to distinguish or identify various members of a group, or the like, and are not intended to denote a serial, chronological, or numerical limitation.

“Coupled” means connected, either permanently or releasably, whether directly or indirectly through intervening components.

Ancillary features relevant to the resistance training handles described herein will first be described to provide context and to aid discussing the resistance training handles.

The resistance training handles disclosed herein are often used with sources of resistance to build strength and endurance in arm muscles, including forearm muscles. A variety of resistance sources may be used with the resistance training handles, including row machines, cable machines, barbells, and free weight bars. Any currently known or later developed type of resistance source suitable for selectively coupling with the resistance training handles described herein and providing resistance when moved may be used with the resistance training handles.

One suitable example of a resistance source, resistance source, is shown in. As can be seen in, resistance sourceis a conventional row machine used to perform row pull exercises. Resistance sourceincludes a resistance source handleto which resistance training handleselectively couples.

With reference to the figures, resistance training handles for forearm strength and endurance will now be described. The resistance training handles discussed herein function to enable resistance training that targets muscles in the forearms to build forearm muscle strength and endurance. The resistance training handles enable training effective to avoid and reduce forearm pump conditions when engaged in rock climbing and motorcycle riding activities.

The reader will appreciate from the figures and description below that the presently disclosed resistance training handles address many of the shortcomings of conventional approaches to building forearm strength and endurance. For example, the novel resistance training handles described herein enable effectively training arm muscles to avoid forearm pump. As a result of the effective forearm resistance training they enable, the novel resistance training handles improve performance in arm-intensive activities like motocross and rock climbing.

Beneficially, the novel resistance training handles described in this document allow one to flex and extend his or her wrists with resistance, optionally as part of a compound rowing movement. Flexing and/or extending one's wrist with resistance is known to build forearm muscle strength and endurance. Conveniently, the novel resistance training handles easily integrate with conventional muscle training equipment, such as rowing machines, cable machines, barbells, and free weight bars.

With reference to, a first example of a resistance training handle, resistance training handle, will now be described. Resistance training handlecooperates with resistance sourceto enable a user to build arm strength and endurance, in particular, forearm muscle strength and endurance effective to reduce or eliminate forearm pump symptoms.

Resistance training handleenables a user to selectively flex and extend his or her wrist against resistance provided by resistance sourceto build muscle strength and endurance. Multiple types of resistance training exercises and movements are enabled with resistance training handleselectively coupled to resistance source handle.

For example, a user may overcome resistance provided by resistance sourceby pulling resistance training handletowards his chest and then flexing or extending his wrist under load with resistance training handleat the end of the pull. Alternatively, the user may first flex or extend his wrist under load with resistance training handleand then pull the handle to his chest while maintaining his wrists in flexed or extended positions. In another variation, the user concurrently pulls and flexes or extends his wrist under load with resistance training handlein a compound movement.

As shown in, resistance training handleincludes a shaft, a first rotation handle, a second rotation handle, and coupling members. In some examples, the resistance training handle does not include one or more features included in resistance training handle. In other examples, the resistance training handle includes additional or alternative features, such as a clutch mechanism and/or a rotation brake mechanism. The components of resistance training handleare described further below.

Shaftfunctions to support coupling membersand rotation handlesand. Rotation handlesandare rotationally mounted to shaft. Shaftalso resists the reaction forces involved with a user moving resistance training handleagainst the resistance provided by resistance source.

As can be seen in, shaftis tubular and comprised of metal. However, the shaft may be solid or comprised of materials other than metal, such as polymers, wood, and composite materials.

In the example shown in, shafthas an inner diameter of ½ inch and is 28 inches long. The reader should understand, however, that the shaft may have different dimensions in different examples. For example, the shaft may be larger or smaller in inner and/or outer diameter and may be longer or shorter than the example shown in the figures.

Rotation handlesandenable a user to flex and extend his or her wrist as part of resistance training exercises for muscle strength and endurance. Rotation handlesandare configured to rotate relative to shaftto enable a user to flex or extend his or her wrist.

The reader can see inthat rotation handlesandrotationally mount to shafton opposite sides of shaftnear terminal ends of shaft. In other examples, the rotation handles mount to medial portions of the shaft. The spaced position of rotation handlesandon shaftis selected to resemble the position of handgrips on a motorcycle to enable the exercises with resistance training handleto better emulate real-world motocross arm positions and movements. In particular, the spacing between rotation handleand rotation handleis selected to fall within a standard range of spacing between handles of motorcycles used for motocross races.

Rotation handlesandare rotationally mounted to shaft. As apparent from, rotation handlesandare coaxial with shaft. Thus, rotation handlesandare configured to rotate about the longitudinal axis of shaft.

As can be seen in, rotation handleincludes a handgrip, an endcap, a collar, a first spacer, and a second spacer. The components of rotation handleare discussed further below. Rotation handlesandare configured the same, so the following discussion of the components of rotation handleshould be understood to correspond to second rotation handleas well.

In some examples, the rotation handles include additional or alternative features to enable selective rotation. For example, some rotation handle examples include a clutch mechanism and/or a rotation brake mechanism. A wide variety of mechanisms to facilitate selectively rotating handgrips may be used.

Handgripis where a user is intended to grip and manipulate resistance training handle. Handgripis rotationally mounted to shaftto enable a user to selectively flex or extend his wrist by rotating handgriprelative to shaft.

As shown in, handgripis a hollow tube with a textured outer surface and a smooth inner surface. The inner diameter of handgripcomplements the outer diameter of shaft, and the smooth inner surface of handgripdefines a bearing surface for rotating around shaft. The complementarily diameters and the smooth inner surface of handgripenable handgripto mount securely over shaftand to rotate around shaft.

The size, shape, and material of the handgrip may vary in different examples. In some examples, the handgrip is larger or smaller than depicted in the figures. In the present example, the handgrip is made from rubber, but may be made from any material suitable for gripping.

In the present example, handgrip, collar, and first spacerare initially coupled together as part of an integrated locking grip unit. Handgrip, collar, and first spacerare separated to allow them to be used independently in a manner different than the original purpose of the integrated locking grip. In other examples, the handgrip, collar, and spacer are supplied as separate components rather than an integrated unit.

Endcapfunctions to laterally bound handgripon shaftfrom a lateral end of shaft. Endcaprestricts handgripfrom translating off the end of shaft.

As shown in, endcapinserts into the hollow bore of shaftand secures to a terminal lateral end of shaft. Endcapincludes a circular member or flangewith a diameter that exceeds the outer diameter of shaft. The diameter of flangeexceeding the outer diameter of shaftcauses flangeto extend radially beyond the outer surface of shaft. The portion of flangeextending past the outer surface of shaftblocks handgripfrom moving laterally beyond the end of shaft.

One suitable example of endcapis shown in. However, the endcap may be any member that secures to an end of the shaft and functions to block the handgrip from moving laterally beyond the outer end of the shaft.

Collarin cooperation with first spacerand second spacerfunctions to laterally bound handgripfrom a medial position on shaft. Collarblocks handgripfrom translating laterally towards the center of shaft.

Second spacerfunctions to secure first spaceron shaftmore securely by increasing the effective diameter of shaftunderneath first spacer. First spacerand second spacercooperate to more securely secure collaron shaftby collectively increasing the effective diameter of shaftunderneath collar. First spacerand second spacermay be referred to as annular spacers.

As shown in, collarmounts to shaftin a medial position spaced from endcap. The spacing from endcapis selected to correspond with the length of handgrip. Handgripis contained between collarand endcapwithin a relatively tight tolerance while being allowed to rotate around shaft.

Collarincludes a ring memberand an adjustment mechanism. Ring memberis disposed around shaft. Adjustment mechanismis configured to selectively reduce an inner diameter of ring member. In the present example, adjustment mechanismincludes a threaded shaftin the form of a screw that extends through aligned threaded bores defined in ends of ring member.

Collarmounts to shaftby radially pressing ring memberagainst first spacerdisposed between collarand shaft. First spacermounts on second spacerwrapped around shaft. As shown in, threaded shaftof adjustment mechanismselectively rotating within the threaded bores defined in ring memberreduces the inner diameter opening of ring memberand causes collarto tighten inwards against first spacer. In some examples, the first and second spacers are not included, and the collar tightens against the shaft directly.

In the present example, second spaceris electrical tape wrapped around and adhered to shaft. However, the second spacer may be any suitable material that mounts to the shaft and increases its effective diameter.

Coupling membersserve to selectively secure resistance training handleto resistance source handle. By selectively securing resistance training handleto resistance source handle, a user can push, pull, or lift resistance training handleunder the resistance supplied by resistance source. Expressed another way, coupling memberslink resistance training handleto resistance source handleto enable force transfer between them.

As shown in, two coupling membersare provided in resistance training handle. However, more or fewer coupling members may be included in other examples, such as a single coupling member or three or more coupling members.

In the example shown in, coupling membersare offset from the center of shaftan equal distance on either side of the center. The exact placement of the coupling members will vary in different examples.