Abdominal Exercise Device with Tether Assembly for Connection to a Resistance Assembly

The present application is a continuation of U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 18/086,761, PCT Application No. PCT/US21/39387, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/044,779, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

This disclosure relates to a handheld exercise device used by a person to perform abdominal muscle exercises. The exercise device features a tether assembly that can be operably connected to a resistance assembly. The tether assembly includes at least one flexible segment affixed to an outer surface of the exercise device that defines a gap that the person inserts his/her hands through, and at least one coupler for operable connection to the resistance assembly. When the person inserts his/her hand(s) through the gap formed by the tether segment(s) and the coupler is connected to the resistance assembly, the person holds or cradles the exercise device stable, without gripping it, and then rotates his/her torso through a range of motion to train the abdominal muscles, where the resistance assembly increases the amount of work performed by the person during the exercise movement. The tether assembly ensures that forces generated by the resistance assembly remain properly focused and aligned with respect to the exercise device and the person holding it. As a result, the exercise device remains stable, balanced and resists uncomfortable twisting motion while being held by the person performing the abdominal exercises.

The muscles of the lateral aspect of the torso are especially difficult to isolate and strengthen. The lateral and anterior torso muscles of a person are part of a group of muscles commonly referred to as “abs” or “core muscles.” More specifically, the primary muscles of the lateral and anterior torso are: (i) the internal obliques, (ii) the external obliques, (iii) the transverse abdominus and, (iv) the rectus abdominus. The primary functions of these muscles of the lateral and anterior torso are to provide support and protection of the person's internal organs such as the liver, intestines, kidneys, spleen, and reproductive organs of women. These muscles of the lateral and anterior torso also support and assist in movement of the rib cage. A secondary function of the internal and external obliques and transverse abdominus is to assist in movement of the torso, spine, and ribs and to a lesser degree, the task of respiration. As such, strong oblique and transverse abdominal muscles play a critical role in core stabilization and provide numerous health benefits.

A strong core allows a person to successfully perform a variety of athletic maneuvers, as well as daily activities, both correctly and efficiently while at the same time providing protection to the spine. In women, healthy and developed obliques and transverse abdominal muscles help support the uterus and decrease stress on the lumbar spine during pregnancy. In individuals with well-developed core muscles, a person's overall movement patterns of the shoulders and arms improve dramatically.

Furthermore, well-conditioned core muscles create stability through the person's torso, which allows the shoulder blades to “lever off” or “lever from” a solid foundation. It is also well-documented in industry literature that a solid torso allows for correct synchronization between the upper arm bone (humerus) and shoulder blade (scapula) at the shoulder (glenohumeral) joint. Mechanically correct, efficient movement patterns at the glenohumeral joint create better arm and shoulder strength, as well as promote proper posture. Thus, strong oblique and transverse abdominal muscles provide a person with numerous, well-recognized benefits.

For years, individuals have sought an effective exercise in which to train the abdominal muscles, both as a group and individually. While there have been numerous exercises and pieces of exercise equipment that are promoted and marketed as strengthening the abdominal muscles, they suffer from numerous shortcomings and limitations.

Accordingly, there is a longstanding, unmet need for exercise equipment or a device specifically designed to properly and effectively perform a torso rotation exercise to train and enhance strength of internal obliques, external obliques, transverse abdominus and abdominus muscles, collectively.

The description provided in the Background section should not be assumed to be prior art merely because it is mentioned in or associated with the background section. The Background section may include information that describes one or more aspects of the subject of the technology. A full discussion of the features and advantages of the devicepresented in the following detailed description, which includes reference to the accompanying Figures.

While the invention will be described in connection with the preferred embodiments shown herein, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to those embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. In the figures, like reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements.

While this disclosure includes a number of details and implementations in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail particular implementations with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the disclosed methods and systems, and is not intended to limit the broad aspects of the disclosed concepts to the implementations illustrated.

This disclosure, including the Figures, relates to an exercise devices,,,that can be used by a person or user to perform a wide variety of abdominal muscle exercises, namely the following exercises: standing rhythmic stabilization, supine Russian torso twists, standing chopping, one-half kneel chopping, standing diagonal chopping left and right, overhead side to side pull, standing single arm chop lifts, supine curl-ups straight, supine curl-ups diagonal right and left, supine curl-ups alternating right and left diagonal curl-ups. The exercise device,,,is preferably handheld by a person and features a flexible tether assembly,,,that can be operably connected to a resistance assembly. The tether assembly,,,includes at least one segment,,,affixed to the device,,,that forms a gap G that the person inserts his/her hand(s) H through, and at least one coupler,,,for operable connection to the resistance assembly. When the person inserts his/her hand(s) H through the segment,,,and the coupler,,,is connected to the resistance assembly, the person then rotates his/her torso through a range of motion to train the abdominal muscles, where the resistance assemblyincreases the amount of work performed by the person during the exercise.

Referring to, the first embodiment of the exercise deviceincludes a spherical balland a tether assembly. The spherical ballmay have a rigid outer surfaceor an elastically deformable outer surface, which may be configured to aid the person in grasping the device. The spherical ballincludes three optional textured segments,,and a central portion. The three optional textured segments,,are configured to provide an increased level of friction between the person's hands H and the ball. The central portionmay not be textured and may include a region for indicia and labeling. Such indicia or labeling may indicate the manufacturer of the ball, the diameter of the balland/or the weight of the ball. The ballmay have a diameter between 3-36 inches and preferably between 8-12 inches.

Additionally, the ballmay have a weight between 0.5 pounds and 20 pounds, preferably between 1 pound and 10 pounds, and most preferably between 4 pounds and 12 pounds. It should be understood that the deviceshown inis symmetric along both: (i) a vertical axis Athat extends between a top poleand a bottom poleand is perpendicular with a horizontal axis Aand (ii) the horizontal axis Athat extends a leftmost pointand the rightmost point. Because the device, namely the balland the tether assembly, is symmetric a person suitably skilled in the art of designing exercise equipment recognizes that the front view shown inmatches a rear view (not shown) of the device, the top view shown inmatches a bottom view (not shown) of the device, and the side view shown inmatches the opposed side view (not shown) of the device. Thus, it is not necessary for the Figures to include a rear view, bottom view or second side view of the device. It should be understood that in other embodiments, the devicemay not be symmetric about both axes and instead may only be symmetric along one axis. In further embodiments, the devicemay not be symmetric along any axis.

In the embodiment of, the tether assemblyspans the circumference of the balland is affixed to at least one exterior location of the ballby a fastening mechanism. The fastening mechanismincludes at least one, and preferably two connector assemblies,that are positioned at the poles,of the ball. Each connector assembly,is comprised of at least one fastener(e.g., elongated screw) that extends through an extent of the tether assemblyand into the balland at least one washer. As shown in, the connector assemblies,are substantially aligned with the vertical axis A, which is oriented perpendicular to a horizontal axis Adefined through the coupler(s),. An upper connector assemblyis located in a twelve o'clock position and a lower connector assemblyis located in a six o'clock position, whereby the assemblies,are in an opposed positional relationship.

Preferably, the connector assemblies,includes two fastenersand two washers, wherein the vertical axis Ais positioned between said fastenersand washers. The connector assemblies,are in an opposed positional relationship of the ball, which means that a pair of the connector assemblies,are oriented 180 degrees apart from another pair of the connector assemblies. In alternative embodiments, the connector assemblies,may: (i) include only a single fastenerand a single washer, (ii) include more than two fastenersand washers, (iii) omit the washersand may include one or more fasteners, or (iv) may omit the fastener(s)and washer(s)and utilize other known methods of permanently coupling two items to one another (e.g., high-strength glue, bonding substances, sewing) or (v) may utilize any known method of releasable coupler (e.g., quarter-turn, bayonet connector).

Due to the arrangement of the tether assemblyand the fastening mechanism, the tether assemblyfeatures at least one tether segment, preferably two tether segments,, each of which span a substantial extent, namely a hemisphere, of the ball. Referring toand with a frame of reference that extends outward from the drawing sheet (which corresponds to the orientation of the user U in), a right or first tether segmentis in an opposed positional relationship with a left or second tether segment. The tether segment,is dimensioned with a suitable arc length to extend outward of or flare beyond the outer periphery of the ballto define a gap G between the tether segment,and an outer surfaceof the ball. For example, the circumference of the ballshown inis approximately 23.5 inches and the length of the tether assemblyis approximately 29.5 inches. The gap G that is configured to be large enough to allow the person or user of the ballto inserts his/her hand H through, as shown in. The gap G has a dimension of 1-4 inches, preferably 2-3 inches, at midpoint pointof the tether segment,which is located the furthest distance away from the outer ball surface. The person's hand H can be positioned such that his/her thumb resides against an outer surface of the tether segment,, while the other fingers of the hand H reside against the outer surfaceof the balland within the gap.

As shown in, the exercise deviceincludes at least one coupler,connected to an outer extent of the tether assembly. Specifically and as shown in, the couplers,are connected to the tether assemblyat: (i) the middle of the tether segments,, (ii) the midpointof the tether segments,that are positioned furthest away from the outer surfaceof the ball, (iii) the midpoint of the diameter of the ball, wherein the diameter of the ballis co-linear with the horizontal axis A, (iv) the midpoint of the distance between the fastening mechanism. As such, a coupler axis Aextends between the couplers,and through the center of the ball. The coupler axis Ais co-linear with the horizontal axis Aand is positioned substantially perpendicular to the vertical axis Aand a connector axis Athat extends between the two connector assemblies,. In this embodiment, the intersection between the coupler axis Aand the connector axis Aoccurs at the center or origin of the ball. In other words, the coupler,are positioned at a location that is approximately 90 degrees from either one of the connector assemblies,and at the furthest point away from the connector assemblies,. Referring toand with a frame of reference that extends outward from the drawing sheet (which corresponds to the orientation of the user U in), a right or first coupleris located in a nine o'clock position and a left or second coupleris located in a three o'clock position, whereby the couplers,are in an opposed positional relationship. Accordingly, the upper connector assemblyis located in the twelve o'clock position, the left coupleris located substantially 90 degrees from the upper connector assemblyin the three o'clock position, the lower connector assemblyis located substantially 90 degrees from the left couplerin the six o'clock position, and the right coupleris located substantially 90 degrees from the lower connector assemblyin the nine o'clock position which is also substantially 90 degrees from the upper connector assembly

As shown in, the tether segment,extends through a first opening or slotin the coupler,and the coupler,includes a second opening or slotthat receives an extent of the resistance assembly. The tether segments,can include inner and outer layers, where the outer layer is fed through the first opening or slot. The coupler,can pivot approximately 180 degrees about the segment,; however, the tether segments,are designed to retain the coupler,in a relatively stable location that prevents the coupler,from sliding beyond the midpoint of the segment,and along the length of the segment,. In other embodiments, the coupler,may be: (i) integrally formed with the tether segment,, (ii) permanently coupled to the tether segment,using another known method (e.g., glue/adhesive or fastener), or (iii) releasably coupled to the tether segment,.

Because the tether assemblyof the ballincludes two tether segments,and two couplers,, the ballfeatures “bi-directional” connectivity with the resistance assembly. This bi-directional connectivity means the user can quickly and easily connect either side of ballto the resistance assemblyfor use in training both sides—the left and right sides—of the user's torso and abdominal muscles, regardless of how the user is located with respect to the resistance assembly. The two tether segments,also ensure that the ballis balanced and not susceptible to undesirable horizontal and/or vertical motion (e.g., a twisting or drifting motion) while being held by the person performing the abdominal exercises. In another embodiment, exercise device includes only one coupler, which in turn provides “uni-directional” connectivity with the resistance assembly. In this alternate embodiment, the complexity of ball is reduced, which can reduce the manufacturing costs of the alternate ball.

shows the devicein a connected, non-use position, wherein the ballhangs freely from the resistance assemblyand the coupler,is releasably secured to the resistance assembly, but not yet engaged by a person for the performance of the abdominal exercises. In this non-supported, connected, non-use position, the ballis not supported by the floor or a support surface and instead hangs freely from the resistance assemblywhich may be connected to a machine (not shown) having a stack of selectable weights. In this position and also referring to, the coupler,is: (i) substantially perpendicular to: (a) the connector axis ACV, (b) the vertical axis A, and (c) the floor F or support surface upon which the person/user stands and the exercise machine rests, and (ii) substantially parallel to: (a) coupler axis A, (b) horizontal axis A, and (c) a resistance assembly axis A(shown in) that extends along an extent of the resistance assembly. Additionally, in this connected, non-use position both of the vertical axis Aand connector axis Aare positioned substantially parallel with the floor F and substantially perpendicular with the resistance assembly axis A. Further, in this connected, non-use position, both the horizontal axis Aand the coupler axis Aare positioned substantially perpendicular with the floor F and co-linear with the resistance assembly axis A.

It should be understood that other connected, non-use positions are contemplated by this disclosure, wherein the positional relationships discussed above in connection withmay not apply. For example, the devicemay be in a supported, connected, non-use position, wherein the deviceis supported by the floor or support surface. In this supported, connected, non-use position, the coupler axis Amay be positioned substantially parallel with the floor F and the connector axis Amay be positioned substantially perpendicular to the floor F. Additionally, the coupler,may be angled and not perpendicular or parallel with any other structure.

The resistance assemblymay be any known device or structure that can provide resistance on the deviceduring usage of the ball, such as pivotal torso movement by the user. For example and as shown in, the resistance assemblymay be an exercise machine with a selectable weight stack, a chain, and a carabineer, wherein the carabineerreleasably couples the coupler,, and in turn the device, to the exercise machine. Said exercise machine may be the machine disclosed within PCT/US21/37219, which is fully incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. In other embodiments, the resistance assemblymay be an elongated member (e.g., TRX system) or a deformable structure (e.g., strap, band, tube, or rope), wherein said deformable structure provides elastic resistance. In further embodiments, the resistance assemblymay include weight plate(s), a selectable weight stack, chain(s), hydraulic assembly, pneumatic assembly, spring(s), magnetic assembly, or any combination of the same. For example, the resistance assemblymay include a combination of weight plate(s) and elastically deformable members.

As mentioned above, the exercise devicescan be used by a person or user to perform a wide variety of abdominal muscle exercises (see the listing above).show the user U performing a torso twist exercise (either standing or kneeling).shows the exercise devicein a connected, “ready to use” position where (i) the ballis connected to the resistance assembly, (ii) the hands H of the person or user U are inserted through the opposed tether segments,and the gaps G to grasp the ball, and (iii) the person's torso is in an initial, neutral, non-rotated position. In the ready to use, which precedes the commencement of the torso rotation or pivoting movement, the user's right hand H is located between the couplerand the balland oriented towards the resistance assemblywhereby the user can perform exercises in an opposite direction—in this instance, left torso pivotal movements. Also, in the ready to use position, the person's forearms extend away from the person's torso at a substantially 90 degree angle from the person's torso. In other words, the person's forearms are extended and oriented substantially perpendicular to the person's spinal column while holding the ballsteady and stable.

Further, in the ready to use position, both the horizontal axis Aand the coupler axis Amay be oriented substantially parallel to the floor F and co-linear with the resistance axis A. Also, both the vertical axis Aand the connector axis Amay be oriented substantially perpendicular to both the floor F and resistance axis A. In other situations that are not shown in, (i) the coupler axis Amay be angled relative to the floor F and/or the resistance axis A, (ii) the connector axis Amay be angled relative to the floor F, (iii) the horizontal axis Amay be angled relative to the floor F and/or the resistance axis A, and/or (iv) the vertical axis Amay be angled relative to the floor F.

shows the exercise devicein a connected, “use position” where: (i) the ballis connected to the resistance assembly, (ii) the person's hands H are inserted through the opposed tether segments,and into the gaps G to grasp the ball, and (iii) the person has at least partially rotated or pivoted their torso. In particular,shows a specific use position, wherein the exercise devicein an “extended position,” as the person's torso is in an extended and fully rotated position. Ideally, the range of motion of the torso movement is approximately 90 degrees from the center or neutral position (of) as the user U performs the movement(s) on either his/her left or right side. When the ballis moved through the pivotal torso movement, the couplerremains in a substantially stable position with respect to the tether segment,which helps prevent unwanted and uncomfortable twisting motion of the ballwhile it is being held by the person performing the abdominal exercises.

While in the use position, both of the horizontal axis Aand the coupler axis Amay be oriented substantially parallel to the floor F and both of the vertical axis Aand the connector axis Amay be oriented substantially perpendicular to the floor F. Further, in various states of movement (i.e., when the person has rotated between 1 degree and 90 degrees) between the ready to use positon and the use position, both of the horizontal axis Aand the coupler axis Amay be co-plainer with the resistance axis A, but will not be co-linear with the resistance axis A. In other situations that are not shown in, (i) the coupler axis Amay be angled relative to the floor F and/or the resistance axis Aand (ii) the connector axis Amay be angled relative to the floor F. In other words, the (i) the coupler axis Aand resistance axis Amay not be oriented substantially parallel to the floor F, and (ii) connector axis Amay not be oriented substantially perpendicular to the floor F. For example, an inner angle formed between the coupler axis Aand the floor F may be between 1 degree and 90 degrees, and preferably less than 45 degrees.

In, the person performs the pivotal torso movement to his/her left where his right hand RH and right elbow are closest to the couplersecured to the resistance assembly. Upon completion of a suitable number of repetitions, the person can remove his/her hands H from the gaps G and then reorient himself by walking around the resistance assemblysuch that his/her left hand LH and left elbow are closest to the couplersecured to the resistance assemblywhereupon the person is in the ready to use position for the pivotal torso movement to his/her right. Thus, when the person performs the pivotal torso movement to his/her left, the right hand RH (i) is oriented towards the resistance assembly, and (ii) applies a compressive force on the outer ball surfacethat is directed towards the person's left side and away from the resistance assemblyand the couplerto move or “drive” the ballto his/her left, while the left hand LH is the “off-hand” that does not drive the balland thus is oriented away from the resistance assemblyand does not apply a compressive force. As a result, the left hand LH can be removed from the ballsuch that only the right hand RH remains in contact with the ballto (i) and creates provide the driving force for the concentric portion of the exercise movement, and (ii) provide the resistance force on the eccentric portion of the exercise movement. Accordingly, the deviceis designed-namely the position and orientation of the tether assembly, the fastening mechanism, the coupler(s)and the resistance assembly—such that the user U can “single-hand drive” the ballthrough the concentric portion (when the muscles contract) and eccentric portion (when the muscles lengthen or elongate) of the exercise movement. In this manner, the off-hand can be removed from the ballwithout negatively impacting the performance of the exercise movement. When the person is performing the pivotal torso movement to his/her right, the left hand LH (i) is oriented towards the resistance assembly, and (ii) applies a compressive force on the outer ball surfacethat is directed towards the person's right side and away from the resistance assemblyand the couplerto move or “drive” the ballto his/her right, while the right hand RH is the “off-hand” that does not drive the balland thus is oriented away from the resistance assemblyand does not apply a compressive force. As a result, the right hand RH can be removed from the ballsuch that only the left hand LH remains in contact with the balland creates the driving force for the concentric portion of the exercise movement, as well as creating the resistance force on the eccentric portion of the exercise movement.

While performing repetitions of the abdominal exercise throughout the use position, the person's forearms remain extended away from the person's torso at a substantially 90 degree angle from the person's torso. Also, the person's forearms are extended and oriented substantially perpendicular to the person's spinal column while holding or cradling the ball, without firmly gripping it, steady and stable to focus the work on the person's abdominal muscles.

A second embodiment of the deviceis shown in, which is similar to the first embodiment of the deviceshown in. For sake of brevity, the above disclosure in connection with devicewill not be repeated, but it should be understood that across embodiments like reference numbers represent like structures and components of the devices,. For example, the disclosure relating to ballapplies in equal force to ball. Like the first embodiment of the device, this second embodiment of the deviceis symmetric along both: (i) the vertical axis Aand (ii) the horizontal axis AH. Because the deviceis symmetric, the front view shown inmatches a rear view (not shown) of the device, the top view shown inmatches a bottom view (not shown) of the device, and the side view shown inmatches the opposed side view (not shown) of the device. Thus, it is not necessary for the Figures to include a rear view, bottom view or second side view of the device.

The major differences between the first and second embodiments of the device,include: (i) the tether assemblyin the second embodiment not spanning the circumference of the ball, (ii) the connector assembliesare not positioned at the top and bottom poles,of the ball, (iii) the connector assembliesare not co-linear with the vertical axis A, and (iv) the geometry of the couplersare different. As shown in the schematic view of, the left two connector assemblies,are aligned along a left connector axis ALCV and the right two connector assemblies,are aligned along a right connector axis ARCV, where the left connector axis ALCV and right connector axis ARCV are positioned a predefined distance D away or offset from the vertical axis A. Due to the offset of this predefined distance D, the left and right connector axis ALCV, ARCV do not extend through the center of the balland are not co-linear with the vertical axis A. Nevertheless, the left and right connector axis ALCV, ARCV are still positioned substantially perpendicular to both of the horizontal axis Aand the coupler axis Aand positioned substantially parallel to the vertical axis A.

The second embodiment of the deviceis engaged by the user in the same manner as described above in connection with the first embodiment of the device. For example, when the deviceis in the “ready to use” position: (i) the ballis connected to the resistance assembly, (ii) the hands H of the person or user U are inserted through the opposed tether segments,and the gaps G to grasp the ball, and (iii) the person's torso is in an initial, neutral, non-rotated position. Also, when the deviceis in the “use position” the: (i) ballis connected to the resistance assembly, (ii) person's hands H are inserted through the opposed tether segments,and into the gaps G to grasp the ball, and (iii) the person has at least partially rotated or pivoted their torso. Then in this user position, the person performs the pivotal torso movement to his/her left, the right hand RH (i) is oriented towards the resistance assembly, and (ii) applies a compressive force on the outer ball surfacethat is directed towards the person's left side and away from the resistance assemblyand the couplerto move or “drive” the ballto his/her left, while the left hand LH is the “off-hand” and thus is oriented away from the resistance assemblyand does not apply a compressive force. Upon completion of a suitable number of repetitions, the person can remove his/her hands H from the gaps G and then reorient himself by walking around the resistance assemblysuch that his/her left hand LH and left elbow are closest to the couplersecured to the resistance assemblywhereupon the person is in the ready to use position for the pivotal torso movement to his/her right.

A third embodiment of the deviceis shown in, which is similar to the first embodiment of the deviceshown in. Additionally, a fourth embodiment of the deviceis shown in, which is similar to the second embodiment of the deviceshown in. For sake of brevity, the above disclosure in connection with devicewill not be repeated, but it should be understood that like numbers represent like structures. For example, the disclosure relating to ballapplies in equal force to ball,.

Unlike the first and second embodiments of the device,, the third and fourth embodiments of the device,are not symmetric along the vertical axis A. However, the third and fourth embodiments of the device,are still symmetric along the horizontal axis AH. As such, a top view will match a bottom view, but the front view will not match the back view and one side view will not match the opposed side view. This lack of symmetry along the vertical axis Ais due to the fact that the tether assembly,includes only a single tether segment,that yields a single hand gap G and that provides “uni-directional” connectivity with the resistance assembly. In other words, the devicedoes not include a second tether segment,that is an opposed positional relationship to the first tether segment,. In this alternate embodiment, the complexity of the ball,is reduced which can reduce the costs of the ball,.

This disclosure contemplates other embodiments of the device,,,. For example, the device,,,may replace the ballwith a different 3-dimensional shape, such as an oval, cone, cylinder, cube or multi-sided prism. In another example, the tether assembly,,,may not be integrally formed or permanently attached to the ball,,,and instead may be designed to be added or retrofitted onto an existing ball,,,. As such, this alternative version of the tether assemblymay be manufactured and marketed as a “retrofit kit.” In this manner, the retrofit tether assemblymay have an adjustable configuration where the ball,,,is inserted into the tether assemblyand then the tether assemblyis adjusted to secure the tether assemblyto the ball,,,.

In a further embodiment, the tether segments,may be adjustable which allows the user U to increase or decrease the size and configuration of the gap G that is formed between the ball,,,and the tether segments,,,,,; thereby allowing people with smaller or larger hands to utilize the device,,,. Also, in another embodiment, the device,,,may have an internal storage compartment that is configured to receive a weight, an extent of a resistance assembly, or additional/alternative connectors,,,. If the internal storage compartment is configured to receive a weight, then the device,,,could be configured in a manner that allows the user to adjust the weight of the device,,,by inserting weights of different amounts within the ball,,,. In even further embodiments, the ball,,,may have indentations that are configured to receive the user's fingers and/or the ball,,,may be deflatable.

Phrases such as an aspect, the aspect, another aspect, some aspects, one or more aspects, an implementation, the implementation, another implementation, some implementations, another embodiment, some embodiments, one or more embodiments, a configuration, the configuration, another configuration, some configurations, one or more configurations, the subject technology, the disclosure, the present disclosure, other variations thereof and alike are for convenience and do not imply that a disclosure relating to such phrase(s) is essential to the subject technology or that such disclosure applies to all configurations of the subject technology. A disclosure relating to such phrase(s) may apply to all configurations, or one or more configurations. A disclosure relating to such phrase(s) may provide one or more examples. A phrase such as an aspect or some aspects may refer to one or more aspects and vice versa, and this applies similarly to other foregoing phrases.

Numerous modifications to the present disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the foregoing description. Preferred embodiments of this disclosure are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the disclosure. It should be understood that the illustrated embodiments are exemplary only and should not be taken as limiting the scope of the disclosure.