US-12616870-B2 - Method of performing a plank style exercise and device for use therewith

US12616870B2US 12616870 B2US12616870 B2US 12616870B2US-12616870-B2

Abstract

A plank training device having a base with a first length and a foot support assembly rotatably engaged with the base. The foot support assembly defines a foot well and is rotatable about an axis relative to the base. The foot well is adapted to receive at least a portion of a human's feet. The foot support assembly has a base plate adapted to support the portion of the human's feet. The plank training device also includes at least one riser removably connected to a bottom of the base which allows the plank training device to have a greater length.

Inventors

Craig S VICARS
Aireen S VICARS

Assignees

Plankcore Assist LLC

Dates

Publication Date: 20260505
Application Date: 20240709

Claims (20)

1 . A plank training device, comprising: a base having a first height; a foot support assembly rotatably engaged with the base; a foot well defined by the foot support assembly, wherein the foot well is singularly U-shaped and vertically-oriented in an initial position; wherein the foot well is adapted to receive at least a portion of a human's feet; and wherein the foot support assembly is rotatable about an axis relative to the base.
2 . The plank training device according to claim 1 , further comprising: a base plate of the foot support assembly adapted to support the portion of the human's feet; at least one adjustable block adjustable relative to the base plate of the foot support assembly; and wherein the adjustment of the at least one adjustable block defines a size of the foot well.
3 . The plank training device according to claim 2 , wherein the at least one adjustable block further comprises: an adjustment screw releasably engaging the at least one adjustable block to the foot support assembly between one or more positions relative to the foot support assembly.
4 . The plank training device according to claim 3 , further comprising: a first set of adjustment apertures defined in the at least one adjustable block to receive the adjustment screw; and wherein the at least one adjustable block is moveable between a first position when the adjustment screw is secured to the foot support assembly through a first adjustment aperture of the first set of adjustment apertures and a second position when the adjustment screw is secured to the foot support assembly through a second adjustment aperture of the first set of adjustment apertures.
5 . The plank training device according claim 3 , further comprising: a first adjustable block of the at least one adjustable block is adjustable relative to the base plate of the foot support assembly; a second adjustable block of the at least one adjustable block is adjustable relative to the base plate of the foot support assembly; and wherein the adjustment of the first and second adjustable blocks defines the size of the foot well.
6 . The plank training device according claim 2 , wherein the at least one adjustable block is moveable relative to the base plate via at least one adjustment aperture and is secured thereto by at least one adjustment screw.
7 . The plank training device according to claim 2 , wherein the foot support assembly further comprises: at least one slot extending through the base plate of the foot assembly; at least one locking device extending through the at least one adjustable block and the at least one slot; and wherein the at least one locking device is configured to releasably secure the at least one adjustable block in a desired position relative to the base plate.
8 . The plank training device according to claim 7 , wherein the at least one adjustable block slidably engages the base plate of the foot assembly via the first and second slots of the at least one slot.
9 . The plank training device according to claim 8 , wherein the at least one adjustable block slidably engages the first and second slots together or individually.
10 . The plank training device according to claim 2 , further comprises: at least one base block engaged with the at least one adjustable block; and at least one screw receiver defined by the at least one base block.
11 . The plank training device according to claim 10 , further comprises: at least one block slide rail located on the at least one base block; wherein the at least one adjustable block is mounted on the at least one base block; and wherein the at least one adjustable block is secured to the at least one base block via at least one adjustment screw.
12 . The plank training device according to claim 10 , wherein the at least one adjustable block is housed inside a cavity.
13 . The plank training device according claim 1 , further comprising: at least one riser removably connected to a bottom of the base in which the at least one riser and the base are collectively defined at a second height that is greater than the first height.
14 . The plank training device according claim 1 , further comprising: a first riser removably connected to a bottom of the base in which the first riser and the base are collectively defined at a second height that is greater than the first height; and a second riser removably connected to a bottom of the first riser in which the first riser, the second riser and the base are collectively defined at a third height that is greater than the first and second heights.
15 . The plank training device according to claim 1 , wherein the base further comprises: a back plate adapted to engage a wall surface; a bottom plate adapted to engage a floor surface; and wherein the back plate and the bottom plate are engaged with and substantially perpendicular to one another.
16 . The plank training device according to claim 15 , further comprising: at least one hole defined in the back plate, wherein the at least one hole is adapted to receive a screw that secures the base to the wall surface at the at least one hole.
17 . A method of performing planking exercises, the method comprising: placing a base of a plank training device on a ground surface adjacent to a wall, the base having a first height; inserting at least one of a user's feet into a foot well defined in a foot support assembly of the plank training device, wherein the foot well is singularly U-shaped and vertically-oriented in an initial position; and rotating the foot support assembly relative to the base of the plank training device while maintaining a plank position from the planking exercises.
18 . The method of claim 17 further comprising: adjusting at least one adjustment block of the foot support assembly to change a size of the foot well from a first width to a second width that is less than the first width.
19 . The method of claim 18 further comprising: adjusting a first adjustment block of the at least one adjustment block of the foot support assembly from a first position to a second position; adjusting a second adjustment block of the at least one adjustment block of the foot support assembly from a third position to a fourth position; and defining the second width when the first adjustment block and the second adjustment block are respectively adjusted to the second position and the fourth position.
20 . The method of claim 18 further comprising: connecting at least one riser to the base; and defining a second height by the at least one riser and the base, collectively.

Description

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/513,631, filed on Jul. 14, 2023; the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. TECHNICAL FIELD The present disclosure related generally to exercise and exercise equipment. More particularly, in one example, the present disclosure relates to the method and apparatus for performing plank and other similar exercises. Specifically, in another example, the present disclosure relates to an exercise device to allow a user to perform planks and other similar style exercises while varying the angles and resistance for increased performance and versatility thereof. BACKGROUND ART Planking as an exercise is considered a core exercise in that it is a method of exercising the muscles that make us the core of a person's body. Specifically, planking targets the abdomen, sides, and related muscles stretching across the chest and abdomen ranging between the hips and the shoulders. Planking, as is currently accepted, is performed by a user assuming a pushup-like position often with the user's forearms against the floor and their feet stretched out behind them. The core muscles are engaged to maintain a straight posture while supporting one's self above the floor or ground surface using only their feet and forearms. Variations on planking as an exercise include raising the feet above the ground level by placing them on a raised surface such as a box or bench. Other variations include rotating the torso and/or upper body to raise one arm off the floor to create unbalance further engaging core muscles to keep the body in proper position and alignment. Other variations on planking can include assuming a pushup-like position and moving the arms and/or legs to cause muscular stress emphasizing different target areas to force the core muscles to adapt to support the user's body. Current versions and variations of planking are difficult and often require significant practice and experience to master these movements. Further compounding this difficulty is the increased likelihood of injury as one advances into newer variations on planking, specifically referring to those variations that require the user to move their feet and/or legs to a new position while balancing on their hands or forearms. This may cause a user to lose their balance and may result in fall injuries, muscle strains, or the like. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A plank training device having a base with a first length and a foot support assembly rotatably engaged with the base. The foot support assembly defines a foot well and is rotatable about an axis relative to the base. The foot well is adapted to receive at least a portion of a human's feet. The foot support assembly has a base plate adapted to support the portion of the human's feet. The plank training device also includes at least one riser removably connected to a bottom of the base which allows the plank training device to have a greater length. In one aspect, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may provide a plank training device, comprising a base having a first length, a foot support assembly rotatably engaged with the base, a foot well defined by the foot support assembly, wherein the foot well is adapted to receive at least a portion of a human's feet, and where the foot support assembly is rotatable about an axis relative to the base. In another aspect, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may provide further comprising a base plate of the foot support assembly adapted to support the portion of the human's feet, at least one adjustable block adjustable relative to the base plate of the foot support assembly, and where the adjustment of the at least one adjustable block defines a size of the foot well. In another aspect, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may provide further comprising at least one riser removably connected to a bottom of the base in which the at least one riser and the base are collectively defined at a second length that is greater than the first length. In another aspect, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may provide further comprising a first riser removably connected to a bottom of the base in which the first riser and the base are collectively defined at a second length that is greater than the first length, and a second riser removably connected to a bottom of the first riser in which the first riser, the second riser and the base are collectively defined at a third length that is greater than the first and second lengths. In another aspect, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may provide where the at least one adjustment block further comprises an adjustment screw releasably engaging the at least one adjustment block to the foot support assembly between one or more position relative to the foot support assembly. In another aspect, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may p