Automatic body positioning exercise support system
View Patent ↗Apparatus and associated methods relate to a body positioning and support system having shoulder support surfaces (SSSs) and a lumbar support surface (LSS) offset downwards from a torso support surface (TSS). In an illustrative example, the TSS extends in a first plane along a longitudinal axis. An SSS may, for example, extend from each side of the TSS in opposite directions along a transverse axis orthogonal to the longitudinal axis in the first plane. The LSS may, for example, be distal to the TSS. The SSSs may, for example, each be defined by a first offset from the first plane towards a base plane. The LSS may, for example, be displaced from the first plane towards the base plane by at least a second offset. A neck support surface may extend from a proximal end of the TSS. Various embodiments may advantageously automatically position and support (targeted) body anatomy.
1 . A device for supporting a user's spine body to achieve biomechanically advantageous positions during strength training, comprising:
a torso support surface extending along a longitudinal axis and contoured to induce a natural arch in the user's spine, the torso support surface having bilateral sloped surfaces to enable added mobility and accommodate an improved scapular stabilization and increased range of scapular retraction for shoulders of the user; and
a lumbar support surface in longitudinal alignment with the torso support surface and having a longitudinal sloped top surface configured to accommodate and support a curved lumbar portion of the user's spine.
2 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the torso support surface is part of a pad affixed to a strength training bench.
3 . The device of claim 2 , wherein the pad comprises at least one strap having a fastener configured to adjustably couple the pad to a strength training bench.
4 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the torso support surface is integrated with a strength training bench.
5 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the torso support surface is integrated with a bench of a strength training machine.
6 . The device of claim 1 , further comprising at least one strap having a fastener configured to releasably couple the device to a bench integrated with a strength training machine.
7 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the device further comprises a first pad having the torso support surface and a second pad having the lumbar support surface contoured to support the curved lumbar portion of the user's spine.
8 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the torso support surface has a generally convex transverse contour.
9 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the device comprises a high-density closed-cell foam material.
10 . A device for positioning a user's torso to achieve biomechanically advantageous positions during strength training, comprising:
a support structure configured to be removably coupled to, integrated with, or form at least a portion of a support surface of a weight training apparatus, the support structure comprising:
(a) a torso support surface extending in a first plane along a longitudinal axis;
(b) a pair of shoulder support surfaces extending laterally from opposite sides of the torso support surface in opposed directions along a transverse axis orthogonal to the longitudinal axis, each shoulder support surface being defined by a first offset from the first plane toward a base plane of the support structure, the first offset monotonically increasing along the transverse axis relative to increasing distance from the longitudinal axis such that, upon application of force by the user, scapulae of the user are automatically depressed and adducted until shoulders of the user are supported by the shoulder support surfaces;
(c) a lumbar support surface distal to the torso support surface, the lumbar support surface being displaced from the first plane toward the base plane by at least a second offset; and
wherein the torso support surface is configured to support the user's torso, the lumbar support surface is configured to support a posterior lumbar region of the user, and the shoulder support surfaces are configured to support the user's shoulders.
11 . The device of claim 10 , wherein the support structure is integrated with a strength training bench.
12 . The device of claim 10 , wherein the torso support surface, shoulder support surfaces, and lumbar support surface are integrated with a bench of a strength training machine.
13 . The device of claim 10 , wherein the support structure is affixed to a strength training bench.
14 . The device of claim 10 , wherein the support structure further comprises at least one strap having a fastener configured to adjustably couple to a strength training bench.
15 . The device of claim 10 , wherein the support structure further comprises at least one strap having a fastener configured to releasably couple to a bench integrated with a strength training machine.
16 . The device of claim 10 , wherein the support structure further comprises a second torso support surface having the lumbar support surface configured to support the posterior lumbar region of the user's torso.
17 . The device of claim 10 , wherein the shoulder support surfaces extending laterally from the longitudinal axis are configured to facilitate the biomechanically advantageous rearward rotation of the user's shoulders.
18 . The device of claim 10 , wherein the support structure is constructed of a material selected from the group consisting of: foam, high-density closed-cell foam, polyurethane foam, and foam having a textured outer surface.
19 . The device of claim 10 , wherein the support structure comprises a first contoured pad having the torso support surface, a second contoured pad having the pair of shoulder support surfaces, and a third contoured pad having the lumbar support surface, the first, second, and third contoured pads extending along a longitudinal axis of the support structure.
20 . The device of claim 10 , wherein the torso support surface has a generally convex transverse contour configured to support the user's torso and the lumbar support surface is configured to accommodate and support a curved lumbar portion of the user's torso.
21 . The device of claim 10 , wherein the support structure comprises a plurality of contoured pads coupled along the longitudinal axis and creating the torso, shoulder, and lumbar support surfaces configured to support the user's torso, shoulders, and lumbar posterior region.