Systems and methods for simultaneously contracting body core muscles and computerised instructional unit for facilitating same

1. An exercise apparatus comprising:

a body having a first yoke, the first yoke having a first longitudinal channel extending therethrough;

a first slide member positioned in the first longitudinal channel and being slidable therein in a reciprocating manner and having an abdominal engagement end extending from the channel;

a first resilient member engaging the first yoke and the first slide member to bias a reciprocating motion of the first slide member in the first longitudinal channel of the first yoke;

a second yoke attached to the body, the second yoke having a second longitudinal channel extending therethrough;

a second slide member positioned in the second longitudinal channel and being slidable therein in a reciprocating manner and having an upper body engagement end extending from the second channel;

a second resilient member engaging the second yoke and the second slide member to bias a reciprocating motion of the second slide member in the second longitudinal channel of the second yoke;

first and second hand grips attached to the body at opposing locations and extending away from the body at first and second angles, each hand grip extending in a different direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the body; and

a ring substantially encircling the body and hand grips and having a carrying handle formed thereon, wherein the ring, hand grips and body are an integral element.

2. The exercise apparatus of claim 1 , wherein a longitudinal axis of the first yoke extends away from a longitudinal axis of the second yoke at an acute angle.

3. The exercise apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the acute angle is in the range from about 20 to 70 degrees.

4. The exercise device of claim 1 , further including a base pivotally attached to the upper body engagement end.

5. The exercise device of claim 4 , wherein the base includes a surface configured to contact a user and wherein the surface has a radius of curvature.

6. The exercise apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first resilient member and the second resilient member are both selected from the group consisting of interchangeable tension bands, elastic cords, adjustable hydraulic resistance elements, and interchangeable drop-in resistance units.

7. The exercise apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the second yoke is pivotally attached to the body so that the second yoke is capable of being moved between a folded configuration and an operational configuration,

wherein the longitudinal channel of the second yoke is substantially parallel with the longitudinal channel of the first yoke when in the folded configuration and the longitudinal channel of the second yoke extends away from the longitudinal channel of the first yoke at an angle in a range of about 20 to 70 degrees in the operational configuration.

8. The exercise device of claim 1 , further comprising an electronic vibration unit configured to cause the abdominal engagement end to vibrate.

9. The exercise device of claim 1 , further comprising a computing device configured to provide instructions to a user and store information relating to use of the device.

10. The exercise device of claim 1 , further comprising a leg support member pivotally attached to the body.