Retractable handheld exercise apparatus
Methods and systems for a retractable handheld exercise apparatus. The methods and systems generate a movement similar to upper body ski poling whereby a pair of handheld units [A] are connected to a fixed object by an attachment means [B] and are moved in an upper body walking motion to and from the fixed attachment point along a cable [C]. The apparatus includes functionality to increase or decrease tension which changes the amount of force required to pull the unit away from the fixed point.
1 . A retractable, handheld upper body exercise device comprising:
a pair of handheld units, each handheld unit comprising:
a retracting cable spooled from within the corresponding handheld unit;
an attachment portion connected to a distal end of the retracting cable and configured to be coupled with an attachment point distinct from and external to the retractable, handheld upper body exercise device; and
a series of pulleys built into each handheld unit to guide the retracting cable consistently to and from a handle exit point of the corresponding handheld unit and to further aid in fluidity of a progression of the retracting cable through the corresponding handheld unit;
wherein the pair of handheld units are configured to be moved by a user to and from the attachment point to add light, ski-poling resistance to an upper body walking motion of the user.
2 . The retractable, handheld upper body exercise device in claim 1 further comprising a retractor spring having a tension that can be adjusted via a push-to-turn, self-locking post that houses a core of the retractor spring.
3 . The retractable, handheld upper body exercise device in claim 1 , wherein the attachment portion allows the retractable, handheld upper body exercise device to be safely secured to a wide variety of fixed points that include the attachment point.
4 . The retractable, handheld upper body exercise device in claim 1 , wherein the pair of handheld units are left-hand and right-hand units each comprising handles that differ between the left-hand and right-hand units, respectively, yet are identically symmetrical to respectively fit left-hand and right-hand palms of the user.
5 . The retractable, handheld upper body exercise device in claim 1 , wherein each handheld unit is flared on both ends to prevent slippage and is ergonomically designed to be easily gripped by most everyone.
6 . The retractable, handheld upper body exercise device in claim 1 , wherein each handheld unit is dome-shaped at a tip thereof near an external cable exit point of the corresponding handheld unit to allow arms of the user to swing more freely and with a least possible amount of friction on the retracting cable as the retracting cable moves through the external cable exit point.