HK1034685B - Isometric exercise ball - Google Patents

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of exercise devices and more particularly a ball-shaped exercise device for performing site-specific isometric exercises directed to overall body strengthening and protection against the effects of osteoporosis.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The need for exercise has been increasingly recognized. In addition to the benefits of better overall health and fitness, the strengthening of muscles and bones reduce the risk of fractures of the spine and hips as a major consequence of osteoporosis. Strong muscles stimulate the formation of stronger bones, provide the muscle control that helps to keep one's balance and prevent falls, help maintain an upright posture and prevent the "dowager's hump" of osteoporosis, and provide shock-absorbing fracture protection to the skeleton when an unavoidable fall occurs.

The present invention addresses isometric exercise, wherein, with little or no movement, one set of muscles is tensed for a period of seconds in opposition to another set of muscles or to an immovable object. such isometric exercises are thus distinguished from isokinetic exercises wherein a muscle force is applied to a constant velocity of motion, as for example in pulling the handles of a rowing machine, or isotonic exercise when a constant weight is lifted through a range of motion.

Many isometric exercises require or are enhanced by the use of an exercise device providing force(s) that counterbalance the muscular force(s) applied by the exercising person. Amongst a recommended set of isometric exercises, some will require muscles to contract concentrically under uniform fiber tension, while others will require excentric muscular expansion. Accordingly, in the field addressed by present invention, the exercise device must be bidirectional, as distinguished from unidirectional devices, e.g. those utilizing stretch cords or bands, or long thin coil springs that can operate only in tension and cannot operate in compression.

DISCUSSION OF RELATED KNOWN ART

Examples of unidirectional isometric exercise devices are found in U.S. patents 4,023,808 to Hebert for a RESILIENT FORCE RESISTOR TYPE EXERCISING DEVICE and 4,852,874 to Sleichtser III et al for a PORTABLE ISOKINETIC EXERCISING DEVICE: these utilize elastic stretch band loops as resistance elements.

Examples of bidirectional isometric exercise devices are found in U.S. patents 4,376,533 to Kolbel for a PUSH AND PULL TYPE EXERCISING DEVICE and 4,406,453 to Herzfeld for a PORTABLE EXERCISER: these utilize metal springs as resistance elements.

U.S. patent 2,115,926 by Hatton for HANDLE FOR INFLATED BALLS AND THE LIKE is of interest in showing an inflated ball with a pair of solid hand grips recessed at diametrically opposite locations of the ball; however the ball is for athletic game purposes only and is not intended or suitable for use as an isometric exercise device as addressed by the present invention.

NL-A-9500179 according to which the preamble of claim 1 is established discloses a gymnastic ball which is fully inflated. The ball contains loops for attaching a band, a blowup valve, a band, a cross point for bands and two handles which are placed close to each other on the same side disposed on the same hemisphere of the ball.

In the above mentioned examples of known art exercise devices, the handles provided are intended for two-handed operation only, and do not accommodate feet or legs, furthermore they fail to provide a soft accommodating surface that can be applied against various body surfaces.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a versatile bidirectional isometric exercise device that can be utilized in conjunction with various body parts such as hands, legs, knees, feet, etc., for exercising muscles in both opposite directions, i.e. not restricted to isotonic exercises.

It is a further object to provide an exercise device directed to overall body and paraspinal strengthening particularly for persons prone to or desiring protection from the effects of osteoporosis.

It is a further object that the exercise device permit soft accommodation to various body surfaces for a broad array of isometric exercises.

It is a further object to realize an exercise device meeting the foregoing objects in a very simple structure that does not require metal springs, stretch cords or the like, or mechanisms such as lever arms.

It is a further object to realize an inflatable exercise device that can be deflated for easy carrying and convenient storage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The above mentioned objects have been accomplished in the present invention of an inflatable isometric exercise ball, about 46 CM (1811) in diameter, fitted with a pair of strap-like handles, that can also serve as stirrups, located at diametrically opposite regions of surface of the main ball portion. The ball is less than fully inflated so as to interface comfortably with various regions of the body. In a recommended sequence of isometric exercises directed to particular different body regions, some of the exercises utilize the ball in a tension mode with the user's arms or legs inserted through the handles, while other exercises utilize the ball in a compression mode, squeezed between body parts or between a body part and a wall or floor.

A recommended sequence of exercises may be depicted by graphic illustrations printed directly on the surface of the exercise ball.

An embodiment of the present invention is provided by an exercise ball comprising: a hollow main ball portion made from flexible material shaped to form a sphere of predetermined volume capacity when fully inflated; a pair of like flexible looped handles disposed at diametrically opposed regions of the main ball portion, each of the looped handles having ends separately attached to different portions of the main ball portion; an inflatable bladder portion contained within the hollow main ball portion.

A further embodiment of the present invention is provided by an exercise ball comprising: a hollow inflatable bladder portion made from a flexible material shaped to form a sphere of predetermined volume capacity when fully inflated; first and second complementary hemispheric fabric cover portions, the first and second bladder portions constructed and arranged to surround the bladder portion and to be mutually attracted so as to form a spherical entity; a first attachment strap attached at a first attachment point at a peripheral region of the first fabric cover portion, the first attachment strap having a looped handle attached thereto; a second attachment strap attached at a second attachment point at a peripheral region of the second fabric cover, the second attachment strap having a looped handle attached thereto; a first strap holder located near the first attachment point on a peripheral region of the first fabric cover portion, the first strap holder configured to receive and hold a first portion of the second attachment strap; a second strap holder attached at a peripheral region of the first fabric cover portion diametrically opposite the first attachment point, the second strap holder configured to receive and hold a second portion of the second attachment strap; and a third strap holder attached at a peripheral region of the second fabric cover portion diametrically opposite the second attachment point, the third strap holder configured to receive and hold a third portion of the second attachment strap, wherein the second attachment strap is held by the first strap holder, the second strap holder, and the third strap holder to assist in holding the cover portions together.

A further embodiment of the present invention is provided by a method of providing isometric exercise directed to various body regions comprising the steps of: (1) providing a partially-inflated ball of flexible material fitted with a pair of diametrically opposed handles forming arched loops each large enough to insert a human foot therethrough; and (2) applying muscular force from a user's body to the ball in accordance with a recommended exercise instruction in a manner to cause the ball to exert a force that counterbalances the applied muscular force.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully understood from the following description taken with the accompanying drawings in which:

• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of an exercise ball of the present invention.
• FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of an exercise ball of the present invention.
• FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a third embodiment of an exercise ball of the present invention illustrating a pre-assembled condition.
• FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the exercise ball embodiment of FIG. 3 in an assembled condition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exercise ball 10A, in a first embodiment of the present invention equipped with a pair of diametrically-opposed strap-like handles 12A attached to the main portion of ball 10A by a sonic weld 14 at each end of each handle 12A.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exercise ball 10B, in a second embodiment of the present invention wherein each of the diametrically opposed pair of handles 12B consists of a hand grip 16 made from flexible tubing surrounding a flat loop of cord 18 extending as an eye at each end where the cord is threaded through a grommet 20 set in a tab 22. Each of the four tabs 22 is attached to the main portion of ball 10B by a sonic weld 14. The hand grips 16 may be round or oval in cross section.

In either embodiment the handle is made long enough that it forms an arched loop that can be placed over the foot and onto the leg of the person exercising.

The main ball portion 10A/B and the handles 12A/B are of flexible material, and may enclose a bladder portion; in a deluxe version of either embodiment, the outer surface of the main ball portion 10A/B may be covered with a fabric such as nylon or lycra.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a third embodiment of an exercise ball 10C of the present invention illustrating a pre-assembled condition. The main bladder portion 24, preferably made from vinyl, may be fitted with a pressure sensor 26, which may include a pressure indicator such as a digital readout or analog display.

Shown above and below bladder 24, a fabric cover is made in two hemispheric portions 28A and 28B. The upper cover portion 28A is fitted with a handle 30A at the end of a long strap 30B. The lower cover portion 28B is fitted with a handle 30C at the end of a short strap 30D. The main lower cover portion 28B is fitted with a pair of similar handle pass-through slots, slot 30E located at the beginning of strap 30D, and slot 30F located at the edge of lower cover portion 28B diagonally opposite slot 30E. Handle 30A of the upper cover portion 28A is shown having been inserted through slot 30E as the first step in assembly. In subsequent assembly, handle 30A will be moved around cover portion 28B as indicated by arrow 32, passed through slot 30F as indicated by arrow 34, passed through a similar slot in upper cover portion 28A (not visible in this view) and directed outwardly, pulling the two cover portions 28A and 28B toward each other and securing them in place, fitting snugly over bladder 24. Additional fastening means, such as Velcro fastenings, may be used to fasten the cover portions 28A and 28B to the bladder 24 so as to effectively join them together around their peripheral region.

An opening 38 may be provided in the upper cover portion 28A at the location of pressure sensor 26 for visibility of a pressure indicator, when such is provided at that location.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the exercise ball 10C of FIG. 3 in an assembled condition. Strap 30B, seen laying against the surface of the lower cover portion 28B, is dimensioned in length to space handles 30A and 30C equal distances outwardly from the spherical main body of ball 10C thus simulating a pair of identical handles attached at diametrically opposite points in a like manner. This enables the ball 10C to act as a tension device for isometric exercise involving pulling outwardly on handles 30A and 30C in the same manner as described previously in connection with FIGs. 1 and 2. An opening 40 is shown for access to a bladder inflation valve; alternatively this could be located at any other location, as could sensor 26 and opening 38.

In the case where sensor 26 drives a separate pressure indicator, possible alternative locations for the indicator are shown in FIG. 3 at location 36 on the top side of strap 30D, and in FIG. 4 at location 39 on the bottom side of strap 30D. The pressure indicator can be of known art such a mechanical gauge or an electronic digital or analog indicator implemented as and LED or LCD display panel.

Force applied to the exercise ball in either in tension via the handles, tending to distort the ball shown by dashed lines in FIG. 4, or in compression by squeezing the ball, increases the air pressure within the ball, thus the air pressure as sensed and indicated is generally proportional to the applied force.

As a further refinement, either as an addition to a pressure gauge or as an alternative thereto, the pressure sensor may be made to produce a visible or audible indication upon reaching a predetermined pressure level; the predetermined pressure level may be made variable with provision for adjustment by the individual using the ball, so that different muscular forces may be specified for various exercises and monitored accordingly. As a further alternative, a keypad may be provided separately or built in, for the purpose of enabling a user to enter muscular force and/or other data.

As optional variations to the structure shown in FIGs. 3 and 4, portions 28A and 28B could be made identical, at least with regard to the straps and handles:

• (a) if both portions were made in the form of portion 288, then each handle, being on a short strap 30D, would thread through the pass-through slot 30F of the opposite portion; there would be no need for the pass through slot 30E in the handle 30D; or
• (b) if both portions were made in the form of portion 28A with a long strap 30B on each handle and provided with a pass-through slot 30F at the opposite edge, then the straps would each pass through a slot 30E, make a half turn around opposite sides of the ball and then pass through slots 30F, extending therefrom to the respective handles.

For exercise use, the main ball portion 10A/B/C is inflated, via the valve in the manner of beach balls or basketballs, only to a somewhat underinflated condition about two-thirds to three-quarters of its fully distended capacity, so as to allow it to provide a firm accommodating even resistance to body regions of the person exercising.

There are two basic modes of using the ball for exercise: (1) utilizing the ball as a tensile load by pulling apart on the handles, e. g. with hands or legs, so as to effectively stretch the ball, and (2) utilizing the ball as a compressive load by squeezing it between user body regions or between a user body region and an immovable object such as a floor, bed or wall.

A special sequence of recommended exercises may be illustrated by graphics printed on the ball as indicated in FIGs. 1 and 2. An instruction booklet describing these exercises in detail may be provided in a marketing package with the exercise ball. Each exercise is directed to different areas of the body and utilizes the ball in an appropriate mode. Generally in each exercise, a steadily increasing muscular force is applied to the ball over a given time period, typically five seconds, then the force is released steadily over a similar time period.

When provided, the pressure readout, can be utilized in connection with tabulated data providing recommended muscular force in the various exercises according to individual characteristics such as age, weight, etc.

A further embodiment of the present invention is provided by an exercise ball 10A-C comprising: a hollow inflatable main ball portion made from flexible material shaped to form a sphere of predetermined volume capacity when fully inflated, said ball portion being partially inflated to within a range from about two thirds to three quarters of the volume capacity; a pair of like flexible looped handles 12A, 12B disposed at diametrically opposed regions of the main ball portion, the handles 30A, 30C being dimensioned to allow a human foot to pass through each looped handle 30A, 30C; an inflatable bladder portion 24; first and second complementary hemispheric fabric cover portions 28A, 28B constructed and arranged to each have a corresponding one of said looped handles 30A, 30C attached integrally thereto at a peripheral region thereof by an attachment strap 30B, 30D, said first and second fabric covers 28A-B being mutually attached around the peripheral region, fully enclosing said bladder portion 24, each of said cover portions 28A-B each being constructed and arranged to have pass-through slot means defined in a peripheral region opposite the location of the attachment strap 30B, 30D, for utilizing an attachment strap 30B passing through the slot means in order to assist in holding said cover portions 28A-B together; and said first and second fabric cover portions 28A-B being constructed and arranged to surround said bladder portion 24 and to be mutually attached around peripheral regions thereof so as to form a spherical entity, such that the looped handles 30A, 30C are caused to become effectively attached via the respective straps 30B, 30D to diametrically opposed regions of the main ball portion, disposed at substantially equal distances outwardly from the main ball portion.

The exercise ball 10A-C may be constructed and arranged to act as a tension device when the user manually exerts opposing outwardly-directed forces on the handles 30A, 30C by applying opposing muscular forces thereupon in performance of an isometric exercise. The exercise ball 10A-C may also be constructed and arranged to enable each of the handles 30A, 30C to engage a corresponding one of the user's legs, the user having inserted a corresponding foot through each handle 30A, 30C; and whereby the exercise ball 10A-C is caused to act as a tension device by the user exerting opposing outwardly-directed muscular forces on the handles 30A, 30C by urging the legs apart in performance of an isometric exercise. The exercise ball 10A-C may also be constructed and arranged to act as a compression device when a user squeezes the ball 10A-C between two predetermined user body regions in performance of an isometric exercise. The exercise ball 10A-C may also be constructed and arranged to act as a compression device when a user squeezes said ball between a predetermined user body region and an immovable surface selected from a group including a floor surface, a bed surface and a wall surface, in performance of an isometric exercise.

The exercise ball 10A-C may have a pair of handles 12B where each handle 12B comprises:a hand grip 16 made from a length of flexible tubular material having a central passageway; a pair of tabs 14, constituting the two opposite ends affixed to said main ball portion, each tab 14 having an extending tab portion fitted with a grommet 20; and a handle cord 18 forming a flattened loop with a double central region traversing the central passageway of said hand grip 16 and forming a protruding eye portion at each end of the hand grip 16, said handle cord 18 being threaded at each eye portion through a corresponding one of the grommets 20. The exercise ball 10A-C may also have a fabric cover enclosing the main ball portion of the exercise ball. The exercise ball 10A-C may also have a plurality of graphic illustrations printed on the main ball portion of the exercise ball 20A-C, each illustration depicting the exercise ball 10A-C being utilized in a different recommended isometric exercise.

The exercise ball 10A-C may further comprise pressure sensing means 26 constructed and arranged to sense air pressure within the exercise ball 10A-C; and pressure indicating means, in operational connection with the pressure sensing means 26, constructed and arranged to visibly display an indication of air pressure within the exercise ball 10A-C as sensed by the pressure sensing means 26. The pressure sensing means 26 may be located in a surface region of the main ball portion of the exercise ball 10A-C. The pressure sensing means 26 may be located in an exposed region of one of the straps 30B, 30D. The pressure indicating means may be user adjustable such that the means provides a distinctive warning indication whenever air pressure in the ball 10A-C rises to a predetermined pressure that is selectable by a user.

Another embodiment of the present invention is a method of providing isometric exercise directed to various body regions comprising the steps of: (1) providing a partially-inflated elastic ball 10A-C of flexible material fitted with a pair of diametrically opposed handles 12A-B forming arched loops each large enough to insert a human foot therethrough; and (2) applying muscular force from a user's body to the ball 10A-C in accordance with a recommended exercise instruction in a manner to cause the ball 10A-C to exert a force that counterbalances the applied muscular force. Step 2 of this method of providing isometric exercise may comprise the substeps of: (a) engaging each of the handles 12A-B with a corresponding body extremity selected from a group including the user's arms and legs; and (b) applying muscular forces from the selected body extremities to the handles 12A-B in opposing outwardly directions according to a recommended exercise instruction, thus causing the ball 10A-C to act as a tension device that counterbalances the applied muscular forces as an essential part of an isometric exercise. In addition or alternatively, Step 2 of this method of providing isometric exercise may comprise the sub-steps of: (a) placing a first region of the ball 10A-C in contact with a first region of the user's body selected in accordance with a recommended exercise instruction; (b) placing a second region of the ball 10A-C, generally diametrically opposite the first region thereof, in contact with a second region of the body selected in accordance with the instruction; and (c) applying muscular forces from the first and second regions of the user's body in opposing inward directions onto the first and second regions of the ball 10A-C respectively, so as to cause the ball 10A-C to act as a compression device exerting counter-active forces, the muscular force being applied to a degree and for a time period recommended by the instruction so as to thus perform the recommended isometric exercise. In addition or alternatively, Step 2 of this method of providing isometric exercise may comprise: (a) placing a first region of the ball 10A-C in contact with a region of the user's body selected in accordance with a recommended exercise instruction; (b) placing a second region of the ball 10A-C, generally diametrically opposite the first region, in contact with an immovable object selected from a group including a floor, bed or wall in accordance with the instruction; and (c) applying muscular force urging the selected body regions of the body toward the immovable object and thus cause the ball 10A-C to exert a counter-active compressive force, the force being applied to a degree and for a time period recommended by the instruction, so as to thus perform the recommended isometric exercise.

The present embodiments are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description; and all variations, substitutions and changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

Claims (31)

1. An exercise ball (10A, 10B; 10C), comprising:

   a hollow main ball portion (10A, 10B; 10C) made from flexible material shaped to form a sphere of predetermined volume capacity when fully inflated;

      characterized in that:

   a pair of like flexible looped handles (12A, 12B; 30A, 30C) disposed at diametrically opposed regions of the main ball portion (10A, 10B; 10C), each of the looped handles (12A,12B; 30A, 30C) having ends separately attached to different portions (14; 30E, 30F) of the main ball portion (10A, 10B; 10C);

   an inflatable bladder portion (24) is contained within the follow main ball portion.
2. The exercise ball (10A, 10B) as claimed in claim 1 wherein each of said pair of handles (12A, 12B) comprises:

   a strap-like length of material attached to the main ball portion by a sonic weld (14) at each end of each handle (12A, 12B).
3. The exercise ball (10A, 10B) as claimed in claim 1 wherein each of said pair of handles (12A, 12B) comprises:

   a hand grip (16) made from a length of resilient tubular material having a central passageway; a pair of tabs (22) affixed to the main ball portion, each tab having an extending tab portion fitted with a grommet (20);

   a handle cord (18) forming a flattened loop with a double central region traversing the central passageway of the hand grip and forming a protruding eye portion at each end of the hand grip (16), the handle cord (18) being threaded at each eye portion through a corresponding one of the grommets (20).
4. The exercise ball (10A, 10B) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 further comprising a fabric cover enclosing said main ball portion.
5. The exercise ball (10A, 10B) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 further comprising a plurality of graphic illustrations printed on the main ball portion, each illustration depicting the exercise ball being utilized in a different recommended isometric exercise.
6. The exercise ball (10A, 10B) as claimed in any one ofclaims i to 5 further ' comprising:

   pressure sensing means (26) constructed and arranged to sense air pressure within the exercise ball (10A, 10B); and

   pressure indicating means, in operational connection with the pressure sensing means (26), constructed and arranged to visibly display an indication of air pressure within the exercise ball (10A, 10B) as sensed by the pressure sensing means (26).
7. The exercise ball (10A, 10B) as claimed in claim 6 wherein the pressure indicating means is located in a surface region of the main ball portion of the exercise ball.
8. The exercise ball (10A, 10B) as claimed in claim 6 wherein the pressure indicating means is located in an exposed region of one of the handles.
9. The exercise ball (10A, 10B) as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 8 further comprising user-adjustable pressure-indicating means for providing a distinctive warning indication whenever air pressure in the ball rises to a predetermined pressure level that is selectable by a user.
10. The exercise ball (10A, 10B) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein said exercise ball (10A, 10B) is constructed and arranged to act as a tension device when the user manually exerts opposing outwardly-directed forces on the handles (12A, 12B) by applying opposing muscular forces thereupon in performance of an isometric exercise.
11. The exercise ball (10A, 10B) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein said exercise ball (10A, 10B) is constructed and arranged to enable each of said handles (12A, 12B) to engage a corresponding one of the user's legs, the user having inserted a corresponding foot through each looped handle (12A, 12B); whereby said exercise ball (10A, 10B) is caused to act as a tension device by the user exerting opposing outwardly-directed muscular forces on said handles (12A, 12B) by urging the legs apart in performance of an isometric exercise.
12. The exercise ball (10A, 10B) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein said exercise ball (10A, 10B) is constructed and arranged to act as a compression device when a user squeezes said ball (10A, 10B) between two predetermined user body regions in performance of an isometric exercise.
13. The exercise ball (10A, 10B) as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 9 wherein said exercise ball (10A, 10B) is constructed and arranged to act as a compression device when a user squeezes said ball (10A, 10B) between a predetermined user body region and an immovable surface selected from a group including a floor surface, a bed surface and a wall surface, in performance of an isometric exercise.
14. An exercise ball (10C) as defined in claim 1, characterized in that:

    a hollow inflatable bladder portion (24) made from a flexible material shaped to form a sphere of predetermined volume capacity when fully inflated;

    a first and second complementary hemispheric fabric cover portions (28A, 28B) are arranged to surround the bladder portion (24) and to be mutually attracted so as to form a spherical entity;

    a first attachment strap (30D) is attached at a first attachment point at a peripheral region of the first fabric cover portion (28B), the first attachment strap (30D) having a looped handle (30C) attached thereto;

    a second attachment strap (30B) attached at a second attachment point at a peripheral region of the second fabric cover (28A), the second attachment strap having a looped handle (30A) attached thereto;

    a first strap holder (30E) located near the first attachment point on a peripheral region of the first fabric cover portion (28B), the first strap holder (30E) configured to receive and hold a first portion of the second attachment strap (30B);

    a second strap holder (30F) attached at a peripheral region of the first fabric cover portion (28B) diametrically opposite the first attachment point, the second strap holder (30F) configured to receive and hold a second portion of the second attachment strap (30B); and

    a third strap holder attached at a peripheral region of the second fabric cover portion (28A) diametrically opposite the second attachment point, the third strap holder configured to receive and hold a third potion of the second attachment strap (30B), wherein the second attachment strap (30B) is held by the first strap holder (30E), the second strap holder (30F), and the third strap holder to assist in holding the cover portions (28A, 28B) together.
15. The exercise ball (10C) as claimed in claim 14 wherein the first strap holder (30E) comprises a pass-through slot sized to receive the second attachment strap (30B) located within the first attachment strap (30D), and the second strap holder (30F) and the third strap holder also comprise pass-through slots sized to receive the second attachment strap (30B).
16. The exercise ball (10C) as claimed in claim 14 or 15 wherein said attachment straps (30B, 30D) are sized so that the looped handles (30C, 30A) are disposed at substantially equal distances outwardly from the bladder portion (24) after the second attachment strap (30B) is received and held by the strap holders (30E, 30F).
17. The exercise ball (10C) as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 1 6 wherein said exercise ball (10C) is constructed and arranged to act as a tension device when the user manually exerts opposing outwardly-directed forces on the handles (30A, 30C) by applying opposing muscular forces thereupon in performance of an isometric exercise.
18. The exercise ball (10C) as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 16 wherein said exercise ball (10C) is constructed and arranged to enable each of said handles (30A, 30C) to engage a corresponding one of the user's legs, the user having inserted a corresponding foot through each looped handle (30A, 30C); whereby said exercise ball (10C) is caused to act as a tension device by the user exerting opposing outwardly-directed muscular forces on said handles (30A, 30C) by urging the legs apart in performance of an isometric exercise.
19. The exercise ball (10C) as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 16 wherein said exercise ball (10C) is constructed and arranged to act as a compression device when a user squeezes said ball (10C) between two predetermined user body regions in performance of an isometric exercise.
20. The exercise ball (10C) as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 16 wherein said exercise ball (10C) is constructed and arranged to act as a compression device when a user squeezes said ball (10C) between a predetermined user body region and an immovable surface selected from a group including a floor surface, a bed surface and a wall surface, in performance of an isometric exercise.
21. The exercise ball (10C) as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 20 wherein each of said handles (30A, 30C) comprises:

    a hand grip (16) made from a length of flexible tubular material having a central passageway:

    a pair of tabs (22), constituting the two opposite ends affixed to said attachment straps, each tab having an extending tab portion fitted with a grommet (20); and

    a handle cord (18) forming a flattened loop with a double central region traversing the central passageway of said hand grip (16) and forming a protruding eye portion at each end of the hand grip (16), said handle cord (18) being threaded at each eye portion through a corresponding one of the grommets (20).
22. The exercise ball (10C) as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 21 further comprising a plurality of graphic illustrations printed on said fabric cover portions each depicting said exercise ball (10C) being utilized in a different recommended isometric exercise.
23. The exercise ball (10C) as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 22 further comprising:

    pressure sensing means (26) constructed and arranged to sense air pressure within said exercise ball (10C); and

    pressure indicating means, in operational connection with said pressure sensing means (26), constructed and arranged to visibly display an indication of air pressure within said exercise ball (10C) as sensed by said pressure sensing means (26).
24. The exercise ball (10C) as claimed in claim 23 wherein said pressure indicating means is located in a surface region of the inflatable bladder portion (24) of said exercise ball (10C).
25. The exercise ball (10C) as claimed in claim 23 wherein said pressure indicating means is located in an exposed region of one of the straps (30B, 30D).
26. The exercise ball (10C) as claimed in any one of claims 23 to 25 further comprising user-adjustable pressure-indicating means for providing a distinctive warning indication whenever air pressure in the ball (10C) rises to a predetermined pressure level that is selectable by a user.
27. The exercise ball (10A, 10B, 10C) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 26 wherein the inflatable main ball portion is partially inflated to within a range from about two-thirds to three-quarters of the volume capacity.
28. A method of providing isometric exercise directed to various body regions comprising the steps of:

    (1) providing a partially-inflated ball (10A, 10B, 10C) of flexible material fitted with a pair of handles (12A, 12B, 30A, 30C) disposed at diametrically opposite regions of the ball forming arched loops each large enough to insert a human foot therethrough;

    (2) applying muscular force from a user's body to the ball (10A, 10B, 10C) in accordance with a recommended exercise instruction in a manner to cause the ball (10A, 10B, 10C) to exert a force that counterbalances the applied muscular force.
29. The method of providing isometric exercise as claimed in claim 28 wherein step (2) comprises the sub-steps of.

    (a) engaging each of the handles (12A, 12B, 30A, 30C) with a corresponding body extremity selected from a group including the user's arms and legs; and

    (b) applying muscular forces from the selected body extremities to the handles (12A, 12B, 30A, 30C) in opposing outwardly directions according to a recommended exercise instruction, thus causing the ball (10A, 10B, 10C) to act as a tension device that counterbalances applied muscular forces as an essential part of an isometric exercise.
30. The method of providing isometric exercise as claimed in claim 28 wherein step (2) comprises the sub-steps of:

    (a) placing a first region of the hall (10A, 10B, 10C) in contact with a first region of the user's body selected in accordance with a recommended exercise instruction;

    (b) placing a second region of the ball (10A, 10B, 10C), generally diametrically opposite the first region thereof, in contact with a second region of the body selected in accordance with the instruction; and

    (c) applying muscular forces from the first and second regions of the user's body in opposing inward directions onto the first and second regions of the ball (10A, 10B, 10C) respectively, so as to cause the ball to act as a compression device exerting counter-active forces, the muscular force being applied to a degree and for a time period recommended by the instruction so as to thus perform the recommended isometric exercise.
31. The method of providing isometric exercise as claimed in claim 28 wherein step (2) comprises the sub-steps of:

    (a) placing a first region of the ball (10A, 10B, 10C) in contact with a region of the user's body selected in accordance with a recommended exercise instruction;

    (b) placing a second region of the ball (10A, 10B, 10C), generally diametrically opposite the first region, in contact with an immovable object selected from a group including a floor, bed or wall in accordance with the instruction; and

    (c) applying muscular force urging the selected body regions of the body toward the immovable object and thus cause the ball (10A, 10B, 10C) to exert a counter-active compressive force, the force being applied to a degree and for a time period recommended by the instruction, so as to thus perform the recommended isometric exercise.