WO2010085328A1

WO2010085328A1 - Hands-free rhythmic percussion exercise garment and method of conducting an exercise program

Info

Publication number: WO2010085328A1
Application number: PCT/US2010/000126
Authority: WO
Inventors: Nomi Feinberg
Original assignee: Nomi Feinberg
Priority date: 2009-01-22
Filing date: 2010-01-20
Publication date: 2010-07-29

Abstract

For a hands free exercise device which combines precisely weighted material with a percussive musical instrument, adapted to be worn about the user's body resulting in a new method of conducting an exercise program; for which it is advantageous to vary both the weight and percussion, to adjust the desired additional muscle load during a range of motion, and the pitch and texture of the percussive sound. As a user exercises, he simultaneously receives the benefits of sustained weight training while he "plays" the percussive instrument through directed body movements, adding a rhythmic accompaniment and opportunity for instruction. As the user listens to the percussion emitted by the instructor and strives to imitate the precise rhythmic sound, such as a runner seeking a certain stride or dancer learning a choreographed body movement, he must adjust and thereby correct his form and technique accordingly until the desired percussive cadence is achieved.

Description

DESCRIPTION Hands-Free Rhythmic Percussion Exercise Garment And Method Of Conducting An Exercise Program

BACKGROUND ART

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to the combination of musical instruments and worn exercise equipment. In particular, the present invention relates to "shaker" instruments, such as maracas, and free weights placed side by side, or formed into one entity which combines the shaker and the weight, in a hands free exercise garment, and more particularly to 1) a band construction which assists in confining the shaker and weights in the said band which may be secured directly on the body, or 2) a garment embodiment which may be sewn directly into or onto clothing, for example with separate compartments for the weights and shakers or as weighted decorative beads, to be worn on any article of clothing such as a shirt, sport bra or trousers, to allow for variation in both the type of shaker sound and the amount of added weight, so that as a user exercises, he simultaneously receives the benefits of sustained weight training while he actually "plays" the percussive instrument through body movements which activate the shaker or force the weighted percussive material to collide to produce sound adding a desired rhythmic accompaniment.

2. Description of Prior Art: Weighted Bands and Vests

Weighted bands or the like, such as weighted vests, are worn around the ankles, waist, chest and other locations to make the exercise routine more strenuous, and thus more beneficial for muscle tone and other such objectives. For obvious reasons, it is advantageous to be able to embody any selected number of weights in the band, and thereby adjust the exercising weight. Prior art has refined the band and its weight carrying compartments to maximize the comfort, security, and ergonomic safety of the said device as the user exercises.

Broadly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved exercise band and body garment by incorporating a musical instrument, the combination of which is novel over the prior art. Specifically, it is an object of the present invention to confine both said weights and shakers, for the purpose of enhancing the users' physical benefits by adding audible cadence. An improvement over weight bands with no rhythmic component described in the prior art, because the present invention helps the user stay focused on the proper form and timing to execute a certain physical move, analogous to a metronome to practicing a musical composition, and helps the user to stay inspired in his exercise routine by incorporating the added pleasure of playing a musical instrument in a novel manner, that is, hands free, movement activated sound generated by muscle groups on which the invention is worn. For the runner, for example, this invention serves to keep a consistent pace for a specific stride length. For aerobic exercise accompanied by music with specific choreography, the said invention is an improvement over the prior art because the addition of an audible rhythmic component, which can only be precisely achieved by certain specific body movements which alone activate the shakers properly, will help the user to learn the choreographed steps by listening as he tries to produce the accurate rhythmic sound, adjusting and perfecting his form accordingly. The said device also adds enjoyment during exercise which in turn increases the chance that the user will maintain his exercise program.

3. Description of the Prior Art: Shakers

Prior art, specifically United Stated patent number 6,365,810, well describes shaker instruments:

Shaker instruments are staples for musicians of Latin music. As used herein, the term "shaker instrument" includes any musical instrument having a hollow sounding chamber filled with a material, the pieces of which strike each other and the wall or walls of the hollow sounding chamber when the instrument is moved and, thereby, produces sound. Shaker instruments include maracas, tubular shakers, egg-shaped shakers, ganzas, caxixis, and "African" shakers, and the LP Go-jo Bag. For example, a traditional maraca may be made from a hollow, dry gourd containing dried seeds that produce a rattle when the gourd is shaken. A more modern version such as the Go-jo bag relies on the friction between the material inside the bag rather than against container walls to produce the sound. Shaker instruments may also have a handle.

The sound made by a shaker instrument depends upon several factors including the material used to form the sounding chamber, the fill material placed in the sounding chamber, as well as the shape and size of the sounding chamber. In general, the desired dry and quick sound of shaker instruments is achieved by restricting the fill material to a spherical or semi-spherical sounding chamber.

Shaker instruments made of thermoplastic materials, such as polystyrene, are becoming ever more common. Plastic shaker instruments are easier to produce compared to shaker instruments that are made with other materials, such as wood or metal. In addition, plastic shaker instruments are more durable than their wooden counterparts.

Plastic shaker instruments are typically molded in at least two pieces that are bonded to one another after a fill material is placed in the sounding chamber. However, bonded multiple-piece shaker instruments are more costly to make because the process has additional steps compared to processes for making single- piece instruments. In addition, due to the relatively weak seams inevitably formed at the junction of the pieces, a bonded multiple-piece shaker instrument may separate more easily during use and may not pass child safety testing.

The present invention describes an alternate use for shakers by incorporating the musical instrument into hands-free exercise equipment; as well, the present invention does not require the musical instrument to be a shaker, rather needs only a desired noisemaker constructed so as to fit in the assigned compartment on the said hands-free rhythmic percussion exercise garment.

4. Description of prior art: Manually holding shakers while exercising

Prior art describes manually holding shakers during exercise. Specifically, in United States patent number 20070049135 "Rhythmic exercise device and method of conducting an exercise program."

During exercise, listening to music helps with pace and rhythm, as well as provides motivation. Although a participant in an aerobics class, for example, can hear the music playing and move accordingly, having a personal rhythm device can keep a person more in touch with the beat of the music. Holding a shaker or other device that the user must move in time with the music provides a kinesthetic connection to the music.

Unlike other exercise devices in prior art, most notably the rhythmic cylinders in United States patent number 20070049135 which are specifically crafted to be the hand held, and claim improvement and novelty over prior art specifically for and depending upon the free-flowing movement of the fill material within the chamber, and are employed for dance choreography precisely based and dependent upon the mechanism being in the hands, the present invention which does not demand free-flowing weighted fill is novel over prior art because it is specifically designed to be hands-free, and thereby avoid sports injuries to the hand associated with sustained gripping, and repetitive wrist motion, and because the present invention by definition employs various muscle groups where it is worn, not limited to muscles involved in lifting a weight with one's hands. United States patent number 20070049135 notes: "holding a dead weight can cause injury with fast motions, particularly at the end of the range of motion for a limb. For example, rapidly extending an arm with a dead weight held in the hand can result in a jolting impact to or hyperextension of the elbow joint, possibly injuring the ligaments supporting that joint, as well as potentially straining the other muscles and tendons of the arm and shoulder."

The "improvement over prior art" of the invention described in US patent number 20070049135 is to contrast its form of weight, "granular material 104", with a dead weight: "[Dead weight] all travels at the same speed and decelerates at the same time, the particles of the granular material 104 decelerate differently, thereby spreading out the time of impact of the total mass of granular material 104. By spreading out the time of impact, the reactive force, and therefore the additional mechanical load exerted on the muscles is not experienced as a jolt, but as a gentler force. This can decrease the likelihood of injury to muscles and connective tissues experiencing the increased mechanical load."

The prior art described directly above, even with its unique deceleration of the weighted granular material, is ultimately a hand held device, which demands a sustained grip and repetitive wrist motion, which thereby does not prevent associated sports injury and is precisely what the present invention seeks to avoid.

The present invention differs from the above prior art because its innovation does not depend on the type of weighted material (and in fact can use dead weight), as it does on a hands-free exercise device to avoid sports injury to the hand, and to teach the user how to improve his form in a given exercise by "playing" the musical component of the present invention with correct body movements in order to approach the production of a certain, precise rhythmic cadence, which once achieved would indicate that the exercise is being correctly performed.

S. Background: Sports Injury to the Hand

Clinical studies of sports injury to the hands have recognized the dangers specific to body builders who, because they manually hold free weights and use repetitive wrist movements, are more susceptible to disorders like Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, for example.

The two clinical studies below confirm the dangers specific to holding weights:

Schweiz Z Sportmed. 1992 Sep;40(3): 131-5 [Stress-induced carpal tunnel syndrome in athletes— exemplified by 3 kinds of sports] [Article in German] Mauer UM, Rath SA. Abt. fur Innere Medizin, Bundeswehrkrankenhaus UIm. As is generally known in occupational medicine, exposure to repetitive wrist movements, to vibration and heavy manual work may cause a carpal tunnel- syndrome (CTS). The examination of three kinds of sport (swimming, moto-cross- riding, body-building), each typical for one of the described reasons of high risk for an exercise-induced CTS, showed on 18 sports-women and 54 sportsmen that prolonged practice of one of these kinds of sport may indeed lead to CTS among young people. Six of the examined persons on the typical symptoms of CTS. The electrophysiological main feature of CTS, namely the distal motor latency of the median nerve, was had nine other sportsmen significantly longer than the age- specific normal value (according to Ludin). A clear positive correlation between the estimated total duration of training and the distal motor latency of the median nerve was found. PMID: 1329198 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE. Z Orthop Ihre Grenzgeb. 1991 Jul-Aug;129(4):319-21. [Body building- effect on neural conduction velocity of the median nerve in the carpal tunnel] [Article in German] Mauer UM. Lotspeich E. Klein HJ, Rath SA. Bezirkskrankenhaus Gϋnzburg, Neurochirurgische Abteilung, Universitat UIm.

The examination of 30 body builders showed that prolonged practice of this sport may lead to exercise-induced carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Three of these body builders demonstrated typical symptoms of CTS. It was shown that, especially when training had lasted for more than 6 years, the distal motor latency (DML) of the median nerve increased significantly. A clear correlation between the estimated total duration of training and the DML was found. PMID: 1833921 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

On the current website Bodybuilding.com, Gary Gagliardi, D.C., Chiropractic Physician and member of The American College of Chiropractic Orthopedists and The American Association of Spine Physicians, explains "Bodybuilders, over a lifetime, perform thousands of repetitive motions with their fingers, hands and forearms. Many of the exercises that you may be doing could actually be causing gradual damage or irritation and you may not even be aware of it. Certain exercise technique and the work that you do are the main culprits for your being at a higher risk of developing CTS"

Other well documented sports injuries such as tennis elbow, golfer's elbow, De Quervain's and ECU tendonitis are caused by sustained an improper grip of an object of the sport (tennis racket, gold club, fishing rod, free weights) and repetitive wrist movements. For example, according to Dr. Michelle Carlson of the Hospital for Special Surgeries in New York,

• "Tendonitis may also be seen in weight lifters with poor technique or in those who attempt to lift too much weight too soon.

• DeQuervain's Disease is a common injury in racquet sports and in athletes who use a lot of wrist motion, especially repetitive rotating and gripping. • The overuse of the hand common to these sports may eventually cause irritation or swelling of the tendons found along the thumb side of the wrist. This irritation causes the lining around the tendon to swell, making it difficult for the tendons to move properly."

• ECU Tendonitis According to Elizabeth Peterson, MFA of the NYU

School of Medicine, "Extensor Carpi Ulnaris (ECU) tendonitis is the second most common type of sports-related closed tendon injury. ECU tendonitis is an inflammation of the tendon that runs along the back of the wrist and is caused by repetitive twisting and backward flexion of the wrist. It is most commonly seen in basketball players and those playing racquet sports.

One can extrapolate from the above, that repetitively lifting free weights statically or during aerobic exercise may lead to DeQuervain's Disease and/or ECU tendonitis.

6. What is needed?

In light of the foregoing, there is a need for a hands free exercise device that allows users to place an additional, sustained low-impact load on a muscle at the same time that it provides a rhythmic benefit during exercise, without the need for sustained or repetitive gripping and wrist motion, which may contribute to hand injury.

Aerobics training is a relatively modern phenomenon the genesis of which can be traced to the work of Lt. Colonel (Dr.) Kenneth Cooper in his book Aerobics in 1968, when according to Dr. Cooper only 100,000 people in the United States were jogging. Dr. Cooper in 1968 was a flight surgeon and director of the Aerospace Medical Laboratory in San Antonio Texas. Today the Cooper Institute, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1970, is dedicated in part to wellness through physical fitness involving aerobic exercise, which include group fitness or "aerobics classes." Today Dr. Cooper points out that in the U.S. alone more than 30 million people now jog, while millions more participate in other aerobic forms of exercise. See generally www, cooper aerobics, com. Dr. Cooper's work found global interest and by the 1980s "Aerobics" became the world's most popular fitness activity bar none. Id.

Hundreds of millions of people participate in weekly "Aerobics" group fitness classes around the world. By way of a few examples See generally www.lesmills.co.uk. (started in 1980 group exercise to music programs that is currently franchised in more than 100,000 gyms and health clubs in 55 countries with more than 4,000,000 taking classes on a weekly basis); See also www.zumba.com (group exercise to music program that is franchised in more than 40,000 gyms and health clubs in 75 countries with more than 5,000,000 taking classes on a weekly basis; See also www.todays-women-and-health.com/step- aerobics.html (Innovated by Gin Miller around 1989 - Step Aerobics continues to be a popular groups fitness "Aerobics" class offered at virtually all gyms and health clubs where group fitness classes are offered).

In the Group Fitness context many participants find that they reach a plateau in their level of aerobic fitness generally measured as the VO2 max which is the highest rate of oxygen consumption attainable during maximal or exhaustive exercise. Wilmore JH and Costill DL. (2005) Physiology of Sport and Exercise: 3^rd Edition. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics. After a time period that differs from individual to individual, group fitness participants don't feel as they are getting a "good workout" from the very same class that one time proved very challenging.

Studies have shown that vigorous exercise, which is defined as working out at more than 70% of VO2 max, executed by healthy individuals can effectively increase opioid peptides (a.k.a. endorphins, a naturally occurring opiate that in conjunction with other neurotransmitters is responsible for exercise induced euphoria and has been shown to be addictive), positively influence hormone production (i.e., increase testosterone and growth hormone), and help prevent neuromuscular diseases. This effect is often the element that causes persons to continue in an exercise program. Gabert, T. E. (1989, April). Attitudes, beliefs, and models in adherence to exercise and sport. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance, Boston, MA. ED 309 160; Goodrich, G. K. et al. (1984). Helping adults to stay physically fit: Preventing relapse following aerobic exercise training. Journal of Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, 55(2), 48-49. EJ 296 026.

As a person's aerobic fitness increases (VO2 Max increase) it becomes increasingly more difficult for a person to reach an effort level that achieves the 70% of VO2 max associated with the exercise euphoria often expressed as a "good workout" in a group fitness environment. In most group fitness activities there is an upper limit of aerobic expenditure that a person can experience principally because a group fitness participant's exercise output is tied to the cadence of the music being used and the limits of the various movements made in the group exercise. A person that "does their own thing" in a group fitness environment is most often discouraged from doing so by the instructor teaching the class and at times by fellow classmates and may well be asked not to return to future classes unless they intend to follow the class, it being too distracting to the class otherwise. In an attempt to overcome this exercise plateau and regain the exercise-induced euphoria many will undertake resistance or weight training and intense "burst type" anaerobic activities to increase their VO2 max, however, these have proven to be ineffective. Kraemer WL, Deschenes MR, Fleck SJ. Physiological adaptations to resistance exercise implications for athletic conditioning. Sports Medicine 1988 October;6(4):246-256. Consequently, over the past 30 years since group fitness has been globally practiced various attempts have been made to increase the energy expenditure in the group fitness environment by designing higher intensity programs, e.g. steps, slides, glider discs, which have been effective in increasing VO2 max in some individuals, however, the same exercise plateau is reached even in these increased intensity programs and for the same reasons, i.e. limitations of body movement and the cadence of the music being used in the class.

As outlined above there have been numerous studies that indicate that the use of hand held weights in repetitive motions during exercise has lead to various injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, DeQuervain's disease and ECU tendonitis. During the 1980s a trend developed within gyms and health clubs where group fitness participants would use hand and ankle weights during group fitness classes to overcome this exercise plateau and increase VO2 max. However, the incidence of injury from this use of weights was so pronounced that AFAA, ACE, IRSHA, the Cooper Clinic and other group fitness instructor certification organizations all but universally banned the use of weights during group fitness activities and most certified instructors will require group aerobic fitness participants stop using them in class if one attempts to do so.

It is well known in the group aerobic fitness industry that hand held and standard ankle weights used in group aerobic fitness activities generally will not improve a person's VO2 max, simply because the speed of movement is often slowed as weight is added, and if injury results, the rapidity of movement is generally also affected by an antalgic response. It has also been observed that accidents have occurred when hand weights during extreme movements of group fitness activities have come free from the grip of a user posing an unacceptable risk to others in the group fitness class. Kraemer WL, Deschenes MR, Fleck SJ. Physiological adaptations to resistance exercise implications for athletic conditioning. Sports Medicine 1988 October;6(4):246-256. The instant invention teaches a safe method of use whereby weights are used during exercise to music, such as in a group fitness environment, which heretofore was deemed impossible to be done safely. At first blush this would appear to contradict the current convention that specifically recommends against the use of weights at all. The present invention provides a means of allowing the addition of a minimal amount of weight sufficient to increase a person's energy output without slowing the movement of limbs and torso during group exercise and minimize the risk of injury at the same time, which is a long felt need in the group fitness industry. The weighted musical device of the present invention is worn and not held and as such can be located on a user's body nearer to the body core and gravitational center which reduces, if not eliminates, any risk of injury to joints.

The global group fitness franchise know as Zumba® has from its inception in the mid 1990s been seeking to find ways to increase the intensity of its group fitness exercise programs to overcome the exercise plateau affect by: increasing the numbers of muscle fibers engaged during dance like movements by using differing body movements; by incorporating hand held weights; and by using a hand held percussive musical device to stimulate a class participant to "keep up" with the pace of the music by accompanying the music rhythmically. Despite more than a decade of trials Zumba® has not been able to come up with a solution that would safely increase exercise output to increase or reach VO2 max during group fitness exercise programs. Also, Zumba® did not conceive of any possible manner in which these features could be combined to solve the aerobic plateau problem without a risk of injury to the user. Zumba® is now considered to be the world's largest group fitness program. The reason that this is so has primarily been attributed by many to the program's effective use of music.

The present invention effectively combines four distinct means by which one can overcome an exercise plateau. The first being added weight that is of a size and location on a user that would not slow body movements, but would permit a user to "keep up with the music." Secondly, by adding weight which is worn, not held, in a manner which distributes the weight evenly throughout the entire device, as in a sleeve on the calf, thigh, around the hips, and arms, the risk of injury which deterred the fitness industry from engaging in strapping on weights specifically at the joints is reduced or rendered negligible. See www.bodytogs.com. Thirdly, the present invention is a device that allows a user the added benefit of providing a movement activated rhythmic accompaniment to the music being used during exercise. The interactive nature of the device deliberately involves the user in the music in a novel tactile manner and thereby inspires a user to keep up to tempo with the music. For example, attaching on the hips the weighted exercise device of the current invention, in order to activate the percussive sound, demands that the user actively engage core muscles. Placing the device on other areas of the body such as the chest challenges the brain to learn how to use muscle groups it may have never before consciously used, because generating a percussive sound from the device by definition demands activating those muscle groups where the device is worn; in turn, providing a new opportunity to overcome the exercise plateau by learning to engage muscle groups formerly not involved in the aerobic activity designed by the group fitness class. Fourth, with respect to improved indicators of physical fitness such as lowered blood pressure, for example, which are typically associated with ongoing involvement aerobic exercise, the present invention, in as much as it is a musical instrument which is actively "played" is its own source of activity which can improve physiologic metrics, with its own independent physiologic benefits which when applied to the group fitness setting challenge the exercise plateau in an additional novel and significant dimension. That is, the present invention provides a form of positive feedback which prior to the invention has not been a part of a traditional group fitness aerobics class. Positive feedback can be defined as a mechanism which stimulates enhanced output and outcome, and encourages repeat behavior to achieve the associated reward. The American Music Therapy Association of Silver Spring, Maryland "promotes a vast amount of research exploring the benefits of music as therapy through publication of the Journal of Music Therapy, Music Therapy Perspectives and other sources. A substantial body of literature exists to support the effectiveness of music therapy... Healthy individuals can use music for stress reduction via active music making, such as drumming... Music is often a vital support for physical exercise." (See www.musictherapy.org) Moreover, clinical studies demonstrate physiologic benefits gained by dynamic engagement in percussive generating activity, for example, "statistically significant positive cell- mediated immune system changes that correlated with one-hour group drumming sessions," (International Journal of Nursing Education Scholarship, July 9, 2004. Frederic Tims, Ph.D., MT-BC, chair of Music Therapy at Michigan State University was the principal investigator in the Music Making and Wellness project: the 1998 three year study was a joint effort of five universities in cooperation with the American Music Therapy Association and Fletcher Music Centers which distinguished between the benefits of "active music making" and "passive listening". This study showed that active music making "significantly improved anxiety, depression, and loneliness scores - three factors that are critical in coping with stress, stimulating the immune system, and improving health." (see www.amc-music.org/musicmaking/wellness/elderly.htm) Dr. Alicia Ann Claire, Professor and Director of Music Therapy, University of Kansas, and Karl T. Bruhn, current Presidential Advisor to the American Music Therapy Association further delineate between active and passive music therapy (see www.remo.com/portal/pages/health_rhythms/team.htmD: "Active music making can powerfully influence people's thoughts and feelings; and, it differs from passive music listening in several ways. First, music making expands mental abilities that are essential to good mental function, while music listening allows minds to wander. Second, active music making can help provide relief from daily stressors by directing focus and awareness of the whole person; and, music based wellness exercises can provide practical ways to learn to manage stress. All of this can contribute to feeling better both emotionally and physically, and can lead to motivation to continue involvement. Though passive music listening provides some diversion from stressors, it cannot afford the success and the self-esteem that can come from actually making music. This success leads to positive self-regard and good self-care that are essential to well-being." The interactive nature of the device of the present invention is a means to make music actively rather than simply listening, provides tactile positive feedback and pleasure through the percussive sound generated by dynamically moving the various and unusual body parts where the device is worn. It should be noted that one of the reasons people will stop doing any particular group fitness activity is when they no longer feel like they are getting a "good workout" which is directly related to a person's ability to achieve 70% of their VO2 max and its concomitant endorphine surge. The present invention addresses these disincentives in a novel way and inspires a user to stick with an exercise program for the enhanced physical challenge and pleasure it provides.

The group fitness aerobics exercise plateau problem described above and highlighted in the cited references has manifested in a long felt need for a device and method of use such as is claimed in the present invention. It is a problem that has been worked on for at least the last thirty years by the Group Fitness industry as a whole and most recently by the world's leading group fitness franchise program Zumba®. Les Mills®, the world's second largest group fitness franchise has focused solely on using up tempo music and highly motivated and trained instructors to bring its aerobics class participants to 70% of their VO2 max and has resigned itself to use weights only in more controlled anaerobic exercise directed at body toning which does not increase VO2 max and solve the aerobic exercise plateau problem. Suffice it to say that Les Mills aerobics classes have not overcome the group fitness aerobics exercise plateau problem. Kraemer WL, Deschenes MR, Fleck SJ. Physiological adaptations to resistance exercise implications for athletic conditioning. Sports Medicine 1988 October ; 6(4): 246- 256.

In this respect, the present invention disclosed herein substantially corrects these problems and fulfills the need for such a device and method of use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to combine a shaker instrument with free weights in a novel exercise device adapted to be worn as a garment on various parts of the body without engaging the muscles of the hand for the purpose of increasing the muscle load to improve a workout, and incorporating into a private or group workout, for each individual live "active rather than passive music making" and movement activated percussion through the addition of variable traditional or electronic musical instruments to avoid sports injury associated with holding weights directly by hand, and to provide a method of conducting an exercise program which teaches the user of the present invention, through percussion, how to achieve the proper form of a given exercise movement and which ultimately improves compliance in an exercise regimen because of the enjoyment involved and positive outcomes in basic physiologic metrics derived from its use.

The present invention combines an attachment means directed at locating the device on a user specified location on the body away from joints and is intended to be worn and not held. It also combines a user selected amount of weights with at least one musical instrument selected from the group consisting of agogo, agung/agong, agung' a tamlang, ahoko, array mbira, babendil, bell, bianqing, bianzhong, bones, boomwhackers, cajόn, carillon, castanets, caxixi, chime, ching, clapper, claves, cowbell, crotales, cymbal, zil (finger cymbal), cymbalum, an electronic movement actuated means of producing sound or music, fangxiang, gamelan, american gamelan, gangsa, gender, ugal, gandingan, gandingan a kayo, ganza, ghatam, glass marimba, glass harmonica, glockenspiel, gong, guban, guiro, handbells, hang, hosho, ipu, kagul, kalimba, kulintang/kolintang, kulintang a kayo, kulintang a tiniok, lamellaphone, luntang, maracas, marimba, marimbaphone, mbira, metallophone, musical saw, rainstick, ranat ek lek, ranat thum lek, ratchet, rattle, riq, shekere, singing bowl, slit drum, spoons, steelpan, tambourine, triangle, trychel, timpani, tubular bells, udu, vibraphone, vibraslap, washboard, whip, xylophone, xylorimba. As new percussive instruments are invented, or other electronic innovations of producing sounds or music, it would be obvious to use those in combination with weights to accomplish this invention.

In the electronic movement actuated means of producing sound or music embodiment a user by their body movements can produce a percussive sound or other user selected sound such as notes on a musical scale and have that sound emanate directly from the device. This provides a sense in the user of becoming part of the music they are using as they attempt to match their cadence of sounds being generated with that of the music with which they are exercising, either alone or in a group fitness setting. It is also possible to have the electronic movement actuated sounds transmitted to a receiver, amplified and played audibly over speakers, earphones or other similar means.

In the group fitness setting it may also be desirable to transmit an electronically generated sound, such as a percussive sound or music, to an electronic receiver and speaker in the user worn device. In this way the user becomes part of the music and may even feel, as well as hear, the vibrations of the sound or music within the device that is being worn on their bodies. A user's cadence then would naturally tend to be more interactively connected to the precise cadence of the music being used in the class.

These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty, which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims, which are annexed to and form a part of this patent application. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS:

The above specification, as well as further objects, features, advantages and embodiments of the present invention, will be more fully appreciated by reference to the following detailed descriptions, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of a first embodiment of a weighted exercise percussive device according to the present invention, worn in an encircling position around forearm, such that the "Hands-free Rhythmic Percussion Exercise Garment" consists of a form fitting, stretchable sleeve (labeled A) with at least one sealable pocket (only one pocket is necessary if the shaker and weight are combined into one object. See FIG. 23). The visible front pocket (labeled B) will hold a weight and/or a shaker instrument, which is retained in place by a seal such as Velcro, zipper or snap (labeled C).

FIG. IA illustrates one of many possible shaker instruments, in this case a cross-sectional view of a semi-flat disc containing noise making material therein (labeled D), to be inserted into one of the said pockets (labeled B).

FIG. 2 illustrates a posterior view of the weighted exercise percussive device depicted in FIG.l encircling the forearm as a sleeve, consisting of a form fitting, stretchable material such as Spandex (labeled I) with elastic rim (labeled H) with two sealable pockets. The visible underside compartment (labeled F) will hold a weight and/or a shaker instrument or the combined weighted-percussive exercise device, which is retained in place by a seal such as Velcro, zipper or snap (labeled E).

FIG. 2A illustrates one of many possible weights (labeled G) to be inserted into one of the said pockets, in this case a flexible pouch filled with material such as lead, steel, tungsten, sand or gel.

FIG. 3 illustrates a frontal view of an embodiment of a weighted exercise percussive device according to the present invention, variable to the size of the wearer consisting of an open ended stretchable material intended to encircle a body part, such as (but not limited to) the wrist, forearm, ankle, or leg, which is open at both ends like an adjustable belt, making use of a closure mechanism such as Velcro (labeled C). This embodiment has at least one pocket (labeled B), and each pocket is opened and sealed by any common means such as Velcro, snaps, or hooks (labeled A) used to retain a shaker and a weight, or the embodiment of the present invention which is both a shaker and a weight simultaneously; that is, the combined weighted-percussive exercise device.

FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of a weighted percussive exercise device according to the present invention, variable to the size of the wearer consisting of an open ended stretchable material intended to encircle a body part, such as (but not limited to) the wrist, forearm, ankle, or leg, which is open at both ends like an adjustable belt, making use of a closure mechanism such a Velcro strap (labeled A) threaded through a buckle (labeled B). This embodiment has at least one pocket, and each pocket is opened and sealed by any common means such as Velcro, snaps, or hooks, used to retain a shaker or a weight, or the combined weighted-percussive exercise device of the present invention.

FIG. 4A is an enlarged view of the buckle (labeled B) and the Velcro straps (labeled A) which are threaded through that buckle from both sides and then folded back onto the strap, adhering by Velcro. FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of the weighted percussive exercise device according to the present invention, worn in an encircling position around the upper arm, such that the "Hands-free Rhythmic Percussion Exercise Garment" consists of a form fitting, stretchable sleeve (labeled A) with at least one sealable pocket (labeled B) each for a shaker, weight, or the combined weighted- percussive exercise device of the present invention, which is retained in place by a seal such as but not limited to Velcro, zipper or snap (labeled C).

FIG. 6 illustrates a frontal view of an embodiment of the weighted exercise percussive device according to the present invention, worn in an encircling position around the wrist, such that the "Hands-free Rhythmic Percussion Exercise Garment" consists of a form fitting, stretchable wristband (labeled B) with at least one sealable pocket (labeled A) each for a shaker, weight, or the combined weighted-percussive exercise device of the present invention, which is retained in place by a seal such as Velcro, zipper or snap.

FIG. 7 illustrates a posterior view of an embodiment of the weighted percussive exercise device according to the present invention, worn in an encircling position around the wrist such as it is in FIG. 6 with the addition of a loop around the thumb (labeled D) to stabilize the said device against movement, such a loop being common in the fitness and rehabilitation industries for products wrapped around the wrist, such that the "Hands-free Rhythmic Percussion Exercise Garment" consists of a form fitting, stretchable wristband (labeled E) with at least one sealable pocket (labeled C), each pocket used for a shaker, weight, or the combined weighted-percussive exercise device of the present invention, which is retained in place by a seal such as Velcro, zipper or snap.

FIG. 8 illustrates a frontal view of an embodiment of the weighted exercise percussive device according to the present invention, worn in an encircling position around the abdomen, secured with an adjustable closure such as a Velcro strap (labeled A) and buckle (labeled B), containing at least one sealable compartment (labeled C) each used for a shaker, weight or the combined weighted-percussive exercise device of the present invention, which is retained in place by a seal such as Velcro, zipper or snap.

FIG. 9 illustrates a frontal view of two embodiments of the weighted exercise percussive device, according to the present invention worn in an encircling position around the ankle. The first of these embodiments, (labeled A) illustrates an ankle only encirclement, which can be secured with an adjustable closure such as a Velcro strap and buckle, or as an elasticized band that slides over the foot (labeled B). In the second embodiment the weighted percussive exercise device is worn like a sock/ankle brace, such that the stretchable sleeve encircles both the ankle and upper foot (labeled C), with a cutout for the heel (labeled D). Both embodiments contain at least one sealable compartment (labeled D) each compartment used for a shaker, weight or the combined weighted-percussive exercise device of the present invention, which is retained in place by a seal such as Velcro, zipper or snap.

FIG. 10 illustrates a frontal view of two embodiments of the weighted exercise percussive device, according to the present invention worn in an encircling position around the leg. Each embodiment consists either of a form fitting, stretchable sleeve pulled over the foot and worn as a band, or as an adjustable belt like the device depicted in FIG. 3, encircling the thigh (labeled A) or the calf (labeled D); each embodiment containing at least one sealable compartment (labeled B, C, E and F), each used for a shaker, weight or the combined weighted-percussive exercise device of the present invention, which is retained in place by a seal such as Velcro, zipper or snap.

FIG.ll is a dorsal view of the weighted percussive exercise device, according to the present invention consisting of a form fitting, stretchable sleeve worn in an encircling position around the hand, such that the device is secured by any common closure material such as a Velcro strap (labeled A) threaded through a buckle (labeled B); so that the strap then folds back over itself (labeled C), and containing at least one sealable compartment, each used for a shaker, weight or the combined weighted-percussive exercise device of the present invention, which is retained in place by a seal such as Velcro, zipper or snap.

FIG.12 is a ventral view of the weighted percussive exercise device, according to the present invention consisting of a form fitting, stretchable sleeve worn in an encircling position around the hand, containing sealable compartments, in this case three (labeled A), each compartment used for a shaker, weight, or the combined weighted-percussive exercise device of the present invention, which is retained in place by a seal such as Velcro, zipper or snap, and secured around the hand by any such means of closure such as an adjustable Velcro strap (labeled B).

FIG. 13 illustrates a frontal view of an embodiment of the weighted exercise percussive device, according to the present invention, consisting of a form fitting, stretchable sleeve or adjustable belt, secured and retained by any such means of closure such as an adjustable Velcro strap or elastic band, worn in an encircling position around the torso containing at least one sealable compartment, in this case five (labeled A), each compartment used for a shaker, weight or the combined weighted-percussive exercise device of the present invention, which is retained in place by a seal such as Velcro, zipper or snap.

FIG. 14 illustrates a lateral view of an embodiment of the weighted percussive exercise device, according to the present invention, worn in an encircling position around the foot, consisting of a form fitting, stretchable sleeve which slides on like a sock (labeled A), secured by any common means of closure such as an adjustable Velcro strap or elastic band (labeled B), containing at least one sealable compartment (labeled C), each used for a shaker, weight or the combined weighted-percussive exercise device of the present invention, which is retained in place by a seal such as Velcro, zipper, snap or elastic band.

FIG. 15 illustrates a dorsal view of an embodiment of the weighted percussive exercise device, according to the present invention, worn in an encircling position around the foot, consisting of a form fitting, stretchable sleeve which slides on like a sock (labeled A), secured by any common means of closure such as an adjustable Velcro strap or elastic band , containing at least one sealable compartment (labeled B), each used for a shaker, weight or the combined weighted-percussive exercise device of the present invention, which is retained in place by a seal such as Velcro, zipper, snap or elastic band.

FIG.16 illustrates a frontal view of an embodiment of the weighted percussive exercise device, according to the present invention, worn as a form fitting shirt of stretchable material like Spandex (labeled B), containing sealable compartments sewn directly into the fabric, in this view, one such compartment in the center front (labeled A), each compartment used for a shaker, weight or the combined weighted-percussive exercise device of the present invention, which is retained in place by a seal such as Velcro, zipper or snap (labeled C).

FIG. 17 illustrates a posterior inside/out view of the same embodiment of the weighted percussive exercise device, depicted in FIG. 16, according to the present invention, worn as a form fitting shirt of stretchable material, containing sealable compartments, in this view, two such compartments (labeled B) under the shoulder blades, each for the purpose of containing a shaker, weight or the combined weighted-percussive exercise device of the present invention, which is retained in place by a seal such as Velcro, zipper or snap, (labeled A). FIG. 18 illustrates a frontal view of a embodiment of the weighted percussive exercise device, according to the present invention, worn as a form fitting sport bra of stretchable fabric such as spandex , containing at least one sealable compartment (labeled C), each for the purpose of containing a shaker, weight or the combined weighted-percussive exercise device of the present invention, which is retained in place by a seal such as Velcro, zipper or snap, or secured by any common means of closure (labeled B). In this depiction, one compartment is sewn into the center front (labeled A). FIG. 19 illustrates a posterior view of an embodiment of the weighted percussive exercise device, according to the present invention, worn as a form fitting sport bra of stretchable fabric such as spandex , containing at least one sealable compartment; in this view, two such compartments under the shoulder blades (labeled A), each for the purpose of containing a shaker, weight or the combined weighted-percussive exercise device of the present invention, which is retained in place by a seal such as but not limited to Velcro, zipper or snap (labeled B).

FIG. 20 illustrates a lateral view of an embodiment of the weighted percussive exercise device, according to the present invention, such that weights, shakers or combined weighted-shakers are inserted into fitted, sealable pockets sewn into trousers or shorts made either of stretchable, form fitting fabric such as spandex, or loose garment (labeled B). Depicted in FIG. 20 are three such pockets, one on the upper leg, one on the calf (labeled A), and one in the back on the buttocks (labeled C), each for the purpose of containing a shaker, weight or the combined weighted-percussive exercise device of the present invention, which is retained in place by a seal such as Velcro, zipper, snap, rivet, or elastic band (labeled D).

FIG. 21 illustrates a lateral view of an embodiment of the weighted percussive exercise device, according to the present invention, worn as a headband (labeled A and Al) such that weights, shakers or combined weighted- percussive device are inserted into at least one fitted, sealable pockets (labeled B), secured by any typical means of closure such as Velcro, snap, rivet, or zipper.

FIG. 22 illustrates a lateral view of an embodiment of the weighted percussive exercise device, according to the present invention, consisting of a form fitting, stretchable sleeve with an opening at each end (labeled A), designed to be worn around a shoe which slides on like a sock, or secured like a belt adjusted with Velcro. In both embodiments, the device contains at least one compartment (labeled B), each for the purpose of containing a shaker, weight or the combined weighted-percussive exercise device of the present invention, which is retained in place by a seal such as but not limited to Velcro, zipper or snap. FIG. 22A depicts a shoe hosting the embodiment of the weighted exercise percussive device (labeled B), according to the present invention, illustrated in FIG. 22, secured in this case with elastic bands (labeled A).

FIGS. 23, 23A, 23B, 23C, 23D, and 23E are significant over FIGS. 1- 22 A because each of FIGS. 23, 23 A-E illustrates a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the weighted percussive exercise device approximating actual size, according to the present invention, whereby, rather than a separate weight and separate shaker instrument housed in separate designated compartments, herein the shaker instrument and weight are combined into one object; that is, a weighted-percussive exercise device, such that the shaker assembly consists but is not limited to a hard container of various possible shapes: specifically FIG.23 is rectangular; FIG.23A is oval; FIG. 23B is circular; FIG. 23C is cylindrical; FIG. 23D is triangular; and, FIG. 23 E is a wave, being chosen to emphasize that the essential character of this particular embodiment of the invention is not the shape of the container, which is actually quite variable, but rather, it is the combined percussive, precisely weighted contents thereof and therein; such that the weight and shaker instrument are not two separate objects.

Each such embodiment FIGS. 23, 23A-E is enclosed with a sealable lid (labeled C), and has located therein a plurality of interchangeable hard pellets, balls or bells formed from a weighty material such as tungsten, plastic, steel, lead, or other noisemaking material (labeled B), which can be removed in exchange for other pellets in order to change the quality of the percussive noise; the quantity of which are also interchangeable so that the quantity amounts to specifically desired weight intervals which can be changed in order to add or decrease weight; so that the pellets, balls or bells of desired 1) noise quality and 2) weight are free to move about within the container for the purpose of making noise, and simultaneously providing an additional muscle load for fitness purposes. The said combination weighted-percussive exercise device can be sewn into or onto the surface of a garment, inserted into and removed from a sealed compartment, or attached to a removable strap similar to a watch to be worn around various body parts as described in FIGS. 1 through 22 A. FIG. 24 illustrates a frontal view of an embodiment of the weighted- percussive exercise device, according to the present invention, whereby, rather than a hard exterior, the container of the individual percussive shaker instrument or the container of the combined weighted-percussive exercise device (labeled A), is a soft chamber, such as a sealable nylon bag or other desired material, and making use of Velcro, zipper, snaps or other common closure mechanism (labeled C), having located therein a plurality of hard pellets, balls or bells (labeled B) formed from material such as tungsten, plastic, steel, lead, or other noisemaking material, the quantity of which can amount to specifically desired weight intervals to provide an additional muscle load for fitness purposes, and simultaneously which are free to move about within the container for the purpose of making noise by hitting into each other when shaken. The said weighted percussive exercise device can be sewn into or onto the surface of a garment, inserted into and removed from a sealed compartment, or attached to a strap similar to a watch, to be worn around various body parts as described in Figures 1 through 22A.

FIGS. 25 A-C illustrate an embodiment of the weighted percussive exercise device, according to the present invention such that rather than housing the shaker instrument, weight, or the combined precisely weighted-percussive exercise device of the present invention (labeled FIG. 25 B) inside a designated compartment on a garment, sleeve band or belt, it is instead sewn onto the surface of the exercise garment, sleeve, band or belt, or contains a male or female mechanism of attachment such as Velcro, grommet, rivet, hook, or snap corresponding to a male or female mechanism of attachment on the surface of the exercise garment, sleeve, band or belt (labeled FIG. 25A), so that the shaker instrument, weight, or combined weighted-percussive device is thereby attached to the surface of the exercise garment, sleeve, band or belt (labeled FIG. 25 C).

FIGS. 25D-F illustrate an embodiment of the weighted percussive exercise device, according to the present invention such that rather than housing the shaker instrument, weight, and/or combined precisely weighted percussive exercise device inside a designated compartment on a garment, sleeve band or belt, it dangles from a garment such as trousers, shirt, shorts or other, to which it is attached using a common mechanism of attachment such as hooks, Velcro, snaps, zipper or sewn. Specifically in this illustration, FIG. 25 D depicts a frontal view of sports bra with a row of loops or "eyes" for corresponding hooks to attach around the entire length, front and back of the sport bra. FIG. 25E illustrates a typical Nigerian or Peruvian shaker comprised of a row of seeds or hooves (labeled A), which create a distinct shaker sound, and can be, but are not necessarily of a specified weight for the purpose of adding an additional muscle load for fitness, attached to a rope (labeled B) with companion hooks (labeled C) used to attach to the sports bra in FIG 25D, which when united as in FIG 25F create an embodiment of the weighted percussive exercise device, according to the present invention whereby the shaker, weight or combined percussive-weight dangles freely.

FIGS. 26A-D illustrate the electronic movement actuated means of producing sound or music embodiment. In FIG. 26A the electronic movement actuated means of producing sound or music (labeled A) is shown inside a compartment means (labeled B) such that as a user moves during exercise the electronic movement actuated means of producing sound or music moves inside the compartment means at the rhythm of the user's movements. The movement itself causes the electronic movement actuated means of producing sound or music to produce a user selected audible sound such as that of a percussive instrument, music or some other sounds such as the sampling of the user's, or someone else's voice.

In FIG. 26B the electronic movement actuated means of producing sound or music (labeled A), similar to the device depicted in FIG. 26A creates a sound by movement, however in the embodiment depicted in FIG. 26B the sound produced by the electronic movement actuated means of producing sound or music is transmitted by a transmitter means (labeled B) to a receiver means (labeled C) and thereby rendered into audible sound by the speaker means (labeled D), which can be user worn device and earphones.

In FIG. 26C the electronic means of producing sound or music (labeled A), unlike the device depicted in FIG. 26A or FIG. 26B that create sound by movement, functions as a receiver means and thereby receives and renders into audible sound electronic signals from a transmitter source (labeled B). The embodiment in FIG. 26C can effectively be used in a group fitness setting where an instructor, and vicariously the class, is desirous of having the students become sound generating instruments in the class thereby augmenting the music being used in the class and especially its tempo. In this manner the sounds generated by each user in a class setting would have no risk of becoming a cacophony of off tempo sounds, but rather it would in essence be a living metronome motivating each student to keep up with the very sound that they are generating, in harmony with the instructor and the rest of the class.

It is also possible to combine all the features of the electronic means of producing sound or music such that they all may function at the same time, or individually or in any combination that a user may desire. In FIG. 26D the device is depicted with the direct sound producing means, transmitting means and receiving means as shown in FIGS. 26A-C all combined in one device (labeled A). In combination it is possible for instance to be transmitting, receiving and directly producing all different sounds or music, which in combination add to the tonal qualities of the experience and have the potential to permit a user to "feel" the music more directly and derive a greater sense of motivation in the exercise.

A latitude of modification, change and substitution is intended in the foregoing disclosure, and in some instances some features of the invention will be employed without a corresponding use of other features; in other instances some features of the invention will be used in different combinations. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the spirit and scope of the invention herein to include various permutations, and to recognize that the briefly described drawings do not exhaust the possible permutations of the features of this invention which, for the purposes of enhanced and improved exercise, consistently seek to bring together, a specified weight with a percussive instrument, either each remaining a separate integral entity and simultaneously both being attached to a common garment; or each losing its individual nature, being instead integrated and combined into one precisely weighted percussive exercise device; and, in both cases to be worn in a hands-free manner on the body for the purpose of adding an audible rhythmic dimension to exercise while simultaneously increasing the muscle load on targeted areas of the body, resulting in an entirely new method of conducting an exercise program. While the above descriptions of the invention, its parts, and operations contain many specificities, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as exemplifications of present embodiments thereof. Many other variations are possible, for example, other embodiments, shapes, and sizes of the device can be constructed and designed to work by the principles of the present invention; various materials, colors and configurations can be employed in the device's design that would provide interesting embodiment differences to users. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined not by the embodiments illustrated, but by the claims and their legal equivalents as filed herewith.

Having described my invention, I claim:

Claims

CLAIMS:

CLAIM 1. A weighted, musical, exercise device comprised of: at least one user attachment means; at least one compartment means attached to the user attachment means; at least one movement actuated sound producing means contained within the compartment means; and at least one weight means of a known approximate weight contained within the compartment means.

CLAIM 2. The weighted, musical, exercise device of CLAIM 1 wherein the user attachment means and the compartment means are comprised of: elastomer fabric; at least one attached adjustment strap; and at least one securing means attached to the adjustment strap.

CLAIM 3. The weighted, musical, exercise device of CLAIM 1 wherein the user attachment means is adapted to be worn on a user's upper arm.

CLAIM 4. The weighted, musical, exercise device of CLAIM 1 wherein the user attachment means is a sweatband adapted to be worn on a user's wrist.

CLAIM 5. The weighted, musical, exercise device of CLAIM 1 wherein the user attachment means is a belt adapted to be worn on a user's abdomen.

CLAIM 6. The weighted, musical, exercise device of CLAIM 1 wherein the user attachment means is adapted to be worn on a user's ankle.

CLAIM 7. The weighted, musical, exercise device of CLAIM 1 wherein the user attachment means is adapted to be worn on a user's leg.

CLAIM 8. The weighted, musical, exercise device of CLAIM 1 wherein the user attachment means is adapted to be worn on a user's hand.

CLAIM 9. The weighted, musical, exercise device of CLAIM 1 wherein the user attachment means is adapted to be worn on a user's torso.

CLAIM 10. The weighted, musical, exercise device of CLAIM 1 wherein the user attachment means is adapted to be worn on a user's foot.

CLAIM 11. The weighted, musical, exercise device of CLAIM 1 wherein the user attachment means is at least one article of clothing selected from the group consisting of a shirt, a sweatshirt, a jacket, a bra, a pair of trousers, a pair of shorts, a pair of sweatpants, a pair of leggings, a headband, a sweatband, a belt, a hat or a shoe.

CLAIM 12. The weighted, musical, exercise device of CLAIM 1 wherein the movement actuated sound producing means is the weight means.

CLAIM 13. The weighted, musical, exercise device of CLAIM 1 wherein the compartment means is a bag.

CLAIM 14. The weighted, musical, exercise device of CLAIM 1 wherein the weight means and/or the movement actuated sound producing means is attached to the user attachment means and not contained within the compartment means.

CLAIM 15. The weighted, musical, exercise device of CLAIM 1 wherein the movement actuated sound producing means is at least one musical instrument selected from the group consisting of an: agogo, agung/agong, agung a tamlang, ahoko, array mbira, babendil, bell, bianqing, bianzhong, bones, boomwhackers, cajόn, carillon, castanets, caxixi, chime, ching, clapper, claves, cowbell, crotales, cymbal, zil (finger cymbal), cymbalum, electronic movement actuated means of producing sound or music, fangxiang, gamelan, american gamelan, gangsa, gender, ugal, gandingan, gandingan a kayo, ganza, ghatam, glass marimba, glass harmonica, glockenspiel, gong, guban, guiro, handbells, hang, hosho, ipu, kagul, kalimba, kulintang/kolintang, kulintang a kayo, kulintang a tiniok, lamellaphone, luntang, maracas, marimba, marimbaphone, mbira, metallophone, musical saw, rainstick, ranat ek lek, ranat thum lek, ratchet, rattle, riq, shekere, singing bowl, slit drum, spoons, steelpan, tambourine, triangle, trychel, timpani, tubular bells, udu, vibraphone, vibraslap, washboard, whip, xylophone, or xylorimba.

CLAIM 16. The weighted, musical, exercise device of CLAIM 1 wherein the compartment means and the movement actuated sound producing means combine to create a musical sound when the weighted, musical, exercise device is moved by a user.

CLAIM 17. The weighted, musical, exercise device of CLAIM 1 wherein the compartment means and the weight means combine to create a musical sound when the weighted, musical, exercise device is moved by a user.

CLAIM 18. The weighted, musical, exercise device of CLAIM 15 wherein the electronic movement actuated means of producing sound or music is at least one of the electronic devices selected from the group consisting of: at least one transmitter means whereby movement actuated sound is generated and transmitted to a user selected receiver to produce audible sound, at least one receiver means whereby audible sound can be generated from user selected transmission source, and at least one electronic movement actuated means of producing audible sound.

CLAIM 19. A method of using the weighted, musical, exercise device of CLAIM 1 comprising the steps of: selecting an exercise program; selecting music to accompany the selected exercise program; attaching at least one of the weighted, musical, exercise devices of CLAIM 1 by means of the user attachment means to a user's body by selecting at least one part of the user's body and attaching the weighted, musical, exercise devices of CLAIM 1 to the selected parts of the user's body; playing the selected music at an audible volume; exercising according to the selected exercise program; while exercising moving the selected parts of the user's body with the attached weighted, musical, exercise devices of CLAIM 1 in rhythm to the selected music thereby causing the movement actuated sound producing means to produce an audible sound that has musical qualities when heard in rhythmic harmony with the selected music.

CLAIM 20. A method of using the weighted, musical, exercise device of CLAIM 1 comprising the steps of: selecting a rehabilitation program; selecting music to accompany the selected rehabilitation program; attaching at least one of the weighted, musical, exercise devices of CLAIM 1 by means of the user attachment means to a user's body by selecting at least one part of the user's body and attaching the weighted, musical, exercise devices of CLAIM 1 to the selected parts of the user's body; playing the selected music at an audible volume; rehabilitating according to the selected rehabilitation program; while rehabilitating moving the selected parts of the user's body with the attached weighted, musical, exercise devices of CLAIM 1 in rhythm to the selected music thereby causing the movement actuated sound producing means to produce an audible sound that has musical qualities when heard in rhythmic harmony with the selected music.