The present invention relates to exercise devices, and more particularly to exercise devices for use during resistance training.

Many people engage in resistance training using weights, to build strength and increase overall fitness. Weight training is a common type of strength training for developing the strength and size of a person's muscles. It typically uses the force of gravity to oppose the force generated by the muscles. Weighted barbells, dumbbells or kettlebells are lifted and moved by the user in different ways to achieve different effects on a range of muscle groups.

Weighted hand and wrist devices are commonly used for strengthening upper extremity muscles, both for rehabilitation as well as recreational exercises. Typically hand and wrist exercise devices comprise one or more weight integrated elements affixed to glove-like bodies or weighted devices which can be lifted, such as kettlebells or dumbbells.

The prior art shows a number of devices which are attached to the hands and/or wrists or gripped by a handle to perform upper extremity exercises.

US4247097 (Schwartz) discloses an invention which comprises a weighted glove, secured to the user's wrist by wrist straps. Weights are incorporated into the wrist portion of the glove, as, well as into the palm and body regions of the glove. Such a configuration limits the mobility of the hand and wrist and hence limits the types of exercises which may be performed when wearing the glove. The weight is also permanently attached to the hand, which can cause injury should the user come into difficulties and need to release the weight immediately.

US2002128120 (Cook) comprises a weighted boxing glove which incorporates weight elements throughout the glove such that the weight is evenly distributed and the hands and forearms of the user experience the distribution. The glove is secured at the wrist and consists of two compartments - one for the thumb and the other for the rest of the users' hand. This configuration, in conjunction with the bulky design, limits exercises when wearing the glove. It is also permanently attached to the hand, which can cause injury if the user should need to release the gloves immediately. US4377282 (Hayes) proposes a wrist exercising device which comprises an elongated frame within an enclosed body in which the user places his/her hand. The frame comprises a grip member on the proximal end and a weighted member at the distal end. The grip member may be adjusted longitudinally. The device is aimed at simulating a pitching motion and thus includes an additional wrist guard. This prevents full straightening of the wrist and thus inhibits certain hand and wrist motions and exercises. Relevant prior art also includes kettlebells - as described in US2004005970 erson). Kettlebells comprise a handle and a weight positioned distal to the handle.

Devices such as those described in the prior art either exercise specific targeted muscle groups dependent on where the weights are placed or are designed such that they limit exercises by restricting the users' movement.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention aim to provide an exercise apparatus comprising:

a housing for substantially enclosing a hand of a user wherein the housing incorporates a plurality of vents;

an opening within the housing for receiving the hand of the user;

a handle inside the housing; and

at least one weight configured within the housing,

whereby in use, the user grips the handle with their hand inside the housing, to lift the at least one weight to perform exercises with the exercise apparatus.

The surface of the housing may be provided with non-slip means. The non-slip means comprises may comprise a plurality of protrusions that protrude from the surface.

Preferably, the non-slip means comprises a non-slip material. The housing may comprise rubber.

Preferably, the handle is provided with gripping means.

The gripping means may comprise a knurled bar.

Alternatively, the gripping means may comprise a non-slip material.

In a further alternative, the gripping means may comprise a plurality of finger indentations.

Preferably, the weight is substantially U-shaped.

Preferably, the weight extends either side of the handle, with the majority of the weight being located in the end of the housing opposite the opening.

The weight may be built into the housing.

Preferably, the handle is secured to the weight.

The handle may be welded to the weight. Preferably, the housing may comprise a rigid material.

The rigid material may be plastic. The plastic may be injection moulded.

The housing may comprise two halves joined together by any one of rivets, clip connectors, adhesives. For a better understanding of the invention and to show how embodiments of the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows one example of an embodiment of an exercise apparatus in isometric view;

Figure 2 shows a further isometric view of the exercise device of Figure 1, showing an opening to receive a hand of a user; Figure 3 shows an exploded view of the exercise apparatus of Figures 1 and 2, showing one embodiment of a handle; Figure 4 shows a plan view of the exercise apparatus of Figures 1, 2 and 3, showing a plurality of vents;

Figure 5 shows an end view of the exercise apparatus, showing the opening of the housing;

Figure 6 shows a section view of the exercise apparatus, showing one embodiment of the configuration of the plurality of weighted portions; and Figure 7 shows a side view of the exercise apparatus.

In the figures, like references denote like or corresponding parts.

Figure 1 shows an exercise apparatus 1 comprising a housing 2 provided with an opening 3 for a user to insert their hand. The surface of the housing 2 may be provided with grip 4, such as a plurality of protrusions from the surface of the housing 2, that provide grip when the exercise apparatus 1 is placed against a surface such as the floor. The housing 2 is provided with a plurality of vents 5. These vents 5 allow for air ventilation throughout the interior of the housing 2, and encourage air to circulate about hand of the user, preventing the hand from becoming sweaty, and preventing perspiration from building up inside the housing 2. The housing 2 may be formed from a rigid, semi-rigid or flexible material for different purposes. The housing 2 when formed from a rigid material maintains the opening 3 in an open position. The opening 3 may be circular, or may take the form of a different shape. By being held in an open position, the opening 3 allows a hand to be easily and quickly inserted into the interior of the housing 2. It also allows the hand to be removed quickly and easily, if the user wishes to drop or release the exercise apparatus 1.

Figure 2 shows a further isometric view of the exercise apparatus 1, showing the opening 3 in a permanently open position. The housing 2 may comprise a single vent 5, or may comprise a plurality of vents 5 within both the hand-covering portion and the wrist-covering portion of the housing 2. The vents 5 are configured to effectuate sufficient air circulation throughout the interior of the housing 2. The vents 5 may be located on the uppermost surface of the housing 2, or the lowermost surface of the housing 2, or both.

Figure 3 shows the exercise apparatus 1 in exploded view, showing the housing 2 formed in two halves. Each half of the housing 2 may be injection moulded from a plastics material, or rubber material, and the halves may be joined together by rivets, clip connectors, adhesives or other suitable means. Inside the housing 2 is a handle 6 that is provided with gripping means for the user to grip onto when their hand is inside the exercise apparatus 1. The user can reach inside the housing 2 of the exercise apparatus 1 and grip hold of the handle 6 in order to perform their exercises. The handle 6 may comprise a knurled bar, a rubberised material secured to the handle, or may incorporate a plurality of finger indentations as shown. The finger indentations encourage the user to grip the handle 6 in a specific way. The handle 6 may be fastened to the housing 2, or may be fastened to a weight portion 7 that is located within the housing 2. The handle fastening means 8 within the weight portion 7 may comprise a hole into which the handle 6 locates. If both the handle 6 and the weight portion 7 are formed from a metal material, they may be welded together.

The weight portion 7 is configured to extend either side of the handle 6, and therefore in use along the sides of the hand of the user, with the bulk of the weight being located towards the end of the housing 2, opposite the opening 3. When the handle 6 is being gripped by the user, the weight 7 is therefore within the portion of the housing 2 located beyond their grip, and beyond the handle 6. The weight 7 may alternatively be located through the housing 2, or may be interspersed in a plurality of different locations throughout the housing 2, to have exercise apparatus 1 suitable for different exercises.

Figure 4 shows a plan view of the exercise apparatus 1 showing the handle 6 through the plurality of vents 5 within the housing 2. Figure 5 shows an end view of the exercise apparatus 1 showing the opening 3 within the housing 2, and the handle 6 stretching across the interior of the housing 2, sufficiently spaced from the housing 2 and the weight 7 to allow a user to grip the handle 6. Figure 6 shows a section view through the exercise apparatus 1, showing the relationship of the handle 6 to the weight 7, the handle 6 passing through the weight 7. Figure 7 shows the a side view of the exercise apparatus 1, showing one embodiment of the shape of the housing 2, with flattened portion within the surface of the housing 2, to allow the exercise apparatus 1 to be placed on a floor for when performing exercises such as press-ups.

The exercise apparatus 1 effectively forms a weighted mitt or glove into which the user places their hand, and grips the handle 6. The exercise apparatus 1 can be lifted ^* up above the user's head, can be raised or lowered from the ground, and can be used for numerous different exercises for both fitness and rehabilitation, for much the same exercises to which different weights of dumbbells and kettelbells are used. The flat portion on the surface of the housing 2 allows the user to rest the housing 2 on the floor whilst performing exercises such as press-ups, whilst also being able to lift the exercise apparatus 1 from the floor as and when desired.

The exercise apparatus 1, can be easily released from the hand of the user, by the user simply letting go of the handle 6. The housing 2 provides protection for the hand of the user, and supports the weight 7 and the handle 6 in the correct positions. Should the user need to release the weight, they can let go of the handle, and allow the exercise apparatus 1 to drop to the floor, much like with dumbbells and kettelbells. The weights 7 and not therefore retained on the user's hand or wrist, where they cannot be released so easily if required.

The interior of the housing 2 may incorporate a plurality of mouldings to help to locate and secure the weight 7 and the handle 6. The weight 7 may be U-shaped as shown in the figures, or may be C-shaped, L-shaped or similar shape such that weight is provided wimin the housing 2 of the exercise apparatus 1. The weight 7 may comprise a plurality of smaller individual weights, grouped within the housing 2. The weights 7 may be secured between two layers of housing 2, not shown.

The opening 3 may comprise a rim or rounded-edge. The housing 2 and the handle 6 may comprise a rubber composite material. The housing 2 may alternatively comprise a thick plastic material. The weight 7 may be formed from steel, or similar heavyweight metal, or alternative material with suitable density. The housing 2 may - alternatively comprise a thick and durable material such as leather or other semi-rigid material to give sufficient protection to the user's hand whilst providing sufficient rigidity to maintain the structure.

In this specification, the word "comprise" has its normal dictionary meaning, to denote non-exclusive inclusion. That is, use of the word "comprise" (or any of its derivatives) to include one feature or more, does not exclude the possibility of also including further features. All of the features enclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.