GB2129281A - Exercising garment - Google Patents

Abstract

A garment 1 wearable as an aid to exercising comprises a plurality of pockets (6) distributed over the garment. Each pocket (6) can receive a flat rectangular weight (7), the weights being used to build up the load on the wearer's body during exercising. The number of weights can be chosen to match the needs of the wearer precisely. The garment is suitably in the form of a jacket forming a close fit on the wearer, and may be adjustable for this purpose by adjusting means 4. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Exercising garment This invention relates to a garment wearable as an aid to exercising.

According to the invention, an exercising garment comprises a plurality of pockets distributed over the garment, each pocket being adapted to receive and hold therein a weight, whereby a predetermined load can be distributed in the form of a plurality of the weights uniformly over the garment.

Preferably the weights are all of the same mass and shape so as to be interchangeable, the pockets being dimensioned such that the weights are a close fit therein to prevent the weights being thrown out of the pockets during vigorous exercise. Each weight is suitably in the form of a flat rectangular plate.

The garment is preferably a jacket, which is suitably a sleeveless jadket of a close fit to the wearer.

The number and size of the pockets may be chosen to permit the total weight of the garment to be increased or decreased by small increments, for example 90g, and to permit the weights to be distributed evenly so as not to effect the wearer's balance or freedom of movement.

The garment of the invention permits the wearer to build up his or her muscular strength gradually, by progressively adding more weights to the garment during a normai exercising programme. The garment is especially useful in enhancing the exercising value of activities such as running or jogging, but may also be used to enable a person to derive exercising benefit from routine activities such as climbing stairs.

Reference is made to the drawings, which show a sleeveless exercising jacket as an example of a garment in accordance with the invention. In the drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the jacket in the form in which it would be worn; and Figure 2 shows the pockets located within the jacket of Figure 1.

The jacket is formed of any desired fabric, for example a cotton textile fabric, and has a neck aperture 1 and separable side parts 2, which are cut away at the upper portions to define arm holes 3. In the embodiment illustrated, the side parts are fastened together in an adjustable manner using tapes 4 having opposing mutually latching surfaces such as are provided by the material sold under the Registered Trade Mark "Velcro". Alternatively, buckles, laces or elastic, could be used to permit adjustment to give a close fit for any wearer.

On the inner surface of the jacket, bands 5 of fabric are sewn so as to define a plurality of identical pockets 6 opening at the uppermost sides to permit insertion of weights 7. The weights 7 are all identical and are in the form of a flat rectangular plate, approximately 6mm thick and weighing approximately 85 to 90g. 60 pockets are provided for a jacket of small to medium size and 72 for a medium to large size jacket, thus giving a maximum possible load of 5.4--6.5 kg for the jacket. The pockets 6 are dimensioned and arranged so that the weights 7 project from the pockets by only a very small amount, or are contained completely within the pockets, to avoid discomfort to the wearer.

Claims

1. An exercising garment, comprising a plurality of pockets distributed over the garment, each pocket being adapted to receive and hold therein a weight, whereby a predetermined load can be distributed in the form of a plurality of the weights uniformly over the garment.

2. A garment according to Claim 1, wherein the pockets are all of the same shape and size, whereby weights of the same shape and size can be interchanged between the pockets.

3. A garment according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the pockets are dimensioned such that the weights are a close fit therein.

4. A garment according to Claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the pockets are adapted to receive weights in the form of flat rectangular plates.

5. A garment according to any preceding claim, in the form of a jacket.

6. A garment according to Claim 5, which is a sleeveless jacket.

7. A garment according to any preceding claim, wherein the pockets are provided on the inner surface of the garment.

8. An exercising garment, substantially as described with reference to, or as shown in, the drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (8)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Exercising garment This invention relates to a garment wearable as an aid to exercising. According to the invention, an exercising garment comprises a plurality of pockets distributed over the garment, each pocket being adapted to receive and hold therein a weight, whereby a predetermined load can be distributed in the form of a plurality of the weights uniformly over the garment. Preferably the weights are all of the same mass and shape so as to be interchangeable, the pockets being dimensioned such that the weights are a close fit therein to prevent the weights being thrown out of the pockets during vigorous exercise. Each weight is suitably in the form of a flat rectangular plate. The garment is preferably a jacket, which is suitably a sleeveless jadket of a close fit to the wearer. The number and size of the pockets may be chosen to permit the total weight of the garment to be increased or decreased by small increments, for example 90g, and to permit the weights to be distributed evenly so as not to effect the wearer's balance or freedom of movement. The garment of the invention permits the wearer to build up his or her muscular strength gradually, by progressively adding more weights to the garment during a normai exercising programme. The garment is especially useful in enhancing the exercising value of activities such as running or jogging, but may also be used to enable a person to derive exercising benefit from routine activities such as climbing stairs. Reference is made to the drawings, which show a sleeveless exercising jacket as an example of a garment in accordance with the invention. In the drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the jacket in the form in which it would be worn; and Figure 2 shows the pockets located within the jacket of Figure 1. The jacket is formed of any desired fabric, for example a cotton textile fabric, and has a neck aperture 1 and separable side parts 2, which are cut away at the upper portions to define arm holes 3. In the embodiment illustrated, the side parts are fastened together in an adjustable manner using tapes 4 having opposing mutually latching surfaces such as are provided by the material sold under the Registered Trade Mark "Velcro". Alternatively, buckles, laces or elastic, could be used to permit adjustment to give a close fit for any wearer. On the inner surface of the jacket, bands 5 of fabric are sewn so as to define a plurality of identical pockets 6 opening at the uppermost sides to permit insertion of weights 7. The weights 7 are all identical and are in the form of a flat rectangular plate, approximately 6mm thick and weighing approximately 85 to 90g. 60 pockets are provided for a jacket of small to medium size and 72 for a medium to large size jacket, thus giving a maximum possible load of 5.4--6.5 kg for the jacket. The pockets 6 are dimensioned and arranged so that the weights 7 project from the pockets by only a very small amount, or are contained completely within the pockets, to avoid discomfort to the wearer. Claims

1. An exercising garment, comprising a plurality of pockets distributed over the garment, each pocket being adapted to receive and hold therein a weight, whereby a predetermined load can be distributed in the form of a plurality of the weights uniformly over the garment.

2. A garment according to Claim 1, wherein the pockets are all of the same shape and size, whereby weights of the same shape and size can be interchanged between the pockets.

3. A garment according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the pockets are dimensioned such that the weights are a close fit therein.

4. A garment according to Claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the pockets are adapted to receive weights in the form of flat rectangular plates.

5. A garment according to any preceding claim, in the form of a jacket.

6. A garment according to Claim 5, which is a sleeveless jacket.

7. A garment according to any preceding claim, wherein the pockets are provided on the inner surface of the garment.

8. An exercising garment, substantially as described with reference to, or as shown in, the drawings.