Resistance Exercise Group Assist Aids
(R.E.G.A.A.)
Wrist wrapping devices commonly employed by resistance exercisers to aid in maintaining hold of barbells, dumbbells, weight machine armatures (i.e. resistance implements) during pulling exercise movements performed to target muscles of the legs, back, shoulders, trapezius, etc. The dominance in size and strength of said muscle groups commonly exceeds that of hands and their ability to maintain grip thus creating a “weak link” in the line of pull between muscles and resistance in its various forms. This inability to sufficiently “load” the targeted muscle groups and/or bypass the “quick to fatigue” lesser muscles of the forearm and hand, spawned the birth of R.E.G.A.A. in various “full grip” and “semi grip” designs.
Traditional Art: The forerunner of current arts R.E.G.A.A. are commonly referred to as “weightlifting straps”, simple devices comprised of nylon or cotton strapping material which embody a bare “male” end and a looped and sewn “female” eyelet. To employ said weightlifting straps user slips “male” end through “female” eyelet to form a simple slip joint through which user hand is passed. User then rotates eyelet to opposite side as thumb, leaving “male” bare end dangling down across open palm to extend beyond fingertips. User next positions loose “male” end of strap over resistance item to be lifted, placing said item between palm and strap. User is now ready to secure connection to resistance item and does so with several twisting motions of the wrist/hand which effectively “draws down” the hand to the resistance item to be lifted. User completes attachment process and secures grip by closing and gripping hand/fingers over strap resistance item. Exercise movement may now commence without fear of slippage as long as user retains handgrip closure.
Pros
Weightlifting wrist straps primary benefits are simplicity of design, budget pricing and ability to accommodate multiple hand sizes with the security of a no slip wrist wrap (commensurate with slip knot tendencies to draw tighter in direct proportion to amount of resistance used, in conjunction with speed of
exercise movement).
Cons
Weightlifting wrist straps primary drawbacks are #1; the inconvenience of
a tedious “wrapping” procedure (which can consume a good portion of one’s “between set” recovery period and set up time, better utilized resting and preparing for concurrent bouts of exercise). #2; the risk and discomfort of the slip joint design caused by its constrictive nature (which imposes severe stress on delicate wrist and hand connective tissue and blood vessels). #3; lastly, the need for user to retain a tight grip on resistant apparatus at all times during the exercise movement to retain loads. This disallows the preferred “semi-open grip”, (which prevents undue fatigue of hand and forearm while simultaneously ensuring maximal contraction of targeted muscle groups) for “submax” hypertrophy lifts.
Current Art
Current Art: The evolution of “traditional arts” weightlifting straps has led to various manifestations of attachment both to wrists and items to be lifted. Regarding wrist attachments, they can now be found to employ wider, more joint friendly wrapping materials in both padded and unpadded forms. Additionally, users may now adjust wrist attachment means to a fixed degree of tightness, via use of a simple wrap, lap and velcro down system inferior to more recent slip through, drawback and velcro down buckle style systems (which deliver a tighter, more slip resistant attachments to wrists).
Resistance implement attaching methods have also produced assorted embodiments combined with aforementioned wrist attachment styles. Current Art A (padded lifting straps) features a padded slip through, drawback, Velcro down wrist attachment combined with a resistance implement “strap
and wrap” method of attachment common to traditional arts weightlifting
wrist straps.
Pros
Padded lifting straps benefits are the users’ ability to secure a non-constricting, fixed wrist wrap snug enough to resist slippage without incurring the joint tissue stress associated with traditional arts weightlifting straps. Additionally, padded lifting straps “wrap and strap” method of attachment delivers multiple user capacity and a secure closed fisted implement hold.
Cons
Drawbacks are the tedious resistance implements wrapping procedure common to traditional arts “weightlifting straps”, and the need to keep hand tightly closed over strapped and wrapped resistance implement. Said close fisted grip disallows user the option of utilizing the preferred “semi open” hand grip that minimizes biceps and forearm involvement while maximizing users’ ability to effectively target the desired muscles of back and shoulders.
Cursa Grips
Current Art B: The “Cursa Grip” utilizes a padded, slip through & drawback, Velcro down wrist attachment, from which a modified strap (which more closely resembles a pad) suspends. The resistance implement attaching procedure mimics “Traditional Art” and “Current Art A” method of “strap and wrap” in that said “pad” is folded over resistance implement and secured with a tight, closed hand grip.
Pros
Cursa Grips: Advantages are a secure, non-constricting and slip resistance wrist wrap inherent to “Current Art A”, yet with a reduced resistance implement wrapping time, made possible via the modified strap or “pad”, which requires only one wrap versus three or more common to “Traditional” and “Current Arts A” strap & wrap. The primary benefit of Cursa Grips is a rapid and secure closed hand attachment to resistance.
Cons
Disadvantages to Cursa Grips are the inability to accommodate multiple user hand sizes, and the need for hand to remain “tightly closed” at all times during use to prevent slippage of resistance item. This often induces a state of fatigue in lesser muscles of the hand and arms leading to diminished ability to optimally stress larger targeted muscles of the back and shoulders.
Current Art C: Weightlifting hook employs a padded, slip through, drawback, Velcro down wrist attachment combined with a single “hook” suspending downward from wrist to inside of palm and curling upward. User simply “hooks” resistance implement gripping device and commences exercise movement.
Pros
Weightlifting Hook advantages are the secure, non-constricting and slip resistant wrist wrap inherent to Current Art A and B and the ease and speed of attachment made possible by the implement attachment hook.
Cons
Disadvantages associated with Weightlifting Hook are its inability to accommodate multiple user sizes and it’s dangerous resistance implement attachment method which is prone to “roll off” during use catching users unaware after having placed inappropriate confidence in the hooks ability to retain the load. Said slippage is due to shallow non-centering hook design and the “see saw” effect instigated by uneven loading of “hooks”.
User must also place excessive attention on retaining a load (that typically supercedes natural gripping ability) rather than focusing on targeted muscles of the legs, back and shoulders.
Current Art D: Weightlifting hooks utilize simple wrap, lap and Velcro down wrist attachment system from which a “dual” hook suspends to inside of palm curling upward and away from such. As with Current Art C, user simply “hooks” over implement to be lifted and commences exercise movement.
Pros
Weightlifting Hooks advantages are a non-constrictive wrist wrap and the ease and speed of attachment inherent to its resistance implement “hooking” method. Additionally, the dual hooks negate the see saw effect common to “Current Art C” (“weightlifting “hook”) ensuring a more secure hold of resistance implements.
Cons
Disadvantages indigenous to weightlifting hooks are an inability to adequately tighten down wrist wrap to prevent slippage under load, wrist discomfort caused by lack of padding and the inability to accommodate users of various dimensions should hooks not lie in the approximate center of palm for proper fit. Another serious drawback is improper hook design, which can initiate sudden “roll off” under load leading to resistance implement droppage. Additionally, as with” Current Art C,” user must constantly divert attention from exercise movement to monitor hook attachment.
Current Art E: Employs a padded, slip through, drawback Velcro down wrist attachment combined with a steel trough suspending downward from wrist inside of palm and curling upward. Used simply “hooks” resistance implement gripping device and commences exercise movement.
Pros
Advantages are a secure, non- constricting and slip resistant “wrist wrap” inherent to “current are A & B” and the ease and speed of attachment made possible by the implement attach trough. Additionally Current Art E utilizes a simple slip adjustment on steel trough suspension strap to accommodate users of all hand sizes.
Cons
Primary disadvantages are incorrect “trough” design (which prevents load “centering”, leading to implement slippage and loss of control), in addition to the trough channels inability to adequately “wrap” around common resistance implements to provide maximum security and usefulness.
Pros
Recent invention, the “Hi -Tech" Weightlifting Hooks/Straps”, solve all problems associated with R.E.G.A.A. by firstly providing the preferred wrist wrapping method in a padded form of the slip-through, draw back, and Velcro down system. This delivers a slip resistant and wrist friendly attachment.
Secondly, the novel strap and hook resistance implement combination allows users the opportunity to enjoy a comfortable, slip-resistant wrist attachment, while utilizing “Traditional Arts” and “Current Art C” strap and wrap method of attachment to resistance. Additionally, should user wish to utilize the more rapid and effective “semi-open” hand grip for better isolation of targeted muscle groups, the exerciser can now opt to “hook up” to avoid the tedious strap and wrap method of attachment.
Thirdly, users of all hand sizes may enjoy the benefits of the hook method of attachment due to “Hi-Tech” Weightlifting Strap/Hooks” multiple attachment sleeves. These provide for quick and easy hook removal and vertical replacement ensuring the ideal hook/palm relationship is achieved.
Lastly, users can confidently perform heavy resistance exercise movements without fear of hook “roll off” and subsequent loss of load due to “Hi-Tech” Weightlifting Straps/Hooks novel hook design. Proper engineering of such places the resistance implement load correctly in the hook’s center, thereby negating “roll off” by aligning center of pull though palm and directly into wrist attachment. Lastly, regardless of which method of resistance implement attachment is chosen, (Traditional strap-n-wrap or rapid hook up) user can utlize either form with this new R.E.G.A.A. in accordance to personal exercise preferences.
Article contains original script as
issued to the United States Patent Office.
By Daniel Emick
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