On November 28, 2006 the United States Patent and Trademark Office awarded a patent to Al Connelly for innovations in exercise equipment. The innovations are designed into the Punch/Block Power Charger® manufactured and sold by Martial Arts Development Corp. One of the key innovations is the variable diameter gripping disk for developing a strong grip, right out to the tips of the fingers. It accommodates a wide range of hand sizes with its opposing spirals design. Only two disk sizes are needed to fit virtually all hand sizes. Other ways of using the product develop the arms, shoulders, back, and legs for a whole body workout.
The product uses 1" standard off-the-shelf weight plates. This allows variable loading for exercises. And it helps the user easily see his progress. The grip sizes are also variable so that each person can get the grip that is best for them.
The Punch/Block Power Charger® was originally designed for athletes in grappling and the martial arts. It is useful for conditioning for any sport that involves gripping such as golf, tennis, and baseball. Using it strengthens the collateral muscles. This assists in improving safety for the athlete.
Outside of the area of sport, law enforcement personnel have also found it useful for improving their power for controlling and restraining suspects and prisoners, reducing the need for deadly force.
The product has proven of use in physical therapy. Uni-Cam Inc., a maker and seller of physical therapy equipment, distributes it in a physical therapy oriented configuration. The physical therapy version is called the Therapeutic Weight System. Check out the Uni-Cam website at www.uni-cam.com. Ultra-small weight plates have been developed to assist conditioning for people in therapy after injury or an operation.
The product has evolved since its original introduction into the market in 2003. Packages have been developed for those who want to focus on arm, shoulder, and back development. There is even a package that includes one small shaft with a larger alternate grip for a concentration on wrist and forearm exercises. The grip size options have been expanded to include a 1½" option. Shown here is one of the larger configurations with chrome weight plates. All configurations come with a manual and an instructional video is available. For the convenience of our customers there are now packages available with weight plates. This has proven very popular with sales being made as far away as Europe.
