US20060189463A1

US20060189463A1 - Exercise towel

Info

Publication number: US20060189463A1
Application number: US11/063,802
Authority: US
Inventors: Nicole Boice; Barbara Godfrey
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-02-23
Filing date: 2005-02-23
Publication date: 2006-08-24

Abstract

An article is provided for storing at least one personal item therein and promoting cleanliness of an exercise apparatus. The article comprises a main body, a sleeve portion and at least one pocket. The main body includes a top surface and a bottom surface and is configured as a sheet and defines a distal end. The sleeve portion is attached to the main body at the distal end and may be disposed upon the bottom surface thereof. The sleeve portion may define a cavity with the exercise apparatus removably engageable therein. The sleeve portion may support at least the distal end of the main body on the exercise apparatus. The pocket may be disposed on the sleeve portion and define a pocket opening. The pocket may be sized and configured with the personal item being receivable therein.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to U.S. application Ser. No. 29/217,584 Nov. 19, 2004.

STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to exercise equipment and accessories. More specifically, the present invention is directed to an article for storing at least one personal item therein and promoting cleanliness of an exercise apparatus.
The popularity of the fitness industry in the United States has ballooned in recent years. Currently, it is common to find exercise gymnasiums (gyms) in several areas of any given city. In fact, many of the gyms are owned and operated in chains regionally and/or across the United States. Typically, a gym will issue a membership card to each member which must be presented to gym personnel in order to gain access to the gym. Such a card may include a photo I.D. of the member as well as other identifying information.
Once inside the gym, the member may use numerous exercise machines and have access to other facilities such as pools, basketball courts, racquetball courts, just to name a few. The gym may also be divided up into a weight room and a cardio center. The weight room may include “free weights” used in conjunction with adjustable flat, decline, and incline benches and seats. Additionally, the weight room may have resistance machines that utilize a pulley and cable with stacked weights. The cardio center typically includes cardiovascular equipment such as stationary bicycles, elliptical trainers, and treadmills.
In both the weight room and the cardio center, members may often sweat rigorously and frequently come in full or partial body contact with the exercise equipment. For example, sweat accumulates on the weight room benches, seats and other supports because members typically position their body against them in order to perform the exercise. Due to concerns for maintaining a clean and sanitary gym, members have been encouraged to bring exercise towels to clean up any sweat residue that may accumulate on the equipment as they use it. Preferably, the fitness towel is positioned against the exercise equipment prior to use such that the fitness towel absorbs the sweat of the member when the member rests against it.
Although the introduction of the fitness towel has provided a helpful solution to the cleanliness issue, it often becomes more of a bother than a blessing. Specifically, the configuration of many of the exercise machines does not facilitate the use of a basic towel. For example, it may often be very difficult to position a towel so that it stays on a non-horizontal back and/or seat support of many exercise machines and inclined/declined benches. More often than not, the towel may slide down the surface of the exercise machine/bench and fall onto the floor, which may be even dirtier than the bench itself.
In addition to carrying a towel at the gym, each member may also be required to carry their membership card/fitness pass. In addition, each member often carries personal items such as keys, a radio, food, water, and/or weight lifting gloves. During the course of a workout, it may often be cumbersome for the member to gather up all of their personal belongings, fitness towel, and membership card each time they move to a different exercise machine. As a result, members frequently leave membership cards, keys, and other small items lying near the exercise machines or in corners of the gym, and often forget these items.
There exists a need in the art for an improved fitness towel including a configuration that allows members to utilize fitness towels on any exercise machine. There also exists a need in the art for a convenient tool that allows members to organize and tote all of their gym items and personal items in a compact, convenient unit.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, an article is provided for storing at least one personal item therein and promoting cleanliness of an exercise apparatus. The article comprises a main body including a top surface and a bottom surface, the main body being configured as a sheet and defining a distal end; a sleeve portion being attached to the main body at the distal end and being disposed upon the bottom surface thereof, the sleeve portion defining a cavity with the exercise apparatus removably engageable therein, the sleeve portion supporting at least the distal end of the main body on the exercise apparatus; and at least one pocket being disposed upon the sleeve portion and defining a pocket opening, the pocket being sized and configured with the personal item being receivable therein.
The main body may define a distal edge and according to an implementation of the present invention, the pocket opening is substantially parallel to the distal edge. The pocket opening may be located adjacent the distal edge. The pocket may further include a closure member being disposed about the pocket opening and being selectively operative to close up the pocket opening. The closure member may be a zipper. The main body may define a rectangular periphery and a portion of the rectangular periphery may be hemmed. The sleeve portion may be unitarily formed with the main body. The sleeve portion may define opposing sleeve side edges being hemmed together with the rectangular periphery of the main body. The main body may be moisture-absorbent.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, an article is provided for storing at least one personal item therein and promoting cleanliness of an exercise apparatus, the article comprising: a main body including a top surface and a bottom surface, the main body being configured as a sheet and defining a distal end, a distal edge, and a rectangular periphery, at least a portion of the rectangular periphery being hemmed; a sleeve portion being unitarily formed with the main body at the distal end and being disposed upon the bottom surface thereof, the sleeve portion defining a cavity with the exercise apparatus removably engageable therein and further defining opposing sleeve side edges being hemmed together with the rectangular periphery of the main body, the sleeve portion supporting at least the distal end of the main body against the exercise apparatus; at least one pocket being disposed upon the sleeve portion and defining a pocket opening, the pocket being sized and configured with the personal item being receivable therein, the pocket opening being substantially parallel to the periphery of the distal end and being located adjacent the distal edge; and a zipper being disposed about the pocket opening and being selectively operative to close up the pocket opening.
According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, a method is provided of utilizing an article including a main body including a top surface and a bottom surface, the main body being configured as a sheet and defining a distal end; a sleeve portion being attached to the main body at the distal end and being disposed upon the bottom surface thereof, the sleeve portion defining a cavity with the exercise apparatus removably engageable therein, the sleeve portion supporting at least the distal end of the main body against the exercise apparatus; and at least one pocket being disposed upon the sleeve portion and defining a pocket opening, the pocket being sized and configured with the personal item being receivable therein, the method comprising: inserting at least one personal item within the pocket; engaging the exercise apparatus within the cavity of the sleeve portion; and positioning the main body against the apparatus.
In yet another embodiment, the pocket further includes a closure member being disposed about the pocket opening and being selectively operative to close up the pocket opening, and the method further comprises: closing up the pocket opening utilizing the closure member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An illustrative and presently preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an article including a main body and a sleeve portion with an exemplary exercise apparatus being removably engageable within the sleeve portion;
FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view thereof showing a bottom surface of the main body, the sleeve portion attached to a distal end of the main body, and a pocket opening with a closure member disposed upon the sleeve portion;
FIG. 3 is a top plan view thereof showing a top surface of the main body and illustrating exemplary hemming of a rectangular periphery of the main body;
FIG. 4 is left side elevational view thereof;
FIG. 5 right end view thereof illustrating the spatial relationship of a cavity defined by the sleeve portion with respect to the main body in accordance with an implementation of the present invention;
FIG. 6 is a left end view thereof;
FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a method of utilizing the article; and
FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating another embodiment of the method of utilizing the article.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating preferred embodiments of the present invention only and not for purposes of limiting the same, FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an article 10 including a main body 12 and a sleeve portion 14 with an exemplary exercise apparatus 16 being removably engageable within the sleeve portion 14.
The exercise apparatus 16 illustrated in FIG. 1 may include a seat portion 18 and a bench portion 20. The seat and bench portions 18, 20 of the exercise apparatus 16 customarily measure between 8-16 inches in width and 2-4 inches in height or depth. The article 10 may be utilized on the exercise apparatus 16 shown in FIG. 1; however, FIG. 1 is merely an exemplary use of the article 10. It is contemplated that the article 10 may be utilized on other exercise apparatuses having configurations amenable to use, such as having back supports and/or chest frontal supports. For example, the article 10 may be utilized with a common flat, decline and/or incline bench, as well as other exercise apparatuses such as stationary bicycles and the like.
According to an aspect of the present invention, the article 10 is provided for storing at least one personal item therein and promoting cleanliness of the exercise apparatus 16. As illustrated in FIGS. 2-5, the article 10 comprises the main body 12 including a top surface 24 and a bottom surface 26, the main body 12 being configured as a sheet 28 and defining a distal end 30; the sleeve portion 14 being attached to the main body 12 at a distal end 30 and being disposed upon the bottom surface 26 thereof, the sleeve portion 14 defining a cavity 32 with the exercise apparatus 16 removably engageable therein; the sleeve portion 14 supporting at least the distal end 30 on the main body 12 on the exercise apparatus 16; and at least one pocket 34 being disposed upon the sleeve portion 14 and defining a pocket opening 36, the pocket 34 being sized and configured with the personal item being receivable therein.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the main body 12 is configured as a sheet 28. The main body 12 further includes the top surface 24 and the bottom surface 26 and defines the distal end 30. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, it is contemplated that the main body 12 may be configured in a rectangular shape. However, it is contemplated that the main body 12 may be configured in other numerous geometric shapes, including such modifications as rounding the corners of the main body 12. It is contemplated that the main body 12 may be compact so as to cover only the width of the exercise apparatus 16. However, as discussed infra, it is also contemplated that the main body 12 may be wider than the exercise apparatus 16 to provide additional material which may be clean and utilizable for other purposes.
As illustrated in FIGS. 4-6, the main body 12 may be a thin material. In this regard, it is contemplated that the main body 12 may be a material such as cotton or other fabric. The material may also be a non-woven material. The main body 12 may include a single layer or have multiple layers depending on requirements and preferences of the user. For example, one of the purposes that the main body 12 may serve is that of absorbing moisture such as the perspiration of an individual. Another purpose that may be served by the main body 12 is that of providing a padded surface against which the individual may position their body. Alternatively, the main body 12 may be utilized to provide a padded surface to protect the exercise apparatus 16. Thus, depending upon the application, the main body 12 may be configured to include a single layer or multiple layers.
In accordance with an implementation of the present invention, the sleeve portion 14 is attached to the main body 12 at the distal end 30 and is disposed upon the bottom surface 26 thereof, as shown in FIG. 2. The sleeve portion 14 may be manufactured from a material similar to the main body 12. It is contemplated that the sleeve portion 14 may be a material such as cotton or other fabric. The material may also be a non-woven material, such as an elastomeric material. For example, the sleeve may be made of an elastic mesh or an elastic strap. Furthermore, the sleeve portion 14 may be made of other materials such as plastics or metals, such as resilient clips for allowing the exercise apparatus 16 to be engageable therein.
According to another implementation of the present invention, it is contemplated that the main body 12 may define a body width 38 and opposing body side edges 40, and the sleeve portion 14 may extend across the entire body width 38, as shown in FIG. 2. As mentioned supra, it is contemplated that the main body 12 may be wider than the exercise apparatus 16. In this regard, the sleeve portion 14 may also be wider than the exercise apparatus 16. However, it is also contemplated that the sleeve portion 14 may not be as wide as the main body 12. Thus, the sleeve portion 14 may extend across less than the entire body width 38. In such an exemplary configuration, the additional material along the body side edges 40 may not be utilized to contact the exercise apparatus 16 and may therefore be utilized for other purposes. For example, the individual may need to wipe sweat from her brow during a workout. However, because a large portion of the main body 12 may be utilized to absorb sweat from the individual and may touch an unsanitary exercise apparatus 16 surface, the individual may feel uncomfortable using the large portion of the main body 12 to wipe her brow. Thus, if there is additional material along the body side edges 40, it may remain clean because it may not touch the exercise apparatus 16 and therefore be utilizable exclusively for contacting the individual's face. Therefore, it is contemplated that the sleeve portion 14 may extend only partially across the body width 38 and that the main body 12 may cover beyond the width of the exercise apparatus 16.
As shown in FIG. 2, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the sleeve portion 14 may be attached to the main body 12 at the distal end 30. It is contemplated that the sleeve portion 14 may be separate from the main body 12 and attachable thereto. Such a configuration may require that both the main body 12 and the sleeve portion 14 be manufactured independently of one another and later joined in an additional manufacturing step. In such a configuration, the sleeve portion 14 may also be attached to the main body 12 at the distal end 30 in various configurations. For example, the main body 12 may define a distal edge 42, and the sleeve portion 14 may be attached to the main body 12 adjacent the distal edge 42, as shown in FIG. 2. However, the sleeve portion 14 may also be spaced apart from the distal edge 42. Thus, the exercise apparatus 16 may be engaged within the cavity 32 and the main body 12 may extend over the sides of the bench and/or back/front support of the exercise apparatus 16.
Referring again to FIG. 1, the sleeve portion 14 may support at least the distal end 30 of the main body 12 on the exercise apparatus 16. However, it is contemplated that the sleeve portion 14 may be configured to support the entire main body 12 against the exercise apparatus 16. Utilizing such a configuration would allow the benefit of using the article 10 without having the main body 12 being displaced from the exercise apparatus 16 and thus ensuring that the main body 12 may always be interposed between the individual and the exercise apparatus 16.
Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 5, the sleeve portion 14 may define the cavity 32 with the exercise apparatus 16 removably engageable therein. In an embodiment of the present invention, the exercise apparatus 16 may be removably engageable within the cavity 32. The sleeve portion 14 may consist of several configurations which may define the cavity 32. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the sleeve portion 14 may be formed integrally with the main body 12 and may be hemmed together, as discussed infra. However, in other implementations of the present invention, the sleeve portion 14 may utilize a strap configuration, and the cavity 32 may be defined as the aperture through which the exercise apparatus 16 may be engaged. Thus, the cavity 32 may be appropriately and broadly defined as the area wherein the exercise apparatus 16 may be removably engageable within the sleeve portion 14.
In another implementation of the present invention, the sleeve portion 14 may not extend continuously about the cavity 32. For example, the sleeve portion 14 may comprise at least one arm flap defining first and second ends. The first end of the arm flap may be attached to the main body 12 at the body side edge 40. The second end of the arm flap may extend toward an opposing body side edge 40, and may be connectable thereto. The arm flap may be an elastic, resilient or flexible material. In such a configuration, the exercise apparatus 16 may be engageable within the arm flap, the area occupied by the exercise apparatus 16 being the cavity 32. A connective element may be attached to the second end and be connectable to the opposing body side edge 40 or to the exercise apparatus 16. Additionally, two arm flaps may be positioned with their first ends attached to opposing body side edges 40, and may be configured to include the second ends being matable to one another utilizing respective connective elements attached to the second ends.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, the dimensions of the cavity 32 may be altered according to the configuration of the sleeve portion 14 with respect to the main body 12. Typically, the exercise apparatus 16 may include a bench or back/front support that may be engaged within the sleeve portion 14. The bench or back/front support may have a cross section of 8-16 inches in width and 2-4 inches in depth. Thus, the sleeve portion 14 may be configured to include the cavity 32 capable of accommodating such an exercise apparatus 16. Additionally, it is contemplated that the cavity 32 may be configured with various-dimensioned exercise apparatuses engageable therein and therefore that the sleeve portion 14 be wide enough to accommodate a variety of exercise apparatuses. Further, it is contemplated that the sleeve portion 14 and the cavity 32 may be sized and configured with the main body 12 disposable therein. Utilizing such a configuration, the individual may tote the article 10 and items disposed within the pocket 34 in a conveniently sized bundle.
The article 10 further includes at least one pocket 34 disposed upon the sleeve portion 14 and defining the pocket opening 36. The pocket 34 may be sized and configured with the personal item being receivable therein. In an implementation of the present invention, the pocket 34 may extend across the entire sleeve portion 14. Alternatively, the pocket 34 may be small so as to accommodate at least one personal item such as credit cards, membership cards, or other small items such as keys. The benefits of the larger pocket 34s may include the ability to place additional personal items such as workout gloves, a radio, food or drink, as well as other myriad articles within the pocket 34. The pocket opening 36 may span across the entire pocket 34, or may span across less than the entire pocket 34. Additionally, the pocket 34 is disposed upon the sleeve portion 14. The pocket 34 may be formed integrally with the sleeve portion 14 or may be formed separately. It is contemplated that the sleeve portion 14 may be a single layer or a multiple layer and that the layering thereof may be utilizable in forming the pocket 34.
In an implementation of the present invention, the main body 12 may define the distal edge 42 and the pocket opening 36 may be substantially parallel to the distal edge 42, as shown in FIG. 2. However, the pocket opening 36 may be oriented in any configuration relative to the distal edge 42, such as being oriented orthogonally to the distal edge 42. The pocket opening 36 may also be located adjacent the distal edge 42, as shown in FIG. 2. However, the pocket opening 36 may be located anywhere along the sleeve portion 14. It is further contemplated that the pocket 34 may be disposed along the bottom surface 26 or top surface 24 of the main body 12. Additional configurations and implementations of the present invention may vary according to personal preference and requirements.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, the pocket 34 may further include a closure member 44 being disposed about the pocket opening 36 and being selectively operative to close up the pocket opening 36. The closure member 44 may be a zipper 46, as shown in FIG. 2, but may also be Velcro, a button, a cord, an elastic element, or other element suitable to close up the pocket opening 36.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the main body 12 may define a rectangular periphery 48 and a portion of the rectangular periphery 48 may be hemmed. As mentioned above, a configuration of the main body 12 may be that of the sheet 28, and it is contemplated that the main body 12 may define geometric shapes other than rectangular. Nevertheless, as shown in FIG. 3, the rectangular periphery 48 may be hemmed. In this regard, it is contemplated that the various other geometric shapes may include peripheries that may also be hemmed. The hemming may be done using a variety of methods, as may be known in the art.
According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, the sleeve portion 14 may be unitarily formed with the main body 12. As shown illustratively in FIG. 6, the sleeve portion 14 and the main body 12 may be made of a single continuous sheet 28 with the sleeve portion 14 being folded along the distal edge 42. In such a configuration, the sleeve portion 14 may define opposing sleeve side edges 50 being hemmed together with the rectangular periphery 48 of the main body 12. However, it is contemplated that the sleeve side edges 50 may be attached to the body side edges 40 utilizing another mode than hemming. Such modes may include other sewing modes such as weaving, and other fasteners such as glue, staples, and the like.
In accordance with another implementation of the present invention, an article 10 is provided for storing at least one personal item therein and promoting cleanliness of an exercise apparatus 16. The article 10 comprises a main body 12 including a top surface 24 and a bottom surface 26, the main body 12 being configured as a sheet 28 and defining a distal end 30, a distal edge 42, and a rectangular periphery 48, at least a portion of the rectangular periphery 48 being hemmed; a sleeve portion 14 being unitarily formed with main body 12 at the distal end 30 and being disposed upon a bottom surface 26 thereof, the sleeve portion 14 defining a cavity 32 with the exercise apparatus 16 removably engageable therein and further defining opposing sleeve side edges 50 being hemmed together with the rectangular periphery 48 of the main body 12, the sleeve portion 14 supporting at least the distal end 30 of the main body 12 against the exercise apparatus 16; at least one pocket 34 being disposed upon the sleeve portion 14 and defining a pocket opening 36, the pocket 34 being sized and configured with the personalized item being receivable therein, the pocket opening 36 being substantially parallel to the periphery of the distal end 30 and being located adjacent the distal edge 42; and a zipper 46 being disposed about the pocket opening 36 and being selectively operative to close up the pocket opening 36.
Referring now to FIG. 7, a method is provided of utilizing an article 10 including a main body 12 including a top and bottom surface 26, the main body 12 being configured as a sheet 28 and defining a distal end 30; a sleeve portion 14 being attached to the main body 12 at the distal end 30 and being disposed along the bottom surface 26 thereof, the sleeve portion 14 defining a cavity 32 with an exercise apparatus 16 removably engageable therein, the sleeve portion 14 supporting at least the distal end 30 of the main body 12 against the exercise apparatus 16; and at least one pocket 34 being disposed upon the sleeve portion 14 and defining a pocket opening 36, the pocket 34 being sized and configured with the personal item being receivable therein, the method comprising: inserting at least one personal item within the pocket 34 (i.e. inserting step 52); engaging the exercise apparatus 16 within the cavity 32 of the sleeve portion 14 (i.e. engaging step 54); and positioning the main body 12 against the apparatus (i.e. positioning step 56). As will be known by those skilled in the art, the steps of the method may be performed in various orders.
The inserting step 52 may include placing the personal item either completely or at least partially within the pocket 34. The engaging step 54 may include at least partially engaging the exercise apparatus 16 within the cavity 32. It is contemplated that embodiments of the present invention may allow the user to engage the exercise apparatus 16 with the cavity 32 of the sleeve portion 14 either with the article 10 inside out or right side in. Thus, either the top surface 24 or the bottom surface 26 of the main body 12 may be positioned adjacent the exercise apparatus 16 with the remaining surface being exposed to the perspiration of the individual. Although it is preferable to engage the exercise apparatus 16 within the cavity 32 as discussed herein, it is also contemplated that an inside out engagement is possible and is within the contemplated bounds of an embodiment method presented herein.
The positioning step 56 may include positioning the main body 12 against objects such as the exercise apparatus 16, or objects being placed intermediate the exercise apparatus 16. Thus, the main body 12 may not be positioned contiguous to the exercise apparatus 16. Further it is contemplated that the main body 12 may be positioned against a variety of exercise apparatuses, as discussed supra.
According to another aspect of the present invention, the pocket 34 may further include a closure member 44 being disposed about the pocket opening 36 and being selectively operative to close up the pocket opening 36 and as shown in FIG. 8, the method further comprises: closing up the pocket opening 36 utilizing the closure member 44 (i.e. closing up step 58). As discussed above, the closure member 44 may be any of a variety of elements suitable to close up the pocket opening 36. The closing up step 58 may be performed when the closure member 44 is at least partially closed up. Such closure may result in maintaining the items disposed within the pocket 34, or simply maintaining the pocket opening 36 closed.
This description of the various embodiments of the present invention is presented to illustrate the preferred embodiments of the present invention, and other inventive concepts may be otherwise variously embodied and employed. The appended claims are intended to be construed to include such variations except insofar as limited by the prior art.

Claims

1. An article for storing at least one personal item therein and promoting cleanliness of an exercise apparatus, the article comprising:

a) a main body including a top surface and a bottom surface, the main body being configured as a sheet and defining a distal end;

b) a sleeve portion being attached to the main body at the distal end and being disposed upon the bottom surface thereof, the sleeve portion defining a cavity with the exercise apparatus removably engageable therein, the sleeve portion supporting at least the distal end of the main body on the exercise apparatus; and

c) at least one pocket being disposed upon the sleeve portion and defining a pocket opening, the pocket being sized and configured with the personal item being receivable therein.

2. The article of claim 1 wherein the main body defines a distal edge and the pocket opening is substantially parallel to the distal edge.

3. The article of claim 1 wherein the pocket opening is located adjacent the distal edge.

4. The article of claim 1 wherein the pocket further includes a closure member being disposed about the pocket opening and being selectively operative to close up the pocket opening.

5. The article of claim 4 wherein the closure member is a zipper.

6. The article of claim 1 wherein the main body defines a rectangular periphery and a portion of the rectangular periphery is hemmed.

7. The article of claim 1 wherein the sleeve portion is unitarily formed with the main body.

8. The article of claim 7 wherein the sleeve portion defines opposing sleeve side edges being hemmed together with the rectangular periphery of the main body.

9. The article of claim 1 wherein the main body is moisture-absorbent.

10. An article for storing at least one personal item therein and promoting cleanliness of an exercise apparatus, the article comprising:

a) a main body including a top surface and a bottom surface, the main body being configured as a sheet and defining a distal end, a distal edge, and a rectangular periphery, at least a portion of the rectangular periphery being hemmed;

b) a sleeve portion being unitarily formed with the main body at the distal end and being disposed upon the bottom surface thereof, the sleeve portion defining a cavity with the exercise apparatus removably engageable therein and further defining opposing sleeve side edges being hemmed together with the rectangular periphery of the main body, the sleeve portion supporting at least the distal end of the main body against the exercise apparatus;

c) at least one pocket being disposed upon the sleeve portion and defining a pocket opening, the pocket being sized and configured with the personal item being receivable therein, the pocket opening being substantially parallel to the distal edge and being located adjacent thereto; and

d) a zipper being disposed about the pocket opening and being selectively operative to close up the pocket opening.

11. A method of utilizing an article including a main body including a top surface and a bottom surface, the main body being configured as a sheet and defining a distal end; a sleeve portion being attached to the main body at the distal end and being disposed upon the bottom surface thereof, the sleeve portion defining a cavity with the exercise apparatus removably engageable therein, the sleeve portion supporting at least the distal end of the main body against the exercise apparatus; and at least one pocket being disposed upon the sleeve portion and defining a pocket opening, the pocket being sized and configured with the personal item being receivable therein, the method comprising:

a) inserting at least one personal item within the pocket;

b) engaging the exercise apparatus within the cavity of the sleeve portion; and

c) positioning the main body against the apparatus.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the pocket further includes a closure member being disposed about the pocket opening and being selectively operative to close up the pocket opening, and the method further comprising:

a) closing up the pocket opening utilizing the closure member.