Tough break for the EZ Run Belt

Anyone who regularly reads this blog knows that American Inventor has taken the place of American Idol as my current favorite reality TV show.

Recently, the show got a whole lot cooler because local inventor Joe Sparks and his EZ Run Belt was featured.

The Perrysburg fitness trainer made his grand entrance in front of the judges by running in with his invention already strapped to him. His invention is a training belt with tubing that extends from the back of the belt to hook to runners ankles.

On the show, Mr. Sparks, 50, was featured for less than 30 seconds. While on the air, he told judges that his invention actually teaches you to run while you re running."

Judge Sara Blakely s comment regarding his invention was the only one that aired, and she passed on allowing Mr. Sparks to become a finalist. I think where you lost me is when you said it s to teach people how to run, she said.

Well, being a reporter and all, that was not enough information for me about this local pseudo-celebrity.

So I looked him up and found on his Web site that runners wear the belt to self correct themselves while running for a more efficient and injury-resistant running style.

The Web site states that the tubing reminds runners to pull the leg up under the body, thereby teaching runners a better way to run. The device is used until a runner s muscles remember the running style on their own.

Though he didn t make it to the next round on American Inventor, I still have respect for his invention. Though I m not sure that even it would get me to actually enjoy running, I m pro almost anything that is proven to improve safety.

Tune in to American Inventor on Wednesdays to see the inventions that beat out our hometown inventor, one of which will be worth $1 million.

Stay tuned.