Abstract: User-manipulated exercise equipment of the type utilizing a weight-plate stack comprises a stack of weight plates, of which a user-selected portion moves as a unit along a pair of guide rods in response to an exercise movement by the user. The selected portion of the stack moves with virtually no cross-wise (i.e., lateral) shifting among the plates and virtually no friction between the moving portion of the stack and the guide rods because (1) a keystone bushing below the weight plate stack provides virtually error free alignment with the guide rods by setting the non-selected portion of the stack at a highly accurate “home” position that resets the moving stack if it has shifted laterally during movement, even if that shift is very slight, and (2) the guide rod holed in the weight plates carry bushings which align with the bushings of the adjacent weight plates to prevent the plates within the moving portion of the stack from shifting laterally with respect to each other and thereby contacting a guide rod.

Abstract: A weight plate is added to the exterior of the weight plate mass of a weight plate device so that a magnetic pole region carried by the added weight plate is magnetically coupled to the weight plate mass to magnetically secure the added weight plate to the dumbbell. When decoupling is desired, the added weight plate is rotated with respect to the weight plate mass to bring the carried magnetic pole region into alignment with a magnetically non-attracting portion of the weight plate mass so that the added weight plate can be removed from the weight plate device without overcoming the magnetically-securing coupling force. In a variation of the method, the added weight plate is rotated to bring its carried magnetic pole into sufficient alignment with a pole of like polarity carried by the weight plate mass so that the added weight plate is magnetically repelled.

Abstract: A bar bell comprises a plate-accepting bar that extends longitudinally between two end regions at which weight plates can be mounted, a longitudinally-extending handle positioned above the plate-accepting bar and supported by the barbell, a pair of barbell-supporting brackets positioned at respective end regions of the plate-accepting bar to stably support the barbell on a supporting surface without contact between mounted weight plates and the supporting surface, and at least one longitudinally-extending fulcrum bar affixed to the barbell in such a way that it is positioned to contact a user's forearm during a bicep curl and create a lever arm vis-à-vis the handle that maintains the barbell's center of gravity in a lagging position with respect to the user's hands so as to exert enhanced resistance to the curling movement during the movement.

Abstract: A dumbbell comprises a pair of frame members, each having a lower plate-like portion and an upper stem portion. The frame members are coupled together via spacer bars. An upper spacer bar is coupled to the frames members at the stem portions, and a handle is mounted for rotation about the upper spacer bar. Two lower spacer bars positioned near the front and back of the plate-like portions of the frame members. The frame members may provide the desired weight, either through choice of material, plate thickness or both, or the frame members may be provide a basic “master” weight plate for the dumbbell, with additional weight being provided by the addition of one or more weight plates to each frame member. Pads are mounted about the lower spacer bars, and are positioned to contact the wrist area of a user during exercise movements.

Abstract: A cable attachment that permits the strap of an exercise machine to be replaced independently of the machine's handle without the need for sewing machines or special tools such as crimping devices comprises a body having three juncture points arranged in a generally triangular relationship, the first point being near its top to accommodate the body's attachment to the cable of the exercise machine, the other two juncture points lying below the first point and separated from each other by the center section of the body. The two lower junction points are configured to securely accommodate a removably-coupled handle-coupling strap, and are the locations to which the straps can be secured, preferably with a suitable knot. The two lower juncture points are configured to resist lateral slippage of the straps in order to laterally stabilize the load against which the user is working, and to accommodate knots having excellent holding strength.

Abstract: User-manipulated exercise equipment of the type utilizing a weight-plate stack comprises a stack of weight plates, of which a user-selected portion moves as a unit along a pair of guide rods in response to an exercise movement by the user. The selected portion of the stack moves with virtually no cross-wise (i.e., lateral) shifting among the plates and virtually no friction between the moving portion of the stack and the guide rods because (1) a keystone bushing below the weight plate stack provides virtually error free alignment with the guide rods by setting the non-selected portion of the stack at a highly accurate “home” position that resets the moving stack if it has shifted laterally during movement, even if that shift is very slight, and (2) the guide rod holed in the weight plates carry bushings which align with the bushings of the adjacent weight plates to prevent the plates within the moving portion of the stack from shifting laterally with respect to each other and thereby contacting a guide rod.

Abstract: In a method for adjusting the weight-training mass of a weightplate device, a weight plate is added to the exterior of the weight plate mass so that a magnetic pole region carried by the added weight plate is magnetically coupled to the weight plate mass to magnetically secure the added weight plate to the dumbbell. When decoupling is desired, the added weight plate is rotated with respect to the weight plate mass to bring the carried magnetic pole region into alignment with a magnetically non-attracting portion of the weight plate mass so that the added weight plate can be removed from the weight plate device without overcoming the magnetically-securing coupling force. In a variation of the method, the added weight plate is rotated to bring its carried magnetic pole into sufficient alignment with a pole of like polarity carried by the weight plate mass so that the added weight plate is magnetically repelled.

Abstract: A dumbbell having an antimicrobial handle comprises a bar having a pair of end regions, and extending generally longitudinally therebetween along a generally central axis, weight plate masses mounted at the end regions and mechanically secured thereto, and a pair of collars located at longitudinally opposed positions on bar to define a handle region therebetween. A handle is located within the handle region and includes a generally tubular supporting substrate positioned about the bar, and a generally tubular grip surface member supported by the substrate and formed from an antimicrobial copper alloy, the supporting substrate and generally tubular grip surface member extending generally axially between longitudinally spaced-apart end regions. The collars have axially-inwardly extending flange portions sized and structured to substantially circumscribe the end regions of the grip surface member and to securely capture the end regions between the flange portions and the bar.

Abstract: A dumbbell comprises a bar that extends generally axially between opposing end regions, a weight plate mass mounted about the bar at each end region, means for retaining the mounted weight plate mass at the respective end regions to define a handle region axially inward of the end regions that can be gripped by a user during exercise movement of the dumbbell, means for mechanically securing the weight plate mass to the dumbbell, said bar extending sufficiently axially outward of the mechanically secured weight plate mass to accommodate an incremental weight plate mounted about the bar axially outward of the mechanically secured weight plate mass, means for magnetically securing a magnetically responsive incremental weight plate to the dumbbell via magnetic attraction unless the mounted incremental weight plate has been rotated about the bar to a decoupling position, and means for establishing a decoupling position in which there is no magnetic attraction between the mounted incremental weight plate and the du

Abstract: A dumbbell having an antimicrobial handle comprises a bar having a pair of end regions, and extending generally longitudinally therebetween along a generally central axis, weight plate masses mounted at the end regions and mechanically secured thereto, and a pair of collars located at longitudinally opposed positions on bar to define a handle region therebetween. A handle is located within the handle region and includes a generally tubular grip surface member supported by the bar and formed from an antimicrobial copper alloy, the generally tubular grip surface member extending generally axially between longitudinally spaced-apart end regions. The pair of longitudinally-spaced generally annular collars have axially-inwardly extending flange portions sized and structured to substantially circumscribe the end regions of the generally cylindrical grip surface member and to securely capture the end regions between the flange portions and the bar.

Abstract: A adjustable barbell producing decreased destabilizing forces during the lifting movement, and a method for making same, includes a bar having a pair of longitudinally-separated inner collars weighing no less than approximately 30 lbs, a pair of sleeves mounted for rotation about the longitudinal axis of the bar and sized to accommodate the through-holes of removable weight plates mounted on said sleeves, each sleeve being positioned longitudinally outward of a respective one of said collars, the collars thereby decreasing the stress on the bar and the moment of inertia of the weight being lifted.

Abstract: A dumbbell and incremental weight plate for same comprise a bar that extends generally axially between opposing end regions, a weight plate mass mounted about the bar at each end region, and at least one incremental weight plate mountable on the dumbbell. The weight plate mass and the incremental weight plate have respective magnetic regions that cause the incremental weight plate to be selectively magnetically secured to the weight plate mass or to be magnetically repelled from the weight plate mass to assist the user in removing the incremental weight plate from the dumbbell.

Abstract: A dumbbell having an antimicrobial handle comprises a bar having a pair of end regions, and extending generally longitudinally therebetween along a generally central axis, weight plate masses mounted at the end regions and mechanically secured thereto, and a pair of collars located at longitudinally opposed positions on bar to define a handle region therebetween. A handle is located within the handle region and includes a generally tubular grip surface member supported by the bar and formed from an antimicrobial copper alloy, the generally tubular grip surface member extending generally axially between longitudinally spaced-apart end regions. The pair of longitudinally-spaced generally annular collars have axially-inwardly extending flange portions sized and structured to substantially circumscribe the end regions of the generally cylindrical grip surface member and to securely capture the end regions between the flange portions and the bar.

Abstract: A dumbbell having weight plates onto which magnetically coupled incremental weight plates can be securely mounted comprises a bar, weights at the end regions of the bar, means for retaining the weight plates at the respective ends to define a handle region therebetween, and a sleeve of generally annular cross-section securely mounted about the bar at least one end region axially outward from the weight plate, said sleeve member having (a) a hub portion for accommodating the through-opening of a weight plate, and (b) a flange portion of greater exterior dimension than the hub portion and having at least one magnetically-responsive region for magnetically securing an incremental weight to the dumbbell when said incremental weight plate is mounted about said hub region. In accordance with the invention, an adaptor to convert conventional dumbbells to utilize magnetically-coupled incremental weight plates comprises elements (a) and (b) above.

Abstract: A dumbbell and incremental weight plate for same comprise a bar that extends generally axially between opposing end regions, a weight plate mass mounted about the bar at each end region, and at least one incremental weight plate mountable on the dumbbell. The weight plate mass and the incremental weight plate have respective magnetic regions that cause the incremental weight plate to be selectively magnetically secured to the weight plate mass or to be magnetically repelled from the weight plate mass to assist the user in removing the incremental weight plate from the dumbbell.

Abstract: A dumbbell comprises a bar that extends generally axially between opposing end regions, a weight plate mass mounted about the bar at each end region, means for retaining the mounted weight plate mass at the respective end regions to define a handle region axially inward of the end regions that can be gripped by a user during exercise movement of the dumbbell, means for mechanically securing the weight plate mass to the dumbbell, said bar extending sufficiently axially outward of the mechanically secured weight plate mass to accommodate an incremental weight plate mounted about the bar axially outward of the mechanically secured weight plate mass, means for magnetically securing a magnetically responsive incremental weight plate to the dumbbell via magnetic attraction unless the mounted incremental weight plate has been rotated about the bar to a decoupling position, and means for establishing a decoupling position in which there is no magnetic attraction between the mounted incremental weight plate and the du