Abstract: A weight lifting apparatus having a weight lifting bar, and in some cases, a weight lifting stand configured to support the weight lifting bar, is described. The weight lifting bar is a linearly contiguous bar having a neck wrap portion, two elongated members extending down approximately an arm's length from the neck wrap portion to at least the waist of a lifter and weight posts. Linearly contiguous means that the primary bar components, including the neck warp portion, elongated members and weight posts, are all part of a single connected bar having a length and a first end and second end. The weight lifting apparatus may comprise a stand configured to support the weight lifting bar. A stand may comprise a main portion, a step-up platform and a weight lifting bar support comprising two support members extending from the main portion or the step-up platform, and a bar rest.