Abstract: Collars are provided for yieldingly restraining weights from leaving the ends of a barbell. Each collar surrounds the barbell shaft and contains a set of grooves which receive snugly O-rings made of resilient material. In the unstressed condition of each O-ring, the interior diameter is less than that of the barbell shaft. Preferably, the grooves have a generally square or trapezoidal cross-section, with a slightly widened mouth. A part of the collar can be gripped with the fingers to remove friction-platelock collars from the barbell.

Abstract: Barbells are provided having a pair of circular housings within which handles are mounted for rotational movement, and screw threads are provided that are operatively associated with the handles for varying, as desired, the degree of resistance to rotatory movement of the handles from the near-zero to locking. The housings are in members which contain connection members such that they may be joined directly to each other or may be spaced apart at desired distances, to suit the physique of the user and/or the nature of the exercise to be performed. Such barbells not only affords exercise which advantageously stresses the biceps muscles in their supinating function but also makes it possible, with one unitary set of equipment, to perform exercises which would otherwise require the employment of a few different types of special-purpose barbell equipment.