Barbell

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.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A barbell comprising:
 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.   
     
     
         2 . The barbell of  claim 1  wherein the brackets each include a through hole permitting passage of the plate-accepting bar  11  therethrough so that weight plates can be mounted about the portions of the plate-accepting bar lying longitudinally outward of the brackets. 
     
     
         3 . The barbell of  claim 2  wherein the bar is welded to the brackets. 
     
     
         4 . The barbell of  claim 1  wherein the brackets each have
 a lower relatively wide portion against which weight plates can be mounted, and 
 an upper stem portion to which a respective end of the handle is coupled. 
 
     
     
         5 . The barbell of  claim 4  wherein the handle comprises a bar that extends longitudinally between the brackets, and
 a grippable surface supported for rotation about said bar.