Weightlifting apparatus and method of using same

Abstract

A weightlifting apparatus can include a weightlifting bar having a pair of moveable hand gripping members, and means for providing resistance against inward movement of the hand grips. The bar can be substantially cylindrical, and hand gripping members can be telescopically positioned on the bar. The hand gripping members can move axially along the bar and rotate about the bar. A first resistance member can be positioned on the bar intermediate the center of the bar and the first hand gripping member, and a second resistance member can be positioned on the bar intermediate the center and the second hand gripping member. The resistance members can be spring loaded tension coils that provide resistance against the first and second hand gripping members when moved inwardly toward the center of the bar.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A weightlifting apparatus comprising:
 (a) a bar having first and second ends and defining a center midway between the first and second ends;   (b) first and second hand gripping members positioned on the bar and adapted for sliding movement on the bar, wherein the center of the bar is intermediate the first and second hand gripping members; and   (c) a first resistance member positioned on the bar intermediate the center and the first hand gripping member, the first resistance member adapted for providing resistance against the first hand gripping member when the first hand gripping member is moved toward the center of the bar, and a second resistance member positioned on the bar intermediate the center and the second hand gripping member, the second resistance member adapted for providing resistance against the second hand gripping member when the second hand gripping member is moved toward the center of the bar.   
     
     
         2 . A weightlifting apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second hand gripping members are adapted for rotational movement on the bar. 
     
     
         3 . A weightlifting apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the bar is substantially cylindrical, and each of the first and second hand gripping members comprises a substantially cylindrical sleeve telescopically positioned on the bar. 
     
     
         4 . A weightlifting apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein each of the first and second hand gripping members further comprise first and second guard sections formed at opposite ends of the sleeve and having a diameter greater than a diameter of the sleeve. 
     
     
         5 . A weightlifting apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the bar and the first and second hand gripping members are comprised of metal. 
     
     
         6 . A weightlifting apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second resistance members comprise a spring loaded tension coil. 
     
     
         7 . A weightlifting apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the bar is adapted to support and maintain a first weight proximate the first end, and a second weight proximate the second end. 
     
     
         8 . A weightlifting apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein the first weight comprises a first plurality of weighted plates, and the second weight comprises a second plurality of weightlifting plates. 
     
     
         9 . A weightlifting apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein a first stop member sleeve is positioned on the bar proximate the first end for maintaining the first plurality of weightlifting plates on the bar, and a second stop member is positioned on the bar proximate the second end for maintaining the second plurality of weightlifting plates on the bar. 
     
     
         10 . A weightlifting apparatus comprising:
 (a) a substantially cylindrical bar having first and second ends and defining a center midway between the first and second ends;   (b) first and second substantially cylindrical hand gripping members telescopically positioned on the bar, wherein the first and second hand gripping members can move axially along the bar and rotate about the bar, and the center of the bar is intermediate the first and second hand gripping members; and   (c) a first resistance member positioned on the bar intermediate the center and the first hand gripping member, the first resistance member adapted for providing resistance against the first hand gripping member when the first hand gripping member is moved toward the center of the bar, and a second resistance member positioned on the bar intermediate the center and the second hand gripping member, the second resistance member adapted for providing resistance against the second hand gripping member when the second hand gripping member is moved toward the center of the bar.   
     
     
         11 . A weightlifting apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein each of the first and second hand gripping members comprise an elongate center section for gripping by a user, and inner and outer guard sections formed at opposite ends of the elongate center section and having a diameter greater than a diameter of the elongate center section. 
     
     
         12 . A weightlifting apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the first resistance member comprises a first spring loaded tension coil, the inner guard section of the first hand gripping member being adjacent to the first spring loaded tension coil, and further wherein second resistance member comprises a second spring loaded tension coil, the inner guard section of the second hand gripping member being adjacent to the second spring loaded tension coil. 
     
     
         13 . A weightlifting apparatus according to  claim 11 , further comprising a first stop member releasably attached to the bar proximate the first end of the bar, and a second stop member releasably attached to the bar proximate the second end of the bar, wherein axial movement of the first hand gripping member is stopped by the outer guard section of the first hand gripping member contacting the first stop member, and axial movement of the second hand gripping member is stopped by the outer guard section of the second hand gripping member contacting the second stop member. 
     
     
         14 . A weightlifting apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein each of the first and second stop members comprise a collar that is releasably attached to the bar by a locking screw. 
     
     
         15 . A weightlifting apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein each of the first and second resistance members comprise a spring loaded tension coil. 
     
     
         16 . A weightlifting apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein the bar is adapted to support and maintain a first plurality of weightlifting plates proximate the first end, and a second plurality of weightlifting plates proximate the second end. 
     
     
         17 . A weightlifting apparatus according to  claim 16 , wherein a first stop member is positioned on the bar proximate the first end for maintaining the first plurality of weightlifting plates on the bar, and a second stop member is positioned on the bar proximate the second end for maintaining the second plurality of weightlifting plates on the bar. 
     
     
         18 . A method of exercise comprising:
 (a) providing a weightlifting apparatus comprising:
 (i) a bar having first and second ends and defining a center midway between the first and second ends, 
 (ii) first and second hand gripping members positioned on the bar and adapted for axial and rotational movement on the bar, wherein the center of the bar is intermediate the first and second hand gripping members; and 
 (iii) a first resistance member positioned on the bar intermediate the center and the first hand gripping member, the first resistance member adapted for providing resistance against the first hand gripping member when the first hand gripping member is moved toward the center of the bar, and a second resistance member positioned on the bar intermediate the center and the second hand gripping member, the second resistance member adapted for providing resistance against the second hand gripping member when the second hand gripping member is moved toward the center of the bar; 
   (b) lifting the bar; and   (c) moving the first and second hand gripping members inwardly toward the center of the bar.   
     
     
         19 . The method of exercise according to  claim 18 , further comprising moving the first and second hand gripping members outwardly away from the center of the bar. 
     
     
         20 . The method of exercise according to  claim 18 , wherein further comprising rotating the first and second hand gripping members about the bar.