Self-Spotting Device for Bench Press Exercises

Abstract

A self-spotting bench press device to enhance safety during bench press exercises by assisting lifters during the lift-off and rep-rack phases. In one embodiment, the device includes adjustable spring-loaded upright arms, each arm has a spring, wherein the springs are coupled to a foot member. The arms are aligned with the exercise bar and can be raised to support the user during exercise. When the foot member is pressed by a lifter, the springs are released to support lift-off and push movement of the barbell and dumbbell. In another embodiment, springs are not present in the arms for providing support to the initial lift-off of the barbell. In yet another embodiment, a dumbbell housing is provided for racking and un-racking dumbbells.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A self-spotting bench press device comprising:
 a pair of spring-loaded arms positioned on opposing sides of an exercise bench and a foot member for providing support to an exercise barbell;   wherein said foot member connected to said spring-loaded arms;   wherein said foot member actuated by at least one user's foot and leg for releasing tension in a spring within each of said pair of spring-loaded arms;   wherein releasing tension of each of said spring vertically raises said spring-loaded arms; and   further wherein said spring-loaded arms actuate vertically up to support the exercise barbell when a user fails a bench press exercise repetition.   
     
     
         2 . The self-spotting bench press device of  claim 1 , wherein said spring-loaded arms are aligned with the exercise barbell used by an exercise user. 
     
     
         3 . The self-spotting bench press device of  claim 2 , wherein each of said spring-loaded arms having telescoping pins for adjusting a length of said spring-loaded arms. 
     
     
         4 . The self-spotting bench press device of  claim 3 , wherein said foot member is pivotable to actuate said spring-loaded arms. 
     
     
         5 . The self-spotting bench press device of  claim 4 , wherein said foot member and each of said pair of spring-loaded arms connected with at least a pair of connecting bars between said foot member and each of said pair of spring-loaded arms. 
     
     
         6 . The self-spotting bench press device of  claim 5 , wherein one connecting bar of said pair of connecting bars forming a C-shape connecting bar. 
     
     
         7 . The self-spotting bench press device of  claim 6 , wherein said C-shaped connecting bar having a stopper member for limiting movement of said C-shaped connecting bar. 
     
     
         8 . The self-spotting bench press device of  claim 7 , wherein said spring-loaded arms guide the exercise barbell to a rack of the exercise bench. 
     
     
         9 . The self-spotting bench press device of  claim 8 , wherein said spring-loaded arms are hydraulic cylinders. 
     
     
         10 . A self-spotting bench press device comprising:
 a pivoting connecting member connecting at least a pair of connecting arms, a pair of extendable arms, and a foot member for providing support to an exercise barbell;   wherein one of said at least a pair of connecting arms extends between said pivoting connecting member and one of said extendable arms;   wherein another of said at least a pair of connecting arms extends between said pivoting connecting member and said foot member; and   further wherein said foot member actuated by at least one user's foot and leg for pivoting said pivoting connecting member and raising said one of said at least a pair of connecting arms and at least one of said extendable arms for supporting an initial lift-off of the exercise barbell.   
     
     
         11 . The self-spotting bench press device of  claim 10 , wherein said pair of extendable arms are aligned with the exercise barbell used by an exercise user. 
     
     
         12 . The self-spotting bench press device of  claim 10 , wherein said foot member actuated by at least one user's foot and leg for pivoting said pivoting connecting member and raising two of said at least a pair of connecting arms and two of said extendable arms for supporting the initial lift-off of the exercise barbell. 
     
     
         13 . The self-spotting bench press device of  claim 12 , wherein said extendable arms guide the exercise barbell to a rack of the exercise bench. 
     
     
         14 . A method of self-spotting a bench press device, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing a self-spotting bench press device having a pair of spring-loaded arms positioned on opposing sides of an exercise bench and a foot member for providing support to an exercise barbell, wherein said foot member connected to said spring-loaded arms; and   actuating said foot member by at least one user's foot and leg for releasing tension in a spring within each of said pair of spring-loaded arms, wherein releasing tension of each of said spring vertically raises said spring-loaded arms, and further wherein said spring-loaded arms actuate vertically up to support the exercise barbell when a user fails a bench press exercise repetition.   
     
     
         15 . The method of self-spotting the bench press device of  claim 14 , wherein said spring-loaded arms are aligned with the exercise barbell used by an exercise user. 
     
     
         16 . The method of self-spotting the bench press device of  claim 14 , wherein each of said spring-loaded arms having telescoping pins for adjusting a length of said spring-loaded arms. 
     
     
         17 . The method of self-spotting the bench press device of  claim 14 , wherein said foot member is pivotable to actuate said spring-loaded arms. 
     
     
         18 . The method of self-spotting the bench press device of  claim 14 , wherein said foot member and each of said pair of spring-loaded arms connected with at least a pair of connecting bars between said foot member and each of said pair of spring-loaded arms. 
     
     
         19 . The method of self-spotting the bench press device of  claim 18 , wherein one connecting bar of said pair of connecting bars forming a C-shape connecting bar. 
     
     
         20 . The method of self-spotting the bench press device of  claim 19 , wherein said C-shaped connecting bar having a stopper member for limiting movement of said C-shaped connecting bar.