Incremental weight training system, apparatus, and methods

Abstract

The invention provides an incremental weight system adapted for use in weight training comprising a plurality of incremental weights ranging in weight from about one quarter-ounce to about thirty two-ounces. Each incremental weight includes a thin disk having a center opening adapted to receive a standard olympic barbell and a slot adapted to receive a weight-bearing cable of a cable-type weight training apparatus.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An incremental weight system adapted for use in weight training, comprising: 
 a plurality of incremental weights ranging in weight from about one quarter-ounce to about thirty two-ounces, wherein each incremental weight comprises a thin disk having a center opening adapted to receive a standard olympic barbell and a slot adapted to receive a weight-bearing cable of a cable-type weight training apparatus.    
     
     
         2 . The incremental weight system of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of incremental weights comprises at least one half-ounce weight, at least one one-ounce weight, at least one two-ounce weight, at least one four-ounce weight, at least one eight-ounce weight, at least one sixteen-ounce weight, and at least one thirty two-ounce weight.  
     
     
         3 . The incremental weight system of  claim 2  further comprising at least one quarter-ounce weight.  
     
     
         4 . An incremental weight training apparatus, comprising: 
 a standard olympic barbell;    a set of standard olympic weights; and,    a plurality of incremental weights ranging in weight from about one quarter-ounce to about thirty two-ounces, wherein each incremental weight comprises a thin disk having a center opening adapted to receive the standard olympic barbell and a slot extending from the center opening to the perimeter of the disk.    
     
     
         5 . The incremental weight training apparatus of  claim 4  wherein the plurality of incremental weights comprises at least one half-ounce weight, at least one one-ounce weight, at least one two-ounce weight, at least one four-ounce weight, at least one eight-ounce weight, at least one sixteen-ounce weight, and at least one thirty two-ounce weight.  
     
     
         6 . The incremental weight training apparatus of  claim 5  wherein the plurality of incremental weights further comprises at least one quarter-ounce weight.  
     
     
         7 . The incremental weight training apparatus of  claim 4  wherein the slot is adapted to receive a weight-bearing cable of a cable-type weight training apparatus.  
     
     
         8 . An incremental weight training apparatus, comprising: 
 a cable-type weight training apparatus; and,    a plurality of incremental weights ranging in weight from about one quarter-ounce to about thirty two-ounces, wherein each incremental weight comprises a thin disk having a center opening and a slot extending from the center opening, the slot being adapted to receive a weight-bearing cable of the cable-type weight training apparatus.    
     
     
         9 . The incremental weight training apparatus of  claim 8  wherein the plurality of incremental weights comprises at least one half-ounce weight, at least one one-ounce weight, at least one two-ounce weight, at least one four-ounce weight, at least one eight-ounce weight, at least one sixteen-ounce weight, and at least one thirty two-ounce weight.  
     
     
         10 . The incremental weight training apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the plurality of incremental weights further comprises at least one quarter-ounce weight.  
     
     
         11 . The incremental weight training apparatus of  claim 8  wherein the center opening is adapted to receive a standard olympic barbell.  
     
     
         12 . An incremental weight adapted for use with both a standard olympic barbell and a cable-type weight training apparatus, the incremental weight having a weight of about one quarter-ounce.  
     
     
         13 . An incremental weight adapted for use with both a standard olympic barbell and a cable-type weight training apparatus, the incremental weight having a weight of about one half-ounce.  
     
     
         14 . An incremental weight adapted for use with both a standard olympic barbell and a cable-type weight training apparatus, the incremental weight having a weight of about one-ounce.  
     
     
         15 . A method of incrementally increasing a person's strength by incremental weight training, the method comprising the steps of: 
 selecting a starting resistance;    adding incremental weights ranging from about one quarter-ounce to about thirty two-ounces to the starting resistance in increments of less than about five ounces; and,    executing a weight training exercise, wherein the person selects and incrementally adds the incremental weights to increase the starting resistance to a higher resistance for a subsequent workout to consistently achieve small incremental gains in strength without causing injury and/or failure.    
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the incremental weights comprise at least one half-ounce weight, at least one one-ounce weight, at least one two-ounce weight, at least one four-ounce weight, at least one eight-ounce weight, at least one sixteen-ounce weight, and at least one thirty two-ounce weight.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the incremental weights further comprise at least one quarter-once weight.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the incremental weights comprise a thin disk having a center opening adapted to receive a standard olympic barbell and a slot adapted to receive a weight-bearing cable of a cable-type weight training apparatus.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the starting resistance comprises a standard olympic barbell and standard matched olympic weights.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the starting resistance comprises a weight resistance selected from a cable-type weight training apparatus.