Weight lifting apparatus

Abstract

The invention relates to a weight lifting apparatus which provides for the center of gravity of a weight to be maintained below the point where the apparatus is gripped by a user, as the user raises and lowers the apparatus. The center of gravity of the weight is thus maintained centered about the user's body, which improves the user's control of the weight and improves efficiency of the exercise. In one embodiment the weight lifting apparatus comprises a frame having a handle disposed thereon; and a member extending from the frame for attaching one or more weights thereto, the member being substantially co-planar with the frame; wherein the handle swivels about its longitudinal axis.

1 . A weight lifting apparatus comprising: 
 a frame having a handle disposed thereon; and    a member extending from said frame for attaching one or more weights thereto, the member being substantially co-planar with said frame;    wherein said handle swivels about its longitudinal axis.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said frame comprises four sides and said swivelling handle comprises one of said sides.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein said member extends from said frame substantially parallel to said handle.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein said member extends from said frame substantially perpendicular to said handle.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , further comprising means to attach said apparatus to a user's foot and/or leg.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein said means to attach said apparatus to a user's foot and/or leg comprises a strap.  
     
     
         7 . A weight lifting apparatus comprising: 
 a first frame having a handle disposed thereon;    a second frame having a handle disposed thereon; and    a member extending between said first and second frames for attaching one or more weights thereto, the member maintaining said first and second frames aligned such that their respective handles are substantially parallel to each other and distal to said member;    wherein said handles swivel coaxially about their longitudinal axes; and    wherein the member is substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal axes of said handles.    
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein said first and second frames each comprise four sides and said swiveling handles each comprise one of said sides.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein said member extends from a side of each said first and second frames which is substantially parallel to said handle.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein said member further comprises an arm for accepting weights, said arm extending substantially perpendicularly from said member.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein said arm extends from a midpoint of the length of said member.  
     
     
         12 . A weight-lifting kit, comprising the apparatus of  claim 1  and instructions for using said kit to carry out weight-lifting exercises.  
     
     
         13 . The kit of  claim 12 , further comprising means to attach said apparatus to a user's foot and/or leg.  
     
     
         14 . A weight-lifting kit, comprising the apparatus of  claim 7  and instructions for using said kit to carry out weight-lifting exercises.  
     
     
         15 . The kit of  claim 12  further comprising one or more weights.  
     
     
         16 . A weight plate having a rebate on an edge thereof.  
     
     
         17 . The weight plate of  claim 16 , wherein said rebate is disposed on a lobe of said weight plate.  
     
     
         18 . A weight plate system, comprising at least two weight plates of  claim 16 .  
     
     
         19 . A weight plate system, comprising at least two weight plates of  claim 17 .  
     
     
         20 . The weight plate system of  claim 19 , further comprising indexing disposed on each weight plate, said indexing preventing overlap of lobes of adjacent weight plates when said weight plates are stacked.