Encapsulated weight system

Abstract

An encapsulated weight system for resistance training comprising a first dumbbell having a center portion with a borehole disposed axially therein forming an interior load area. The first dumbbell further comprises at least a first end cap arranged and configured to releasably engage opposing ends of the center portion, thereby covering the interior load area. At least one weight capsule is arranged and configured to substantially correspond to at least a portion of the interior load area. The weight capsule can be alternately added and removed from the interior load area of the first dumbbell to alternately increase and decrease weight of said first dumbbell. The first dumbbell and the second dumbbell can be joined by a barbell adapter disposed therebetween.

Therefore, having thus described the invention, at least the following is claimed:  
     
         1 . An encapsulated weight system for resistance training, comprising: 
 a first dumbbell comprising a center potion having a borehole disposed axially therein forming an interior load area being defined by a length and a diameter;    a first end cap being arranged and configured to engage an end of said first dumbbell;    a second end cap being arranged and configured to engage an end of said first dumbbell;    at least one weight capsule being arranged and configured to substantially correspond to said diameter of said interior load area of said first dumbbell;    at least one spacer capsule being arranged and configured to substantially correspond to said diameter of said interior load area of said first dumbbell, said spacer capsule weighing less than said weight capsule;    wherein at least one of said weight capsule and said spacer capsule can be disposed in said interior load area of said first dumbbell such that said capsule fills the interior load area of said dumbbell.    
     
     
         2 . The encapsulated weight system of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said first end cap of said first dumbbell comprises a stop for preventing at least one of said weight capsule and said spacer capsule from passing through said interior load area of said first dumbbell.    
     
     
         3 . The encapsulated weight system of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a second dumbbell comprising a center portion having a borehole disposed axially therein forming an interior load area being defined by a length and a diameter;    a first end cap being arranged and configured to engage an end of said second dumbbell;    a second end cap being arranged and configured to engage an end of said second dumbbell;    wherein at least one of said weight capsule and said spacer capsule can be disposed in said interior load area of said second dumbbell such that said capsule fills the interior load area of said second dumbbell.    
     
     
         4 . The encapsulated weight system of  claim 3 , wherein: 
 said first end cap of said second dumbbell comprises a stop for preventing at least one of said weight capsule and said spacer capsule from passing through said interior load area of said second dumbbell.    
     
     
         5 . The encapsulated weight system of  claim 3 , further comprising: 
 a barbell adapter being arranged and configured to releasably receive said first dumbbell and said second dumbbell at opposing ends of said barbell adapter;    wherein one of said first end cap and said second end cap of said first dumbbell is disposed on said first dumbbell and one of said first end cap and said second end cap of said second dumbbell is disposed on said second dumbbell.    
     
     
         6 . An encapsulated weight system for resistance training, comprising: 
 a first dumbbell comprising a center portion having opposing ends and a borehole disposed axially therein forming an interior load area defined by a length and a diameter, said first dumbbell having a first end cap being adapted to releasably engage one of said opposing ends of said center portion;    a second dumbbell comprising a center portion having opposing ends and a borehole disposed axially therein forming an interior load area defined by a length and a diameter, said second dumbbell having a first end cap being adapted to releasably engage one of said opposing ends of said center portion;    at least one weight capsule being arranged and configured to substantially correspond to said diameter of said interior load area of at least one of said first dumbbell and said second dumbbell;    at least one spacer capsule being arranged and configured to substantially correspond to said diameter of said interior load area of at least one of said first dumbbell and said second dumbbell;    a stop means for preventing at least one of said weight capsule and said spacer capsule from passing through said interior area into which at least one of said weight capsule and said spacer capsule is introduced.    
     
     
         7 . The encapsulated weight system of  claim 6 , wherein said stop means comprises a second end cap.  
     
     
         8 . The encapsulated weight system of  claim 7 , wherein said first dumbbell includes a second end cap arranged and configured to engage said first dumbbell opposing said first end cap and said second dumbbell includes a second end cap arranged and configured to engage said second dumbbell opposing said first end cap.  
     
     
         9 . The encapsulated weight system of  claim 7 , wherein said stop means is fixed to at least one of said first dumbbell and said second dumbbell.  
     
     
         10 . The encapsulated weight system of  claim 9 , further comprising a barbell adapter arranged and configured to engage said first dumbbell and said second dumbbell at opposing ends of said barbell adapter such that said barbell adapter engages each of said first dumbbell and said second dumbbell opposing said second end cap of said first dumbbell and said second dumbbell.  
     
     
         11 . The encapsulated weight system of  claim 6 , wherein said stop means releasably engages at least one of said first dumbbell and said second dumbbell on an end opposing said first end cap.  
     
     
         12 . The encapsulated weight system of  claim 11 , further comprising: 
 a barbell adapter being arranged and configured to releasably receive said first dumbbell and said second dumbbell at opposing ends of said barbell adapter.    
     
     
         13 . An encapsulated weight system for resistance training, comprising: 
 a first dumbbell comprising a center portion having opposing ends and a borehole disposed axially therein forming an interior load area defined by a length and a diameter, said first dumbbell having a first end cap being adapted to releasably engage one of said opposing ends of said center portion;    a second dumbbell comprising a center portion having opposing ends and a borehole disposed axially therein forming an interior load area defined by a length and a diameter, said second dumbbell having a first end cap being adapted to releasably engage one of said opposing ends of said center portion;    a barbell adapter being arranged and configured to releasably receive said fist dumbbell and said second dumbbell at opposing ends of said barbell adapter;    a plurality of weight capsules, each of said plurality of weight capsules being arranged and configured to be disposed within said interior load area of said first dumbbell and said second dumbbell; and    a plurality of spacer capsules, each of said spacer capsules being arranged and configured to be disposed within said interior load area of said first dumbbell and said second dumbbell;    wherein said first dumbbell is releasably fixed to an end of said barbell adapter such that said first end cap of said first dumbbell opposes said barbell adapter and said first end cap of said second dumbbell opposes said barbell adapter and a combination of said capsules is disposed in said first dumbbell between said barbell adapter and said first end cap of said first dumbbell and a combination of said capsules is disposed in said second dumbbell between said barbell adapter and said first end cap of said second dumbbell.    
     
     
         14 . The encapsulated weight system of  claim 13 , further comprising: 
 a stop means for containing at least one of said plurality of capsules in said interior load area into which said capsule is disposed.    
     
     
         15 . The encapsulated weight system of  claim 14  wherein said stop means comprises at least one of said first end cap of said first dumbbell and said first end cap of said second dumbbell.  
     
     
         16 . The encapsulated weight system of  claim 13 , further comprising: 
 at least one second end cap arranged and configured to engage one of said first dumbbell and said second dumbbell opposing said first end cap arranged and configured to engage the same of said first dumbbell and said second dumbbell.