Personal exercise system and apparatus

Abstract

A personal exercise system comprises an exercise bar having opposing end portions, a grip portion intermediate to the end portions wherein the grip portion is w-shaped, and an elongate resistance band removably secured to at least one of the end portions. Each end portion of the exercise bar includes a loop for accepting a fastener at the end of the elongate resistance band. The loop is operable to pivot about the longitudinal axis of the exercise bar. The system further includes at least one support member each having a groove for receiving an end portion of the exercise bar.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A personal exercise system comprising:
 an exercise bar having opposing end portions;   a grip portion intermediate to the end portions wherein the grip portion is w-shaped; and   an elongate resistance band removably secured to at least one of the end portions.   
     
     
         2 . The personal exercise system of  claim 1 , wherein each end portion includes a loop for accepting a fastener at the end of the elongate resistance band. 
     
     
         3 . The personal exercise system of  claim 2 , wherein the loop is operable to pivot about the longitudinal axis of the exercise bar. 
     
     
         4 . The personal exercise system of  claim 2 , wherein the loop includes a swivel pin portion and wherein the end portions of the exercise bar further includes a receptacle for pivotally accepting the swivel pin portion. 
     
     
         5 . The personal exercise system of  claim 4 , wherein the receptacle further receives a cylindrical gasket within which the swivel pin portion freely rotates. 
     
     
         6 . The personal exercise system of  claim 5 , wherein the cylindrical gasket is rotatable within the receptacle. 
     
     
         7 . The personal exercise system of  claim 5 , wherein the cylindrical gasket further includes a groove circumscribing the cylindrical gasket, and the cylindrical gasket is rotatably held in place via a pin extending through the surface of the receptacle mating with the groove. 
     
     
         8 . The personal exercise system of  claim 5 , wherein the swivel pin portion includes one or more stop element. 
     
     
         9 . The personal exercise system of  claim 5 , wherein an o-ring is interposed between the cylindrical gasket and the swivel pin portion. 
     
     
         10 . The personal exercise system of  claim 1 , wherein the exercise bar is supported by at least one support member each having a groove for receiving an end portion of the exercise bar. 
     
     
         11 . The personal exercise system of  claim 10 , wherein the support member is polygonal in cross-sectional shape, with one of the sides forming a base for resting on a surface, and the groove is formed opposite the base. 
     
     
         12 . The personal exercise system of  claim 10 , wherein the end portions of the exercise bar each further includes a mounting pad for mating with the groove of a support member. 
     
     
         13 . The personal exercise system of  claim 1  further includes at least one supplemental exercise bar having end portions, wherein the at least one supplemental exercise bar is removably attached to the exercise bar at their respective end portions. 
     
     
         14 . The personal exercise system of  claim 13 , wherein the supplemental exercise bar is straight. 
     
     
         15 . The personal exercise system of  claim 1 , wherein the grip portion of the exercise bar further includes a grip sleeve. 
     
     
         16 . The personal exercise system of  claim 1 , wherein the exercise bar is constructed of a thin walled steel tube. 
     
     
         17 . The personal exercise system of  claim 1 , wherein the exercise bar is approximately 24, 30 or 36 inches in length. 
     
     
         18 . A personal exercise system comprising:
 an exercise bar having opposing end portions, each end portion including a loop for accepting a fastener at the end of a removably elongate resistance band;   a grip portion intermediate to the end portions wherein the grip portion is w-shaped;   at least one support member each having a groove for receiving an end portion of the exercise bar; and   wherein the loop at each end portion is operable to pivot about the longitudinal axis of the exercise bar.   
     
     
         19 . The personal exercise system of  claim 18 , wherein the at least one support member is polygonal in cross-sectional shape, with one of the sides forming a base for resting on a surface, and a groove is formed opposite the base for receiving an end portion of the exercise bar. 
     
     
         20 . The personal exercise system of  claim 18  further includes at least one supplemental exercise bar having end portions, wherein the at least one supplemental exercise bar is removably attached to the exercise bar at their respective end portions.