Variable resistance exercise devices

Abstract

An exercise bar is provided. The exercise bar includes a first cylindrical end cap connected to a first end portion of the metal center shaft. The exercise bar includes a second cylindrical end cap connected to a second end portion of the metal center shaft. Moreover, the exercise bar includes a first band arm including a first hook region that removably receives a first portion of an elastic band, in which the first band arm is fitted onto the first end portion of the metal center shaft through attachment to the first cylindrical end cap. Moreover, the exercise bar includes a second band arm includes a second hook region that removably receives a second portion of the elastic band, in which the second band arm is fitted onto the second end portion of the metal center shaft through attachment to the second cylindrical end cap.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An exercise bar comprising
 a metal center shaft;   a first cylindrical end cap connected to a first end portion of the metal center shaft;   a second cylindrical end cap connected to a second end portion of the metal center shaft;   a first band arm comprising a first hook region that removably receives a first portion of an elastic band, wherein the first band arm is fitted onto the first end portion of the metal center shaft through attachment to the first cylindrical end cap; and   a second band arm comprising a second hook region that removably receives a second portion of the elastic band, wherein the second band arm is fitted onto the second end portion of the metal center shaft through attachment to the second cylindrical end cap.   
     
     
         2 . The exercise bar of  claim 1 , wherein
 the first cylindrical end cap comprises a first bore hole,   the second cylindrical end cap comprises a second bore hole, and   the metal center shaft comprises a first end portion fitted through the first bore hole of the first cylindrical end cap and a second end portion fitted through the second bore hole of the second cylindrical end cap.   
     
     
         3 . The exercise bar of  claim 2 , wherein the first bore hole is disposed along a central axis of the first cylindrical end cap. 
     
     
         4 . The exercise bar of  claim 1 , wherein the exercise bar further comprises a first handle bearing comprising an inner circumferential surface and an outer circumferential surface, and wherein the first end portion of the metal center shaft is fitted through the first handle bearing with the metal center shaft contacting the inner circumferential surface of the first handle bearing. 
     
     
         5 . The exercise bar of  claim 4 , wherein the first handle bearing comprises a ball, a needle, a roller, a bushing, a bearing, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The exercise bar of  claim 1 , wherein the exercise bar is configured to support a load of at least 250 pounds. 
     
     
         7 . The exercise bar of  claim 1 , wherein the first cylindrical end cap comprises a second bore hole configured to accommodate the first band arm. 
     
     
         8 . The exercise bar of  claim 1 , wherein the first band arm is fixedly attached to the first cylindrical end cap. 
     
     
         9 . The exercise bar of  claim 1 , wherein the exercise bar further comprises a cover removably coupled to the first cylindrical end cap. 
     
     
         10 . The exercise bar of  claim 9 , wherein an exterior surface of the first cylindrical end cap is configured to accommodate the cover. 
     
     
         11 . The exercise bar of  claim 1 , wherein the metal center shaft comprises a circumferential exterior surface extending along a longitudinal axis of the exercise bar. 
     
     
         12 . The exercise bar of  claim 1 , wherein the metal center shaft comprises a taper extending from the first end portion of the metal center shaft to a middle portion of the metal center shaft. 
     
     
         13 . The exercise bar of  claim 1 , wherein the first cylindrical end cap and the second cylindrical end cap are attached to the metal center shaft. 
     
     
         14 . The exercise bar of  claim 1 , wherein the metal center shaft comprises a longitudinal axis extending from the first cylindrical end cap to the second cylindrical end cap. 
     
     
         15 . The exercise bar of  claim 1 , wherein the first band arm and the second band arm each comprise a metal or metal alloy. 
     
     
         16 . The exercise bar of  claim 1 , wherein the exercise bar further comprises a handle tube comprising a longitudinal interior bore configured to accommodate the metal center shaft. 
     
     
         17 . The exercise bar of  claim 1 , wherein the first hook region of the first band arm comprises a gap configured to receive a portion of the elastic band. 
     
     
         18 . The exercise bar of  claim 17 , wherein the gap is configured to provide an open form shape of the first hook region. 
     
     
         19 . The exercise bar of  claim 1 , wherein a length of a lower end portion of the first hook region is greater than or equal to a width of the elastic band. 
     
     
         20 . An exercise kit comprising:
 the exercise bar of  claim 1 ;   a base having a bottom face, wherein the bottom face includes a groove; and   one or more elastic bands, wherein each respective elastic band in the one or more elastic bands is configured to removably couple the base to the exercise bar by fitting the respective elastic band into the groove of the base and through the first band arm and the second band arm.