Abstract

A multi-exercise free weight exercise apparatus for preventing injury to a weight lifter from a weight bearing bar and weights thereon in the event the weight lifter is unable to complete another repetition of the exercise due to any circumstance. The weightlifting apparatus consists of a framework having a pair of bases, pair of upright support members, pair of guide sleeve assemblies, and pairs of parallel vertical guide track support members with a plurality of apertures. The guide sleeve assemblies each have oversized holes through the centers of their sides for inserting a weight bearing bar and also pairs of oversized holes located near each end of their top and bottom for insertion of the pairs of vertical guide track support members. To perform a particular exercise a pair of safety stop keys are inserted into the apertures of the vertical guide track support members, at a predetermined height below the guide sleeve assemblies, in order to prevent downward movement of the guide sleeve assemblies and weight bar beyond this height thereby preventing injury to the weight lifter. During any upward or downward movement the weight bar can be rotated in order to reduce stress on the weight lifter' s wrist, elbow and shoulder joints resulting from the defined vertical track created by the vertical guide track support members. This apparatus also allows the use of weight bearing bars of different diameters and the use of a detachable sleeve over the weight bar for increasing grip size.