A barbell spotting apparatus for exercise with unconstrained movement of a barbell, the barbell spotting apparatus comprising: a frame; a first cable, suspended from the frame, connected to a first end of the barbell; a second cable, suspended from the frame, connected to a second end of the barbell; a first brake (30a, 30b; 330a) associated with the first cable, the first brake (30a, 30b; 330a) being actuatable from a rest state to a braking state, wherein, in the rest state, the first cable is extendible to allow downward movement of the barbell, and, wherein, in the braking state, the first cable is not extendible to restrict downward movement of the barbell; a second brake (32a, 32b; 330b) associated with the second cable, the second brake (32a, 32b; 330b) being actuatable from a rest state to a braking state, wherein, in the rest state, the second cable is extendible to allow downward movement of the barbell, and, wherein, in the braking state, the second cable is not extendible to restrict downward movement of the barbell; and, at least one detector (83a, 83b; 104; 130a, 130b, 130c; 140a, 140b, 140c; 150a, 150b; 160a, 160b; 600) configured to detect a qualifying condition during use requiring movement of the barbell to be restricted, wherein, upon detection of a qualifying condition, the at least one detector (83a, 83b; 104; 130a, 130b, 130c; 140a, 140b, 140c; 150a, 150b; 160a, 160b; 600) transmits an actuation signal to at least one of the first brake (30a, 30b, 330a) and the second brake (32a, 32b, 330b), wherein, with the first and second brakes (30a, 30b, 32a, 32b, 330a, 330b) being each in the rest state, the first and second cables (70a, 70b) allow the barbell to move in multiple degrees of freedom relative to the frame without contacting the frame, wherein, the first and second brakes (30a, 30b; 32a, 32b; 330a, 330b) are independently actuatable, and wherein the at least one detector (83a, 83b; 104; 130a, 130b, 130c; 140, 140a, 140b, 140c; 150a, 150b; 160a, 160b; 600) includes at least one microphone (140, 140a, 140b, 140c) and at least one signal processor for receiving and processing a voice command from a user, to generate the actuation signal, characterized by: a first cable guide movable in multiple axes relative to the frame so as to move responsively with movement of the barbell, the first cable being suspended from the first cable guide; and, a second cable guide movable in multiple axes relative to the frame so as to move responsively with movement of the barbell, the second cable being suspended from the second cable guide. a frame; a first cable, suspended from the frame, connected to a first end of the barbell; a second cable, suspended from the frame, connected to a second end of the barbell; a first brake (30a, 30b; 330a) associated with the first cable, the first brake (30a, 30b; 330a) being actuatable from a rest state to a braking state, wherein, in the rest state, the first cable is extendible to allow downward movement of the barbell, and, wherein, in the braking state, the first cable is not extendible to restrict downward movement of the barbell; a second brake (32a, 32b; 330b) associated with the second cable, the second brake (32a, 32b; 330b) being actuatable from a rest state to a braking state, wherein, in the rest state, the second cable is extendible to allow downward movement of the barbell, and, wherein, in the braking state, the second cable is not extendible to restrict downward movement of the barbell; and, at least one detector (83a, 83b; 104; 130a, 130b, 130c; 140a, 140b, 140c; 150a, 150b; 160a, 160b; 600) configured to detect a qualifying condition during use requiring movement of the barbell to be restricted, wherein, upon detection of a qualifying condition, the at least one detector (83a, 83b; 104; 130a, 130b, 130c; 140a, 140b, 140c; 150a, 150b; 160a, 160b; 600) transmits an actuation signal to at least one of the first brake (30a, 30b, 330a) and the second brake (32a, 32b, 330b), wherein, with the first and second brakes (30a, 30b, 32a, 32b, 330a, 330b) being each in the rest state, the first and second cables (70a, 70b) allow the barbell to move in multiple degrees of freedom relative to the frame without contacting the frame, wherein, the first and second brakes (30a, 30b; 32a, 32b; 330a, 330b) are independently actuatable, and wherein the at least one detector (83a, 83b; 104; 130a, 130b, 130c; 140, 140a, 140b, 140c; 150a, 150b; 160a, 160b; 600) includes at least one microphone (140, 140a, 140b, 140c) and at least one signal processor for receiving and processing a voice command from a user, to generate the actuation signal, a first cable guide movable in multiple axes relative to the frame so as to move responsively with movement of the barbell, the first cable being suspended from the first cable guide; and, a second cable guide movable in multiple axes relative to the frame so as to move responsively with movement of the barbell, the second cable being suspended from the second cable guide.