Patent ID: 8137248

Claim:
An exercise apparatus, comprising: a first plurality of weights arranged in a first array; a second plurality of weights arranged in a second array, wherein each said array occupies a discrete vertical column of space; a lifting member occupying a start position relative to each said array; a first weight support mounted on the lifting member and selectively connected to at least one of the weights in the first array, wherein the first weight support includes a vertically extending weight supporting rod; a second weight support mounted on the lifting member and selectively connected to at least one of the weights in the second array, wherein the second weight support includes a horizontally extending weight supporting rod; and a knob rotatably mounted on the lifting member, wherein rotation of the knob is linked to movement of the horizontally extending weight supporting rod into and out of engagement with the weights in the second array, and movement of the knob in a first direction moves the horizontally extending weight supporting rod into underlying engagement of one of the weights in the second array.