BACKGROUND

Individuals involved in certain professions such as, for example, the military, law enforcement, and extreme sports, may travel to locations where traditional weight training equipment is unavailable. Yet, these professions demand that their members maintain peak fitness. Moreover, traditional weight systems are heavy and unwieldy, hence limiting the type of workout equipment or amount of weights that can be transported to such locations.

SUMMARY

This specification relates to a mobile weight training system. More specifically, a mobile weight training system can include a mobile barbell, several weight holders, and a system of filler bags. The filler bags can be filled with various readily available materials (e.g., sand, dirt, water, gravel, etc.) and inserted into the weight holders to create weights for use with the barbell. The system of filler bags can include several filler bags of different sizes, each size designed to hold an approximate weight of a material. For example, such a mobile weight training system can include enough weight holders and filler bags to produce 270 pounds of weight when filled, but with a travel weight (e.g., weight of the system with empty filler bags) not much greater that the weight of the barbell alone. Consequently, the weight training system may be adaptable to a user's needs while minimizing the storage weight and size of the system.

A first general aspect of the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in a barbell including a first end portion, a second end portion, and a middle portion, where the middle portion is couplable to the first end portion and the second end portion. The middle portion includes a male coupling extending from a first end of the middle portion, the male coupling providing a first coupling mechanism that engages with a corresponding female coupling of the first end portion, and a female coupling providing a second coupling mechanism that engages with a corresponding male coupling of the second end portion.

This and other implementations can each optionally include one or more of the following features. The first and second coupling mechanisms can be threading. The threading can extend from the first end of the middle portion along only a portion of a length of the male coupling. The threading can extend from an end of the second end portion along only a portion of a length of the corresponding male coupling. The first and second coupling mechanisms can include plunger buttons and corresponding holes. The first and second coupling mechanisms can include pins. The first and second coupling mechanisms can include locking sleeves. The female coupling of the first end portion and the male coupling of the second end portion can be corresponding couplings so as to couple the first end portion with the second end portion without the middle portion.

The first end portion can be configured to hold a weight at an end of the first end portion opposite the female coupling on the first end portion, and the second end portion can be configured to hold a weight at an end of the second end portion opposite the male coupling on the second end portion. The barbell can include a first cylindrical collar coaxially attached to the first end portion, the first collar having a channel formed around an outer circumference of the collar, and a second a second cylindrical collar coaxially attached to the second end portion, the second collar having a channel formed around an outer circumference of the collar.

A weight sensing device can be mounted on one of the first end portion or the second end portion. The weight sensing device can be a mechanical scale. The weight sensing device can be integrated into a collar attached to the first end portion or the second end portion. The weight sensing device can be a pressure sensor communicatively coupled to an electronic display.

A second general aspect, combinable with the first general aspect, can be embodied in an exercise weight including a flexible weight holder having a plurality of sealable chambers, the chambers arranged along a length of the weight holder and oriented transverse to the length of the weight holder, and each chamber having a closure device for securing one or more weights within each chamber. One or more straps attached to a first end of the weight holder, the first end being transverse to the length of the weight holder. And, one or more strap fastening devices attached at a second end of the weight holder, the second end being transverse to the length of the weight holder, where the weight holder is rolled into a cylinder shape when each of the straps are fastened to corresponding ones of the strap fastening devices.

This and other implementations can each optionally include one or more of the following features. The strap fastening devices can be hook and loop fasteners, where the straps include one of the hooks or the loops of the hook and loop fasteners and the other of the hooks of the loops of the hook and loop fasteners are attached to a surface of the weight holder at the second end.

The strap fastening devices can include one of double D-rings, buckles, clips, or snaps. At least one handle can be attached to a surface of the weight holder. The weight holder, when rolled into the cylinder shape, can define an passage running transverse to the length of the weight holder, such that the weight holder can be wrapped around an end of a barbell.

A third general aspect, combinable with any of the previous aspects, can be embodied in a weight training system including a barbell and two or more exercise weights. The barbell including a first end portion, a second end portion, and a middle portion couplable to the first end portion and the second end portion. The middle portion having a male coupling extending from a first end of the middle portion, the male coupling providing a first coupling mechanism that engages with a corresponding female coupling of the first end portion, and a female coupling providing a second coupling mechanism that engages with a corresponding male coupling of the second end portion. Each of the two or more exercise weights including a flexible weight holder having a plurality of chambers, the chambers arranged along a length of the weight holder and oriented transverse to the length of the weight holder, and each chamber having a closure device for securing one or more weights within each chamber, one or more straps attached to a first end of the weight holder, the first end being transverse to the length of the weight holder, and one or more strap fastening devices attached at a second end of the weight holder, the second end being transverse to the length of the weight holder, wherein the weight holder is rolled into a cylinder shape when each of the straps are fastened to corresponding ones of the strap fastening devices.

This and other implementations can each optionally include one or more of the following features. A plurality of filler bags, each filler bag being sized to accommodate an amount of a material that approximates a weight of each filler bag, and each filler bag fitting within the chambers of the weight holders. The material can be one of water, sand, dirt, or gravel.

A fourth general aspect, combinable with any of the previous aspects, can be embodied in a method of assembling a weight training system including the steps of assembling a barbell by: coupling a male coupling of a first end portion to a female coupling of a middle portion, and coupling a male coupling of the middle portion to a female coupling of a second end portion. Assembling a first weight for the barbell by: adding a material to a filler bag and sealing the filler bag, inserting the filler bag in a chamber of a first weight holder, and sealing the chamber of the weight holder. And, attaching the first weight to the barbell by wrapping the first weight holder around the first end portion or the second end portion, and securing straps on the first weight holder to corresponding strap fasteners on the first weight holder.

This and other implementations can each optionally include one or more of the following features. Assembling a second weight for the barbell by: adding a material to a second filler bag and sealing the second filler bag, inserting the second filler bag in a chamber of a second weight holder, and sealing the chamber of the second weight holder. Attaching the second weight to the barbell by placing a handle of a second weight holder into a channel of a collar on the first end portion or the second end portion of the barbell. Attaching the second weight to the barbell by wrapping the second weight holder around the first weight, and securing straps on the second weight holder to corresponding strap fasteners on the second weight holder.

Particular implementations of the subject matter described in this specification can be implemented so as to realize one or more of the following advantages. Implementations may provide a compact and light-weight weight training system. Implementations may be adaptable to different training styles. Further, implementations may permit use with both conventional plate weights and non-conventional weights with a barbell.

The details of one or more implementations of the subject matter described in this specification are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, aspects, and advantages of the subject matter will become apparent from the description, the drawings, and the claims.

