Due to busy lifestyles and external forces such as pandemics, an increasing number of people are choosing to exercise at home or in 24-hour gyms. As such, there is a growing desire among weightlifters to perform bench-press exercises at their leisure without a spotter; however, the potential for injuries such as torn muscles, broken bones, nerve damage, and even death is notable when lifting solo. With this in mind, there is an urgent need for a product that could create a safer exercise regime for users of bench-presses both at home and in the gym.
Researchers at The University of Alabama have developed a product that attaches to a barbell and allows added weights to be lifted without the assistance of a spotter. The design allows people to exercise freely and safely without impacting the effectiveness and efficiency of the bench or barbell. If a person experiences a failure mid-exercise, the technology catches the barbell, preventing harm and guaranteeing a safer exercise experience.