Barbell spotting apparatus

A barbell spotting apparatus for exercise with unconstrained movement of a barbell, the barbell spotting apparatus comprising:

• a frame;
• a trolley support frame supported by the frame, the trolley support frame being elongated to extend along a longitudinal axis;
• a first trolley resting on the trolley support frame so as to be movable along the longitudinal axis of the trolley support frame, wherein the first trolley includes a first sled supported thereby such that the first sled is movable along the first trolley transversely to the longitudinal axis of the trolley support frame;
• a first cable guide located on the first sled;
• a second trolley resting on the trolley support frame so as to be movable along the longitudinal axis of the trolley support frame, wherein the second trolley includes a second sled supported thereby such that the second sled is movable along the second trolley transversely to the longitudinal axis of the trolley support frame;
• a second cable guide located on the second sled;
• a first cable connected to a first end of the barbell, the first cable being suspended from the first cable guide;
• a second cable connected to a second end of the barbell, the second cable being suspended from the second cable guide;
• a first brake associated with the first cable, the first brake 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 associated with the second cable, the second brake 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 configured to detect a qualifying condition during use requiring downward movement of the barbell to be restricted, wherein, upon detection of the qualifying condition, the at least one detector transmits an actuation signal to at least one of the first brake and the second brake,
• wherein, the first and second brakes are independently actuatable.