Grip sleeve for exercise bar

A method of performing exercise using a grip sleeve on an exercise bar grip surface, the method comprising:

• applying a base grip sleeve to a first exercise bar, the base grip sleeve including a tubular member having a thickness and a longitudinal length, the thickness defined by the distance between an outer surface of the tubular member and an inner surface of the tubular member, wherein the thickness is substantially constant across the longitudinal length, the inner surface sized to fit over a substantial portion of a gripping surface of the first exercise bar, wherein a cut extends across the entire longitudinal length and through the thickness for removeably securing the member to the first exercise bar, wherein during the application of the base grip sleeve to the first exercise bar the tubular member is forced apart at the cut from a closed position to an open position and then the gripping surface is forced through the cut until the base grip sleeve substantially surrounds a portion of the first exercise bar;
• performing an exercise while holding the base grip sleeve applied to the first exercise bar;
• and
• manually removing the base grip sleeve from the first exercise bar without the use of a tool.