Weight-lifting apparatus and method

A weight-lifting apparatus comprising:

• a plurality of weights each having a central hole and a slot extending from the central hole to a perimeter of the associated weight, the slot having a width less than the diameter of the central hole and each having a plurality of perimeter edges;
• a shaft having opposing ends defining a diameter about equal to the central holes, the shaft being shaped to rotatably engage the central holes and being rotatable to different positions, the shaft further having a plurality of recessed surfaces that extend different longitudinal lengths on the opposing ends corresponding to the different positions, the recessed surfaces defining a reduced dimension on the shaft, the shaft and the weights being configured so that, by rotating the shaft, selected weights are captured by the bar while the recessed surfaces allow the shaft to slide along the slots of non-selected weights thus releasing the non-selected weights;
• a sleeve positioned on the shaft having a central portion for gripping and an alignment plate which prevents rotational movement of the selected weights relative to the shaft;
• and
• an adjustment knob for rotating the shaft, the knob being detented for holding the shaft in a selected position corresponding to a selected total weight.