Free weight monitoring system

A free weight system for collecting, transmitting, and making available for viewing exercise related data, the system comprising:

• a free weight device including a free weight handle assembly, a communication mechanism, and a movement sensing mechanism;
• wherein the movement sensing mechanism includes a first accelerometer that measures movement from an exercise session in a first direction, a second accelerometer that measures movement in a second direction, and a third accelerometer that measures movement in a third direction;
• wherein the free weight handle assembly defines an internal cavity that at least partially encloses the movement sensing mechanism;
• wherein the communication mechanism transmits data collecting by the movement sensing mechanism;
• a communication system that receives the data collected by the movement sensing mechanism and transmitted by the communication mechanism, wherein the communication system converts the data received into a displayable form that includes a graphical representation of the exercise session and makes the graphical representation available for viewing;
• and
• a weight identification mechanism, including a sensor enclosed within the internal cavity and a magnet located in one of the weight plates, the magnet being spaced a distance from the sensor;
• wherein the distance of the magnet provides a relative magnetic field strength that correlates with the weight of the weight plate.