What it does
This product enables users to change plates solo by securing one side of the barbell jack, making it easier to lift heavy weights. It’s particularly useful in gyms with many barbells but no built-in equipment to secure the jack during plate changes.
Your inspiration
Most gyms are equipped with barbells and discs. However, barbell jacks that secure the barbell bar in the air to remove the disk are not common in gyms, so two people are often mobilized to replace one disk. I felt uncomfortable with this situation, and I developed Babeljek so that I could secure the Babelbar safely on my own. In addition, the barbell jack on the market has disadvantages such as unstable, larger to carry, and heavier than the fixed barbell jack, so we tried to solve that part.
How it works
First, the product is designed to be operated by stepping on it, using the user’s own body weight to lift the barbell. This allows the barbell to be raised with minimal effort, making the process easier. Second, in the area where the barbell is placed (shown on the right side of the image), all unnecessary supporting structures were removed to minimize the angle at which the barbell must be rotated. By doing so, we reduce the physical strain on the user, allowing them to change plates with less effort. Third, when the footplate touches the ground, a previously unsupported area is reinforced, providing additional stability and ensuring that the product remains securely fixed in place. Therefore, the product allows the user to lift the barbell with little physical effort, while also ensuring a firm and stable grip once the barbell is positioned on top of the jack.
Design process
Existing barbell jacks are either unstable, bulky, or impractical for portability. To address this, we focused on creating a compact, stable, and foot-operated solution. In the design phase, we created 3D models with a 30° rotation angle to minimize the effort needed to lift the barbell. We optimized the footplate length and applied the lever principle for easier lifting. A key feature is the cam-slot mechanism. When stepped on, the circular plate rotates 90° and part of it makes contact with the ground, securing the barbell jack firmly in place. This design provides both ease of lifting and stability during use. The modeling phase is complete, and we are now preparing the prototype. We will test its functionality, focusing on stability, and load-bearing While the design is promising, we plan to test the rotation angle of the fixed components to ensure no risk of breakage. Additionally, we’ll explore stronger materials to improve durability. In summary, we have moved from concept to modeling and are now progressing to prototype testing. Our goal is to create a barbell jack that simplifies plate changes while addressing the shortcomings of existing models, offering a more stable, portable, and user-friendly solution.
How it is different
Existing portable barbell jacks are commonly operated by hand. While using body weight to step and secure the barbell jack is the least burdensome method for users, the reason for hand operation is the necessity of significant rotation. After rotating, the user must stabilize the barbell’s center of gravity, or the rotation angle may be too large for foot operation. To overcome these limitations, we designed a structure that minimizes the rotation angle. Additionally, to enhance stability, we incorporated a cam-slot mechanism into the design. This allows users to simply step on the device to lift the barbell while ensuring a secure and stable hold. As a result, we have developed a portable barbell jack that reduces user effort and offers superior stability and strength, setting it apart from existing products in the market.
Future plans
Our current product is still in the development phase, and we consider it to be incomplete at this stage. Therefore, it is essential to build a physical prototype to verify whether it meets our expectations and performs as intended. Although the design has been modeled, we need to test whether the fixed components, which rotate 90 degrees while the barbell rotates by 30 degrees, are robust enough to avoid the risk of breakage. If any potential issues arise, we will carefully explore solutions to ensure the product’s safety and durability.
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