A weight lifting bar having accessory plate hangers depending from each end of the bar to support weights at right angles or parallel to the bar at a selected distance below the bar so as to enable the bar to be used for exercising under certain conditions, such as when lifting the weights in the vicinity of a ceiling, or getting underneath the bar to be on the floor before lifting. The accessories are detachably removed to enable the weights to be slid and attached directly on the ends of the bar, as in conventionally used bars.