Keep ‘em handy

Traditional weight-lifting isn’t for everyone, but the strength and flexibility it provides certainly is. With space-saving convenience, fun and portability, several cleverly engineered, relatively low-cost alternatives prove that you don’t always need cast-iron plates to get a respectable strength workout.

Roy M. Wallack

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Raising the bar

Body Bar Flex: Bendable, 4-foot, 4-pound fiberglass-composite rod coated in a dense coat of foam rubber.

Likes: Surprisingly tough, satisfying and enjoyable workout for strength, flexibility and toning. Bending the bar in a variety of exercises works numerous groups of muscles at once. Example: For a seated ab crunch, hold the bar sideways across your lap, then bend forward and push the bar into a U-shape; this works abs and shoulders at once. To increase the difficulty, narrow the distance between your hands or twist the bar slightly to work against its natural flex. Chart of 12 exercises and workout DVD included. The Flex model, rated at 40 pounds of resistance, is for experienced fitness buffs. One- and 2-pound models with less resistance run from $24.95 to $39.95.

Dislikes: Inconvenient to take on a plane; otherwise, is space-efficient and travels well in a car.

Price: $49.95. (800) 500-2030; www.Bodybar.com.

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Two-handed workout

Bodyrev: A two-handed dumbbell featuring center-loaded weights and two rotating handles.

Likes: A unique diversion from traditional weights or stretch-cord exercises. The 21-inch, adjustable 5- to 10-pound device allows a combination aerobic-strength workout. The DVD has four fun, challenging 15-minute workouts that feature flowing, rotational motions that are easy on the joints and deliver all -- body stretching and toning. Feels very natural and functional once you get the hang of it.

Dislikes: Takes a while to get the hang of it. Seems to initially put a lot stress on the wrists.

Price: $99. (877) 974-7733; www.bodyrev.com.

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Have cords, will travel

Fit-Stik Body Sculpting System: Collapsible, 3-foot-long lightweight plastic barbell with stretch-cord resistance.

Likes: Satisfying, convenient toning workout for home or on the road. The clever design features two luggage-friendly barbell segments that twist together, plus comfortable, safe Slastix Toners cords (rubber stretch cords in a jacket of non-stretchable fabric); the handles of the Slastix slide into grooves on the Stik and are secured by twist-on caps. Possible exercises include upright bench presses, triceps extensions, squats, rowing and biceps curls. Six levels of cord resistance, from very light to super heavy, are available.

Dislikes: There is unwanted play in the bar and a risk of unexpected disconnection, because the two pieces don’t solidly lock in place. Also, limited number of exercises compared with Versa Stick.

Price: $54.99; (801) 776-3322; www.stroops.com.

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Stick that’s hard to resist

VersaStick: Three-foot-long, snap-together lightweight plastic barbell with three rubber stretch cords.

Likes: Like the Fit-Stik but with innovations that increase its versatility. A pop-pin system solidly binds the halves of the bar into one unit. A door-jam anchor allows more exercises than the Fit-Stik, including lat pulls, tricep press downs, chest presses, torso twists and bent-over rows. Includes three levels of clip-on resistance cords that can be used alone or in combination; nice-looking carry bag included.

Dislikes: The clips that attach cord to bar are so stiff and burly that they’re hard to clip and unclip; carabiners would have been easier to use.

Price: $79.95 (888) 938-3772; www.versastick.com.

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Roy M. Wallack is an endurance cyclist and runner and the coauthor of “Bike for Life: How to Ride to 100.” He can be reached at roywallack@aol.com.