An exercise weight support device includes a retractable belt with an upper end for attachment to a ceiling or other overhanging support structure to enable suspension therefrom of the exercise weight support device, a cradle and/or one or more hooks to enable the weight support device to be used to suspend a free weight from the ceiling or other overhanging support structure, a retracting reel mechanism attached to the lower end of the belt to selectively retract or pay out the belt to selectively enable vertical movement of the free weight to a desired height, and a trigger handle co-located with the retracting reel mechanism and operable to selectively disallow lowering of the free weight when the trigger handle is not continuously operated by a lifter performing a lifting exercise.