YBell Neo

Making a hybrid product can often mean making compromises in functionality and performance. With every iteration of our design we created a prototype and tested all the ways it could be used as a dumbbell, kettlebell, double grip med ball and push up bars. Making a change and improvement for one mode of use meant prototyping and testing again for all modes so that there were no compromises for the other modes. It was important that transitions from one mode to another were seamless and intuitive.The user experience was paramount.

The beauty of the YBell is that the product is new and innovative but the exercises are the same as those of the 4 pieces of equipment it replaces. It means flowing, diverse workouts without equipment changes. It's friendly look and feel brakes down the barriers many people have around using free weights. Trainers and users do need to learn new exercises. The designs basis of an equilateral triangle [120˚] has let us build a distinctive brand and graphic assets. As well as developing the product we are building a brand.

A lot of people in the fitness industry look at the YBell and say it works so well, it's so simple, why hasn't any one come up with it before? Simplicity and functionality are two of the main criteria we measured our design by. In a crowded fitness market, it's hard to stand out and harder still to get commercial success. All areas of the fitness Industry have embraced Ybells with zeal. If anyone has been skeptical they are convinced once they have done a workout with Aaron, the inventor and personal trainer.

Health and wellness issues around a global obesity problem and ageing population are putting increasing pressures on society. Current research is showing that resistance training with weights can be of major benefit in improving peoples health and fitness. Conditions such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, mental health, reduction in muscle mass and bone density can all benefit from weight training. We are not claiming YBells will cure these conditions but we do believe they lower the barriers for people to start training and improve their health incomes and help prevent the early onset of certain conditions. For the benefits to be real the exercise has to be real.