Dumbbells

Eleiko Dumbbells

Creating excellent user experiences

Dumbbells are among the most frequently used equipment in a facility; quality is a must. Eleiko dumbbells are designed to meet the rigorous demands of commercial settings and deliver unrivalled performance in high volume, heavy usage environments.

Our product range offers dumbbells suitable for various training settings, delivering performance that appeals to both lifters and facility owners and operators. The Eleiko dumbbell range is purpose-built to support varied training needs and environments, adding an essential dimension to strength training programs.

Which is right for you — rotating or fixed handle dumbbells Rotating handle dumbbells are optimal for dynamic, explosive movements such as the dumbbell snatch. The rotating handle also puts less stress on joints in exercises like biceps curls and delivers a unique smooth feeling. Fixed handle dumbbells are a classic design perfect for pressing movements, such as chest and shoulder presses.

You can do everything with either the rotating or fixed version from a training standpoint. It simply comes down to preference and what type of training you tend to lean towards – dynamic and explosive or slower and more controlled. Many training facilities opt to make both fixed and rotating options available to members and athletes to best cater to varied preferences and diverse training needs.

Fixed Dumbbells Rotating Dumbbells

60 years of strength in one dumbbell

Evo recognized with the RedDot Award for design excellence

Eleiko is pleased to announce the rotating version of our Eleiko Evo Dumbbell was recognized by the Red Dot Jury receiving the prestigious 2020 Red Dot Award for Product Design. This award recognizes Eleiko, and the Evo development team, for product design excellence.

The Eleiko Evo Dumbbell was inspired by our passion for lifting, with the design and construction informed by our 60 years of barbell manufacturing expertise. The Evo Rotating Dumbbell delivers an evolution in dumbbell training allowing lifters to maintain a firm grip on the dumbbell handle during dynamic lifts. Our patent pending construction nestles a rotating handle inside a custom bearing to achieve a significantly smaller handle diameter compared to industry standards. The smaller handle makes the benefits of training with rotating dumbbells accessible to more people.

“We are honoured that Eleiko, our design team, and the rotating Evo Dumbbell in particular, were recognized by the Red Dot Jury,” said Erik Blomberg, CEO of Eleiko. “In developing Evo, we set out to create the world’s finest dumbbell and bring a great lifting experience to more people. This award is an affirmation of that goal.”

At Eleiko, our product development team aims to make best-in-class products, ones that users can count on to deliver outstanding performance, exceptional durability and a fantastic lifting experience. “Developing Evo was a unique opportunity for our team to create something special, and it is an incredible honour to have our efforts recognized by the Red Dot Jury.” Said Camilla Schough, product designer of Eleiko Evo Dumbbell.

Red Dot CEO Professor DR. Peter Zec on the Laureates “The winners of the Red Dot Award have proved that they have created excellent products worthy of winning an award. The products won over the jury not only through their aesthetic, but also thanks to their incomparable functionality. With their designs, the award winners are setting new standards in their industry. I wish to congratulate them most sincerely on their success,” said Professor Dr. Peter Zec, founder and CEO of Red Dot.

Detailed evaluation in search of good design and innovation The distinction “Red Dot” has become one of the most sought-after quality seals for good design. In 2020, more than 6,500 products from more than 60 countries were evaluated by an international jury of experienced experts. The adjudication process lasts several days and is based on two essential criteria: The jurors test all of the entries in order to assess not just the aesthetic but also the materials selected, the level of craftsmanship, the surface structure, ergonomics and functionality. After intensive discussions, they make a decision on the design quality of the products. True to the motto “In search of good design and innovation”, only the best designs receive an award.

In developing Evo, we set out to create the world’s finest dumbbell and bring a great lifting experience to more people. This award is an affirmation of that goal.

— Erik Blomberg, Eleiko CEO

Creating the finest dumbbell

Meet Camilla, lead engineer for Eleiko Evo Dumbbells

Equipment is a significant contributor to creating great impressions for clubs. How it performs, holds up over time, and the experience members have when training all play an important role in distinguishing a facility.

In creating Evo, we applied our six decades of barbell and bumper plate design expertise. We paid particular attention to the details we know can help set a facility apart and address operator concerns. We sat down with Camilla Schough, lead designer of the Evo Dumbbell Collection, to dive into the dumbbell development details and explore how they come together to create a dumbbell that is outstanding to use and hassle-free to own.

Polyurethane

Why opt for polyurethane to protect the dumbbell heads? Polyurethane is widely used in dumbbells. It can be extremely durable and scratch-resistant, but it can also be very soft and fast wearing. The trick is to find the perfect balance. We wanted to achieve the feeling of rubber, i.e. excellent grip and nice to the touch, while keeping it very hard-wearing.

How long did it take to find that perfect balance? We tested many different iterations before we were happy with the ideal blend. You need to be really nerdy about these things to get it right, and the whole team of engineers was engaged in the project. I’m very proud of the performance of the recipe we achieved. The surface feels excellent, and the wear and tear resistance is bar none. Overall the Evo Dumbbell will perform in a busy gym, day after day, year after year, and we know that will make a difference for our customers.

Bearing design

How do you find the perfect bearing for a rotating dumbbell? The goal was to create a smooth and effortless lifting experience for the user, regardless of the weight used. We started with an open mind and tested various bearings like bronze or nylon slide bearings. We quickly found that ball bearings would work best, so we tried several types. We then needed to find a perfect balance between a free rotating handle and optimal protection from dust and moisture from getting in. A low-friction rubber sealed bearing, similar to the ones we use in our barbell, is perfect.

Why did you opt for a rotating handle inside the bearing? It is a unique feature that allows for a much smaller handle diameter. The challenge we faced for our handles was that we could not readily find the quality ball bearing we wanted. So, we collaborated with a Swedish partner to have a custom bearing design made to fit our uniquely small handle.

The handle and knurling

Why did you choose to go for the relatively small handle diameter across the range? Normally, a ball bearing design only allows for fairly large handle diameters, making them less than ideal for smaller athletes. Thanks to our unique patent-pending design we can use a 38 and 42mm handle across the Evo rotating range. It is perfect for athletes with both smaller and larger hands making this dumbbell accessible to all users in the gym.

How do you determine the perfect width for the handle? The key consideration again was the usability of the dumbbell and making it appropriate for as many people as possible. I did anthropometric research regarding the human hand. We considered all dumbbell handle sizes from 125mm to 150 mm wide. A 130mm wide handle proved to be the sweet spot.

What made you go for that specific knurling? The two primary considerations for knurling are the spacing between the small diamond shapes and the depth of cut. We tested several types of knurling, and the end result we can proudly call the ‘Eleiko Dumbbell Knurling’ you see today. This knurling offers a secure grip but still allows intense use and high repetition sets.