In partnership with unbound
Keen to reap the benefits of strength training? The right equipment can make all the difference. We caught up with unbound founders Iona and Anita, who have designed a pair of dumbbells with women’s needs at the forefront.
In recent years, awareness around the importance of strength training for women has grown exponentially. As you age, you naturally begin to lose muscle mass and bone density. In turn, this can make injuries and breakages more likely later in life.
What’s more, a new study in the British Journal of Sports Medicine has revealed women who do strength training exercises two to three days a week are more likely to live longer and have a lower risk of death from heart disease, compared to women who do none.
Dumbbell workouts offer an accessible entryway into strength training – as well as a broad range of benefits, from building muscle and bone strength to training balance and stability.
If you find traditional dumbbells too bulky or difficult to grip, unbound is here to help, with brand-new dumbbells designed by women, for women: sleeker design, easier to grip and built to work with your form.
Dumbbells made by women, for women
Traditional dumbbells tend to be bulky and harder to grip – especially for women, whose hands are 11 per cent smaller than men’s, on average. That’s where the unbound dumbbell is different.
Iona and Anita started with the traditional hex dumbbell design for maximum stability. Then, they gave it a top-to-toe makeover with women’s needs at the forefront – starting with making the circumference of the handle around 2-4cm thinner than your average dumbbell.
‘We’ve kept the functionality of the traditional hex, rubber coated the handle for maximum grip strength, redesigned the width to fit our hands, and made them look good,’ explains Anita.
‘The unique sweat-resistant rubber coated handle is perfectly sized for a secure, comfortable grip. This helps to protect your hands and maintain control as weights get heavier. Plus, each dumbbell features a longer handle and wider head spacing for more comfortable front-rack positions and shoulder-resting movements.’
Blending functionality with aesthetic looks, they designed the dumbbells to look great in any space. This means you can keep them out in the open and within easy reach – rather than stashed away in the cupboard. Plus, the rubber coating means they won’t damage your floors.
The gym gender gap: pinpointing the problem
‘We were fed up of getting calluses from the steel handles in the gym and wanted to upgrade the cheap bulky amazon dumbbells we were using at home,’ Iona explains. ‘The more we researched, the more we realised we couldn’t find what we wanted. So, we started sketching, testing and asking questions.’
Soon, they realised there was a glaring gap in the market for fitness and workout equipment that’s built specifically for women. ‘The fitness industry often shrinks and pinks products instead of truly thinking about how women use and relate to them,’ Anita adds. ‘We saw that problem firsthand.’
Now, they are on a mission to provide women with the equipment they need – and deserve. ‘We’re designing strength training equipment with women in mind from the start, not as an afterthought. We’re not reinventing the wheel; we’re just making it work better for women.’
Getting started with at-home dumbbell workouts
If you’re new to training with dumbbells, start with a lighter weight. ‘Most beginners start with 2–3kg for upper body and 4–5kg for lower body. If it feels light, add reps. If it feels heavy, use one dumbbell,’ Iona recommends.
‘When you can complete 3 sets of 10–12 reps with good form and it feels comfortable, it’s time to move up. Our dumbbells are available in weights from 2kg to 20kg, and the 1kg increments make progression simple and controlled.’
unbound dumbbells: tried-and-tested by Women’s Fitness
As seen in the July issue, Women’s Fitness Editor, Sarah Sellens, tested the unbound dumbbells herself. Here’s what she had to say:
‘You won’t spot the design tweak all at once – the difference is subtle and yet effective – but the weights will just feel nicer to lift (less slippy, easier to hold…) and you’ll be able to hold them for longer due to better grip.
‘When you do ground-to-overheads, they’ll glide up and down with more ease; when you front rack your dumbbells, they’ll feel more stable; when you do lunge walks, your grip will last. Over time, these differences seem quite distinctive.’
Back in stock after a sold-out launch, the unbound dumbbells start from £30 for a 2kg pair. Buy online at unboundwomen.co.uk
Follow the brand’s journey and to stay up-to-date with future launches over on Instagram (@_unboundwomen_).
