Two personal trainers were fed up with impractical sprung collars and clips for securing weight plates on the dumbbell. The collars and clips would soon break, and they were easily misplaced.
The two decided to address the problem. Several market surveys confirmed that other people also saw the need for a smarter solution.
Starting with the professionals
The trainers were introduced to Markus Leonhard Hansen, who had a background in engineering and design. He was ready for a challenge, and the three of them joined forces to set up a company – Gungnir – named after the mighty spear of Odin, a powerful god in Norse mythology.
The idea for a dumbbell with a built-in collar cropped up at an early stage. The objective was to design a product specifically aimed at professional users who work out at home. If it turned out to be a hit, the product would also be attractive to the world of sports and in gyms.
Design dictated by functionality
The design was dictated by the product’s functionality. Materials, finish and colours were all chosen to create a robust, high-end, hardwearing product. The steel is Swedish, which comes with a lower carbon footprint than steel from other parts of the world.
The patented built-in collar is flexible and robust in use and ensures that the weight plates are properly secured.
The founders made active use of social media to gather information and spread the message that something was in the pipeline. They had a prototype manufactured that was thoroughly tested for robustness, durability, functionality and user-friendliness. The marketing campaign resulted in numerous pre-release sales and gave the founders further confirmation that the product met a demand. The Dumbler was born.
Sold to more than 40 countries
When the Dumbler was launched in August 2021, it was well received – even though the price is in the higher range.
Customers report that they are now able to train without fear of being hit in the head by weight plates. Many have also mentioned that their gym is now a tidier place, and that the product increases the enjoyment they take from working out. The dumbbell is of Olympic standard, so it can be used with most weight plates in the market.
The product’s combination of superior functionality, high-quality materials and an aesthetically pleasing design is appreciated by weightlifters all over the world. Just over a year after the launch, the Dumbler and the Allrounder bar have been sold to more than 40 countries, including 38 states in the USA. The company is working with partners in more than 20 countries, and new products and solutions are already in the pipeline.
Brief facts about the proect
The Dumbler: Olympic dumbbell with built-in collars
By: Gungnir AS
Design disciplines: Industrial design
Recipient of the DOGA Award
This project has received the DOGA Award for Design and Architecture for its outstanding qualities and for showine how strategic use of design and architecture create important social, environmental and economic value.
These are two reasons why this is an exemplary project:
- Long lifetime
The product is designed to last and emits the need for sprung collars or clips that are easily broken or misplaced.
- Increased export
The Dumbler answers to the Norwegian government’s ambition for increased export and new profitable industries.
