Dumbbell Adder Weights

Role: Inventor | Personal fitness innovation and soft goods prototyping

As someone who enjoys working out at home, I am always looking for creative ways to expand the functionality of my home gym without taking up more space. After purchasing a basic dumbbell set in ten pound increments, I quickly ran into a common issue. Many exercises call for weights in five pound steps. I discovered adder weights, which are meant to bridge that gap, but found the existing products uncomfortable and difficult to use. Most attached directly to the handle of the dumbbell, which pinched my hands during lifts and made heavier weights even more awkward to grip.

To solve this, I designed my own version of an adder weight system using a soft-goods approach. My design wraps around the ends of the dumbbell, leaving the grip area fully open for comfort and usability. Adjustable elastic bands and D-ring placements allow the attachment to work with a variety of dumbbell sizes, and sandbag inserts make it easy to dial in the exact weight needed. I also added a central opening to each adder weight so they could double as compact plates for use on an Olympic barbell, maximizing their value in a space-conscious gym setup.

This project gave me a chance to combine my professional design skills with my personal interest in fitness. It also pushed me to explore new hands-on techniques like sewing and soft goods construction, expanding my prototyping skill set in a fun and practical way. The end result is a versatile and comfortable tool I continue to use in my own workouts.