Leveling the Field in the Weight Room

When University of Cincinnati Industrial Design student Ryan Eder noticed a paraplegic struggling to use exercise equipment he decided to design a machine that would cater to both wheelchair-bound and able-bodied users alike. Eder’s design and idea just landed him the prestigious Best in Show prize at this year’s International Design Excellence Awards. The final “groundbreaking concept” was a machine that could equalize the workout room and make it accessible for those of varying physical abilities.  The machine has two arms that oscillate 180 degrees to accommodate various user heights, and with one-touch buttons the need for manual dexterity is lessened.  The machine also has two retractable hooks that can lock onto any part of a wheelchair in order to stabilize it. Read full article here.