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Outdoor & Sports Equipment

AEGIS: The Ergonomic Fitness Bench 

Entrant: Shuoning (Stone) Shi, Yuheng (Leo) Wang

2024 Silver winner badge
2024

Silver

CategoryOutdoor & Sports Equipment
Class / SubcategoryFitness Equipment
Weight Benches
Country / RegionUnited States

The project

Project description.

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AEGIS: The Ergonomic Fitness Bench



Aegis is the world's first ergonomic stationary bench designed to focus on and protect novice fitness enthusiasts. Its split and multi-adjustable lumbar cushion design offers a safer and more comfortable platform for shoulder training with free weights.



Inspired by Protection and Support



Named after "Aegis," meaning "guardian," this fitness bench embodies protection and support. We aim to provide you with a personal shield in the gym, allowing you to perform free weight shoulder exercises with confidence. Its design incorporates ergonomic principles to ensure users can achieve comprehensive training quality while minimizing the risk of injury.



Focused on Shoulder Training



AEGIS specializes in shoulder training with free weights. Its seat cushion and backrest are set at 15 degrees and 105 degrees respectively to provide the best ergonomic sitting posture. Compared to traditional flat fitness benches, it provides a backrest and lumbar support that conform to the natural curve of the back, forming an arched lower back protrusion. This design helps beginners better grasp the body arch to tighten the core for more stable training.



Ergonomic Zoned Design



AEGIS is the first fitness bench to integrate ergonomic features into its padding. Unlike traditional single-piece benches, it features a zoned design based on user ergonomic data, dividing the backrest into four main muscle group areas. This design avoids pressure on the spine and lumbar vertebrae while enhancing support during shoulder presses.



Multi-Adjustable Comfort



AEGIS includes multi-stage adjustable components—including the seat cushion, lumbar cushion, and headrest. The control switch-inspired door lock mechanism that allows users to adjust the bench while seated to achieve the settings that best suit their body. All cushions are made with superelastic polymers, helping you better fit your body contours while providing exceptional comfort and support.



More than just a fitness bench, AEGIS empowers anyone, especially beginners, to perform shoulder training with free weights safely and effectively.

Project credits.

Shuoning (Stone) Shi

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Yuheng (Leo) Wang

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Zhu Zhou

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Maonan Dai

Nanhai Experimental School, Foshan

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