Lifting the Mood x Dua Lipa | Design for women’s wellness

LTMs are adjustable dumbbells designed for women. However these dumbbells are more than just fitness gear. They’re a symbol of strength and confidence to help break down stereotypes in the world of weightlifting.

It all started on a rainy London afternoon when founder, Laura, began shopping online for dumbbells to work out at home.

She wanted something that was flexible with her exercise patterns, and was a reflection of her personality and home. Not a product to be hidden at home.

Faced with far too many average products, Laura began her wish list for a product where fashion and fitness could coexist.

Redefining sports products for women

Armed with an ambitious statement to redefine strength for women, Laura contacted Simple Design Works with her framework for design.

Her vision and passion behind the idea was clear from the start. This product is being woven into an UK and American empowerment campaign, and central to this is connecting emotion and design. She wanted to create a product that gave freedom to adapt your workout and ultimately, lift your mood.

From a design perspective, there were several strands to this: exploring styling, creating manufacture-friendly engineering details and drawings, creating prototypes, and finding the right manufacturer.

Multiple styling options

We explored multiple styling options focusing on colour and finish. These choices were influenced by Laura’s vision and were strategically chosen to connect with her intended audience.

The colour palette was determined as a fresh palette you’d be proud to display. The colours of the weights complement each other and can be mixed and matched, whilst the metallic fixtures are in line with home décor trends.

These dumbbells are a lifestyle choice; an item that needs to identify with a home fitness journey. The satin finish of the weights balance with the glass effect of the fixtures suggesting a luxurious product. Much thought was given to elegance in its aesthetic; such as ensuring the thread of the screw was not visible when fully in place.

Balancing style with manufacturing considerations

Our engineering team worked closely with our industrial design team to turn the approved concept designs into a fully detailed CAD model. Consideration was given to balance the styling with a product that can be manufactured efficiently.

We built initial prototypes so that they could be functionally tested and used in promotional videos to collect further insights from potential customers.

Moving towards manufacture, our team created design registration and patent images to support the intellectual property protection of Lifting the Mood. It is currently US Patent Pending and EU Design Patent Approved.

Commercial impact and industry recognition

The commercial success of LTM’s adjustable dumbbells demonstrates the value of strategic product design. In 2025, the brand was selected to participate in Frame Fitness’s landmark New York launch event, where global star Dua Lipa was announced as co-founder and Chief Creative Officer.

LTM’s 2lb adjustable bars were integrated into Frame’s reformer classes at the prestigious Casa Cipriani NYC venue – a testament to how thoughtful product design creates opportunities for emerging brands in competitive wellness markets.

This is the kind of moment we design for – creating beautifully functional products that earn their place at industry-defining events.

Laura built her brand on the principle that women lifting each other up creates collective strength – and this event proved the power of that philosophy. The invitation came from women in wellness choosing to elevate a woman-founded brand who designed with purpose.