RVL Strength Wings
RVL approached Pillar with a single goal in mind: simplification. The current solutions for squat racks, power cages, and other at-home setups were both limited and questionable in functionality. Jammer arms and similar products offer access to a new set of exercises on a rack, but struggle with ergonomics, customization, and overall versatility. RVL sought to change this. The core design challenge was as follows: create a singular standalone piece of equipment that offers a myriad of exercises while delivering consistent quality ergonomic range of motion on par with commercial gym machinery. Working with expert trainers, physical therapists, first responders and military operators, our process centered on the body mechanics first. The result is a range of motion that encourages natural movement patterns across exercises.
The RVL Wings were tested via numerous rounds of engineering, structural analysis, prototyping, and materials selection to ensure the attachment could handle heavy lifting in repeated, real-world conditions. As well as this, universal compatibility was a key focus, with the goal of being able to fit most standard power/squat racks. This required careful tolerancing work and DFM analysis. The realized product is the result of an intentional balance between structure, ergonomic performance, and manufacturing practicality. RVL Wings are a piece of purpose-built hardware that brings a premium training experience to any location.
Attachment & Ease of Use
Current solutions for power racks utilize a two-step process of a pin insertion and a 90-degree rotation. We explored numerous solutions, but settled on a symmetric plate that can simply be dropped in and pinned if necessary. The mount holds itself in place beforehand.
Spotter Pins
The Wings' spotter pins allow you to keep everything horizontal when loading weight, and when in use, help to ensure that a spotter is never needed. Original concepts explored quick-release pins that pushed through to set limits, but limiters are mounted to the main sleeve mount rather than the wing arms to help avoid clearance issues and offer smoother rotation. As a result, there is more clearance and room for further adjustment points for the user. Furthermore, integrated T-Handles allow users to easily slide the mounts up and down with a simple and clear gripping point.
Ergonomics & Adjustability
Throughout testing and concepting, both Pillar and RVL found it critical to create a solution that felt natural. People's wingspans and physiques are different, and if the goal is universality, that should extend beyond equipment and into the user as well. Our response was these optionally free-swinging Rotation Plane Adjusters. By allowing users to incrementally change the angles of the grips, they can customize the fit to their workout or body. And if they want a more fluid motion, the pins can be removed for a free-moving lateral rotation throughout their workout.
Grip Development
When it comes to actually exercising, there's only one real touchpoint that matters: the grips. Grips can make or break feeling comfortable performing an exercise, and the standard of what qualifies as comfortable varies drastically exercise-to-exercise, user-to-user. To take on this challenge, RVL's grips went through dozens of iterations, redesigns, and tests. Many different angles and styles, each with their pros and cons. The takeaway? Why force a decision? Our final solution allows for 360-degree swivel rotation with selective locking, and three different points of rotation for the user. In addition, we wanted that feeling of comfort and ease of use to start from the very beginning of a user's relationship with the grips. This informed our decision to include a slide-in collar quick release for easy swappability, cleanability, and the reduction of any potential headaches when it came to the Wings' most critical part.
Protyping, Testing, & Development
During the development process, it's critical to bring in experts from all ends of the spectrum. Pillar and RVL worked with expert trainers, physical therapists, first responders, military operators, and many different test users to ensure the experience we were creating felt right in the hands of those who were going to be using it. To further ensure the experience maintained its intended quality, numerous rounds of prototyping, testing, quality control, and iteration were carried out, ensuring the product didn't launch until every tiny detail and potential problem was thought out and sorted through.
“The Pillar Design team has played an instrumental role in the design and development of RVL Strength’s products. Their collaborative approach at every stage of the process has made them a trusted partner, and we have come to value their insight, creativity, and practical solutions…Beyond design, they have also supported us by connecting us with valuable third-party resources for mass production and testing. We highly recommend Pillar Design to any company looking for a knowledgeable and dependable partner” — Tim Timmer, Founder RVL Strength
