YAB.Fitness (Your Active Body) has become FIBO 2016 winner of the Jury Innovation Award for its new free weights.

Described as the ‘missing link between dumbbell and kettlebell’ and seven years in the making YABs weights are ergonomic and multifunctional. Uniquely, they can be rotated around in the hand to be used in three different grip variations for changing difficulty level.

These holds include Extended lever (heaviest part of weight held horizontally) for highest intensity, Centric (heaviest part of weight pointing down) for medium and Short (heaviest part of weight pointing into body, lying on forearm) for lowest levels.

YABs were created by Christian Polenz and a team of physiotherapists and sports medicine professionals to be a shape that takes the pressure off the joints - wrists, elbows and shoulders - and adapt to the body, offering a more natural extension than traditional weights.

Polenz coached for 20 years before starting up YAB after seeing many exercisers using weights incorrectly.

“I found that many were overwhelmed just dealing with training weights, regardless of the level," he said.

"This strengthened my desire to also give them a training device that optimised their training.”

YAB weights range from about 1 kg up to almost 19 kg and can also be attached to the feet with a belt for leg and glute work. The weights can be stored in YAB Racks for group fitness and functional training.

Other YAB products include the YAB.Pad mat to fit on both steps and the floor without conversion, and group fitness and functional training programs.