About Helbur
The Barbell Reimagined
strength training for everyone
Helbur SmartBar
Helbur, meaning “Target” in the Basque language, signifies “Goal” in our context. While the Helbur SmartBar bears resemblance to its well-known mechanical counterparts, the Smith Machine and Squat Rack, the robotic version has, in fact, been developed over several years from first principles, with initial concepts being inspired by the rocking of a sailboat to dislodge its trapped keel.
The SmartBar is the world’s first guided smart barbell, invented, patented, designed and built to replicate and enhance the functions of traditional gym equipment in a compact, intelligent system.
It brings the together the versatility of racks and weight stacks, in one machine, adapting instantly to the user’s input for safe, effective, and intuitive strength training. With real-time feedback, programmable workouts, and up to 250kg of adaptive resistance, the SmartBar delivers everything from classic lifts to compound movements, all within just 3m² of space. Built for athletes, everyday users, and rehab patients alike, it’s strength training made smarter, more accessible, and future-ready.
rocking the boat
Why I’m Doing This
One memorable day, a few years back, I struggled to free my sailboat’s keel wedged between boulders. It turned into a serendipitous full-body water workout, motivating me to explore weight training even though I found working out in gyms excessively time-consuming, expensive, inconvenient, and unsafe for my needs.
In the pursuant quest for a more practical alternative to the highly effective water workout, I discovered a multi-billion-dollar weight training machine market, surprisingly lacking anything resembling the apparatus I envisioned. This presented a compelling business opportunity that could benefit countless others!