Ugly Residence Gyms, Be Gone—Designer-Authorized Gear Is Right here to Keep

Marijana Radovic and Marco Bonelli, founders of the Milan architecture firm M2 atelier, say that these machines have opened new design possibilities. “Fortunately, gym equipment is now beautifully designed and nice to look at,” they explain in an email to AD PRO. “Because of their chic design and value proposition, we often position these products in very visible areas of a residence.”

Technology has played a big role in expanding the catalog for design-forward gyms. There’s the rage for interactive workout streaming apparatus—like Mirror, Tonal, and Tempo—smart spin bikes from Peloton and SoulCycle, and connected rowing machines made by Hydrow and Ergatta. There are also beautiful status items like Louis Vuitton dumbbells, Elite’s Fuoripista stationary bike, Lumiere’s Home Gym kit, and Hock’s leather hand weights.

Technogym, the Italian maker of high-end exercise equipment, launched a collection of handsome exercise equipment designed by the Italian modernist architect Antonio Citerrio in 2018. The minimalist mirror-wheel spin bike and the sexy leather-and-steel Kinesis Personal trainer, in particular, are conversation starters that will elevate a home fitness area, but wouldn’t look out of place in the living room, either. For Dior diehards, Technogym also launched a branded treadmill, exercise bench, and balance ball, and all will be available next month. Nerio Alessandri, Technogym’s president, says that the collaboration with the French luxury brand evokes their emphasis on performance and aesthetics.

Beyond making the equipment, the company has also been turning their attention to the spaces that house their machines. They’ve transformed their sprawling headquarters in Italy’s Emilia-Romana region into a kind of idyllic fitness theme park where balance balls and exercise bikes count as seating options in meeting rooms and lobbies. “Our core philosophy is to mesh design, attention to detail, and elegant products to add an extra touch to interior design and create a space that strikes a balance between physical and mental health,” Alessandri says. He also adds that he believes that the right equipment and interiors can lead to more engaged training.

Radovic and Bonelli echo his thoughts. For a project in Cannes, for instance, the duo designed a lounge-like home gym where people can gather, read a book, or host a small party. They’ve situated exercise equipment near sources of natural light and propped them up like pieces of sculpture that “call out to be used or a subject of a conversation among friends.”

These innovations have been well timed for the emergence of a $1.5-trillion wellness industry during the pandemic. In a recent McKinsey survey, nearly 80% of respondents reported that wellness is important in their lives, and over 40% rank it as a top priority. And, in a post-Omicron future when people begin flocking to public gyms again, Technogym is betting that the lockdown has instilled a broader understanding of the value of physical activity. “We believe in the hybrid approach,” Alessandri says. “People in the future will work out both in the convenience of their home and at the gym when they want to socialize, meet others, or take part in programs guided by professional trainers.”