Nowadays, healthy living is no longer limited to physical endurance or muscle development; it has become a multi-layered life practice intertwined with spiritual balance, mental clarity, and aesthetic experiences. One of the brands playing a key role in this transformation is undoubtedly Technogym. The journey that began in 1983 in Cesena, Italy, with Nerio Alessandri, a young industrial designer aged just 22, who designed and produced his first exercise machine in his home garage, has evolved into a vast wellness ecosystem that touches the lives of millions of people in more than 100 countries today. The brand name, created by combining the words technology and gymnastics, symbolizes a passion both for individual health and for modern design.
Technogym is not just a fitness equipment manufacturer; it is a visionary brand that does not separate aesthetics from functionality, supports the human body with technology, and positions movement not only as a physical but also a cultural act. Under the motto “The Wellness Company,” it develops products and systems that enable healthy living in various areas of life — at home, at work, while traveling, or outdoors. Operating with a sustainability principle and collaborating with technology giants such as Apple and Samsung, Technogym also transforms into a lifestyle brand through its relationship with culture, art, and design.
One of the strongest reflections of this vision is the Design to Move project, realized at Milan Design Week to mark Technogym’s 40th anniversary. Forty artists and designers worldwide reinterpreted the brand’s iconic product, the Technogym Bench, as a blank canvas, redefining the spirit of movement in an artistic language. The project brought together star names from the design world, such as Antonio Citterio, Nendo, and Patricia Urquiola. It was a design celebration and an experience exploring the aesthetic, cultural, and emotional layers of movement. The exhibition, curated by Bruna Roccasalva and planned by Giulio Cappellini, also included a design by Renin Bilginer from Turkiye.
The Istanbul leg of the project was presented at Clubhouse Bebek, serving as a strong indicator that Technogym positions itself in the Turkish market not only as a fitness brand but also as an actor who embraces art, design, and culture. This approach, which blends individual awareness, environmental sustainability, and creative practice, clearly demonstrates why Technogym is “more than just a sports brand.” In this comprehensive interview, we spoke with Özlem Zagaia, Marketing Communications Director of Technogym Turkiye, about the brand’s relationship with art, the vision behind the Design to Move exhibition, their multi-layered approaches to the concept of wellness, and the strategies that bring technology and aesthetics together. Zagaia emphasizes that Technogym adopts an approach that goes beyond being a fitness brand, aiming to establish a body-mind-spirit balance enriched by cultural practices.
With Zagaia, one of the most important representatives of this vision in Turkiye, we discussed not only the brand’s present and future plans but also the invisible connections between art and wellness, how design can be internalized as a life practice, and how we can transform an individual’s perspective on their own body.
Art Of Wellness
Published by Assouline, Technogym: The Art of Wellness pays tribute to a visionary lifestyle philosophy that unites design, movement, and holistic well-being. Founded in 1983, Technogym has become synonymous worldwide with high-quality fitness equipment and an elegant training experience. This special hardcover book, spanning over 200 pages, reveals how Technogym masterfully combines sport, technology, and architecture. Bringing together aesthetics, creativity, and the culture of well-being, the book offers not only the visual and narrative history of a brand but also a lifestyle that captures the spirit of the age.
Richly supported by highly aesthetic visuals, the work showcases Technogym’s innovative trajectory, inspiring figures, and milestones through the eyes of art lovers. Written by journalist Joel Stein, the narrative strikingly conveys how design, sustainability, and technology come together to contribute to both individual and collective wellness. Technogym: The Art of Wellness opens a window behind the scenes of a brand that leaves its mark not only on the world of fitness but also on contemporary lifestyle culture.
“People should move not only to be healthier but also to be happier.”
Technogym is not just a sports equipment manufacturer; it is also a lifestyle brand. What is the vision that enables the brand to engage in art-integrated projects like Design to Move?
There is a quote from Technogym’s founder, Nerio Alessandri, from years ago: “People should move not only to be healthier but also to be happier.” Our vision is nourished exactly by this idea. We want to build a bridge between health, technology, and design, and we want to build this bridge not only with functionality but also with aesthetics. Through projects like Design to Move, we position movement not just as a physical necessity but as a lifestyle aesthetic.
What are the main motivations guiding you when positioning Technogym in projects that combine technology, aesthetics, and art?
What excites me the most is the ability to create a connection between technology and emotions. For us, Technogym equipment is not just a device; it is a space where the body is recognized, the mind connects, and even where one rediscovers their own potential. When you combine this experience with art, people do not just move; they become part of a story. Strengthening that story with aesthetics is our responsibility.
The concept of wellness at Technogym offers a multidimensional approach that goes beyond physical health. Why do you think integrating this layered wellness philosophy with art creates such a powerful impact?
Because wellness is essentially a search for balance. Everything we experience within the body-mind-spirit triangle reflects in our daily choices. Art similarly helps us establish that balance; it provokes thought, calms, and transforms. That’s why a wellness experience combined with art becomes much more layered, lasting, and inspiring.
You are a brand deeply intertwined with both art and advanced technology. How do these two fields feed each other? Do you think the future will be an area where these two fields merge even more?
Absolutely. When the inspiring power of art merges with the solution-focused nature of technology, the result is impressive and transformative work. Art fosters empathy, technology enables accessibility. In the future, the boundary between these two fields will blur even more. Perhaps a workout space will simultaneously be an art installation; a fitness experience might transform into a performance art.
Technogym’s sustainability policy aims not only at production processes but also at creating social awareness. How do you define your social responsibility in this area as a brand?
Sustainability for us is not just a concept but a way of behaving. Producing with recycled materials is certainly important, but the key is to change the mindset. To make individuals rethink their relationship with themselves, the environment, and society… This is where the social dimension of wellness begins. A healthy individual is the foundation of a healthy society.
Does Technogym plan to launch more projects intersecting culture and art in the near future? What new initiatives does the brand aim for in this field?
Yes, this is a very high priority for us. We want to increase our collaborations intersecting culture and art both in Turkiye and globally. Artist collaborations, experience-focused installations, and creating Technogym spaces at cultural events are all on our agenda. Because we want to reposition wellness not only as a sports habit but as a cultural practice.
The balance between design and functionality is one of Technogym’s most prominent features. Do you think a piece of exercise equipment should only train our body, or should it also provide aesthetic inspiration?
Definitely, the latter. Equipment that activates our body should also stimulate our mind and aesthetic senses. At Technogym, we design our equipment not only as technical devices but as part of a visual experience. That’s why Technogym has won many design awards: 3 Gold Compasses, 12 ADI, 12 Red Dot Design Awards, 3 International Design Excellence Awards, and 4 iF Awards. But we don’t stop there; we always strive for better. Because we know that when an object becomes part of a living space, it forms a deeper connection with the user.
What place does Turkiye have within the brand’s global vision? How do you evaluate the creative potential in Turkiye?
Turkiye is very valuable to us with its dynamism and creative potential. In recent years, there has been a rising energy in many fields from architecture to gastronomy, contemporary art to design. We are working to transfer this energy to the wellness field. We believe in enriching Technogym’s global vision with Turkiye unique interpretation.
What kind of difference do you think the transformation in an individual’s relationship with their body creates when supported by aesthetic and creative elements?
The relationship we establish with our body is the most visible reflection of our relationship with ourselves. Aesthetics and creativity make this relationship free from judgment, compassionate, and conscious. An individual who knows and understands their body is freer, healthier, and more productive. That’s why at Technogym, we don’t treat our equipment as a sports device tucked away in a dark corner of your home, but as a piece of art you would proudly place at the center of your living space, bringing healthy living to the heart of your life.
