Vidhi Gupta
30-Apr-2026
In conversation with Nerio Alessandri, President and Founder of Technogym.
From a small garage in Cesena to building one of the world’s most influential wellness and fitness brands, Nerio Alessandri has redefined how the world approaches movement, performance, and preventive health. Founder and President of Technogym, Alessandri launched the company in 1983 at just 22, driven by what he calls the union of two passions: technology and sport—TECHNO and GYM. What began with designing a hack squat machine to make training ‘safer and more accessible’ evolved into a global wellness ecosystem at the intersection of equipment, digital innovation, AI, and longevity. With innovation at its core and a mission centred on helping people ‘live better through physical exercise,’ Alessandri has long championed a vision of wellness where technology enhances quality of life and supports healthier, longer, more active living. In this conversation, he reflects on the entrepreneurial spark that started it all and the philosophy that continues to shape the future of wellness.
1. What does Technogym deliver that other fitness brands don’t?
What differentiates Technogym is our holistic approach to wellness. We don’t simply offer equipment; we design integrated solutions that combine smart hardware, digital platforms, AI, and personalized content into a single ecosystem. This allows us to support measurable results and long-term health, rather than short-term fitness goals.
In addition, design plays a central role in this vision—not just in aesthetics, but in creating intuitive, engaging experiences that encourage people to move more and live better. For over forty years, our mission has been to spread a culture of wellness worldwide, promoting movement as a foundation for a healthier, more sustainable lifestyle for people of all ages.
2. With AI, connected equipment and digital coaching, how do you ensure technology enhances human wellbeing rather than overwhelms it?
I have always seen technology as a tool that should enhance human potential, not replace it. At Technogym, innovation—especially AI—is built around people: it is designed to be supportive, intuitive, and almost invisible, translating data into clear insights that help individuals train with greater awareness, safety, and effectiveness. The goal is not to overload users with information, but to empower them to make better choices and adopt healthier habits over time, reinforcing the concept of exercise as preventive medicine.
This philosophy is embedded in the Technogym Ecosystem, a fully integrated environment that brings together smart connected equipment, digital platforms, artificial intelligence, training content, and services. By placing the human experience at the centre, the ecosystem enables highly personalized wellness journeys for end users, while giving operators intelligent tools to manage, engage, and grow their communities more effectively. The result is a seamless connection between people, technology, and purpose—where innovation serves long-term wellbeing and meaningful business outcomes alike.
3. Which has been your favourite innovation?
It is difficult to single out one innovation, as each represents a distinct step in our evolution. At this moment, however, the newly launched Sand Stone collection stands out. Conceived for the most exclusive wellness spaces, it is characterized by a warm, textured, and enveloping aesthetic that blends authenticity with innovation, redefining the standards of wellness interior design. Inspired by nature, Sand Stone introduces a renewed and versatile aesthetic language. Its cross-cutting design approach uniquely enables the creation of wall-to-wall wellness spaces, seamlessly integrating products across cardio, strength, and functional training into a complete and cohesive family. This results in a refined environment where design and performance come together effortlessly across multiple lines and products, including Technogym Checkup, Artis line, Biostrength, Personal Tools, and Technogym Reform.
4. Technogym has been the official supplier to nine Olympic Games. What does working with athletes teach you about designing for everyday users?
Working with Olympic and Paralympic athletes offers invaluable insights into how technology should perform when the stakes are highest. Precision, safety, reliability, and consistency are non-negotiable at this level, and designing for elite sport reinforces the importance of solutions that are not only advanced, but also intuitive and robust.
Technogym has been a long-standing reference partner of the Olympic Games and Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics and Paralympics marked our 10th time as an Official Supplier—an important milestone in a journey that spans decades of collaboration with the Olympic Movement. Each Olympic experience strengthens our understanding of how training, recovery, and performance must work seamlessly together.
What we learn from athletes competing at the highest level translates directly into benefits for everyday users. The same pillars that support champions—personalisation, data-driven guidance, injury prevention, and recovery—are fundamental in helping people train safely, stay consistent, and improve their quality of life. In this way, elite sport becomes a true innovation laboratory, allowing us to turn high-performance science into accessible solutions that support healthier, more balanced lifestyles for everyone.
5. What do you think about the wellness industry in 2026?
Looking ahead to 2026, I believe the wellness industry will increasingly converge with the health sector. The focus will move beyond fitness alone toward a more comprehensive approach to long?term physical and mental health, where exercise is recognised as a key pillar of prevention and quality of life. People will expect solutions that support them across different life stages, health conditions, and individual goals.
Technology will be a powerful enabler of this shift. When used responsibly, AI, data, and connected devices can personalise experiences, improve safety, and help individuals train smarter—not harder—while staying motivated and consistent over time. The industry will be more inclusive, more science-driven, and more closely aligned with healthcare, placing health—supported by intelligent technology—at the very heart of wellness.
6. Talking about markets, hotels are increasingly focusing on wellness today. How does Technogym help hospitality brands deliver measurable wellness experiences?
Today, hospitality brands are redefining luxury through wellbeing, moving from offering isolated wellness amenities to creating experiences that positively impact guests’ health and lifestyle. Wellness has become a key differentiator—one that guests increasingly expect to be authentic, personalized, and measurable.
Technogym supports this evolution by enabling hotels to design wellness journeys rather than simply equipping fitness spaces. Through the Technogym Ecosystem, hospitality brands can seamlessly integrate design excellence, smart connected equipment, digital services, and data-driven personalization. This allows guests to train, recover, and move in ways that are tailored to their needs, whether they stay for one night or several weeks.
7. What’s your wellness philosophy?
My concept of "Wellness" is deeply rooted in the ancient Roman philosophy of "mens sana in corpore sano"—a healthy mind in a healthy body. This isn't merely a historical quote for me; it's the foundational principle for the lifestyle Technogym strives to promote. I believe that true well-being transcends the narrow view of just physical exercise. It's about recognizing the profound, intrinsic connection between our physical state and our mental clarity, focus, and emotional balance.
Our vision is to empower individuals to achieve a broader, more fulfilling lifestyle where physical activity, a balanced diet, and a positive mental attitude are seamlessly integrated. We aim to shift the perspective from exercising solely for external appearances, like muscle building or a sculpted physique, towards a deeper, more enduring objective: achieving healthy longevity. The external shell, while a part of overall well-being, should ultimately reflect a robust and harmonious internal state, ensuring a vibrant and extended life.
8. What’s next for you?
“When it works, it’s obsolete” is our motto. This means that, in order to always stay ahead, when a product or a technology is at its top, it’s time to change—waiting until it starts declining would be too late. This mindset pushes us to constantly anticipate future needs and evolve—even when solutions are performing at their best. Our focus is on continuous innovation to strengthen and expand our unique ecosystem with cutting-edge products, services, and digital content for fitness, sport, and health. By challenging ourselves every day, we can continue to innovate proactively and shape the future of wellness in a meaningful and sustainable way.
