Nerio Alessandri, founder of Technogym, is unsurprisingly a workout enthusiast, who started building exercise equipment in his home’s garage in 1983. The then 22-year-old Italian designer produced the Technogym Isotonic Line for gyms, followed by the Technogym Unica specially designed for homes. Today, Technogym is taking the lead in high-tech gym machinery and has been shaping the fitness industry globally for 40 years. Alessandri and Technogym’s constant commitment to improvement on user-centric design has captivated a massive market worldwide. Besides being appointed the Official Supplier to the Paris 2024 Olympics for the ninth time, Technogym is also celebrating its 40th anniversary by featuring a visionary project, ‘Design to Move’.
‘Design to Move’ connects the special relationship between art, style and wellness, which allows Technogym to collaborate with architect and designer Giulio Cappellini and curator Bruna Roccasalva, gathering 40 artists worldwide to construct 40 Technogym Benches as a tribute to their 40th anniversary. All 40 ‘Design to Move’ exercise benches were exhibited at Milan Design Week, and all sales and proceeds were donated to UNICEF. “We are proud that so many designers and artists have joined our dream of putting the world back in motion,” Alessandri said. Amazingly, one selected artist is one of our own—Malaysian artist Wilson Ng—and he got to share his concept of wellness and art with the world.
Titled Movement of Symphony, Wilson Ng injected his artwork and designs into the exercise bench as a tribute to our home country. The bold tiger stripes embody strength, while the graceful arcs of the hornbill’s wings and vibrant hues of the hibiscus symbolise determination. The artwork speaks of unity amidst diversity, a powerful reminder of the wilful resilience of the Malaysian people.
Art aside, the Technogym Bench is an all-inclusive functional training equipment designed to combine a variety of exercises. It is suitable for individuals who find gym-time challenging, or if space is limited at home. Besides, it’s aimed at people who like studio-style classes. Included in the bench are five pairs of dumbbells, three pairs of elastic bands of different resistance, three pairs of weighted knuckles, and an exercise rubber mat. The bench is also equipped with wheels for better mobility.
Ng, who is a fitness enthusiast, prioritises working out because “it’s a fundamental aspect of life, alongside wealth, relationships and purpose.” He also shares with Robb Report Malaysia about his collaboration with Technogym, his inspirations to create art ,and his thoughts on fitness.
What was the inspiration behind the collaboration with Technogym?
To infuse Malaysian spirit into Technogym’s bench using graphics and ideation. Rather than making it feel like a mere sticker, I aimed to create a harmonious coexistence with the bench. My main goal was to put the Malaysian spirit on the global map. I admire Technogym’s constant innovation in fitness equipment and solutions, and I hoped to achieve a similar iconic status with my art—one that could withstand the test of time.
What was the process of this collaboration like?
Technogym Malaysia approached me, sharing details about the campaign. I created a sketch to convey my idea, which I then sent to the person in charge at Technogym Italy. They were incredibly supportive, allowing me to proceed with my initial sketch without any amendments. The actual painting process took around six days. I’m accustomed to larger murals, so the challenge here was the smaller space on the bench. Nevertheless, I pushed through and completed the artwork.
How did you come up with the ‘Movement of Symphony’ idea?
The artwork titled Movement of Symphony is my vibrant tribute to Malaysian identity. Inspired by movement and deeply rooted in our rich culture, it reflects my immense pride in contributing to Technogym’s ’40 Years 40 Benches’ project. The bold tiger stripes symbolise strength, while the graceful arcs of the hornbill’s wings evoke freedom. Vibrant hibiscus hues celebrate our country’s diversity. Stark lines represent challenges, which I view as stepping stones—opportunities for growth. The convergence of wing and tail serves as a powerful reminder of unity amidst diversity. Movement of Symphony harmonises strength, diversity and boundless potential—a true celebration of our Malaysian spirit.
How did you feel when your concept was chosen to represent Malaysia and when the finished artwork was shown in Technogym Milan?
It filled me with immense pride and gratitude. It’s the ultimate honour for an artist—to showcase their work on the global stage, representing their own country.
What inspires you every day to make art?
Art has been an integral part of my life for as long as I can remember. Creating art is like breathing; I do it day in and day out. Regardless of how I feel, art always reminds me of my purpose in life.
What motivates you to workout and what does your routine look like?
For the past year, I’ve engaged in strength and conditioning training three days a week. As a result, my mental and physical health is at its peak, and I feel great every day.
All Technogym products come with a phone app, where you’ll have access to hundreds of on-demand workout videos, making exercising at home a breeze.
The Technogym Bench is priced at RM10,850 and can be purchased at the official website.
More photos of the Technogym exercise benches
