Tag Archives: Exercise equipment

Ottagono Packs a Full Workout into a Luminous Octagonal Column

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Home gyms have become unavoidable lately, creeping into corners with smart mirrors bolted to walls, fold‑out benches wedged behind sofas, and dumbbells scattered under coffee tables. Apartments keep shrinking, hotel suites need to multitask, and most fitness gear still looks like fitness gear rather than furniture. Even the sleekest mirror can’t pretend it belongs next to a credenza when a countdown timer starts blinking, and someone begins doing burpees in the reflection.

Ottagono by architect Giulia Foscari for Cassina Custom Interiors offers a different answer. It looks like a tall octagonal column, occupies less than one square meter, and hides a complete Technogym-powered workout behind faceted doors. Designed in collaboration with Technogym, it debuted during Milan Design Week and will be installed at Hotel du Cap Eden Roc in Antibes, positioning it squarely in the luxury hospitality world where space costs money and objects need to earn their floor area.

Designer: Giulia Foscari

When closed, Ottagono reads like a sculptural floor lamp rather than a cabinet full of kettlebells. The exterior is finished in gradient tones, deep blue fading lighter toward the top or emerald green transitioning upward, with clean facets and minimal seams. At its summit, an integrated uplight washes the ceiling in soft ambient glow. In a living room or suite, it sits quietly under that halo, looking more like art than utility, which seems to be exactly what Foscari and Cassina intended.

Open the doors, and the mood shifts completely. The interior glows in bright turquoise, with a vertical screen at eye level streaming Technogym workouts and a mirror on one door for checking form. Adjustable dumbbells nestle into octagonal cradles at the base, kettlebells hang on polished hooks, resistance bands drape from pegs, and a foam roller stands vertically alongside mobility balls. Foscari calls it “opening a room within a room,” which feels accurate because the inside genuinely reads like a micro gym carved from a single piece of furniture.

A typical session unfolds quickly. You roll out a mat, face the screen, and follow guided strength or mobility work using whatever equipment the program calls for, all stored within arm’s reach. When finished, everything returns to its slot, the doors swing shut, and the column becomes a lamp again. The entire footprint is smaller than a dining chair, which makes dedicating a spare bedroom to a treadmill and rack feel suddenly excessive when something this compact handles a full training cycle.

Ottagono is designed for contexts where space is scarce and expensive. Hotel du Cap Eden Roc will install it in suites, giving guests a Technogym experience without a visible gym. Cassina Custom Interiors positions itself for private residences, superyachts, and boutique hotels where clients expect wellness amenities but want them hidden until needed. It fits the current trend toward fluid, multifunctional spaces where every object does more than one job and looks presentable while idle.

The broader implication is that Ottagono hints at wellness furniture behaving like micro architecture. It treats the gym as a spatial program that can compress into a vertical volume, and it suggests that as homes and hotels juggle more functions per square meter, we might see more objects that act as rooms in disguise. The column becomes forgettable infrastructure when closed, which might be the most useful thing a piece of fitness equipment can do in a living room that needs to function as six different spaces by Thursday.

The post Ottagono Packs a Full Workout into a Luminous Octagonal Column first appeared on Yanko Design.

PENT Made Dumbbells Too Pretty to Actually Work Out With

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There’s something slightly absurd yet completely mesmerizing about the idea of working out with equipment covered in Swarovski crystals. But here we are in 2025, and Polish luxury fitness brand PENT has partnered with Swarovski to create gym equipment that looks like it belongs in a museum rather than your basement workout space.

Let’s be honest. Most of us have dumbbells tucked away in closets or gathering dust under the bed. They’re functional, sure, but they’re not exactly objects you’d want to display on your coffee table. PENT is completely flipping that script with their “Embellished with Crystals by Swarovski” collection, which features handcrafted dumbbells and kettlebells that are as much about aesthetics as they are about bicep curls.

Designer: PENT x Swarovski

The collection includes the COLMIA dumbbells and LOVA kettlebells, each one meticulously handmade in Poland using materials that sound more suited to a luxury yacht than a home gym. We’re talking walnut or ash wood handles, Italian leather, stainless steel, and of course, those signature Swarovski crystals hand-applied to every piece. Even the storage racks are designed with architectural precision, so the equipment becomes a sculptural element in your space rather than something you need to hide away.

What makes this collaboration particularly interesting is how it challenges our assumptions about where luxury belongs. Fitness equipment has traditionally been purely utilitarian. You want something that works, not something that sparkles. But as home wellness spaces have evolved from dingy garage setups to carefully curated environments, there’s clearly a market for equipment that doubles as design objects. According to Iron House Design, which is bringing the collection to the U.S. market, these pieces are intended for luxury home gyms, private spas, hotel suites, and superyacht interiors.

The price tag reflects this positioning. The collection starts at around $613 for dumbbells with a wooden stand and goes up to $681 for kettlebells, though more customized sets can reach $25,000 depending on the level of crystal detailing and personalization you want. That’s a significant investment for equipment you could theoretically replace with a $30 set from a sporting goods store.

But that misses the point entirely. These aren’t meant to be practical purchases in the traditional sense. They’re statement pieces that happen to be functional. Tanya Ryno, founder of Iron House Design, describes them as being “for those who make bold statements with every choice.” It’s for the person who wants every element of their home to reflect a certain level of taste and refinement, from the artwork on the walls to the weights on the floor.

The collaboration also taps into a broader cultural shift around wellness and self-care. Exercise is no longer just about breaking a sweat or hitting certain fitness goals. For many people, especially in the luxury market, it’s about the entire experience. The space you work out in matters. The equipment you use matters. And increasingly, people are willing to invest in making those experiences feel special.

That said, there’s an inevitable question hovering over the whole thing: would you actually work out with crystal-covered dumbbells, or would you just keep them on display? According to reports, many owners treat them more like collectible art pieces or conversation starters rather than everyday workout tools. Some designers are even using them purely as decorative elements in high-end spaces. Technically, these pieces are engineered to meet professional fitness standards, so you absolutely could use them for your actual workouts. The wooden handles are smooth and ergonomically designed, and the stainless steel ends are weighted properly. But when something is that beautiful and that expensive, there’s an understandable hesitation to actually get your sweat all over it.

What the PENT x Swarovski collection really represents is the ongoing blurring of boundaries between different design categories. Furniture looks like art. Kitchen appliances become sculptural centerpieces. And now, gym equipment gets the high-jewelry treatment. It’s all part of a world where the objects we surround ourselves with are expected to be both functional and beautiful, practical and aspirational.

The post PENT Made Dumbbells Too Pretty to Actually Work Out With first appeared on Yanko Design.

RITFIT GATOR 3-Section Adjustable Bench Holds 1,600 Lbs in 21 Positions

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Every athlete knows the frustration of outgrowing their gym setup as training evolves and goals shift over time. Maybe your training has evolved from basic movements to complex routines, or your space has changed from a dedicated room to a shared area with family, but your bench stays stubbornly the same throughout it all. Too bulky to move easily between exercises, too rigid to adapt to different movements, and too basic for your growing ambitions.

The RITFIT GATOR 3-Section Adjustable Weight Bench is designed for those who want more from their workouts and their space without compromising on either front or settling for less. It’s a bench that grows with you as your fitness journey progresses, adapts to your changing goals seamlessly across different training phases, and looks as good as it performs in any environment you place it. The modular design makes it work for beginners and serious athletes alike.

Designer: RITFIT

Click Here to Buy Now: $319.99 $399.99 (20% off). Hurry, deal ends in 48-hours!

The bench’s three-section design is all about flexibility and precision for different training needs throughout your entire routine. With 10 backrest angles, 5 headrest positions, 3 seat levels, and 3 decline settings independently adjustable, you get 21 unique combinations total, enough to support everything from flat bench presses to incline dumbbell curls and decline sit-ups. The modular construction means you can fine-tune the bench for your body type and your specific routine requirements.

The adjustability encourages experimentation and progression throughout your training journey as you discover new movements. Switch from incline presses in the morning to core work in the evening, adjusting the bench in seconds to match your flow without interrupting workout momentum or wasting time. The gear-based adjustment system locks securely into each position, providing stability during heavy lifts while remaining easy to change between exercises when you need quick transitions between movements.

Built for serious lifters who push their limits regularly, the RITFIT bench uses thickened 50mm x 70mm steel pipes and is tested rigorously to support up to 1,600 lbs of total weight. The headrest alone can handle 396 lbs independently, so you can push your limits with confidence during overhead work or heavy dumbbell movements without worrying about equipment failure. The robust construction is visible in the exposed steel frame and reinforced connection points.

Thick, 70mm high-density foam cushions and premium vinyl leather covers keep you comfortable through long training sessions that stretch beyond an hour of continuous work. Closed adjustment mechanisms prevent pinching during quick changes between angles, and welded foot covers ensure components stay securely attached even during explosive movements or dynamic exercises. The attention to safety details means you can focus entirely on your workout performance.

The main frame arrives pre-assembled from the factory, and the rest of the setup takes about ten minutes with a clear, illustrated manual that doesn’t require technical expertise or special tools. When you’re done training for the day, two wheels and a knurled metal handle make it easy to roll the bench out of the way for yoga, stretching, or reclaiming floor space for other activities your household needs.

The bench stands vertically for storage against any wall in your home, making it ideal for apartments, basements, or any space where every square foot counts for multiple uses throughout the week. The enclosed gear adjustment system ensures the seat cushion doesn’t fall off when stored upright, maintaining safety and convenience without additional latches. The compact vertical profile means you can tuck it away without dedicating permanent floor space.

The bench’s clean lines, matte black finish, and subtle RITFIT branding mean it blends into any home gym aesthetic without shouting for attention, allowing you to proudly leave it on display even when guests visit your home. For athletes and active families who want their gear to match their lifestyle and living spaces, the RITFIT GATOR 3-Section Adjustable Weight Bench delivers modular comfort, safety, and everyday performance, making it a compelling choice for anyone building a home gym that needs to work as hard as they do without taking over the entire room.

Click Here to Buy Now: $319.99 $399.99 (20% off). Hurry, deal ends in 48-hours!

The post RITFIT GATOR 3-Section Adjustable Bench Holds 1,600 Lbs in 21 Positions first appeared on Yanko Design.

RITFIT M2 Smith Machine: A Complete Home Gym in 23 Sq. Ft.

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Home gyms usually mean choosing between what you want and what fits. A power rack takes up the space that cables need. Cable systems leave no room for free weights. Buy multiple machines, and spare rooms turn into equipment warehouses where getting to the actual workout requires navigating around gear. Safety becomes another issue when lifting heavy alone without the spotting or the guided rails that commercial gyms provide.

The RITFIT M2 combines a Smith machine, power rack, cable station, and storage into roughly 23 sq. ft. by stacking everything vertically and using attachments that pull double duty. Four configurations range from stripped-down to fully loaded with weight stacks, letting you match the setup to how you train instead of adapting your workouts around what the equipment allows.

Designer: RITFIT

Click Here to Buy Now: $1870 $2199.99 ($329.99 off). Hurry, deal ends in 48-hours!

The frame uses thick steel uprights with black and red finishes that look serious. 2,000 lbs total capacity means heavy squats and deadlifts happen without stability concerns. The construction feels planted when you’re under a loaded bar, which matters more than numbers suggest until you’re actually using it and trusting the frame to hold.

Smith machines guide barbells vertically for exercises like squats and bench press when training solo. The three-dimensional version adds horizontal movement to vertical travel, letting the bar move more like it does during free weight lifts. Bodies don’t move in perfect straight lines naturally, so equipment that allows some horizontal drift builds strength that transfers better outside the gym.

Cable stations on both sides feature pulleys that are adjustable along the full upright height. Pro models include weight stacks with thirteen plates per side that adjust through selector pins. Base versions use plate loading, which costs less and delivers the same exercise range with slightly more setup time between weight changes.

Sixteen adjustment holes mean bars, safety arms, and cable attachments position exactly where your height and exercise selection require them. Tall lifters set things higher. Shorter athletes drop everything down. The system adapts to you rather than forcing average positions that work poorly for most people, regardless of what equipment manufacturers claim.

Storage pegs and hooks keep plates and attachments organized instead of scattered. The machine stays tidy even in smaller rooms where equipment typically dominates every surface. Everything needed for a session stays within reach, eliminating those annoying trips across the room to grab different handles or bars that somehow migrated since the last workout.

Morning sessions might start with pull-ups flowing into cable rows and shoulder work, finishing with Smith squats that feel secure alone. Evening training could hit chest and arms entirely through cables and dips. Weekends might mean sharing the machine with family who adjust everything to their heights in seconds using those selector pins on Pro versions.

The system works equally well for building strength through heavy compounds, bodybuilding splits isolating specific muscles, functional training mixing movement patterns, or careful rehab requiring controlled ranges. The modular design supports these different approaches without requiring new equipment purchases as goals change or training phases rotate throughout the year.

The RITFIT M2 delivers what commercial gyms offer within footprints where traditional multi-machine setups would create chaos. It handles comprehensive training across different fitness goals while maintaining the safety rails, weight capacity, and exercise variety serious progression requires, all without consuming entire rooms or forcing constant compromises between what you want to do and what the equipment actually allows.

Click Here to Buy Now: $1870 $2199.99 ($329.99 off). Hurry, deal ends in 48-hours!

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Maximize Workout, Minimize Space: The MAJOR FITNESS F35 is an Advanced All-in-one Home Gym

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They say the best way to be consistent with something is to remove obstacles. Bought a guitar but aren’t playing it because it’s in a case? Take it out and keep it right beside your bedside so you find it easier to pick up every now and then. Got yourself a gym membership but couldn’t be bothered to go to the gym? Just get the gym to you! The guys at MAJOR FITNESS have designed what can only be described as the most comprehensive home gym ever. Designed to be attached to a wall in your house (or preferably your garage), the MAJOR FITNESS LIGHTNING F35 is a foldable gym that packs more than 80 exercises designed to target every major muscle group. It’s comprehensive, featuring a cable crossover system, a power rack, a multi-grip pull-up bar, and a landmine – everything you’d find at your nearby gym… but more importantly, it’s compact and folds right into your wall, occupying a few inches of space when not in use.

Designer: Major Fitness

Click Here to Buy Now: $849 $1099 (22% off). Hurry, only 6 left! Raised over $260,000.

Easily one of the most compelling aspects of the MAJOR FITNESS F35 is its space-saving design. As home gyms have risen in popularity, especially in urban environments where living spaces are often compact, the need for multi-functional and space-efficient gym equipment has become more pronounced. The MAJOR FITNESS F35 is designed with this in mind, with a folding form that’s a perfect fit for apartment dwellers or those with limited space. It can seamlessly transform a small area into a comprehensive home gym, challenging the notion that effective strength training requires a large, dedicated space. The folding feature, aside from being much more intuitively designed than other wall racks (and offering 7 angles), even allows exercising in various positions, increasing versatility and variety. This puts the ball (and gym) in your court, giving you the freedom to train whenever you want right in the comfort of your home. Just try looking for an excuse now!

While many space-saving fitness solutions often cut corners in functionality, the MAJOR FITNESS F35 offers no such compromise. This folding power rack, when paired with weight plates, offers over 30 different exercises, going up to 80 different exercises when combined with additional accessories. It successfully integrates four distinct training systems: a cable crossover system, a power rack, a multi-grip pull-up bar, and a landmine. This amalgamation is not just about adding numbers to the list of possible exercises; it’s about ensuring that users can engage comprehensively with different muscle groups and workout styles.

Firstly, the cable crossover system in the F35 is a standout feature. It allows for a variety of exercises that target multiple muscle groups. Users can engage in exercises like cable flys, tricep pushdowns, and bicep curls. This system is particularly beneficial for those looking to engage in isolation exercises that focus on specific muscle groups, offering a level of workout specificity that’s often missing in home gym setups. The cable system can be both height as well as angle-adjusted (with 15 height adjustments) and has a max weight capacity of 132 lbs, offering a safe experience even for intense workouts.

Next, the power rack component of the F35 is central to its functionality. It enables classic strength training exercises such as squats, bench presses, and deadlifts. The power rack is designed to support heavy weights, catering to both beginners and advanced lifters. This feature is crucial for users focusing on compound movements that work multiple muscle groups simultaneously, providing the foundation for strength and muscle-building workouts. The J-hooks and safety arms have up to 13 different height adjustments to choose from, and the J-hook itself can withstand a whopping 660 lbs of weight for those monster deadlifts.

The multi-grip pull-up bar is another versatile feature. It accommodates a variety of grip positions – wide, narrow, and neutral – allowing users to target different parts of their upper body, especially the back, biceps, and shoulders. Exercises such as pull-ups and chin-ups are essential for developing upper body strength and are a staple in many workout routines.

Lastly, the inclusion of a landmine adds a dynamic component to the F35. This feature allows for rotational exercises that are often overlooked in standard gym setups. Users can perform landmine presses, rows, and rotational movements, which are excellent for core strengthening and functional fitness.

The MAJOR FITNESS F35 comes with a design that’s easy to assemble with no power tools or extra equipment. Written instructions, DIY setup videos, and even phone support and live-chat help allow you to assemble your MAJOR FITNESS F35 without any hiccups. Its IKEA-like construction allows it to ship flat-packed, where you can then unpack and install it in a jiffy, securing it to a wall for extra stability and anchoring. Once installed, your home gym is ready for you and even a partner or a buddy to use simultaneously. Double pulleys (one on each side) allow you to have a shared workout with your friend or partner when you’re not spotting each other. All this in the privacy of your home, without those annoying gym memberships and crowded, sweaty gyms.

Your F35 comes in 3 color options – grey, black, and red. When folded, it measures 83.8 inches tall, 68.5 inches wide, and 20.9 inches deep, opening up to 103.9 inches wide and 56.3 inches deep when fully opened. Each MAJOR FITNESS F35 comes with a 3-year warranty on the product. You can grab yours for as low as $849 (which also includes the customs fee), with the MAJOR FITNESS F35 delivering this month (November 2023) with 48-hour expedited shipping for US customers… that’s just in time for your New Year fitness resolution!

Click Here to Buy Now: $849 $1099 (22% off). Hurry, only 6 left! Raised over $260,000.

The post Maximize Workout, Minimize Space: The MAJOR FITNESS F35 is an Advanced All-in-one Home Gym first appeared on Yanko Design.