An interview with founder Nerio Alessandri on “Design, wellness and the future of living well in Saudi Arabia”
As Saudi Arabia continues investing in quality-of-life programs, these influencers will likely have an even greater impact on promoting healthy lifestyles and community involvement. When they share credible, responsible, and evidence-based information, their platforms become powerful tools for education and empowerment. The rise of wellness influencers shows that Saudi society is not just accepting change, but actively redefining what it means to live well.
“Today, wellness is the new luxury. Healthy longevity and wellbeing of both body and mind are becoming the true symbols of modern living.”
Nerio Alessandri is the founder and chairman of Technogym, a globally renowned Italian wellness and fitness company. He started the company in 1983 in his garage in Cesena, Italy, with a vision to transform fitness from a purely functional activity into a lifestyle experience. He is widely recognized for pioneering the idea of “wellness lifestyle”.
Do you believe that having wellness equipment visible in the home changes behavior?
Absolutely. When a product is friendly, intuitive, and placed in a beautiful environment, people are naturally more motivated to use it. Wellness becomes a pleasure rather than a duty. It also becomes a social experience, something shared with family and friends, creating emotional connection and long-term consistency.
What advice would you give when designing a home wellness space?
I often refer to the classical Roman gymnasium. Two thousand years ago, it was not merely a place for physical exercise; it brought together art, culture, education, movement, food, relaxation, and social life within a single environment.
So the idea is to make wellness part of everyday living, not something set apart?
Exactly. In my own home, wellness includes books, art, culture, light, atmosphere, and natural materials. It is not a traditional gym, but a lifestyle space where you live, learn, talk, and exercise. It’s not just about sweating; it’s about creating harmony between body and mind. This reflects the Italian philosophy of mens sana in corpore sano: a healthy mind in a healthy body.
As home gyms and wellness spaces become more popular among Saudi homeowners, how do you see Technogym contributing to the evolution of fitness at home in Saudi Arabia?
Technogym is deeply rooted in Italian design and craftsmanship. For us, every product is conceived as a piece of furniture or a work of art, not simply a fitness machine. Our vision has always been to transform training from something hidden away in a garage or basement into an experience that belongs in the most beautiful room of the homes like the living area.
Design, finishes, materials, and quality are fundamental. When wellness equipment is beautiful, it becomes aspirational. Today, wellness is the new luxury. Healthy longevity and the wellbeing of both body and mind are becoming the true symbols of modern luxury living.
Technogym is an Olympic partner for Milano Cortina 2026. What innovations will athletes experience compared to previous Olympic Games?
Data will play a central role. Through advanced data collection and biofeedback, athletes can personalize their training with much greater precision. This includes posture, movement quality, range of motion, load, power, recovery, and stretching.
Technology allows us to plan training intelligently throughout the year, adapting programs to different phases and objectives. Precision training supported by electronics and data represents the future of both elite performance and everyday wellness.
Technogym is globally recognized yet deeply rooted in Italian design heritage. How do you balance heritage with innovation?
This balance is our magic formula. We focus on timeless design. For example, our multi-station strength machine Unica was originally designed in my garage more than 40 years ago. Today, it remains one of the best in the world and will continue to be relevant for decades.
Timeless design is heritage-driven. When combined with digital technology, data, and innovation, it creates something powerful. It is the balance between the physical and the digital.
This balance feels especially relevant in Saudi Arabia, where rapid innovation coexists with strong cultural heritage.
This contrast is very powerful. Our Sand Stone collection reflects this philosophy. It has a strong connection to the natural environment while integrating advanced electronics, AI, and digital technology. It is innovation rooted in heritage.
Finally, if you were to design an ideal wellness community in Saudi Arabia, what would it include?
There are three essential pillars: education, motivation, and emotion. Education, especially for children, is essential to instill healthy habits from an early age. Inspiration and motivation come through design, culture, and role models such as athletes and champions, as well as through emotional engagement. Wellness must inspire people emotionally, not only functionally.
When education, motivation, and emotion come together, wellness becomes a natural part of community life.
“Innovation rooted in heritage is especially important in Saudi Arabia, where progress and culture evolve together.”
