It sounds like one of those American stories where groundbreaking inventions are born in a home garage. Except this takes place in Italy, in Cesena. It’s 1983, and Nerio Alessandri builds his first prototype in his home workshop, recognizing an untapped gap in the fitness equipment industry. This early entrepreneurial vision led him, in 1986, after founding Technogym, to create Unica – the first piece of equipment designed for home training, aimed at making regular physical exercise appealing and desirable. Since then, it has come a long way, entering some of the most beautiful homes in the world, belonging to celebrities and top athletes, becoming a true design object and now reaching its 40th anniversary.
“When I imagined and designed Unica,” Alessandri explains, “the concept of wellness as we understand it today was still far off. My dream wasn’t just to create a visually appealing piece of equipment, but to spark a real cultural revolution driven by design. Unica defined a new product category for the home: home wellness. Today, 40 years later, it is no longer just a product – its timeless design has made it an icon, part of our collective imagination. In another 40 years, it will still be the same, capable of conveying the same message.”
From this socio-behavioral reflection – anticipating a broader idea of well-being that embraces the balance between mind and body – comes UNICA MENTE, the installation celebrating Unica’s 40th anniversary during Milan Design Week. On display at the Technogym Milano space on Via Durini 1, from Tuesday, April 21 to Sunday, April 26, the work curated by Felice Limosani is a video art installation featuring images, footage, and visual content from 40 personalities – athletes, intellectuals, artists, and scientists – connected to the use of Unica. These ambassadors, through their personal journeys, have spread a social message encouraging more and more people to engage in regular, healthy physical exercise. They are true “travel companions” who share with Technogym the spirit behind Unica and the philosophy of Shaping Icons: using physical exercise as a tool for mental, personal, and cultural transformation toward a healthier, happier life. This guiding principle also takes tangible form in a charitable initiative: each of the 40 participants has selected a school or nonprofit organization to which Technogym will donate a Unica unit.
Technological innovation is already an integral part of Unica, enhanced by the Technogym App, which acts as a digital trainer, offering personalized workout programs and guiding users through proper exercise execution. There are over 25 different exercises available, all performed with the same quality and safety as in top gyms. This is made possible by an exclusive leverage system that allows users to easily select the desired resistance and smoothly transition from one exercise to another without changing any components. Precision biomechanics ensure movements follow natural physiological paths, distributing load optimally to maximize results and prevent injuries. Comfort is guaranteed by the adjustable seat, wide backrest, and ergonomic padding.
