Fitness Gear That Look Like Works of Art

   
          

IT'S A THING

7 Pieces of Fitness Gear That Look Like Works of Art

7 Slides

Home gym meets museum display

By Zoë Sessums

June 3, 2019

These days, there are so many apps and online streaming services to help you get in shape outside of a fitness center. People are buying sleek exercise bikes for their apartments. There are magical mirrors for a nearly invisible home gym. So, while it's easier to find the most accessible option for your lifestyle, let's face it, most workout gear is still usually an eyesore. It's not often that you think of a set of free weights or a treadmill as a beautiful piece of equipment you want on display in your home.

Considering most home gyms are set up in a garage or spare room, it's clear that these spaces and their furnishings are not meant to be on view. However, there's a way to make your personal fitness area look like a gallery display. Thankfully, a slew of designers are making dumbbells and benches you don't need to store somewhere when not in use—this stuff is stylish and functional and can be left out in any room. For a gym rat who still appreciates good aesthetics, here is training equipment that's too good to hide away.

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  Photo by Raphaëlle Mueller

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  This series of dumbbells and push-up bars are made of glossy, iridescent lacquered steel and can be joined together or stacked to form geometric sculptures. The chameleon paint sheen is showy, but also functional for some strength training. Designed by Candice Blanc and Ulysse Martel, the collection—called Olympia—is "both futuristic and retrograde at the same time."
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  Photo: Courtesy of Alexander Lervik

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  This wooden bench by the Swedish brand Tingesttakes inspiration from the classic vault horse. Upholstered in red leather, the piece makes for a great seating element even when you're not working up a sweat.

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  Photo: Courtesy of Alexander Lervik

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  Another Tingest design, called Tyngdlyftaren, these dumbbells are available in black and white marble and in iron. Each weight has a slightly sanded flat surface so they don't roll around—great for your biceps or for displaying on a shelf.

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  Photo: Courtesy of Alexander Lervik

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  The chicest Hula-Hoop we ever did see. Gymnasten, Tingest's bamboo creation, comes with a wall hook in leather and brass, so it's part fun and part elegant wall hanging.

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  Photo: Courtesy of Asa Pingree

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  Asa Pingree's Tidewalker weights look almost too beautiful to be useful. The set of solid wood weights are five pounds each, but can be customized up to 20 pounds. Due to the natural materials used, the grains and textures vary from piece to piece.

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  Photo: Courtesy of Asa Pingree

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  Another bit of fitness gear from Asa, the Tidewalker Workout bench folds down when not in use, so it can be enjoyed along with your other furniture. When open, it is a much more attractive version of a butterfly weight bench.

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  Photo by Frank Wiegand

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  Hock’s made-to-order Goldloft dumbbells might be a bit of a stretch to own, as they cost more than $113,000, but are perfect if you're in the market for grenadilla wood weights finished in 18-karat yellow gold. Handmade in Germany and one of 50, each pair is like a functional work of art.