That is why using a mywellness cloud account is an ideal choice.

Simply, Technogym’s mywellness cloud technology syncs across several platforms – gym machines, different apps, your mobile phone and more – anywhere and at any time. To join the mywellness cloud, you can create a mywellness cloud account which serves as a central hub that actively tracks and stores information for you as well as give you real-time information about your Wellness progress.

The good news is that creating a mywellness cloud is simple and it’s equally easy to use. Like other Technogym solutions, it is also customizable so that it can fit all types of preferences, abilities and lifestyles into one place.

Explore three reasons as to why you should create an account today:

1. INTEGRATION AND CUSTOMIZATION HAVE NEVER BEEN SO SIMPLE: You can adapt your current preferences to your mywellness account and customize it with the options that you know are familiar with and recognize.

- The mywellness cloud is based on an open platform, which means it is compatible with other apps on the market. It already integrates with some of your favorite fitness apps, including MapMyFitness and RunKeeper. This means that you can keep using those and integrate your fitness data tracked across different apps on a single mywellness.com platform for a truly comprehensive overview of your Wellness lifestyle (Plus, stay tuned for more information about new apps!).

- Another feature of the mywellness cloud is the option to customize your account to show your favorite websites, content and more instantly every time you log-in to Technogym cardio equipment.

2. VERSATILE, MULTIFUNCTIONAL AND FUN: A mywellness cloud account allows you to track exercise anytime and everywhere, literally. Here are all the various ways that you can relay information to the mywellness cloud:

- At the gym: automatically track your activity on Technogym equipment via: (1) a username and password; (2) your mobile phone with QR code or NFC technology; (3) the TGS Key or mywellness key devices

- Away from the gym: log your movements by choosing among hundreds of different exercise options from mywellness.com and/or mywellness app, or sync your MapMyFitness or RunKeeper data from outdoor runs, walks and bike rides onto your mywellness cloud account

Plus, beyond a myriad of different ways to account for your activity, you can also get a little competitive by having your facility set up Challenges (via the Challenge App on mywellness cloud) for you and other members. For example, your facility could set up a Bike Challenge to see who can bike the furthest distance in a month. Join your facility’s Challenges through your mywellness.com account and check your ranking over time to see how close you are to winning!

3. INFORMATION IS MOTIVATION: We are all information-driven these days. Data in the form of workout numbers – how far you’ve run this month, how many calories you’ve burnt – can be great motivators as well as ways to assess your progress over time. The benefit of tracking all your data in one place through the mywellness cloud is that information is permanently stored, can be referenced over time and helps serve as a reminder for you to continue your healthy exercise habits.
Get started now. Create your account by visiting user.mywellness.com.

Need more information on a mywellness cloud account? Learn more here.

Want to learn more about Wellness on the GO? Watch the video or read this blog post.

It ought to be about being part of a community of like-minded people, motivating each other to move more, try harder and go faster.

How can you help create a sense of community and belonging in a club?
Our answer: CHALLENGE and COMMUNICATE!

Part of mywellness cloud – Technogym’s online ecosystem of ready-made apps that help facilities attract, motivate and inspire members – CHALLENGE and COMMUNICATOR are two simple apps that complement each other perfectly.

CHALLENGE allows the creation of group or individual challenge in just 5 minutes, motivating people to get the most moves, go to the gym more often, burn more calories or run longer distances in order to win. COMMUNICATOR allows you to stay updated on the latest news from your club directly via the VISIOWEB or UNITY interactive touch-screen consoles on cardio machines.

Hillsborough Leisure Centre, a thriving Fitness Unlimited venue in Sheffield, England, used both apps to build an engaged community of members who not only began to train more frequently, they also started to interact with trainers and each other much more, too.

Through CHALLENGE, the Centre created a group challenge for six teams – led by different trainers – to burn as many calories as possible within a month. The challenge was publicised through messages and bulletins sent to members via COMMUNICATOR on cardio machines’ VISIOWEB screens.

All data was automatically collected and synchronised on mywellness cloud by the cardio machines, allowing users and trainers to view their data and their position on the CHALLENGE leaderboard whenever they liked. Participants tracked their progress by logging into their personal mywellness cloud accounts on VISIOWEB, at home via www.mywellness.com, and while on the go through the mywellness iPhone app.

It was a big success – over 200 members signed up to the challenge within the first week. More than 129,000 calories were burnt throughout the month, and today close to 400 members have signed up to mywellness cloud to track their exercise data and goals.

Sue Emsell, a member of Fitness Unlimited at Hillsborough Leisure Centre, said, “I’ve enjoyed the new spirit of friendly competition that the challenges have brought about. It motivates me to work out more regularly and push myself more every time. I visit the gym more often now.”

Laura Jeffery, Fitness Manager, said, “Feedback from members has been very positive on mywellness cloud. Not only has it helped to grow emotional engagement, our users are embracing the fact that intelligent technology can help them measure results and stay motivated.”

The Centre is planning to keep the momentum up by holding new challenges every month. The next one will be a battle of the sexes – and we’re quite interested to know how that turns out!

Find out more about mywellness cloud here. What is your gym doing to keep you motivated? Tell us on Facebook or Twitter.

Held at ExCeL London from 4-12 May, the event is one of the UK’s top contemporary home and design shows. With 500 exhibitors and an estimated 150,000 visitors, this was the biggest one yet.

Technogym welcomed over 2,000 visitors to their stand featuring Wellness in the Home, with Master Trainers demonstrating the use of Technogym’s premium home equipment – particularly Cross Personal, the new elliptical trainer conceived by acclaimed designer Antonio Citterio.

Visitors were particularly impressed by Cross Personal, thanks to its sleek design, its versatile visual interface and its exceptionally smooth workout feeling.

Cross Personal is the first integrated elliptical trainer that is connected to the internet via its integrated VISIOWEB touch-screen display, allowing you to check emails, surf websites or social networks, watch TV, access your favourite content via personal devices or view training programmes while exercising.

It was joined by other items in the premium Personal line: Kinesis, a revolutionary and stylish design item which enables the user to perform over 200 toning, flexibility and balance exercises, and Run Personal, the exclusive interactive treadmill.

Also at the stand were the Spazio, Synchro and Bike from the Forma range, the ideal line for anyone looking to install a home gym for the first time.

The vertical-folding Spazio Forma treadmill was a favourite with families due to its space-saving advantage: it takes up less than one square metre, measures less than 80cm in width and is fitted with wheels for easy movement around the home.

Other crowd favourites we liked at Grand Designs Live: perfect log cabins and lodges by Dreamlodge, Miele’s Fashion Master, Samsung’s Connected Home (which really ought to have a Recline Personal or two), and ingenious rolling pepper mills from Yormii.

What was your favourite Grand Designs Live experience? Tell us! Tweet @Technogym or use hashtag #TechnogymGDLive.

For both of us, the partnership has been ideal: two companies with a visionary approach to health, sharing a mission to spread the message of Wellness.

With our next-generation smart equipment, we empowered the Club to spread Wellness amongst members and retain its position as one of the leading health clubs in the UK.

And given The Hogarth Health Club’s long and distinguished history (it was the UK’s first health club and counts many celebrities and thespians amongst its loyal members), Technogym was honoured to make it the first club in the UK to have ARTIS.

The launch event on Thursday 2 May was an immense success, attended by media, Club members and VIPs.

Special guests included Technogym’s founder and President Nerio Alessandri, Colin White, Chairman of The Hogarth Group, and Daniel White, his son and Managing Director of The Hogarth Health Club.

Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with members and Club staff alike all being very excited to continue their Wellness journey on the brand-new equipment.

Matt Dawson MBE, former England international rugby union player and member of Hogarth, said:
“Although my days as an international rugby player may be a few years behind me, I really can appreciate good gym equipment. Without question, the Artis equipment just installed into the Hogarth Club is both slick by design and in its biomechanical engineering. I am also impressed with the numerous technological elements of the equipment. With a busy life it’s useful to be able to tweet whilst on the bike, catch up on TV and, who knows, maybe I’ll find myself skyping “Tuffers and Sue” whilst I’m training?”

Here’s what other Hogarth members had to say about ARTIS:

Follow the ARTIS bandwagon around the world. Find out where ARTIS will appear next by registering here for the latest updates and following us on Twitter and Facebook.

Sounds pretty terrible, right?

The “it” referred to in the above statements is back care – one of the many highly overlooked areas in terms of overall health.

Even though it is not something that is consciously thought about or considered, the back is actually involved in all daily activities and is a large part of one’s core. But, when the back is not properly taken care of, bulging discs, arthritic changes, pain, weaker back muscles or even structural changes can often times occur.

So, in order to stress the importance of properly taking care of the back, Zach Girthoffer, PT, DPT, cert MDT and Lead Physical Therapist at Alegent-Creighton Health Rehabilitation Center, has answered some helpful questions regarding overall back care, proactive steps for improving back health and what to do when back pain happens.

Can you explain the importance of back care?

Back care is one of the leading costs to healthcare. Keeping an individual’s back healthy is paramount because it is part of daily function. Basically, you need your back to accomplish anything you do during the day.

Unfortunately, the people that pay the most attention to their back health are the people that have hurt them. People take this for granted until it affects them directly. If they only knew how debilitating back pain is, then they would try to avoid it from ever happening.

What are some negative habits that impact back health that people might not realize they are doing?

Some negative habits that people do are bending forward too much or having poor sitting posture. For example, you put more pressure on your lower back when you’re sitting poorly compared to walking or standing.

What are some of the causes of lower back pain? Upper back pain?

Poor posture creates prolonged stresses on the back which can cause lower back pain. Poor lifting mechanics when picking up a heavy objects off of the floor and shoveling the driveway while not using your legs are also other examples of everyday activities that can lead to both lower and upper back pain.

Upper back pain can be caused by poor posture. This leads to a prolonged stress that eventually leads to over straining and poor overall muscle function.

What are some tips for improving posture?

Always remember to sit up nice and tall. Any time that you notice that you’re sitting, if your back starts to ache, you need to adjust how you sit.

Long car rides or airplane travel can also result in poor sitting posture. Simply, the seats don’t have the support that they need. Use a lumbar pillow when you travel and keep them in your office or car. They are relatively affordable. If you don’t want to go spend money, roll up a towel or take a small pillow and place it in the low part of your back above the belt line. This is a small task but can create a significant difference.

What are some tips to not hurting one’s back when weight lifting?

Remember to keep your back straight. These are a few little things that you can do that ensure that it happens. Monitor for straight alignment. Also, remember to keep your eye level up. As soon as your head starts to dip down, then your whole body gravitates downwards and strain is put on your back. Bend at the hips and knees, not the back.

What should you do if you start to notice back pain?

Has anything changed in your daily function? Have you been sitting in new furniture? Any house changes? Try to identify a causing factor. If there is nothing, start by monitoring your posture. Starting a strengthening and stretching program can be beneficial. By contacting a healthcare professional, you can recognize and avoid negative activities and they can help identify the proper means of care to help alleviate the pain.

It is vital to reinforce that back health is a very important topic that is relevant to everyone. As referenced by Zach, improving back health and mitigating back pain risks can become ingrained into a daily routine with just a little bit of effort and insight.

Want to learn how physical activity can help prevent back pain? Read this article now.

Plus, keep your posture straight at work and exercise your core muscles with the Active Sitting ball.

Held at ExCeL London over two weekends from 4 to 12 May, the contemporary furnishings and design show is inspired by the TV show and is set to be equally full of larger-than-life inspirations and ideas for your home.

At stand L284, Technogym will be ready to impress with the UK launch of Cross Personal, the piece that completes our award-winning Personal range of premium fitness equipment for the home.

Designed in conjunction with famed Italian designer Antonio Citterio, Cross Personal combines sleek design with cutting-edge technology that make it an ideal addition to any Wellness space.

Thanks to its ergonomic perfection, Cross Personal is a dream to use with a smooth, impact-free user experience.

It is the very first cross trainer fully connected to the web, thanks to its state-of-the-art VISIOWEB touch-screen display. This means you can watch TV, access your favourite content, surf the internet and even stay in touch with friends via your favourite social network sites, all while you’re working out.

Speakers incorporated in the upper handles guarantee a stunning Dolby Surround effect, adding more rhythm to your stride, and the Fast Track Controls allow you to easily adjust your training level during the workout.

Visit us at stand L284 to try Cross Personal out and get inspired for your own Wellness space. Tweet your thoughts on Wellness or a picture of yourself with our machines with the hashtag #TechnogymGDLive, and you could win Wellness goodies for yourself!

Follow us on Twitter at @Technogym to stay updated on what’s happening at Grand Designs Live.

HIIT can be done in as little as 7 minutes or up to 30 minutes depending on intensity and physical condition. It includes short intervals pushed by maximum intensity and then intervals of lower to moderate intensity. During HIIT, users go above the upper end of the aerobic exercise zone for a short amount of time (during recovery, anaerobic energy replenishes). As a result, HIIT trains both the anaerobic and aerobic energy systems.

One of the main reasons why HIIT has gained popularity is because it is a highly efficient workout that achieves results in a short timeframe. Specifically, many individuals have started to look to this training style when they have only limited time available to exercise and who would rather do some form of effective exercise than choose to not exercise at all. For example, one of these individuals is Technogym’s Wellness Ambassador Joey Toutounji. She thoroughly enjoys this new training style and, as a result, developed an HIIT training program with Technogym equipment.

Feel Good Joey’s HIIT Program with Technogym Equipment**:

Begin with a warm-up on the Run Now and then complete a few stretches.

First Set:

- 1 minute on the Run Now treadmill: 30 seconds at a moderate pace, 20 seconds at a sprinting pace, 10 seconds at a reduced speed

- 20 sit-ups

- 45 – 60 seconds rest

- 1 minute on the Run Now treadmill: 30 seconds at a moderate pace, 20 seconds at a sprinting pace, 10 seconds at a reduced speed

- 10 push ups

- 45 to 60 seconds rest

- Repeat the entire set

- (Rest in between sets while preparing for the next round)

Second Set:

- 1 minute on the Crossover: 30 seconds at a moderate pace, 20 seconds at a higher intensity level, 10 seconds at a reduced speed

- 20 sit-ups

- 45 to 60 seconds rest

- 1 minute on the Crossover: 30 seconds at a moderate pace, 20 seconds at a higher intensity level, 10 seconds at a reduced speed

- 5 chin-ups on the bar

- 45 to 60 seconds rest

- Repeat the entire set

- (Rest in between sets while preparing for the next round)

Final Set:

Finish with 4 minutes on the Top and mix up the intensity with Tabata training by doing 20 seconds hard intensity then 10 seconds rest and repeat for 8 rounds (4 minutes total).

Cool down.

(**Note, as the name indicates, HIIT is a very intense form of exercise. It is not meant for everyone. If you are a beginning exerciser or have cardiovascular problems or other health concerns, please consult your doctor before trying HIIT.)

As already referenced, HIIT is a training style that can yield successful results in a short amount of time. Although training aspirations and goals vary for everyone, this form of exercise can also complement a weekly routine or provide a nice alternative once in a while to differ from a normal routine.

Did you get the chance to try Feel Good Joey’s HIIT program? Leave us a comment to tell us what you thought!

It’s not always easy for hotels to cater to guests’ demands for Wellness on the road. Space is a common issue – often hotels simply don’t have much square footage to provide leisure facilities in.

This is why Technogym developed Plurima, a unique multi-station that can be configured for different spaces and layouts.

Plurima was designed not just for hotels but for schools, home gyms, residential blocks, corporate gyms, and any other venues where residents could benefit hugely from an inbuilt Wellness centre despite lack of space.

Take the luxurious Cliveden House Hotel as an example. The beautiful hotel has brought efficient and very practical space-saving design into the gymnasium with Plurima. It helps them to maximise the existing space and provide users with a multi-functional strength training machine that many people can use at any given time.

What’s so great about Plurima, you might ask? Here’s why.

It’s compact. Plurima has a small footprint of just 6 square metres, yet it offers up to 150 different exercises. Its compact design can be adapted in different configurations to suit different spaces, even already-furnished ones.

It’s biomechanically optimised. Plurima is designed to biomechanically reflect users’ physiological lines of movement for a fluid and natural training experience. Its intuitive ease of use with yellow Visual Flags that guide users through seat settings means that people can use it safely without supervision.

It’s connected. Scan a QR code on the machine and you’ll be able to access a how-to video of your selected exercise on Technogym.com or on your mobile phone. Remember to share your workout results on www.mywellness.com!

Inspired? Discover more home Wellness ideas at Grand Designs Live, the UK’s largest contemporary design show. Visit Technogym at stand L284, ExCeL London, 4-12 May, and stay tuned for updates at @Technogym. #TechnogymGDLive

We bet you never thought they could help students do their homework too.

The solution sounds ideal for schools and teachers: get students to work off their excess energy while miraculously brushing up on their lessons. Well, this solution does exist, and Park House School and Sports College is leading the way with VISIOWEB screens on their gym machines.

Based in West Berkshire, Park House School is one of the UK’s leading specialist sports colleges. In 2005, the school decided to collaborate with Technogym to create a healthy lifestyle hub with a gym and a food and nutrition room.

All cardiovascular machines in the gym are equipped with an interactive VISIOWEB touchscreen interface. When it’s time for students taking French as a GCSE subject to work out during their health lessons, they interact with the touchscreen in French for instructions and programmes, allowing them to apply the language in a practical context. They can access presentations and French internet sites, and as part of the language coursework they write about their gym experience using workout data that they’ve downloaded straight from the exercise machines.

The results have been fantastic. A Year 10 class who trialled the programme saw an 85% improvement in their writing grade. The school also reports an impressive change in the attitudes of students, who are now more enthusiastic for even the mundane aspects of everyday learning.

Derek Peaple, Head Teacher at Park House School, finds that this approach engages every student and challenges and motivates them regardless of level or ability.

He says, “There might be a student who is more passionate about sport and physical activity than languages. Giving them an activity on the treadmill which they have to do in French helps them feel comfortable and boosts their self-esteem and performance in the language.”

Many have started to take notice of Park House School’s efforts to enhance learning through sport and exercise. In a June 2012 Ofsted report, it was praised for its success in cross-curricular learning.

Park House School has certainly proved that when it comes to innovative and positive use of Technogym’s interactive touchscreen consoles, the sky is the limit. Whether you want to play games to keep your mind sharp, watch TV to check stock prices, tweet a picture of yourself exercising or send a text to your mum, you can do all this and more on your VISIOWEB-equipped machine.

How do you use VISIOWEB while working out? Tell us!

Technogym works with schools and universities around the world to make learning fun. Find out how here. À bientôt!

He has been very busy training since we spoke last year. Currently, he is gearing up for the 2013 America’s Cup which begins on July 8th in San Francisco with the Louis Vuitton Cup and will end in September with the challenge between the American team, ORACLE, and the team that wins the Louis Vuitton Cup.

Last week, we were able to speak with him again during the America’s Cup World Series in Naples. In this exclusive video interview, Umberto tells us about his preparation, long-term friendship with skipper Max Sirena, tools that he uses to prepare for the races and how he plans to succeed in San Francisco this July.

Fair winds to all!