Olympic Village Adds Pilates Reformers for First Time

If you've imagined Olympic athletes grinding through intense workouts at the Games, prepare to have that picture completely flipped. The reality inside the exclusive Olympic Village gyms is surprisingly gentle, and it's changing how we think about peak performance.

By the time winter Olympians arrive in Milano Cortina for the 2026 Games, their hardest training is already months behind them. "They've done the big chunk of the work six months ago," says Enrico Manaresi, who helps plan the Olympic Village gym setups for Technogym, the official equipment partner. "Of course they still need to work out, but it's about keeping warm, staying flexible, and maintaining condition."

The six Olympic Village gyms serving roughly 3,500 winter athletes look different than you'd expect. Instead of athletes chasing last-minute personal records, they're doing light cardio on stationary bikes, gentle cable machine work, and lots of stretching. The goal isn't building strength—it's protecting what they've already built.

This year brings a groundbreaking addition to the Olympic gym floor: Pilates reformers. The Milano Cortina Games mark the first time these machines have ever been included in Olympic Village fitness centers. Speed skaters and figure skaters are flocking to the six reformers installed in Milan, using them for deep core work and flexibility training.

The AI revolution has reached the Olympics too. Athletes can now complete a full physical assessment in 20 minutes using Technogym's new Checkup station, which measures everything from body composition to reflexes. The system uses smart scales, grip sensors, and camera-based movement analysis to spot tiny performance gaps that might make a difference when medals are on the line.

The Ripple Effect

The Olympic fitness innovations aren't staying exclusive to elite athletes. Technogym is rolling out the same AI-powered assessment technology to premium fitness clubs worldwide, meaning everyday exercisers can access Olympic-level training insights.

Even better, the company launched "Let's Move for Milano Cortina," a campaign that will install free outdoor gyms in Milan and Cortina public parks if users collectively log 100 million movement points. The initiative transforms Olympic equipment into lasting community resources long after the closing ceremony.

The takeaway for the rest of us? Sometimes the smartest training isn't about pushing harder—it's about protecting what you've built and staying ready for when it counts.