In this special partnership with luxury house Tod’s, three trailblazers from finance, fitness, and the food and beverage industries share how they see their businesses through new lenses
Here, we speak with Tudi Gullamot, co-founder of Cycling Bears, a luxury fitness equipment purveyor and design studio.
The pandemic, despite its challenges, brought with it unexpected silver linings—such as offering a rare moment of solidarity and a much-needed pause for personal rejuvenation. For the co-founders of Cycling Bears, Tudi Guillamot and Debra Tay, it sparked a revelation to redefine the means and methods of practising health and wellness.
Frequently encountering gyms filled with low-quality equipment and accessories that lacked durability and often failed to meet users’ expectations, the couple saw an opportunity to offer an alternative in the luxury fitness space. One incident, in particular, involving Tay’s yoga mat deteriorating and staining their home’s parquet flooring, led them to consider how fitness equipment could be improved to offer greater functionality, durability, beauty and sustainability.
Cycling Bears was established in 2022 with a clear ethos to supply luxury fitness equipment guided by three principles: use of natural materials, customisation options and no planned obsolescence. The company is fiercely committed to supplying equipment made of sustainable materials, such as wood and marine-grade stainless steel, to create products that are as beautiful as they are long-lasting. Rejecting the industry norm of planned obsolescence, the founders collaborate with brands, co-designing products and sourcing equipment meant to endure for years.
Cycling Bears’ bespoke service comprises a three-step approach to minimise waste, encourage sustainability, and create a sense of ownership and pride. Starting by identifying its clients’ workout habits to recommend specific equipment, the company then designs their home gym’s layout for optimal flow and functionality. Finally, it works with the clients to select materials and colours to match the aesthetics of their home, yacht or wellness space.
“This approach is unique in the industry and sets us apart from the standard off-the- shelf, black-and-rubber gym equipment,” Guillamot professes.
The duo sees the impact of environmental challenges as a driving factor for their business. “With global warming a daily reality, it is high time people became more aware of their consumption habits,” he adds. “For instance, customising to a client’s needs so they don’t need to buy the full set of 2 to 20kg dumbbells when they only use five different weights in their workout routine helps reduce consumption.”
Collaboration plays a vital role in Cycling Bears’ offerings. The brand works closely with partners such as Pent. to distribute its products and provide feedback that informs new innovations. When issues arise—such as screws rusting on certain products— Guillamot’s engineering background enables him to suggest improvements with new materials and construction ideas. Meanwhile, Tay’s keen design sense ensures that every piece fits seamlessly into the client’s environment. For example, her frustration with cumbersome battle ropes led to the creation of a stunning battle rope stand by Pent., complete with leather-wrapped handles and a sleek wooden base.
“When considering which products to develop next, and what features to focus on, our partners value our input,” says Guillamot. “It is a relationship where we benefit from their unique craftsmanship and give them access to our feedback from experience, from our daily interactions.”
While Cycling Bears’ mission is clear, convincing customers who are used to mass- produced equipment to invest in luxury fitness equipment is a different ball game. However, just as it is with any fitness journey, the company’s co-founders believe in taking intentional and transformative strides towards their goals. “This has been one of the largest challenges, as with fast fashion,” says Guillamot. “With luxury fitness equipment, we bring a fresh approach to a relatively stable industry. In other words, we are a disruption.”
This story first appeared in the January 2025 issue. Purchase it as a print or digital copy, or consider subscribing to us here
