In this interview, we talk to our chief designer Janne Loftén about the vision behind Glänta Design's outdoor gym - a product that was awarded the Guldstolen for product of the year in 2022.

Janne, how would you describe our outdoor gym to someone who has never seen it?

– It’s about more than just creating exercise equipment. We wanted to design a place that feels inspiring, where people are naturally drawn in and start moving. Instead of traditional gym equipment that can be perceived as strict and exclusive, we have used sculptural shapes and materials that feel inviting. We wanted to move away from the strict and angular expression that many outdoor gyms have. Instead, we have created an inviting and organic design that arouses curiosity and inspires movement.

Your background in skate culture has shaped your view of urban spaces. How does that show in our design?

– A lot! When I started skating, there were no skate parks – we built our own ramps and used the city’s architecture in creative ways. There was a freedom in that that I think has shaped the way we think about public spaces. We want our products to encourage spontaneous movement and play, just like skateboarding does.

We've often talked about how urban spaces sometimes feel too regulated and static. Are there any other places where you'd like to see more of our design philosophy?

– Yes, definitely! I would like to see more spaces where people can spontaneously move, without it having to feel like a gym. Maybe on platforms, at bus stops or in pedestrian areas – places where people naturally pass by but where there is space to stretch, balance or activate the body in a simple way. It would be exciting to develop more ideas like this.

We have placed great emphasis on making our gym accessible to as many people as possible. How have we worked with accessibility?

– We have looked a lot at how different bodies interact with the tools. For example, we have adapted the size of the grips so that even those with smaller hands – such as younger people or women – can easily use them. We have also thought about how we can make the tools more accessible to wheelchair users. The basic idea is that no one should feel excluded.

The jury described our forms as “free and inviting.” What does that mean to you?

– I think it’s about not working with rigid, square shapes but letting the design be more playful and inspired by nature. We give our products an identity – like “The Tree”, where branches form a structure to climb, or “The Pike”, which is a combination of exercise equipment and social furniture. The freedom lies in the fact that there is no set way to use them – we let the users explore for themselves.