How a South Tyrolean start-up is shaking up the fitness world

Fitness training is becoming increasingly popular, especially among young people. Anyone who is on YouTube, Instagram or Facebook cannot avoid exhausting tutorials, special nutritional tips or photos of toned bodies. It is obvious that there is great potential in this market and it has not gone unnoticed by Simon Sparber from Meran. With his start-up company “Angles90”, the 27-year-old business graduate is on the verge of causing a small revolution in the fitness scene. How? Sounds banal, but it's not: with a dynamic training grip.

“I’ll start with the problem,” begins Sparber’s explanation of his product. “A lot of exercises are done in the gym with fixed bars. Just think about pull-ups, deadlifts or rows. The result: exercises are performed with an unnatural grip, which can be harmful to your health in the long term. Studies have shown that one in three gym-goers have shoulder problems, with these unnatural movements being a contributing factor. Now our product comes into play: The dynamic training grip enables joint-friendly training that is healthy and also creates new muscle stimuli.”

Sounds complicated? Then it's best to watch this video, which explains the handle easily.

Curfew causes demand to skyrocket The fact that this product has proven itself in the fitness world is not only proven by articles in the most renowned bodybuilding media such as Men’s Health or bodybuilding.com , but above all the numbers that the young company shows. Overall, Simon Sparber and his team of three can count on almost 30.000 customers from all over the world. Last year the start-up had a turnover of 800.000 euros, and this year it has taken another step forward: in March alone there was a turnover of 220.000 euros.

Especially during the Corona crisis with the associated curfews, demand, which is highest in Italy, Germany, France, Great Britain and the USA, has increased rapidly. “In April we could have a turnover of 500.000 euros, but we lack the goods, so it will probably be 300.000 euros.” Strong numbers when you consider that the dynamic training handle is available for a price of 44,90 euros is brought and is only distributed online. A set with additional products costs 89,90 euros. “In Corona times, people are increasingly looking for ways to train at home. Our set including the handle offers this, which is why demand is so high.” A ski pole got the ball rolling A rapid rise - also because the idea for the product came about by chance. Sparber, who was active as an artistic gymnast for years and therefore has a lot of experience with fitness training, explains: “In September 2016 I was in my grandma's basement when I saw an old ski pole. This is known to have an ergonomic handle. I cut it off, hung it from a pull-up bar and did exercises. Then I saw that there could definitely be something behind it.”

A dynamic training grip: The idea came with a ski pole.

The Merano native first completed his master's degree in business administration and then devoted himself fully to product development. “I had a prototype 3D printed, went to the gyms, got feedback and revised the prototype again. This cycle was repeated 70 times until the final product was created. Then I patented it and sales could slowly begin,” says Sparber, who has now expanded his team. He forms the core team with his fellow student Leander Leitner Dissinger. Stephan Lanpacher (former striker from national league team Naturns) completes the team as an intern. Piracy from Asia The start-up has ambitious goals with its product: “Our biggest vision is to make the handle a standard product in the fitness world. We see it as realistic that these grips will one day be as normal as training gloves,” explains Sparber. The potential for this is definitely there: “Two companies in Asia have now copied us. Fortunately, Amazon is playing lawyer here and is taking action against such pirates.”

In addition to numerous renowned bodybuilders, some athletes in this country are already working with the dynamic training grip: “HC Bozen, Omar Visintin, the Weger brothers and South Tyrol's most famous bodybuilder Manuel Peer use our product in their training,” says Sparber. By the way, he and his team are currently in Bali. The product will soon become a bestseller in Asia too.

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How a South Tyrolean start-up is shaking up the fitness world

Simon Sparber is 27 years old, comes from Meran, studied business administration - and is causing quite a stir in the fitness world with his start-up company.

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