French fitness chain On Air Fitness, with 113 clubs across France and internationally (Spain, Morocco and Portugal) and more than 430,000 members, has chosen to introduce Panatta equipment — a 12-machine circuit from the premium Free Weight Special line — into its largest clubs.

This partnership further strengthens Panatta's position as an international benchmark in professional strength equipment for gyms and fitness clubs.

On Air Fitness clubs are known for offering a complete and immersive training experience: not just fitness, but also lifestyle, music and design. Every space is created to deliver a motivating and dynamic environment that combines performance, aesthetics and a true club atmosphere.

Founded in the 1990s by Claude Bolle, the family business was later taken over by his son Jacques Bolle, a former elite motorcycle athlete and graduate in sports law. He launched the On Air Fitness brand in 2017, expanding it through a franchise model from 2019 onwards.

A story that shares strong similarities with that of Panatta, the historic Italian brand internationally recognized for manufacturing bodybuilding and professional training equipment. Both companies share the same values and the same passion for biomechanical excellence, manufacturing quality and continuous growth.

As part of this expansion, Panatta is proud that On Air Fitness has selected the 12 flagship plate-loaded machines from its premium Free Weight Special line, widely recognized as one of the world's leading references in professional fitness equipment. These 100% Made in Italy machines will be fully customized for the fitness chain.

Dedicated Panatta areas will be created inside the largest On Air Fitness clubs, designed to offer members an authentic, high-performance training experience inspired by a genuine passion for bodybuilding.

Angela Panatta, president of Panatta and Panatta France, said: "France has always been a historic and strategic market for our company. We are truly proud that On Air Fitness has chosen our Free Weight Special line. We share the same vision of training: quality, experience and results. Together, we will bring an even higher level of performance to fitness clubs."

Jacques Bolle, president of On Air Fitness, said: "We chose Panatta and its 12-machine Free Weight Special circuit because it represents the highest standard of joint biomechanics currently available on the market. These unique machines, unmatched in terms of quality, will now be installed in all of our largest clubs, with the goal of offering our members the very best isotonic training experience.

"We are delighted to begin this new partnership with a brand that shares so many of our values."

Panatta brought together four of the most influential figures in bodybuilding history on the stage of RiminiWellness 2026: Phil Heath, Lee Haney, Ronnie Coleman and Hany Rambod.

Moderated by Bob Cicherillo, world champion and the Voice of Bodybuilding, the group shared stories of victories and titles, but also the principles that guided their careers. What emerged was a series of reflections on success that extend far beyond bodybuilding to dreams, discipline, faith, passion and personal growth.

Phil Heath: Everything begins with a dream

Surprisingly, Phil Heath’s original dream was not bodybuilding, but professional basketball.

Life took him in a different direction, however, and Heath went on to become a seven-time Mr Olympia.

Bob Cicherillo asked when Heath knew he could become truly great at bodybuilding. 

Heath said: "I started training with a couple of my closest basketball friends. At first, it felt a little strange. Basketball players wear loose clothes, while bodybuilding is all about the physique, so it was a completely different environment for me. But my friends introduced me to the beauty of the sport. They showed me what bodybuilding could be and encouraged me to train and improve.

"After winning my first bodybuilding competition and taking the overall title, I realised it wasn’t just something I enjoyed; it was something I wanted to dedicate myself to. Like everyone else, I simply started by working hard. Little by little, I saw improvements, and every improvement made me believe even more in what I was doing. Eventually, I had the opportunity to work with one of the greatest coaches in the world, Hany Rambod, and together we achieved all the results you know about today.

"Everything starts with a dream. Then comes the work... and a lot of it. But above all, you have to believe. You must believe in yourself before anyone else does."

Lee Haney: Bodybuilding as a tool, not an identity

While Heath speaks about dreams, Lee Haney introduced a different concept: the importance of maintaining the right priorities.

Cicherillo asked the eight-time Mr Olympia what his initial dreams were.

Haney said: "Actually, I started lifting weights because I wanted to become a better football player. In the beginning, the weight room was simply a tool to improve my athletic performance. But as I continued training, I began to grow physically and realised I had a natural ability to build muscle. Still, I never lost sight of the importance of education. Training mattered to me, but school mattered too. I attended college, focused on my studies, and committed to building a future beyond sports."

Cicherillo asked what advice Haney would give his younger self?

Haney admitted he doesn't spend a lot of time looking back at his mistakes. "For me, bodybuilding was always a tool. It was something I loved, something I deeply appreciated, but it never became my idol. It never became my god. I believe I used bodybuilding the right way. It became part of my life, but it never completely defined who I was. I stayed grounded, kept my priorities in order, and understood there was a greater purpose beyond winning titles.

"I never allowed it to become greater than my faith, my family, or my values. That’s what kept me balanced throughout my career. I got married at twenty-three years old. I had a wife to support and responsibilities to take seriously. At first, my dream was simply to win one Mr Olympia title. Then I thought, “Why not three?” Then, “Why not five?” Eventually, I reached seven titles and was ready to retire. But I talked to my wife and asked, “Should I stop now or go for eight?” She looked at me and said, “Are you crazy? You absolutely have to try.” That’s one of the many reasons I’ve been blessed to be married to such an extraordinary woman for more than forty years. 

Ronnie Coleman: Passion before titles

Haney’s reflections naturally lead to another central theme: genuine love for what you do. No one embodies that better than Ronnie Coleman, an eight-time Mr Olympia.

Coleman told Cicherillo football was his first passion and that bodybuilding entered his life unexpectedly: "It happened almost by accident, through people I met while working as a police officer and through the opportunity to train seriously in the gym. At the time, nothing suggested I would become one of the greatest bodybuilders in history."

Coleman's path to winning his first Mr Olympia title was not a straight one, but he explained to Cicherillo how he never gave up: "I never complained. Whether I finished last, fifteenth, ninth, or eighth, I just kept training."

Coleman described how he saw himself as his toughest oponent, "The real competition was always against the previous version of myself."

Coleman is known for his legendary training sessions, the famous videos, the incredible weights and the impact those images had on millions of people. Those videos were not something he did purely to win a Mr Olympia title, "I started training at a very young age and fell in love with lifting weights almost immediately. I still love it today. Training was never an act. It wasn’t marketing. It wasn’t about creating an image. It wasn’t about entertaining an audience. It was simply what I loved doing."

Coleman said he wishes he could still achieve the lifts in those videos: "It’s not about the trophies, records, or fame. It’s about the joy of training."

He hopes to leave an enduring legacy of dedication, passion, discipline and hard work behind. He said, "I remember praying to God from a very young age. Faith has been important throughout my entire life. It always comes back to the same principles: never complain. Keep working. Keep improving. Believe in yourself. Trust the process."

Cicherillo reminded the audience, "Fans remember Coleman for squats over 800 pounds, impossible deadlifts, the legendary “Yeah Buddy!” and “Light Weight!” But listening to you, it becomes clear that the weight itself was never what mattered most."

Coleman responded: "It was the passion. I would have trained anyway. Before the titles. During the titles. And if my body would allow it, I’d still be doing it today."

Perhaps this is Ronnie Coleman’s greatest legacy. Not only that he is one of the greatest champions in bodybuilding history, but that his love for training was so genuine, so obvious and so contagious that it inspired millions of people to begin their own journey.

Hany Rambod: A coach’s role is to develop individuality

After listening to three champions from different eras, the conversation naturally turned to the man who helped build some of the greatest physiques in bodybuilding history: Hany Rambod.

Cicherillo asked Rambod when he first realised coaching was his true calling.

Rambod responded: "I think coaching has always been part of who I am. My father was a football coach and my mother was a teacher, so in many ways it was already in my DNA. I always enjoyed helping people improve and seeing them succeed. After suffering a knee injury at a young age, my path gradually shifted away from competition and toward coaching. That transition ultimately changed my life. Instead of seeing it as a disappointment, I embraced it as an opportunity. Helping others became my purpose. Surprisingly, my very first athlete won a major title, and within a few years more victories followed. As my reputation grew, so did the calibre of athletes seeking my guidance. Without ever trying to build a coaching empire, I slowly found myself surrounded by some of the greatest competitors in the world.

Cicherillo wanted to learn what Rambod thought of Phil Heath when they first met and Rambod said: "I saw Phil earn his pro card and immediately recognised something extraordinary. There was obvious talent. There was an exceptional structure. But perhaps more importantly, there was a willingness to learn. As our relationship developed, Phil took time to observe not only my methods but also how I communicated with athletes and the attention I paid to every detail. Eventually, we started working together. It became one of the most successful partnerships in bodybuilding history.

Cicherillo asked Heath, who was still on the stage, why he chose Rambod as his coach – to which Heath said: "Because he’s the best."

Rambod explained what made Heath easy to coach: "I’d like to emphasise something statistics can never capture. In the gym, he was an animal. He was a soldier. Talent alone is never enough. Dedication is what separates champions from everyone else. I’ve had the privilege of working with extraordinary individuals: the greatest champions are not defined only by genetics, but by discipline. I remember also seeing Ronnie Coleman maintain the same discipline outside the gym as inside it. I can speak with equal admiration about Lee Haney’s professionalism and consistency. The point is simple: the coach isn’t there when you eat. The coach isn’t there when you’re alone. The real work happens when nobody is watching. Whatever you choose to become – whether a bodybuilder, a lawyer, a doctor, or anything else – you must approach it with passion. Without passion, excellence cannot last. Without discipline, talent alone will never be enough."

Rambod expanded on his coaching philosophy: "One of the most fascinating challenges of my career was helping define new competitive standards. When the Men's Physique division first appeared, there was no established model. Nobody really knew what the ideal champion should look like. Coaching Jeremy Buendia became much more than preparing an athlete. It became part of building an entire division. Unlike Open Bodybuilding, where maximum size is rewarded, Men’s Physique requires balance, proportions and moderation. Too much muscle can actually become a disadvantage. For that reason, it was one of the most challenging coaching experiences of my career.

Responding to a question from Cicherillo about whether Rambod could have applied the same coaching principles to each of the athletes he trained, Rambod said "Absolutely not. Every athlete is different. Different genetics. Different biomechanics. Different psychology. Different strengths. The responsibility of a great coach is not to force everyone into the same system. It is to discover what makes each athlete unique and build around those strengths."

Rambod reflected on bodybuilding history and the connection between the champions sitting together on the Panatta stage: "Lee Haney established a standard of excellence. Ronnie Coleman elevated dominance to an entirely different level. Phil Heath introduced a new level of completeness, refinement and three-dimensional development. Every champion changed bodybuilding in a different way. Every generation created a new benchmark. Every legend left something unique behind.

"Yet one message continues to resonate above all others: champions are not created through shortcuts. They are not created by genetics alone. They are not created by talent alone. They are built through discipline, consistency, passion, and the willingness to improve every single day.

"For me, coaching has never been about creating identical physiques. It has always been about helping each individual become the best version of themselves."

Arnold doesn’t need advertising. He never has. His personality—and the status he has earned over decades—allow him the luxury of an extraordinary simplicity. Even the simplicity of training at a trade show booth. Yes, right in the middle of the crowd. In the heart of an expo.

Meeting Arnold at one of his events is the ultimate experience—the dream of every fan. Yet it always depends on two unpredictable variables: the right place and the right moment. These are never listed in the official program, because Arnold moves as his schedule allows—and as he chooses.

And still, in recent years, something has happened with surprising consistency: the Panatta booth has often become that “right place.” This was true again in 2024 at Arnold UK. On Friday, March 6, 2026, in Columbus, Arnold visited the main sponsors (Panatta is a Gold Sponsor this year), but before that he did something even simpler and more authentic: he completed his morning workout at the Panatta booth.

It is passion meeting business—naturally and intelligently. Nothing forced. Nothing staged.

This raises a question: if Arnold trains at the expo, where does the real celebration take place? On the expo floor, or on the competition stages of the Arnold Classic?

Arnold also takes selfies with athletes on stage. Because in him, two perspectives merge into one: the Arnold Sports Festival as a global business, and the Arnold Sports Festival as pure passion.

It is a simple lesson—but an incredibly powerful one.

It also answers a deeper question: how much do you live what you sell? And how much do you sell what you live? A meaningful reflection in an age where filters and reality often blur.

The icons of our sport—with Arnold at the very top—show how passion can create a business, and how genuine business can continue to fuel passion. In this sense, Arnold finds at the Panatta booth a shared space… almost a family atmosphere.

Just as Arnold began his journey in the gym, Rudi Panatta designs his machines starting from the sensations of the training body. Not from software. Not from spreadsheets. But from biomechanics experienced firsthand.

Arnold takes selfies in front of the stage—even as the organiser—because he stands, rightfully, within the framework he helped create. Panatta builds equipment because he knows exactly what an athlete should feel when moving a load.

It is the same language.

In 1970, Arnold competed at Mr. World. He won and promised Jim Lorimer—then mayor of Worthington, Columbus, Ohio—that he would promote bodybuilding after his competitive career. That moment came, and in 1989 the first Arnold Classic was launched by Schwarzenegger and Lorimer together.

Today, 38 years later, it has become the largest sports expo in the United States—and a stage for major competitions that confirm or anticipate Olympia results, supported this year by USD $750,000 in prize money.

Arnold still promotes what he lives—bodybuilding—and lives what he promotes. The parallel with Panatta’s philosophy and mission is unmistakable.

Lee Haney would say: “Like refines like.” And Arnold, with his legendary Austrian pragmatism, would likely say it even more directly. But at this Arnold Sports Festival, he expressed it through action: training back and chest—symbolically the back of legacy and the chest of heart—on Panatta equipment, including the new Panatta Fantastic line.

A workout without filters. A genuine moment. A message that resonates.

When passion is real, it doesn’t need explanation. You simply train.

And so, the question arises: Would you train at a trade show? Why yes—and why not?

If your answer is yes, you will have the opportunity at the upcoming expos where Panatta will be present:

• Arnold Sports Festival UK – Birmingham, March 27–29, 2026
• FIBO – Cologne, Germany, April 16–19, 2026
• Arnold Sports Festival South America – São Paulo, Brazil, April 24–26, 2026
• Rimini Wellness – Rimini, Italy, May 28–31, 2026

Discover all Panatta events here: https://www.panattasport.com/en/eventi/.

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We are proud to announce a global partnership: Panatta, a worldwide leader in the "Made in Italy" fitness and bodybuilding equipment sector, is now the official supplier to World Gym International.

With close to 300 franchised locations spanning six continents, World Gym International is one of the most historic and recognized fitness brands globally. Its iconic community of active and loyal members dates back to the '70s, the golden era of Santa Monica's "Muscle Beach" in California, when the legend Joe Gold opened the very first World Gym. Celebrity bodybuilders such as Arnold Schwarzenegger, Lou Ferrigno, and Dave Draper chose to train at that original World Gym, drawn by the high-quality equipment and the culture focused on pure strength and physical conditioning.

Five decades later, the choice falls upon the Italian excellence of Panatta to continue this tradition of quality. Athletes worldwide continue to choose World Gym, now with the added guarantee of the biomechanics, innovation, and design that distinguish Panatta machinery.

Edoardo Panatta, Panatta Vice President, commented: "This represents another, significant step forward in our growth trajectory. We are extremely delighted to be an official supplier to this prestigious Chain, a true sanctuary of global bodybuilding. This means that our brand is gaining ever-increasing resonance and appreciation worldwide."