Machines and weights are chosen not only for function but form.
Free weights, a wall ladder and a calming sauna come together in this Sportova-crafted, design-forward home gym.
Husband-and-wife team Sam and Madeleine Kimball first met while working in the design industry in Boston and quickly bonded over a shared passion for furniture, art and the way that aesthetics can transform spaces. Through their work, the Kimballs found that fitness spaces were often the most overlooked part of home design—an element of décor that seemed to be considered last, if at all. From this observation, the idea for their luxury fitness design company, Sportova, was born.
“People who design their gyms to match the aesthetic or level of the rest of their home tend to be happier when they think about working out. They want to use it. When you have a beautiful space that you want to be in, combined with an equipment and wellness setup that is tailored to your fitness process, everything feels better,” says Sam. “Designers spend so much time on the rest of the home, and oftentimes the gym ends up becoming forgotten or the last priority. We gave a lot of thought to this and decided that we wanted to make home gyms as beautiful as the rest of the home, and a place that people were inspired to spend time in as much as they want to be in their living rooms. Dreary gyms aren’t a place where people want to be,” adds Madeleine.
With projects spanning the globe—from Fairfield County homes to a yacht in the South of France, wellness retreats and boutique studios—Sportova assists in completely transforming areas of homes dedicated to wellness. The Kimballs’ process covers everything from interior design to equipment purchase, delivery and installation. By giving home gyms the same thoughtful consideration as a kitchen or living room redesign, they curate high-end fitness spaces that are as inviting and elegant as the rest of the home. Unlike traditional workout equipment, the machines and weights they select are chosen not only for function but also form.
“One of our signature brands that we use is Pent Luxury Fitness which is a company from Poland; it’s a top-of-the-line brand that uses premium woods and steels,” says Madeleine. “Making sure we deliver the highest quality product and design is our priority,” she adds.
After operating remotely for the last two years, Sportova will open its first showroom on Main Street in New Canaan this winter. “We can’t wait to see our collection displayed in person, and have a place where we can sit down with clients and work with them. We are excited to have more exposure for the brand, meet more people in town and introduce them to our products,” says Madeleine. “Many of our early visions together are coming to fruition after years, and it’s really rewarding to sit down at the end of the day and reflect on what we’ve built and are building. Being able to create something of our own together from scratch has been very meaningful. Entrepreneurship can be a lonely business at times but doing it with your life partner —someone who’s there through the highs and the lows—makes it so special. Going back and forth with someone you trust and who understands you is the best, especially on creative ventures like ours,” says Sam.
In addition to Sportova, the Kimballs are also launching a furniture collection, Samuel Madeleine, which features handmade pieces that combine classical European designs with modern influence. “Our intention is for them to be sister companies,” says Madeleine.
The Sportova gallery will showcase their ventures as well as her black-and-white photography collection, which the pair often incorporate into their gym designs. “It’s been so rewarding doing this with my husband and building both companies together. We have such great creative flow and constantly feed off each other’s ideas and balance one another out. We see projects with different views and then combine our perspectives. We work so well together, and it doesn’t feel like work when you’re working with your best friend every day,” says Madeleine.
When they aren’t working, the Kimballs enjoy travel, skiing and strolling around New Canaan with their seven-month-old daughter Genevieve. “We love New Canaan’s central location in Fairfield County—it’s such a design-focused community. The town just feels so warm and tight-knit and is the perfect place for us to blend our businesses and lifestyle and raise our daughter,” says Madeleine.
Sportova designs home gyms that blend timeless style with smart functionality and luxurious amenities.
