In preparation for the beginning of spring, the extravagant fitness fashion species has taken off its winter puffer jacket, given up shortened hoodies and adorned tinted limbs from hibernation that are adorned with colorful, weighted bracelets.
As lockdowns make timed power walks a rare opportunity to demonstrate style features and post social media selfies, portable weights are evolving into influencer-supported status symbols.
Austyn Campbell and Bernadette Fahey with the latest in fitness accessories, portable weights. Credit:Janie Barrett
US company Bala weights in pastel shades, familiar to anyone who took an aerobics class in the 80s, have been gaining popularity and visibility in Australia since their introduction in November. The steady growth accelerated when Sydney was locked into lockdown on the third week of June and sales tripled.
The accessories are part of a national trend, with the bangles infiltrating the traditionally sleek black wardrobes in Melbourne with 30 percent of sales, while Sydney is ahead with 31 percent. Blush and lavender are the best-selling colors right now.
“It’s a fusion of fashion and fitness,” said entrepreneur Austyn Campbell, who leads Bala’s foray into the Asia-Pacific region.
“People like the design and the fact that they are aesthetically pleasing and easy to use. The product is also suitable for Instagram with a wide range of colors, ”said Campbell.
Natalie Holloway and Max Kislevitz, the couple responsible for turning the #fitspo audience into Jazzercise superheroes, created the retro weights for a fashion audience in 2017 with $ 40,000 ($ 55,066) from the crowdfunding Site Kickstarter and $ 10,000 ($ 13,764) of their savings.
In 2018, they appeared on the U.S. version of the television series Shark Tank and attracted an investment of $ 800,000 ($ 1,101,323) from panelists tennis star Maria Sharapova and billionaire Mark Cuban.
