The co-founder of Bodytech talks about the business idea that has led them to be a multi-Latin company, how they have faced adversity and how she sees the healthy market in Colombia.
© Javier La Rotta
Gigliola Aycardi reveals that Bodytech will continue its expansion in 2022, opening four branches of the Athletic brand, which serves the low-cost segment in Bogotá and Medellín. / courtesy
Gigliola Aycardi reveals that Bodytech will continue its expansion in 2022, opening four branches of the Athletic brand, which serves the low-cost segment in Bogotá and Medellín. / Courtesy (Javier La Rotta/)
How did you start a dream called Bodytech until you became a multilatina?
It was born as an academic initiative, which later became our degree thesis that had great business potential, so much so that after a year it became a consolidated company. We grew rapidly, as a result of allies and strategic alliances with partners, groups of friends and, later, recognized investment funds that allowed us to consolidate ourselves at the country level and extend our brand to other territories, such as Peru and Chile.
Is it difficult to start a business on healthy lifestyles in Colombia?
It is difficult to undertake in any segment of the economy, it is necessary to comply with many fiscal, labor, regulatory and administrative requirements that can make entrepreneurs give up when creating a company. There is no philosophy in our country that promotes the entrepreneurial spirit from school. There are more private companies that manage to permeate this type of initiative in society.
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When opening Bodytech, was Colombia a country with a healthy culture?
I would say that the healthy culture was something incipient and the biggest trigger was Bodytech. With the opening of our first office in the city of Bogotá, in the Chapinero sector, we realized that there were many people eager to exercise and look good. In just one month we exceeded 1,800. There was a growing demand for the theme of exercise and from there businesses related to supplements, accessories and clothing emerged that are still booming today.
From your experience, do you think that the culture of wellness and physical health has grown in Colombia today?
It has experienced significant growth that has been leveraged by sports medical centers like ours. More university faculties were created to prepare professionals with these skills. Various businesses related to clothing, medicine, food, accessories and technology that did not exist when we were born have emerged around the exercise and have been penetrating this industry.
Does Bodytech contribute to the physical and mental well-being of Colombians?
With humility we can say that our company has contributed to improving the physical and mental health of Colombians, raising awareness about the importance of exercising from an early age. More than two million people have passed through our offices in 25 years, who are the main validators of their own transformation.
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How did Bodytech face the health crisis due to covid-19?
In advance we close our headquarters seeking to protect life. We knew how important exercise was at such a critical time for humanity, that’s why we created a schedule of virtual training sessions that were broadcast daily through our social networks, from Sunday to Sunday.
What is the main contribution that Bodytech makes to the physical and mental health of Colombians in the post-pandemic?
Continue raising awareness about the importance of healthy lifestyle habits in different scenarios. We are committed to sustainability initiatives.
After the pandemic, do people care more about their physical appearance through exercise, leaving aside nutrition?
It may be that people gained weight from unhealthy eating. But at the same time today we see more people concerned about their health, which shows that there is a conceptual change of what it takes to be healthier.
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In that sense, is there a formula to achieve the ideal balance between nutrition and physical activity?
To this equation of nutrition and physical activity it is necessary to add a third element: rest. In medical terms, the percentage is 60% good nutrition, 30% exercise and 10% good rest.