a visit to nike’s global campus in oregon

At NIKE’s World Headquarters outside Portland, Oregon, the LeBron James Innovation Center houses the company’s Sport Research Lab, one of its most advanced design environments. This month, designboom visited the state-of-the-art space to preview the Breaking4 Speed Kit being developed for Faith Kipyegon, the three-time Olympic champion who will attempt to become the first woman to run a sub-four-minute mile. The challenge, titled Breaking4: Faith Kipyegon vs. the 4-Minute Mile, represents a collaboration between the athlete and a cross-functional design team whose focus spans footwear, apparel, and performance research.

The lab occupies the fourth floor of the Olson Kundig Architects-designed building, where physical and cognitive testing converge. Motion capture cameras, treadmills outfitted with sensors, and climate-controlled chambers allow NIKE’s teams to simulate race-day conditions. The goal is to understand how the body performs under pressure, and how design interventions can help optimize that performance.

Faith will make the attempt on June 26th, 2025 at Stade Charléty in Paris. NIKE will invite supporters across the world to tune in to a livestream broadcast, which can be viewed here!

the Olson Kundig-designed LeBron James Innovation Center at NIKE World HQ | image © designboom

the NIKE design team collaborates with faith kipyegon

For Brett Kirby, who leads performance research within the Advanced Innovation team at NIKE, the process of designing the Breaking4 Speed Kit begins before the first sketch or sample. His role is to define the structure of the challenge itself. ‘We are aiming toward the mile in four minutes,’ he explains during our visit to the lab. ‘What are the elements that we could start to think about? What’s the homework we need to do to understand this problem?‘

Kirby’s team gathers information not just through data collection but through close listening. His approach involves watching how athletes move, how they adjust their gear without thinking, and what sensory conditions help them settle into focus. ‘We want to take that and create a good observational portfolio of how they are communicating in all ways,’ he says. This kind of introspective, adaptive, and responsive design research sets the foundation for the physical pieces that follow.

inside the NIKE Sport Research Lab | image © designboom

the aerodynamic ‘system of speed’

Once the team’s goal has been structured, NIKE’s footwear and apparel teams begin develop possible solutions. For Faith Kipyegon’s attempt at the sub-four minute mile, those solutions took form as a fully customized NIKE Victory Elite FK spike, a performance FlyWeb Bra, and the aerodynamically tuned NIKE Fly Suit, each built with attention to functionality and sensory experience together.

Lisa Gibson oversees apparel development at NIKE, and described the suit as one of the most aerodynamic systems the brand has created. ‘We learned that Faith wanted to feel like she was running free,’ Gibson emphasizes. That simple idea, freedom of movement, became a central design thread. From there her team sourced materials that were both slick and elastic, then developed construction techniques that placed seams away from the front of the body to reduce drag. Every detail was calibrated through a combination of physical modeling, wind tunnel testing, and environmental simulations.

Integrated into the suit are textured surfaces known as Aeronodes. These small, raised geometries are tuned to generate controlled turbulence, helping the air stay closer to the body and minimizing the wake behind the runner. ‘By creating this controlled turbulence ahead of where larger turbulence would normally occur,‘ Gibson continues, ‘you end up having a smoother flow downstream.’ The result is reduced aerodynamic drag without the need to alter the runner’s natural form.

a running track threads through the colossal interior | image © designboom

a bespoke spike built from the ground up

Footwear innovation for the project is led by Carrie Dimoff, whose team approached the design of Faith’s Victory Elite FK spike as a ground-up reconstruction. Rather than modifying an existing shoe, they began by reviewing the demands of middle-distance racing and drawing insights from Nike’s experience with both marathon and sprint events. ‘We opened the aperture and looked at a lot of different ingredients,’ Dimoff tells us. ‘Then we thought about, ultimately, what’s the best in terms of weight reduction and performance return.’

The final spike includes a Flyknit upper constructed from precision-engineered yarns that deliver strength with minimal weight. Dimoff noted that one component of the upper weighs just three grams. Underfoot, a newly designed Air Zoom unit stores and returns energy, supported by a reengineered carbon plate embedded with six 3D-printed titanium pins for traction. Prototypes were assembled and revised on-site at the LeBron James Building in Oregon, allowing the team to respond to feedback from Kipyegon in real time.

testing chambers measure sweat, body temperatures, and wind | image © designboom

Throughout the process, Kipyegon remained central to every decision. The design team traveled to Kenya to observe her training firsthand and make in-the-moment adjustments. Lisa Gibson recalled watching for what she called ‘unconscious feedback’ — the way an athlete might subtly adjust a seam or pull at a strap. ‘If Faith is tugging on the leg or adjusting the shoulder, that’s telling us something,’ she explains. ‘We dive into that and figure out what’s going on.’

Carrie Dimoff echoes this attentiveness. There were instances, she said, when internal lab data showed no significant difference between two prototypes, but Kipyegon could feel one worked better for her. ‘She is so attuned to her body as a system,” Dimoff said. “If it meant she could run more confidently in it, that was equally as important to us.’

Carrie Dimoff shows Faith Kipyegon’s Breaking4 spike | image © designboom

While the gear developed for Faith Kipyegon’s Breaking4 attempt is entirely bespoke, the innovations produced through the project are already being evaluated for broader application. Elements such as the taller Air Zoom unit, 3D-printed pin systems, and even the textile learnings from the bra design are under review for integration into future footwear and apparel lines. ‘There were lots of things left on the table that didn’t make it into this spike,’ says Dimoff. ‘But we’re really fascinated to dig into them.’

What emerges from Nike’s collaboration with Kipyegon is at once a portrait of a singular athlete at the edge of possibility, and a case study in how design can be shaped by data, environment, sensation, and trust. The effort unfolds through textile calibration, surface tuning, and structured observation. In the end, the system is built from listening and innovation together.

Illinois lawmakers just passed a new state budget, with a change that’s raising eyebrows in the sports betting world. Starting soon, each sports wager made in the state will come with a small fee: 25 cents per bet for the first 20 million bets a company takes, and 50 cents after that. At first glance, it may not seem like much, but the ripple effect of this tax is already being felt, and not just by sportsbooks. Operators are making it clear that customers could end up footing the bill.

The Sports Betting Alliance, a group representing major betting companies, wasted no time calling the new fees “discriminatory.” They argued that such costs won’t be absorbed by the companies, but passed along to users instead. On the same day the budget passed, the group launched an online petition urging bettors to speak out. The message was blunt: lawmakers are making fun activities more expensive, and it’s not fair to everyday players.

According to Alex Hoffmann, many players are already leaning toward online casinos and gambling sites with real money slot games because of the convenience, better odds, and frequent bonuses (Source: https://www.cardplayer.com/online-casinos/real-money-slots). These platforms offer everything from no-deposit promotions to free spins and cashback deals. Unlike retail sportsbooks or traditional casinos, these online sites are accessible 24/7, offer a huge game variety, and often provide more value upfront. For players looking to avoid added costs or restrictions, shifting online becomes a no-brainer.

The irony is that these betting companies can absolutely afford the tax. By dominating the Illinois betting market, popular betting sites’ revenue likely won’t take a major hit even with a new fee. However, their stock prices dipped after the announcement, and investors don’t love added costs, especially if companies say they won’t absorb them. That’s what makes this situation tricky. While lawmakers pitch the tax as a way to fund public services, the reality may be that regular users see less value, fewer promotions, or even small surcharges on every bet.

There’s also no clarity on how these fees might be passed along. Will sportsbooks directly add 25 or 50 cents to your bet slip? Or will they quietly adjust the odds to build the cost in? Some popular betting companies have already reduced promotional offers after a previous Illinois tax hike. Many even briefly tested out a “surcharge” system in other high-tax states before public pressure forced a retreat. It wouldn’t be surprising if similar tactics appeared here.

Ideally, betting platforms would shoulder the cost themselves. After all, they’re the ones licensed to operate in the state. Still, their reaction so far suggests they see this as a battle worth fighting publicly. However, bettors don’t want to feel like they’re getting hit from both sides; taxed by the state and shortchanged by the companies. Especially when these companies are more than capable of managing a few cents per bet. When operators talk about protecting their bottom line, it often means squeezing the customer. The Sports Betting Alliance’s statement left little room for doubt: they’re not taking the loss.

With the new law now in place, it’s still unclear how this will play out in real-world betting slips. Until then, players might have to watch a little more closely to see just how much their next bet will really cost them. 

Breaking from the typical reimbursement model, EGYM Wellpass introduces an all-in-one wellness platform with off-site access, on-site gym solutions and digital health support

EGYM Wellpass, a corporate fitness and wellness provider based in Europe, has launched its services in the U.S. as comprehensive employee well-being programs become essential to attracting and retaining staff.

The move follows EGYM’s acquisition of FitReserve, bringing a network of boutique fitness studios into the Wellpass platform. The integration provides gyms with a new pipeline for member traffic, eliminating the typical reliance on promotions or high-cost marketing.

The company, which operates as part of the fitness technology leader EGYM, has secured partnerships with more than 3,500 gyms and fitness studios nationwide. Its all-in-one membership model gives employees access to off-site gyms, digital health tools, mindfulness programs, nutrition resources and mental health apps, while also providing on-site gym installations for partner companies.

The first U.S. rollout began with employer clients in Colorado, with additional markets to be announced soon. 

In an interview with Athletech News earlier this year, EGYM co-founder and CEO Philipp Roesch-Schlanderer described the company’s long-term ambition as fundamentally reshaping the role of fitness in prevention.

“The ultimate vision for EGYM, and a focus for the next 5 years, is to shift healthcare from repair to prevention by building a bridge connecting corporate fitness (through Wellpass), fitness technology (via EGYM), and the healthcare market, aiming at a potential total addressable market exceeding $600B globally in the upcoming years.”

It’s a vision echoed by EGYM Wellpass managing director Nicolas Stadtelmeyer, who called the U.S. launch a majormilestone.

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“With the growing adoption of GLP-1 medications, we believe the U.S. is primed for a major evolution in corporate wellness,” Stadtelmeyer said. “Preventative health and dedicated workout solutions alongside GLP-1 usage are more critical than ever.”

As it looks to build traction in the U.S. market, EGYM Wellpass will exhibit at SHRM25 later this month in San Diego. Attendees can schedule a meeting in advance here or visit the EGYM Wellpass booth (#444) during the conference.

“As companies increasingly recognize the ROI of employee wellness, we believe Wellpass will soon become a standard workplace benefit across the U.S.,” Stadtelmeyer said. “And we’re just getting started.”

The hardest part of any workout regime is sticking with it. Around half of those who start an exercise programme stop within six months.

But our recent study found that using wearables (such as a smartwatch) not only makes people more likely to start working out, they’re also seven times more likely to still be active after six months compared to those who didn’t use a smartwatch.

Our study focused specifically on adults who had recently been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Physical activity is a cornerstone of type 2 diabetes management, as it helps regulate blood sugar, supports cardiovascular health and improves quality of life.

Yet around 90% of people with type 2 diabetes fall short of weekly physical activity recommendations. Common barriers include low motivation, uncertainty about what activity is safe and a lack of tailored support.

Get your news from actual experts, straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily newsletter to receive all The Conversation UK’s latest coverage of news and research, from politics and business to the arts and sciences.

Our study tested a new approach using wearable technology and remote coaching to overcome these barriers. We found that people who followed a smartwatch-supported remote coaching programme were ten times more likely to start a workout regime than those who received remote coaching alone.

The study involved 125 adults aged between 40 and 75 from the UK and Canada who had recently been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. All participants worked with an exercise specialist to co-design a personalised six-month physical activity plan. The focus was on gradually increasing both moderate-to-vigorous exercise (with a target of 150 minutes per week) and daily lifestyle activity. Support was delivered remotely through phone or video calls.

Half of the participants were randomly assigned to use wearable technology to support their personalised activity plans. The smartwatch had movement and heart rate sensors, a mobile app to track activity and personalised text messages based on their recent progress. They could also message their coach, receive real-time feedback and adjust their activity plans accordingly.

The results were striking. Compared to the control group, those who were given a smartwatch were ten times more likely to start working out regularly, seven times more likely to still be active after six months and three times more likely to remain active one year later – even after support had ended.

At the end of the programme, over 50% of the smartwatch group were meeting recommended activity levels. In comparison, only 17% of the control group were.

Feedback from participants showed that the flexibility of plans, personalised messages and smartwatch data were key motivators. While some faced early challenges with the technology, most adapted quickly.

These findings support growing evidence that wearable technology can help people become – and stay – more active. While our study focused on people with type 2 diabetes, similar benefits have also been observed in the general population.

For example, one trial found that inactive adults (aged 45-75) who were given pedometers and walking advice increased their daily step count by around 660 steps after 12 weeks compared to a control group. Those given a pedometer were also more active three years later.

Since then, wearable technology has advanced. Modern smartwatches now capture a wider range of metrics beyond steps – such as heart rate and activity intensity. A 2022 systematic review and meta-analysis, which analysed more than 160 randomised controlled trials, found that fitness trackers and similar devices were effective at increasing physical activity by an average of around 1,800 steps per day. Importantly, the most sustained improvements occurred when wearables were paired with personalised feedback or behavioural support.

Together, these studies suggest that wearables can be powerful tools for long-term behaviour change and may help us better stick to our fitness goals.

Wearable fitness trackers can extremely helpful – but only if you use them purposefully. Our research, along with findings from other studies, shows that wearables are most effective when they help you apply proven behaviour-change strategies.

Here are some evidence-based tips to help you get the most out of your device:

1. Set realistic, specific goals

Plan exactly when and how you’ll move. Apps can help you set daily or weekly targets. Research shows that breaking down big, vague intentions – such as “get fit” – into small, concrete steps makes it easier to stay motivated and avoid feeling overwhelmed.

2. Schedule activity and stick to it

Use reminders or calendar prompts to build a regular routine. Consistency builds habits, and scheduled activity reduces the chance of skipping workouts due to forgetfulness or lack of planning.

3. Track your progress

Monitoring your activity helps you stay motivated and accountable. This feedback boosts motivation by showing that your efforts are making a difference, increasing your sense of control and accountability.

4. Use small rewards

Many devices include features such as badges or streaks, which reinforce progress. Celebrating small wins triggers feelings of accomplishment, which encourages you to keep going and helps build long-term habits.

5. Share with others

Whether it’s a friend or coach, sharing your progress can boost commitment. Knowing others are aware of your goals can increase motivation, provide encouragement, and help you overcome challenges.

6. The tracker is a tool, not the solution

It won’t change behaviour on its own. Its value lies in how it supports your goals and helps you build lasting habits.

These techniques don’t just encourage short-term change – they build motivation, self-belief and routine, which are key for maintaining healthy habits over time.

Our research shows that when wearable tech is used as part of a structured, supportive programme, it can make a real difference – especially for people managing health conditions such as type 2 diabetes. By combining wearable technology with personalised coaching and proven behaviour change techniques, you might just have a better chance of sticking with your physical activity goals.

Our study focused specifically on adults who had recently been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Physical activity is a cornerstone of type 2 diabetes management, as it helps regulate blood sugar, supports cardiovascular health and improves quality of life.

Yet around 90% of people with type 2 diabetes fall short of weekly physical activity recommendations. Common barriers include low motivation, uncertainty about what activity is safe and a lack of tailored support.

Get your news from actual experts, straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily newsletter to receive all The Conversation UK’s latest coverage of news and research, from politics and business to the arts and sciences.

Our study tested a new approach using wearable technology and remote coaching to overcome these barriers. We found that people who followed a smartwatch-supported remote coaching programme were ten times more likely to start a workout regime than those who received remote coaching alone.

The study involved 125 adults aged between 40 and 75 from the UK and Canada who had recently been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. All participants worked with an exercise specialist to co-design a personalised six-month physical activity plan. The focus was on gradually increasing both moderate-to-vigorous exercise (with a target of 150 minutes per week) and daily lifestyle activity. Support was delivered remotely through phone or video calls.

Half of the participants were randomly assigned to use wearable technology to support their personalised activity plans. The smartwatch had movement and heart rate sensors, a mobile app to track activity and personalised text messages based on their recent progress. They could also message their coach, receive real-time feedback and adjust their activity plans accordingly.

The results were striking. Compared to the control group, those who were given a smartwatch were ten times more likely to start working out regularly, seven times more likely to still be active after six months and three times more likely to remain active one year later – even after support had ended.

At the end of the programme, over 50% of the smartwatch group were meeting recommended activity levels. In comparison, only 17% of the control group were.

Feedback from participants showed that the flexibility of plans, personalised messages and smartwatch data were key motivators. While some faced early challenges with the technology, most adapted quickly.

These findings support growing evidence that wearable technology can help people become – and stay – more active. While our study focused on people with type 2 diabetes, similar benefits have also been observed in the general population.

For example, one trial found that inactive adults (aged 45-75) who were given pedometers and walking advice increased their daily step count by around 660 steps after 12 weeks compared to a control group. Those given a pedometer were also more active three years later.

Since then, wearable technology has advanced. Modern smartwatches now capture a wider range of metrics beyond steps – such as heart rate and activity intensity. A 2022 systematic review and meta-analysis, which analysed more than 160 randomised controlled trials, found that fitness trackers and similar devices were effective at increasing physical activity by an average of around 1,800 steps per day. Importantly, the most sustained improvements occurred when wearables were paired with personalised feedback or behavioural support.

Together, these studies suggest that wearables can be powerful tools for long-term behaviour change and may help us better stick to our fitness goals.

Wearable fitness trackers can extremely helpful – but only if you use them purposefully. Our research, along with findings from other studies, shows that wearables are most effective when they help you apply proven behaviour-change strategies.

Here are some evidence-based tips to help you get the most out of your device:

1. Set realistic, specific goals

Plan exactly when and how you’ll move. Apps can help you set daily or weekly targets. Research shows that breaking down big, vague intentions – such as “get fit” – into small, concrete steps makes it easier to stay motivated and avoid feeling overwhelmed.

2. Schedule activity and stick to it

Use reminders or calendar prompts to build a regular routine. Consistency builds habits, and scheduled activity reduces the chance of skipping workouts due to forgetfulness or lack of planning.

3. Track your progress

Monitoring your activity helps you stay motivated and accountable. This feedback boosts motivation by showing that your efforts are making a difference, increasing your sense of control and accountability.

4. Use small rewards

Many devices include features such as badges or streaks, which reinforce progress. Celebrating small wins triggers feelings of accomplishment, which encourages you to keep going and helps build long-term habits.

5. Share with others

Whether it’s a friend or coach, sharing your progress can boost commitment. Knowing others are aware of your goals can increase motivation, provide encouragement, and help you overcome challenges.

6. The tracker is a tool, not the solution

It won’t change behaviour on its own. Its value lies in how it supports your goals and helps you build lasting habits.

These techniques don’t just encourage short-term change – they build motivation, self-belief and routine, which are key for maintaining healthy habits over time.

Our research shows that when wearable tech is used as part of a structured, supportive programme, it can make a real difference – especially for people managing health conditions such as type 2 diabetes. By combining wearable technology with personalised coaching and proven behaviour change techniques, you might just have a better chance of sticking with your physical activity goals.

Matthew Cocks receives funding from the Medical Research Council.

Katie Hesketh receives funding from Diabetes UK and NIHR.

This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.