Founder of WAFFA Sports

Jari Rannala is a visionary Finnish innovator whose lifelong passion for sports and engineering has shaped the landscape of fitness and rehabilitation equipment. From humble beginnings in a rural Finnish village, where Jari built the first training bench from wooden boxes, Jari’s journey has been defined by curiosity, creativity, and a relentless drive to improve how people train and stay healthy.

In the early 1980s, Jari designed and built equipment for Helsinki’s first commercial gym to welcome female members, and soon after, played a pivotal role in launching the first Nautilus gym in Finland. This experience led to the founding of the legendary Finnish brand “David,” where the company introduced industry-firsts such as the Seated Leg Curl and collaborated with leading scientists to advance exercise science.

Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, Jari continued to break new ground—developing innovative equipment lines for both mainstream and senior fitness, and pioneering workplace wellness concepts adopted by major companies like DaimlerChrysler. Jari’s commitment to research and user-centred design has resulted in equipment that is both effective and accessible, with proven benefits for users of all ages.

In 2014, Jari launched the first outdoor training equipment line, making high-quality exercise accessible in public spaces across Finland and beyond. By 2025, this equipment could be found in over 300 locations, and the brand—now known as Omnigym—continues to expand internationally. More recently, Jari has focused on inclusive fitness, developing the WAFFA Senior and Junior lines to support active lifestyles for all generations.

Today, as the founder of WAFFA Sports, Jari Rannala remains dedicated to empowering people through movement, innovation, and a deep understanding of what it takes to build a healthier world.