Fitiva
Finding a personal trainer: 7 questions
Finding a personal trainer is easy. Finding the right one is the real work. Ask these seven questions in the first conversation or trial session, before you book a package.
Contents10 sections
1. What qualifications and experience do you have?
In Germany, in principle anyone can call themselves a personal trainer, and there is no state-recognised qualification for it. The Bundesverband Personal Training (German Federal Association for Personal Training) points this out itself. That makes the question all the more important.
A solid foundation is a trainer licence such as the B-Lizenz or A-Lizenz (German fitness trainer B and A licences), a sports science degree or training as a physiotherapist. Even more important is whether the coach has already worked with people in your situation: getting started after a long break, back problems, preparing for a competition. Ask for concrete examples, not certificates.
Source: Bundesverband Personal Training, Is the profession protected? (in German), as of 09/2026.
2. What does a first session with you look like?
Good coaches start with a conversation and a movement check, not with a workout meant to impress you. They ask about your goals, your everyday life, sleep, injuries and preferences. Anyone who just reels off exercises in the first hour isn't coaching you, they are just putting you through a workout.
3. What does it cost, and what is included?
Ask about the price per session, about packages and about what happens between sessions. Is there a plan for the days without your coach? Answers to questions in the chat? A check in every week? A low hourly rate with no support in between often ends up costing more than a package with a plan.
Source: Bundesverband Personal Training, Prices (in German), as of 09/2026. How to compare offers fairly is explained in the article What does personal training cost?.
4. What will my plan look like, and who adjusts it?
A plan that still looks exactly the same after four weeks as on day one is not a plan. Ask how often the coach adjusts it, how they measure progress and what happens when a week goes badly. Good coaches have a calm, concrete answer to that. What a good plan contains is covered in the article Getting a training plan made for you.
5. How do I reach you between sessions?
Most questions don't come up in the session, they come up on a Tuesday evening. Clarify beforehand how you will get answers and how quickly.
In Fitiva you message each other in the app's chat, separate from your private messages. Ava, the AI in Fitiva, answers your everyday questions even while your coach is training. Your coach stays responsible for everything important.
6. What happens if I have to cancel?
Illness, a business trip, the kids: it will happen. Ask about the cancellation notice period and whether sessions expire or get moved. A clear rule before you book saves you both a lot of hassle.
How it works in Fitiva. You cancel a booked session right in the app, until it starts. Whether you get money back is up to your coach. So ask about their rule beforehand.
7. Can I talk to other clients?
Reviews are good, a short chat with a current client is better. A coach who is proud of their work is happy to put you in touch. By the way, in Fitiva only athletes who have really trained with the coach can leave a review.
Where to find coaches
In Fitiva you find coaches on the map or in the list, by city, focus and sport. Before you commit, the profile shows you what you need for the seven questions.
Qualifications and proof
The coach lists their qualifications on their profile. Proof that Fitiva has checked is marked as verified there.
Reviews and reliability
Reviews from athletes who have trained with them, how quickly they reply and how reliably they keep appointments.
Packages, prices, open slots
Packages with their price, and open slots you book yourself. You pay online or in person. If there are no open slots, you send a request.
At launch, coaches and events are available in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. And if you would rather start without a coach, you can track food and training in the app for free and bring in a coach when it suits you.
Your checklist for the first conversation
- Qualifications and experience with people like you
- A first session with a conversation and a movement check
- Price per month and what happens between sessions
- How often the plan gets adjusted
- How, and how quickly, you get answers
- The rule for cancellations
- Reviews or a chat with a client
Frequently asked questions about finding a trainer
Is personal trainer a protected profession?
No. In Germany, in principle anyone can call themselves one, and there is no state-recognised qualification (Bundesverband Personal Training, as of 09/2026). So ask about qualifications and experience.
What does a personal trainer cost?
Every coach sets their own prices. The Bundesverband Personal Training gives a range of €35 to €180 an hour and recommends at least €95 (as of 09/2026). What matters is what is included besides the hour.
Should I do a trial session before booking a package?
Yes, if you can. A first conversation or a single session tells you more than any website. Only book the package once the seven questions are answered.
How do I find a personal trainer near me?
In Fitiva you search the map by your city and your focus, see open slots and book yourself. At launch, coaches are available in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
Can I cancel a booked session?
In Fitiva, yes, right in the app, until the session starts. Whether you get money back is up to your coach.
