For expats · Hamburg

English-speaking personal trainer in Hamburg.

1:1 coaching in English (and Greek) for expats, internationals, and anyone who'd rather not navigate a German-speaking gym alone. Beginner-friendly, no judgement, on your schedule.

From 149 € / 4 weeks EN · GR Outdoor, gym, or online
Why this exists

Moving to Hamburg is enough. The gym shouldn't be another mountain.

Most personal trainers in Hamburg work in German. Most group classes do, too. If you've just moved here — or if you've been here a while and never quite cracked the fitness piece — that language gap is a real reason routines never stick. The point of this page is simple: training in English with a coach who actually understands the expat experience, because I've lived it.

Who this is for

People I usually work with.

i.

New arrivals in Hamburg

You've been here a few months, your routine from back home didn't survive the move, and you're not ready to commit to a long gym contract before you know which neighborhood you'll stay in.

ii.

Long-term expats who never started

You've been in Hamburg for years, your German is fine for daily life, but the gym still feels like effort. You want a coach who'll just speak English and get on with it.

iii.

Remote workers & frequent travellers

Your schedule shifts, you're sometimes out of the city, and a typical 12-month gym membership doesn't fit. Online sessions in English keep things going when life moves.

About me

Greek, in Hamburg, training in English.

I'm Michailia. I'm a certified personal trainer, Pilates instructor, and TRX coach, and I've coached people through the same Hamburg-as-an-expat thing I went through myself. Sessions, written plans, WhatsApp check-ins — all in English. Greek too, if that's easier.

I don't run a high-pressure performance shop. Most clients are starting from low fitness or coming back after years off, and the first few weeks are deliberately calm.

Michailia Sifnaiou, English-speaking personal trainer based in Hamburg.
How we train

Three ways to start, all in English.

Outdoor in a Hamburg park

Most clients start here. Wandsbek, Hamm, Horn, Marienthal and the surrounding parks. No gym contract, no German-only signage, just the park and a plan.

Private gym room

If outdoor doesn't suit, we use a private gym room. Full equipment, no shared floor, no distractions. Good in winter, good for proper strength work.

Online & hybrid coaching

Live sessions over video, a custom 12-week program you run on your own, or both. Useful when work travel disrupts the in-person rhythm.

Common questions

Common questions from expats.

Is your English actually fluent, or just "good enough"?
Fluent. Sessions, written plans, WhatsApp check-ins, and any technical cues are all in proper English. Most of my clients speak English as their primary working language and we move through sessions without language being a friction point.
I don't speak German at all. Will that be a problem?
No. You don't need any German to train with me. Outdoor sessions need no facility access at all, and the private gym room I use is set up for clients who don't speak German.
What part of Hamburg do you work in?
Mostly the east side — Wandsbek, Hamm, Horn, Marienthal — and the surrounding parks (Öjendorf, Hammer Park, Boberger Niederung). If you're elsewhere in Hamburg, just ask and we'll figure it out, either in person or online.
I'm a complete beginner. Will I be out of place?
Most of my clients are. The first 4 weeks are deliberately gentle: how to move, how to recover, how to make training fit your week. There's no pressure to look or perform a certain way.
What if I move away from Hamburg later?
Then we switch to online. Many clients start in person and continue with a written program or live virtual sessions when they travel or relocate. The plan moves with you.
Do you offer training in German?
No. Sessions are in English or Greek only. If you're more comfortable in German, you'd be better off with a German-speaking trainer.
Get in touch

Let's start with a 20-minute call.

In English. No commitment, no pressure. We'll figure out if I'm the right coach for you.

Quick question?