PFA PERSONAL FITNESS ACADEMY GmbH

What PFA PERSONAL FITNESS ACADEMY GmbH does

PFA PERSONAL FITNESS ACADEMY GmbH is an Austrian private vocational training company founded in 2010 by Mag. Michael Mayrbrugger and headquartered in Vienna. The company provides diploma certification programs for fitness, personal training, health training, functional training, athletic training, cycling, running, nutrition, and children's fitness. Its core curriculum consists of modular diploma courses (€1,490-€4,390) ranging from short specialty workshops (€75-€560) to 3-4 month comprehensive certifications, all delivered through a blended learning model that combines weekend in-person practical sessions at five Austrian training centers (Vienna, Graz, Linz, Salzburg, Innsbruck) with online video content via the pfa-elearning.at platform. The company maintains a network of 50+ credentialed instructors including sports scientists, physicians, physiotherapists, and Bundesportakademie lecturers.

PFA's go-to-market is direct-to-consumer, with prospective students enrolling via the company website after information sessions, phone consultations, or referrals from partner fitness chains (Holmes Place, McFIT, CleverFit, Speedfit, Mrs Sporty). Revenue is generated primarily through one-time course fees with installment payment plans via SEPA direct debit, supplemented by upgrade modules for existing graduates, short-format workshops, and an online fitness trainer subscription (€799-€1,199). The company holds four quality certifications (Ö-Cert, Wien-Cert, ISO 21001, and TÜV Austria) and operates the fitnesstrainerjob.at job placement platform to support graduates with post-graduation employment.

The business is bootstrapped and founder-managed, with a small core team (1-10 employees) supplemented by an extensive contracted instructor network. Course cohorts are intentionally limited to ensure individual attention, requiring minimum 8 participants per course. PFA also partners with Austrian government funding bodies (WAFF, AMS) to enable subsidized training access for career changers and unemployed individuals. The company serves four primary customer segments: career changers transitioning into fitness, new fitness industry entrants, health-conscious professionals seeking health credentials, and existing trainers pursuing advanced specializations.

Name

PFA PERSONAL FITNESS ACADEMY GmbH

Legal name

PFA – PERSONAL FITNESS ACADEMY GmbH

Website

https://pfa-fitness.at

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

PFA PERSONAL FITNESS ACADEMY GmbH is a Vienna-based Austrian private vocational training company founded in 2010 that delivers modular diploma and blended learning programs certifying fitness, personal, health, functional, athletic, cycling, running, and nutrition trainers across five Austrian locations, serving career changers, fitness entrants, and existing trainers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Fitness Education and Trainer Certification

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620), Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162), Educational Services (61), All Other Schools and Instruction (61169)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Fitness & Exercise Training Education (Strength, Cardio, Mobility) (EDAAAHAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Functional Fitness & Mobility Training (HSADAAAD), Endurance & Running/Cycling Training (HSADAAAG), Small-Group Personal Training (Semi-Private) (HSADAAAN), Group Fitness, Personal Training & Wellness Coaching (EDALAIAE)

Keywords

• Fitness trainer education
• Personal training certification
• Health trainer diploma
• Blended learning fitness
• Athletic trainer certification

Headquarters

HQ city

Breitenfurt Bei Wien

HQ country

Austria

HQ region

Europe

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Diploma Training Programs: Primary revenue stream from diploma courses in fitness, personal training, health training, and functional training. Fees range from €1,890 to €4,390 per course depending on depth and duration. Payment options include installment plans via SEPA direct debit.
2. Upgrade Courses and Modules: Existing trainers can upgrade their qualifications through additional modules (e.g., upgrade from Personal Trainer to Health Trainer for €700-1,600). These create recurring revenue from the existing customer base.
3. Workshops and Specialized Training: Short-format workshops (1-3 days) in cycling (€399), nutrition, yoga, pilates, taping, neuroathletics, and children's fitness. Prices range from €75 to €560 per workshop.
4. Job Placement Services: Post-graduation job placement assistance through fitnesstrainerjob.at platform. While the platform is free for job seekers, it creates employer partnerships and placement fees from companies posting jobs.
5. E-Learning Platform Access: Online learning content delivery platform accessible at pfa-elearning.at, supporting distance learning students across Austria.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

PFA PERSONAL FITNESS ACADEMY GmbH delivers diploma-certified education programs for fitness, personal, health, functional, athletic, cycling, running, and children's fitness trainers in Austria. Programs are offered via a blended learning model combining online e-learning content with weekend in-person practical training sessions delivered across five Austrian locations. The company also operates the fitnesstrainerjob.at job placement platform supporting graduates with post-completion employment.

Product overview

PFA PERSONAL FITNESS ACADEMY GmbH operates as a certified Austrian fitness trainer academy offering a modular diploma education system. The core offering consists of PFA E-Learning as the primary digital platform combined with in-person diploma programs including PersonaltrainerIn, GesundheitstrainerIn, FunctionaltrainerIn, AthletiktrainerIn, CyclingtrainerIn, and LauftrainerIn. Programs range from 2-day workshops to 3-4 month diploma courses with online start options and blended learning delivery. The portfolio includes certification programs at multiple levels, allowing progression from basic fitness trainer to specialized diplomas, all supported by the PFA E-Learning platform for video-based learning.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Diplom PersonaltrainerIn Ausbildung Three-month diploma program training individuals to become certified personal trainers. Covers 190 teaching units including anatomy, physiology, training methods, nutrition, and business aspects, with 60 practical training sessions to be self-conducted and documented. Priced at €2,790.
• Diplom GesundheitstrainerIn Ausbildung Three-and-a-half month diploma program combining fitness and health training with 256 teaching units covering anatomy, physiology, yoga, Pilates, and functional training for holistic wellness. Includes pre- and post-training performance diagnostics with BIA (bioelectrical impedance analysis) measurements. Priced at €3,490.
• Diplom FunctionaltrainerIn Ausbildung Diploma program in functional health and personal training with 288 teaching units covering kettlebell, TRX, bodyweight training, and movement screening for specialized fitness coaching. Priced at €4,190.
• Diplom AthletiktrainerIn Ausbildung Three-month athletic trainer diploma with 246 teaching units covering periodization, sport-specific training, performance diagnostics, and competitive sports nutrition. Includes learning materials, scripts, books, and DVDs with no additional costs. Priced at €2,490.
• Diplom CyclingtrainerIn Ausbildung Two-day cycling instructor course with 16 teaching units covering cycling technique, training zones, music selection, and coaching for indoor cycling instruction. Held Saturday and Sunday 9-18 Uhr in Vienna. Priced at €399.
• Diplom LauftrainerIn Ausbildung Three-month running trainer diploma with 74 teaching units covering anatomy, physiology, running techniques, training program design, and nutrition. Includes 10 practical training sessions. Priced at €1,490 (€890 upgrade without Module 1).
• Diplom Fitness TrainerIn - Foundation Diploma Foundation-level fitness trainer diploma with 140 teaching units including practical training documentation. Serves as the entry point into PFA's modular diploma architecture and can be upgraded to Personal Trainer and beyond. Priced at €1,890.
• PFA E-Learning Platform Online learning platform at pfa-elearning.at allowing participants to access training videos and course content anytime and from any location. Supports distance learning students across Austria with individual login links, video content, and trial registration options.
• Workshops and Specialized Training Modules Short-format workshops (1-3 days) covering specialized topics including Neuroathletics, Taping, Functional Reha Training, Yoga, Pilates, Nutrition, Cycling, Children's Fitness, and Relaxation training. Prices range from €75 to €560 per workshop.
• Job Placement Services via fitnesstrainerjob.at Post-graduation job placement platform at fitnesstrainerjob.at offering free 90-day job postings for PFA graduates and serving as an employer recruitment channel for fitness companies seeking qualified trainers.

Quantifiable outcome

• Graduates can work as qualified trainers in fitness studios, health centers, wellness facilities, sports clubs, and as self-employed personal trainers
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration10 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Holmes PlacecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor European fitness chain operating as primary practical training venue for PFA students. PFA students conduct practical training sessions at Holmes Place facilities. Holmes Place is described as a European pioneer in fitness and personal training.
• McFITcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLeading Austrian fitness studio chain partner providing practical training venues and employment pipeline for PFA graduates.
• CleverFitminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAustrian fitness chain network partner providing training venues and job placement opportunities for graduates.
• SpeedfitminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFitness studio partner offering practical training venues and employment connections for PFA graduates.
• Mrs SportyminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWomen's fitness studio chain partner providing training and employment opportunities for PFA graduates.
• NEOHminorGTM or Marketing PartnerProtein bar brand (neoh.com) powering PFA news section. Marketing partnership providing content and product integration on PFA platform.
• WAFF (Wiener ArbeitnehmerInnen Förderungsfonds)coreOthersVienna Employment Promotion Fund offering individual funding opportunities for PFA training courses. Partnership enables funding support for Vienna residents.
• AMS (Arbeitsmarktservice Österreich)coreOthersAustrian Public Employment Service offering training database and in specific cases funding for PFA courses. Qualification support for employees program available.
• TraineracademyminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerExternal training partner providing specialized Functional Equipment Expert module instruction within PFA curriculum.
• BSPA (Bundesportakademie)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal Sports Academy providing teaching personnel (lecturers) to PFA. PFA instructors hold teaching positions at BSPA.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• OPTA (Online Personal Trainer Akademie): German online-first personal trainer certification provider offering lower-cost digital alternatives to in-person academies. Represents the disruptive online pricing pressure that could compress PFA's premium blended-learning model over time.

Regional players

• SAFS (Schweizerische Akademie für Fitness und Sport): Swiss academy offering fitness trainer and group instructor certifications with national Swiss accreditation. Operates an analogous modular diploma model in Switzerland and could serve as a structural comparison point for cross-border expansion into the Swiss German-speaking market.

Direct peers

• Academy of Sports: German private training academy offering state-recognized fitness and health certifications with a strong online-first delivery model. Competes directly for German-speaking personal trainer aspirants and represents a digital-native alternative to PFA's blended approach.
• BSA Akademie: One of Germany's leading private fitness and health academies with state-recognized qualifications. Operates a similar modular diploma portfolio (Fitness, Personal, Health, Athletic Trainer) and competes for the same DACH-region career-changer audience with comparable blended learning delivery.
• IST-Studieninstitut / IST-Hochschule: Largest German private distance-learning institute for sports, fitness, and health careers. Offers similar modular diploma programs (Fitness Trainer, Personal Trainer, Health Coach) via blended learning with comparable pricing structure, serving as PFA's closest cross-border competitor for German-speaking students.
• DHfPG (Deutsche Hochschule für Prävention und Gesundheitsmanagement): German university of applied sciences specializing in prevention, health management, and fitness trainer education. Offers bachelor's and master's programs plus trainer certifications that directly overlap with PFA's Health Trainer and Functional Trainer diplomas in the DACH market.
• PT Academy (Personal Trainer Academy): German personal training academy focused on Personal Trainer certifications with strong emphasis on practical training and small cohort formats. Closely comparable to PFA in curriculum philosophy, target customer, and limited-participant course structure.
• BodyLife Academy: German fitness education provider offering Personal Trainer, Group Fitness, and Nutrition Coach certifications. Targets the same career-changer and existing-trainer segments as PFA, with a comparable modular course catalog and blended learning delivery model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/PFA.Personal.Fitness.Academy
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pfa-personal-fitness-academy-gmbh

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about PFA PERSONAL FITNESS ACADEMY GmbH