WHO IS THE PERSONAL TRAINER IVANA CUJOVA?

Most people just want to know what I'm specialized in and if I'm certified, so here’s that information.

I studied for 5 years at the Faculty of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences in Madrid and Bratislava.

I am specialized in:

Pilates
Stick Mobility
Landmine
Nutrition
TRX
Healthy mind -Healthy Body
Swimming
Senior Training
Weight training
Calisthenics

If you’d like more details, you can find them written below.

Let me share a bit about where I come from and how my journey as a Personal Trainer began.

Where I was born

I grew up in Slovakia (Krompachy) until I turned 21, and from a young age, I discovered a deep passion for all kinds of sports and activities. I joined the local athletics club, loved playing volleyball and ping-pong, and had a deep appreciation for music and art.

I may not have been a natural artist, but I eagerly played the electric piano, attended drawing classes to improve my skills, sang in a chorus, and even continued dancing traditional Slovak dances. These experiences helped me to explore my creativity and express myself in many different ways.

My studies

Sports have always been a big part of my life, so it felt natural for me to pursue a university education related to my passion. During my third year at Comenius University in Bratislava, I took the opportunity to expand my horizons and applied for the Erasmus program in Madrid. I was thrilled to be accepted and spent two amazing years studying at the Faculty of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences, Polytechnic University of Madrid.

My five-year master’s program was divided into three years of studying in Bratislava, where I specialized in physical activity and working with seniors, and two years in Madrid, where I earned my master’s specialization in swimming. After finishing university, I received a job offer in Schaffhausen-Switzerland, where I worked as a swimming coach for six months. However, I missed Madrid so much that I decided to return and started working as a Personal Trainer and Pilates instructor at the prestigious VIP club Reebok Sport Club La Finca (now David Lloyd La Finca).

Working at the Reebok club opened up so many opportunities for me and advanced my professional life at an incredible speed. I had amazing colleagues and educators from whom I could learn and gain knowledge and experience in training. We constantly specialized and updated our skills. I had the honor of working with Ivan Rodriguez Hernandez, Alex Roca, Fernando Ugena, Deslandes Antonio Afonso, and many other great people.

How I started with calisthenics

It was 2015 when my passion for Calisthenics truly ignited. This sport started gaining more attention, and I found group training sessions through Google led by top trainers Anke (en la foto), Robert, and Justin. After 1.5 years of intense training and learning from the best calisthenics coaches, I gained new insights, understood the techniques better, and, most importantly, integrated these exercises into my routines and those of my clients. I achieved my muscle-up, chin-ups were no longer a problem for me, and I mastered the front lever and other exercises that this wonderful sport includes.

My fitness bikini stage

Fitness has been my passion since childhood, so in 2011, I began preparing for my first competition in the Fitness Bikini category. I didn’t know what it would entail or what sacrifices I would have to make. It took four years of discipline, losses, and victories. In 2013, I became the Spanish Champion in Fitness Bikini. Right after that, I competed in the World Championships in Kyiv, and then I ended my fitness career.

In 2017 and 2018, I tried to make a comeback and was in great shape, but I ultimately decided not to continue and didn’t compete. Unfortunately, these competitions are not monitored and natural, and I didn’t want to take banned substances. My health was my top priority, and this sport is not very beneficial for health. Strict diets, hunger, restriction, and monotonous eating for four years were tough, and I didn’t want to continue that path.

My Thoughts on Fitness:

If someone asks me now whether I would recommend this sport, my answer is definitely no, unless there is a natural category with testing and fewer extreme demands that endanger the athlete's health. I don't know any competitor who enjoyed the preparation, was happy with her body, and could maintain that shape throughout her life. It's not healthy, and a woman's body can be beautiful with a normal percentage of body fat. If you want to know more about this bikini stage, you can find a detailed article here (coming soon).

My work with brands

Fitness has opened up amazing opportunities for me to work with brands like

Weider nutrition
Reebok
IFBB TV
ZeroPoint Compression
Taymory.

You can view a gallery of photos here.

My move to southern Spain - Marbella/Estepona

After spending 11 wonderful years in Madrid, I decided to start a new adventure by moving to the beautiful city of Marbella/Estepona in southern Spain. This move gave me the chance to explore different cultures, learn new languages, and dive into various training activities. My three years in Marbella were truly amazing, expanding my horizons both personally and professionally.

During my time in Marbella, I discovered the incredible benefits of the STICK MOBILITY technique. This innovative training system helped improve my flexibility, strength, and coordination. Eager to learn more, I traveled to California in 2019 to get my Stick Mobility certification. This experience provided me with invaluable knowledge and expertise.

Switzerland, my new home

Although my time in Marbella was fulfilling, I felt a calling to explore new possibilities. So, I made the exciting decision to move once again, this time to Geneva. It’s been five wonderful years since I settled here, and I am proud to say that I have established my own Holistic Personal Training company called IvanaFit.

Studying has always been a passion of mine, and my enthusiasm for marketing led me to pursue a degree in Community Management, which I earned in 2019. This knowledge and skillset have been instrumental in making my dream of building my own company a reality.

I am thrilled to be living in Geneva and running my Holistic Personal Training business. Every day, I am inspired to help others achieve their fitness goals while providing a holistic approach to their overall well-being. With a passion for continuous learning and a drive to create a positive impact, I am excited for the future of IvanaFit and the opportunities that lie ahead.

One of my greatest hobbies is learning new languages.

I am currently fluent in Spanish, English, and Slovak. I have dedicated time and effort to become proficient in these languages. Additionally, I am currently working on advancing my French and German skills to reach an advanced level.