Driving Freeletics’ global expansion and continuous innovation

In the fast-paced world of fitness technology, few companies have consistently innovated quite like Freeletics . I recently sat down with our CEO, Daniel Sobhani , to discuss the company’s business model, its evolution, and how it’s carving out a unique space in the fitness industry. Here’s a recap of our conversation: 

What's the backbone of the Freeletics business model? 

It's simple yet powerful and built on a solid foundation. At its core, Freeletics provides personalized training through a data-driven, subscription-based model. "It’s very simple," says Daniel. "Users purchase a subscription to our Coach and receive a personalized training plan –  tailored exactly to their individual needs." This level of personalization is driven by our proprietary algorithms, which are trained using our extensive and constantly growing EU workout database – the largest of its kind. This approach allows us to deliver best-in-class results. In addition to this core offering, Freeletics strategically partners with other businesses. These collaborations generate revenue through flat fees, per-user fees, or even reach-based models, making Freeletics a versatile player in both B2C and B2B spaces.

The Story: From grassroots to global leader

Freeletics' journey began on "Bolzplätzen" (soccer fields) in Germany and on social media. What started as a free training session, evolved into selling PDF workout plans, which later became a one-time purchase app. Today, Freeletics operates on a subscription model that is available in App Stores worldwide, reflecting the company’s ability to adapt to changing consumer demands and technological advances. The product transformed from a “one-size-fits-all” approach to a highly adaptable and personalized digital personal trainer on your phone. This evolution speaks to the company's core philosophy: constantly iterate, improve, and innovate.

Core value proposition: Empowering users to build habits

At the heart of Freeletics’ offering is a simple but profound promise—helping people build and sustain long-term exercise habits. "We provide you with a better chance of starting and sticking to an exercise habit, paired with good nutrition, which leads to better health, a stronger body, more confidence, and more joy in living," Daniel explains.

This value comes to life through the Freeletics Coach, a highly personalized and flexible digital fitness trainer. Whether you're at the gym, working out at home, running, or using equipment, the Coach adapts to what you need at that moment. From adjusting exercises to tailoring session lengths, everything is designed to meet your individual preferences with just a tap.

AndFreeletics doesn't stop there. Features like fitness scoring, a supportive community, and personalized communication ensure that you stay motivated and on track, which is key to maintaining long-term fitness habits.

Consistency through innovation

Daniel emphasizes that the company's ability to deliver value consistently relies on the success of the business itself. With over 59 million users worldwide, Freeletics uses a winning combination of in-depth data points, user research, behavioral analysis, and its internal vision to continuously improve the user experience.

"Our fantastic, skilled team works tirelessly to ensure that the user experience is always getting better," he says. Freeletics is building proprietary algorithms to help steer training, communication,  advertising, and Customer Relationship Management.  This iterative approach, grounded in data and user feedback, is key to maintaining Freeletics' position as a leader in personalized digital fitness coaching.

Positioning: A personal trainer in every pocket

Freeletics positions itself as more than just another fitness app—it’s a personal trainer in your pocket. "We help every user to access high-quality, hyper-personalized coaching without paying the price of a personal trainer," Daniel notes. By offering this level of authenticity, personalization, and flexibility, Freeletics doesn’t just compete with other apps, but with all alternatives to traditional fitness coaching.

Maintaining our edge: strategies for the future

To maintain and enhance this position, we're focusing on several key strategies. We're committed to providing the best possible workouts for each user. That's why we're constantly upgrading our technology to offer personalized recommendations. Our seamless onboarding experience makes it easy to get started quickly, and our wide variety of workouts ensures that there's something for everyone, regardless of preferences or fitness levels.

The future of fitness is personalized

Freeletics continues to grow by empowering millions of people to transform their fitness journeys. It achieves this by offering highly personalized and fully adaptable fitness experiences that combine advanced technology, user behavior insights, and a dedication to improving both physical and mental health. This unique approach setsFreeletics apart in the fitness market.

In a world where access to personalized, effective fitness coaching is more important than ever, Freeletics is leading the charge—one user, one workout, one habit at a time.