About

Christoph is a strength and conditioning coach based in East Sussex, UK.  He is specialised to address the needs and demands of performing artists and is enthusiastic about working with athletes, and non-athletes alike.  Many years of working in the ballet world has led to deep insights and experience in working with dancers and musicians.  His clients can be anywhere between 10 and 82 years of age.  Christoph has recently completed a Master of Science degree in Strength and Conditioning at St Mary’s University Twickenham London. His dissertation is titled “The effect of improved muscular endurance on playing related musculoskeletal disorders in professional orchestral string players.” His particular interest is the effect of ageing and the role of strength and conditioning in extending human health span.  Additionally, he is keen on improving the performance of his clients, to help to develop their resilience towards injury and to encourage and enable healthy habits and self-sufficiency.  Christoph is guided by scientific evidence and his critical thinking skills that have helped him to inform his practice and to develop his knowledge and experience over the years.

He was born and raised in Germany and lived in Berlin, Kassel, and Frankfurt am Main.  Christoph lived in London for over 6 years before starting a family by the sea in East Sussex.  Originally, from a technical, rather than an athletic background, Christoph first started a career in construction and engineering.  In his late twenties, a life-changing back injury made it necessary to undergo surgery with the subsequent need for rehabilitation and further strengthening.  This health event sparked his interest into human health and the effect of strength and conditioning on performance, ageing, and the prevention of injuries.  Initially intended only to improve his own health, he soon considered to use his knowledge and experience to make the career change and to become a coach himself.  With the help of a local sport scientist from Frankfurt, he further expanded his knowledge in applying the principals and methods of strength and conditioning, acquired a basic trainer license and started to work as an assistant trainer in a local gym.  The temporary move to London in 2013 became permanent and for the following 6 years Christoph was working as part of a team of sport scientists, physio therapists and former dancers of a contractor company within several well-known ballet companies.  He mainly worked at the English National Ballet and the English National Ballet School, but also at the Hoffesh Shechter Company, Rambert, The Forsythe Company and covered for colleagues at The Royal Ballet.  His work included being on tour with ENB in China, Japan, and all over the United Kingdom.  During the summer months he was coaching young dancers in several workshops across Europe including Madrid, Zurich, Marseille, Bologna, Frankfurt, and Berlin.  At the end of 2020 Christoph started his own business and is now providing preventative fitness classes and personal training for musicians, dancers, athletes, and non-athletes from around the world, via the internet and in person.

“I’d always read that as one ages, one inevitably loses muscle mass. Meeting Christoph 6 years ago has changed that view for ever. Under his expert supervision and years of training with him, I have more muscle, have great shape, endurance and strength and am still improving.”

– Paul (Clarinetist / Orchestra Manager)