November 19, 2025, 4:40 am | Read time: 4 minutes
On November 18, the RSG Group hosted the “European Fitness Award” for the first time. Numerous sports stars attended the event, including figure skating legend Katarina Witt, who received one of the awards. FITBOOK was on site and wanted to know from presenter Ralf Moeller, among other things, what makes a good fitness studio for him. Former soccer player André Schürrle talked about boundary experiences, and we spoke with track cycling Olympic champion Kristina Vogel about athletic curiosity.
Sport is so much more than faster, further, stronger, broader, thinner, or more beautiful. Sport also encompasses many societal issues and opportunities. Sport creates community, is a driver for innovation, and allows many people to work their way from the bottom to the top (again). The RSG Group, which includes fitness chains such as McFit, John Reed, and Gold’s Gym, wants to highlight and celebrate all these facets with their “European Fitness Award.” Among the awardees were Katarina Witt with her “Katarina Witt Foundation,” fitness influencer Johny Münster as “Creator of the Year,” and the female soccer players of FC Viktoria Berlin, who were honored in the “Female Empowerment” category.
Raising Awareness for the Importance of Sport
On the blue carpet in this case, alongside the award winners, were renowned athletes who thoroughly enjoyed the stylishly hosted event at the Soho House in Berlin and were happy to answer questions from the attending press, including FITBOOK.
Swimmer Kirsten Bruhn told us why it was important for her to be at the “European Fitness Award”: “We know that young people are not active enough. Against this backdrop, I find it great to be here and to raise awareness for sport.”
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What Makes a Good Fitness Studio
We spoke with bodybuilder and actor Ralf Moeller about what makes a good fitness studio. It’s not the most expensive training machines. “The support and guidance, especially when beginners are there. It’s important for trainers to ask about age, especially for people who are just starting and may already be older. Ideally, a medical certificate should be available so that trainers can accurately assess how to challenge a person,” explained the 66-year-old.
Also interesting: Ralf Moeller Knows: “Thanks to This Diet, Brad Pitt Still Looks So Good”
From Athletic Curiosity to Testing Limits
It was exciting to learn what various stars from the sports and entertainment industry personally associate with sports. “I do strength training but also like to try other, new sports. You can basically take me anywhere. I used to be a cyclist. Now I’m just curious about what other sports have to offer,” revealed track cycling Olympic champion Kristina Vogel in a conversation with FITBOOK.
Curiosity and openness to new experiences also describe André Schürrle’s view on sports. The former soccer player, who has turned to extreme sports, takes it a step further. “It’s about constantly seeing where your limits are and how far you can go beyond them to improve,” he explained in the FITBOOK interview.
That it can also be done at a less intense level was revealed by the musicians of “The BossHoss.” “We like to train, but the routine is the problem. The tour is our main sport, on stage,” Alec Völkel told us. “And we’re constantly on tour,” added Sascha Vollmer.
