Dr. Gabriela Kieser studied medicine at the University of Zurich and earned her MBA from the Universities of Rochester, USA, and Bern. In 1990, the first European medical practice for medical strength therapy opened in Zurich. The practice demonstrated effective synergy with Kieser Training, located in the same building. Together with her husband, Werner Kieser (†), she developed the concept of health-oriented strength training and thus expanded internationally. Today, 280,000 customers train in 154 Kieser Training studios in five countries.
After more than twenty years in management and on the supervisory board, and since the sale of the company as part of an MBO in early 2017, she now conducts medical training consultations at three studios in Zurich. She also gives lectures on the preventative and therapeutic benefits of health-oriented strength training. She lives in Zurich and in the mountains with her dog.
Since she and her husband sold Kieser Training to their two successors, Michael Antonopoulos and Nils Planzer, Gabi Kieser has been working as an employee. She takes it in her stride. “I let the company consume me. Now I’m enjoying the new freedom and looking forward to wonderful years with Werner.” She’s just started learning Tai Chi. “The movements are so beautiful. It really helps you unwind.” She also wants to take up piano again. “You don’t play much,” Werner interrupts. “Let me finish,” she counters. “It’s on my agenda.” Does she argue well? “Well, yes. I come from a culture of debate. Werner is above things. That’s why things rarely escalate. But we have heated discussions. And we don’t always agree.”
Gabi Kieser loves spending time with her husband and dogs at their holiday home at 2,000 meters above sea level in Graubünden. Just as arguments are the spice of their relationship, she doesn’t always like sunshine when it comes to the weather. She raves about the fog in the mountains. “The fog is beautiful here. You simply feel peaceful. A fire by the fireplace. A good book. That’s all you need for happy moments with Werni and the dogs. You’re not alone, but you’re alone.”
https://www.kieser.de/50-starke-jahre/gabriela-kieser