Training with Petra Prettenthaler in Vienna, Austria
The Fit Nomad Project | Training Around the World — Austria | October 14, 2026
One of the things I was most excited about when we began our journey around the world was the opportunity to connect with other athletes, experience different training philosophies, and learn how fitness and bodybuilding are viewed in different cultures.
As an IFBB Pro Figure athlete, bodybuilding has become such an important part of my life. And while I love exploring new gyms as we travel, what I really wanted was the chance to train alongside people who share that same passion.
In Vienna, Austria, I connected with Austrian figure athlete and coach Petra Prettenthaler, who invited me to join her for a back workout at the legendary DASGYM. What followed was an incredible training session, some unexpected personal records, plenty of laughter, and a fascinating conversation about what it means to be a muscular woman in Austria.
First Stop: A Bodybuilder's Playground
Before I even get to our workout, I have to talk about DASGYM, a legendary bodybuilding gym just outside Vienna. And wow, this place was quite the payground.
DASGYM has more than 3,000 square meters (32,000 square feet) of training space, and over 250 pieces of equipment. But what makes it especially interesting is its connection to bodybuilding history. The gym houses original equipment from six-time Mr. Olympia Dorian Yates' legendary Temple Gym in Birmingham, England, along with memorabilia from the Arnold era.
It feels like part museum, part hardcore training facility, and entirely dedicated to the sport.
I could have spent hours exploring the equipment, but Petra had a workout planned!
Meet Petra: From Cheerleading to Bodybuilding
Petra's journey into bodybuilding began with competitive cheerleading, where she was both an athlete and a coach. Eventually, she realized she enjoyed her time in the weight room even more than her time cheering.
In 2021, she made the transition to competitive bodybuilding, eventually finding her place in the figure division. With degrees in Nutrition and Sports Science, she also brings an impressive combination of education and competitive experience to her work as a coach.
What immediately struck me, though, wasn't her credentials or impressive physique. It was her energy. Petra was incredibly welcoming, positive, and passionate about what she does. Within minutes, I felt like I was training with an old friend.
Less Volume, More Intensity
Although we share a passion for bodybuilding, Petra and I approach our training a little differently.
My coach typically programs moderate to high-volume workouts, often involving six or seven exercises, four sets each, and repetitions in the 12–15 range. Petra favors fewer exercises, heavier weights, and intense working sets taken close to muscular failure. Her sessions might involve four exercises, two or three sets each, and approximately eight repetitions per set.
During our back workout, Petra encouraged me to lift heavier than I would normally attempt. I found myself questioning whether I could actually move some of the weights she suggested.
Turns out, I could!
I hit several personal records that morning, and it was exhilarating. Having someone beside me who genuinely believed I could do more made it easier to push past my usual limits.
It reminded me how much of training is mental. Sometimes we become so comfortable with our routines that we stop questioning what we're actually capable of.
Neither approach is necessarily better. There are plenty of ways to build muscle effectively, and both training volume and intensity have their place. But sometimes a new environment, a different approach, and a little encouragement are exactly what we need to discover what we're capable of.
Strong Women in Austria: Admiration, Curiosity, and Criticism
One of the questions I was most curious to ask Petra was how muscular women are perceived in Austria.
According to Petra, Austrian beauty standards still tend to follow the “skinny” trend avor a slimmer, more traditional feminine physique. Women with significant muscular development aren't necessarily what people are accustomed to seeing, and she gets plenty of stares in public.
We both had a good laugh about this because I experience exactly the same thing. Andy frequently jokes that I'm like a traveling circus attraction wherever we go!
Interestingly, we agreed that when strangers actually approach us, their comments are overwhelmingly positive. People express admiration for our discipline, strength, and the hard work required to build our physiques.
Where our experiences differed was online. Petra shared that she receives some pretty horrible comments on Instagram about her muscularity, typically from strangers outside the bodybuilding community. I've been fortunate not to experience much of that negativity myself.
It made me reflect on how cultural attitudes toward muscular women may be evolving differently.
In the United States, I feel we're seeing a growing appreciation for women's strength. Muscle is increasingly recognized not only for aesthetics but also for its importance in healthy aging, metabolic health, and longevity. While unrealistic beauty standards certainly still exist, I believe we're moving toward a broader definition of what a strong, healthy, beautiful woman can look like.
Petra explained that bodybuilding remains somewhat of a niche sport in Austria, particularly compared with neighboring Germany, where the culture is more established. However, divisions like Bikini and Fit Model are helping make competitive bodybuilding more approachable for women, a trend I've also noticed in the United States.
The Biggest Mistakes Women Make in the Gym
When I asked Petra what she sees women getting wrong when trying to build muscle, her answer was immediate: over training and under eating.
She frequently encourages her athletes to fuel their bodies adequately and prioritize recovery rather than simply spending more hours in the gym.
I couldn't agree more. And if I'm being transparent, I'm guilty of this myself sometimes.
As competitive athletes, we're conditioned to work hard. We love the discipline, the structure, and the satisfaction of pushing ourselves. But more isn't always better. Training provides the stimulus for muscle growth; proper nutrition and recovery allow our bodies to adapt.
Petra also mentioned that many women believe they're training to failure when they actually have more repetitions left in the tank. She encourages her athletes to challenge themselves and understand what truly difficult working sets feel like.
After our workout together, I could appreciate exactly what she meant!
Sometimes the difference between what we think we can do and what we're actually capable of is much bigger than we realize.
More Than Just a Workout
As much as I loved the heavier lifting and unexpected personal records, my favorite part of the morning was connecting with Petra.
We laughed about the attention our physiques attract, compared training philosophies, and talked about the challenges and rewards of being strong women in a sport that demands so much dedication.
What I appreciated most was that Petra's enthusiasm for strong women extended far beyond physical appearance. She clearly values the confidence, discipline, resilience, and mental strength that come with this lifestyle.
Her positivity was contagious, and I left feeling both physically challenged and genuinely inspired.
My biggest takeaway from Austria? Sometimes we're capable of far more than we give ourselves credit for, and surrounding ourselves with people who challenge and encourage us can be incredibly motivating.
And finally, despite cultural differences, many of the conversations surrounding women's strength are surprisingly universal. Women are still navigating expectations about how we're supposed to look, how much muscle is considered attractive, and what it means to be feminine.
I left DASGYM with a tired back, a few new personal records, and a new friend on the other side of the world.
Not a bad way to spend a morning in Vienna!
Thank you, Petra, for the incredible workout, the encouragement, and for reminding me how powerful it is when strong women support other strong women.
Until the next gym, in the next country.
— Kristen | The Fit Nomad Project
Follow Petra's journey on Instagram: @petra_pretti
