Interview with Selene Genisella

Her name has Greek roots, meaning Moon, and it suits her perfectly: athletic, striking, with Cleopatra eyes. Her name is Selene Genisella, born in 1990 to a Sicilian mother and a Venetian father. Profession: personal trainer.

We spoke to her over the phone for this interview—her live from the brand-new Fitness Club Ceresio 7, where she trains celebrities, and me by the sea, comfortably seated at the tables of Tortuga in Santa Margherita Ligure. In short, perfectly aligned with her remote workout concept, which is turning into a genuine online phenomenon.

How long have you been a personal trainer and working in fitness?
I turn 27 on 26 July, so pretty much as far back as I can remember. I am a former swimmer; by 17 I was already a lifeguard, then a children’s swimming instructor. At 18, while studying sports science—which I later graduated in—I began working in a gym. Now I am a full-time personal trainer offering this brand-new online coaching service…

What is it exactly?
I called it SGP – Selene Genisella Program. In practice, I work as a remote personal trainer, tailoring my clients’ workouts 100% without forcing them to go to a gym, paired with the right nutritional guidance. In that respect it’s more about tips and sharing recipes, also thanks to my community which is very active; it’s a project I began developing less than two years ago, and I already have 160 regular clients.

Does it work by word of mouth?
I would say so. People contact me through Instagram, which is my main social channel, but also Facebook. And true enough, many women talk among themselves and share my phone number.

How do you sign up for SGP?
You send an email to [email protected] and an assistant of mine logs all the application details. The client then receives an online questionnaire about their lifestyle, which they fill in and send back alongside three full-length photos: front, back and profile. That way I understand body type, any nutritional mistakes, or adjust the training regime (which is almost always being done incorrectly).

The before-and-after photos on your social media are impressive! How long does the programme last, and how much does it cost?
It can last a lifetime, because it is more about lifestyle coaching, valid forever, naturally with the workout updated every month or every three months (to keep the body from getting used to the same routine). One month of SGP definitely costs less than a month with a personal trainer at a gym, where you almost always need a club membership too!

Speaking of clubs, you train many celebrities at Ceresio 7 Gym & Spa. How are you finding it?
Brilliantly, it’s a fabulous club. Modern, fully equipped, discreet. Among my VIP clients I can mention Valentina Ferragni, Ludovica Frasca, the Striscia showgirl, Claudia Galanti…

All women?
Absolutely.

Why?
Because I believe in female empathy: a woman understands another woman much more easily. For instance, a while ago I was doing CrossFit and noticed I was getting too bulky, so I adjusted my approach and created a programme suited to the female body, which should be toned, but sensual and curvaceous, with a focus on the glutes!

You also train and care a lot about your body, right? You like looking good as well as athletic?
Always, as I said. Also because if a woman looks after her appearance, she will certainly try to stay in shape too: the more you like yourself, the happier you are. The beautician, hair salon (Arvis) and manicure must always be in the diary!

You’re also a bikini fitness athlete, for that reason too?
(smiles) True. I am registered with the IFBB – Federazione Italiana Body Building – and compete in bikini contests, where you have to be toned yet polished, feminine, sexy, certainly not androgynous!

What does your boyfriend of five years think of your bikini bodybuilding training?
(smiles) Well, he’s a personal trainer too… He appreciates it.

Returning to fitness, we were talking about CrossFit: what is the best workout, with machines or bodyweight?
Both would be ideal. The beauty of SGP is that the training is built around your individual needs: for example, are you by the sea? We’ll use the water. If you’re in the gym, weights. And so forth. You should always balance cardio (like running) with toning (bodyweight or machines) and stretching to lengthen muscles (yoga and Pilates are perfect).

And cardio… that’s the only way to lose weight, right?
It depends. I suggest it especially for my ‘Monday motivation’: on Sundays I send my clients a mini post-weekend detox routine to pair with a light, cleansing Monday diet. Slimming down doesn’t mean losing weight; it means losing body fat. You can stay the same weight you started at, while seeing sensational changes thanks to a tailored fitness and nutrition programme.

We finish the interview with a few personal reflections and questions about Milan. We say goodbye from a distance, promising to catch up soon—her from Ceresio 7, me from Tortuga (putting away the salmon sandwich I was about to bite into during my seaside aperitivo)…

Can you tell us where you have breakfast, lunch, aperitivo and dinner in Milan?
Lunch at Pixel on Corso Como, if I don’t bring food from home; I love the chicken with vegetables or prawn salad. Aperitivo at Ceresio 7, without fail—I love their light, elegant dishes and always have a Coca-Cola Zero. Dinner at Wasabi, because I love sushi; it’s my cheat meal.

What is your secret spot in Milan?
Parco Nord. I love how quiet it is; it’s the ideal place where I like to meditate after a refreshing run.

Would you take a friend there who has never been to Milan?
Yes, definitely. For an outdoor workout it’s ideal. Otherwise I would gladly take them to the Ceresio spa, right after an aperitivo on the roof…