Paths to Fitness Business Not Always Straight

Jericho, NY (PRWEB) January 13, 2009 -- When Roxanne Pizzolo-Klein opened her Personal Training Institute Franchise (PTI) location in Massapequa, NY in 2008, she had not come from a long career in the fitness business. Roxanne had instead spent years helping to grow and run her husband's trucking equipment repair business. "Being in the fitness business was really never on my mind," said Roxanne.

Her decision to enter the fitness business was driven by other personal motives and not a chosen career path. "I had always been concerned about staying healthy and like most women who have children I was faced with the challenges to lose weight and get back into shape. Since my husband's business was going well, I decided that this personal training business was going to be for me both personally and professionally," said Pizzolo-Klein.

"I love the fact that PTI helps people help themselves, and I was attracted to the personal fitness trainer and nutritionist business model. Instead of the typical gym setting where you are pretty much on your own, the human interaction and the accountability that working out with a professional fitness trainer brings is going to be much more effective in reaching your goals," she added.

Personal Training Institute, is a franchised fitness center concept that provides one-to-one personal fitness training and nutrition consultation to every client with every visit via a group of certified fitness professionals. Unlike many gyms that either do not offer personalized training or that use personalized services as membership add-ons or additional hourly cost items, at PTI personal training and nutrition is the core of their business. "We provide an affordable package of personalized fitness services that were once only available to the rich and famous and now are available at PTI to a mass audience," said Evan A. Kaplan, CEO of PTI.

Greg Doxbeck, a resident-native of Buffalo, New York recently opened his Personal Training Institute franchise after spending 25 years as a mortgage broker in Buffalo. "I have been into martial arts for many years, and being fit was just part of being ready for my chosen sport," said Doxbeck. "I really did not see myself being in the fitness business, but I was faced with the need to reduce my stress levels and this move from mortgage broker to fitness center owner feels like the right move for me. I have always told my daughter to do something for a living that you truly love, and after just 25 years I am finally listening to my own advice" added Doxbeck.

In 2007 after spending 20 years on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, Arnold Scacchi opened two PTI locations in Westchester County, New York. "Fitness was always part of my lifestyle, but I did not consider it as a career opportunity. When I decided to leave Wall Street for a career change, I heard about the PTI model and it was an immediately fit for me. It seemed like these guys had created a business around what I do, exercise and eat right. I have turned a lifestyle into my business. Now, I just need to remember to schedule my own workouts," added Scacchi.

"Many of our franchisees are coming to the fitness business from other professions," said Carol Kur, co-founder of PTI and a registered dietician. "We are finding that people who have lived a healthy lifestyle, but acquired their business skills in other professions are making great franchise owners.

Fitness industry organizations are calling personal training the hottest new trend in fitness. The folks at PTI believe that it is not just a trend. PTI now makes personal fitness training and nutrition counseling a more mass-appeal service package.

About Personal Training Institute:

Founded in 1987 by Evelyn Knapp, an exercise physiologist, and Carol Kur, a registered dietician,

the two envisioned a need and value for a one-to-one strength training program using the latest exercise equipment technology, accompanied by individualized nutrition counseling using real food --and no fad diets. PTI started franchising in 2005 and has eighteen locations open with 40 more in development, mostly on the east coast with expansion plans on the west coast. PTI distinguishes itself from traditional self-service gyms by providing each of its clients his/her own personal fitness trainer during each visit and the services of a nutrition consultant for individualized eating plans. Personal Training Institute headquarters is located at 500 N. Broadway, Jericho, NY. For more information on the PTI program or franchise information, please visit www.personaltraininginstitute.com

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