Personal Fitness Training & Nutrition Franchise: Cracking the Codes on Fitness & Franchising

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Personal Training Institute the Personal Fitness Training & Nutrition Centers Annouces Franchise Rollout After Overwhelming Research Findings that Shows Its Program is Better Than Traditional Gyms for Fitness Management. Company Launches National Franchise Sales Program; Names VP of Franchise Development & National Director of Training & Development

Jericho, NY (PRWEB) November 3, 2008 -- Personal Training Institute (PTI), a unique fitness concept that provides personal fitness training and nutrition consultation to every client has moved slowly into franchising since its inception in 2000. If you ask Evan Kaplan, PTI's President and CEO, that slow movement has been a very good thing and allowed the company to first "crack the codes for its clients and franchisees," says Kaplan.

When Kaplan took control of the company in 2000, he knew he had a great fitness concept created by the company's founders in 1987, but he was still puzzled. Americans are overweight and generally out of shape, and despite the large number of gyms in this country many clients fail to achieve their weight loss and fitness goals; and among those who do, few retain those fitness achievements. He also recognized that owning a gym in America is not a free ticket to wealth; it requires careful planning, passion for the business and a business model that is time tested.
The PTI franchise has grown slowly since 2000 to 7 company-owned locations and 10 franchises, with nearly 40 more in planning and development. A pace that is much slower than many franchise groups. Before rolling out its first franchise, Kaplan opened six locations of his own on Long Island, NY. The company documented every step of development. Kaplan says again that this pace of growth has been a good thing and has allowed the company to "figure out its business model."

"It is easier to convince a prospective fitness franchisee that PTI is a good business investment because we have happy franchisees that make money and are willing to share their experiences," said Cliff Nonnenmacher, Vice President of Franchise Development for PTI.

"We have been able to crack the code on the business model because we first cracked the code for our clients," added Kaplan. Kaplan truly believes that his concept stands apart from his would-be competitors. "PTI's one-to-one strength training and nutrition counseling delivers better results than mere circuit training or aerobic programs," he said.

The concept is apparently working for their clients. The company recently commissioned FVR Group, a Washington, DC area national consumer research and polling company to poll its members and do a general consumer attitude survey. The results showed that PTI enjoys a 91% approval rating among current members, and that 75% of its members say that they either have or that they believe it is very likely that they will reach their personal fitness and weight management goals at PTI, and 91% of them say that the personal training and nutrition program at PTI makes their goals more attainable. PTI also enjoys a higher than average retention rate among its members. In national consumer polling, FVR Group found a low 41% satisfaction rate for current or past gym memberships among its non-members.

PTI will soon launch a new brand marketing campaign in the northeastern states which touts its position as a better alternative to the many "self-service gyms" in America. PTI is the place where you always get an affordable personal trainer and nutrition consultant with every visit. "It is not an up-sell to a gym membership, at PTI personal training and nutrition is the core of our business," said Carol Kur, PTI co-founder and Registered Dietician.

PTI Rolls-Out National Franchise Sales Program:

PTI has just named Cliff R. Nonnenmacher as its Vice President of Franchise Development. Mr. Nonnenmacher has been an area developer for Cartridge World, he has built and owned a water sports equipment sales and rental company in Florida, and he has worked over the past decade to develop other franchised brands. Mr. Nonnenmacher and his wife and new-born son are natives and residents of Long Island, New York.

Jessica Swanson, also a New York native and graduate student in exercise physiology at Adelphi University has just been named the National Director of Training and Development for the company. Swanson is also a competitive tri-athlete, having run many races including a recent Ironman USA race in Lake Placid, New York.

"We are very fortunate to have both Cliff and Jessica head up our new franchise development programs. Their credentials and individual drive are going to help to elevate our company over the coming years," said Kaplan.

Personal fitness training and private nutrition consulting were once associated with the rich and famous, but a new, unique fitness concept called Personal Training Institute is changing that belief. Personal training has been listed as the top fitness trend for 2008, according to sources such as MedicineNet.com and the American Council on Exercise.

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 with individualized nutrition counseling using real food --and no fad diets. 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. Essentially, at PTI each client has their own personal trainer and nutrition consultant providing professional attention to each client's personal weight loss and/or fitness goals. Personal Training Institute headquarters is located at 500 N. Broadway, Jericho, NY. For more information, please visit www.personaltraininginstitute.com.

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