The PTI Blog

Now that the Holiday week is over we are all anxious to lose that holiday bulge.  Here are five foods that can help.

Eggs:

- Skip the bagel and replace with an egg white omelet and slice of whole grain toast. It’s much more filling and much less calories

Green tea:

-It’s not the caffeine that helps with your appetite but antioxidants called catechins. These antioxidants help speed your metabolism and burn fat more effectively.

Beans:

-They are not only high in fiber but contain a digestive hormone called cholecystokinin, a natural appetite suppressant.

Pears:

-Now known to have 6 grams of fiber for a medium size pear.  This is a healthy fruit that really fills you up.

Soup:

-Researchers speculate that even the simplest soup satisfies hunger because your brain perceives it as filling.

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It is the perfect time of year to find healthy vegetables that will help us balance our bodies and  aide in the quest for optimal nutrition. These veggies contain important vitamins and nutrients for a healthier you.

Try adding these Top 10 Veggies to your diet:

1. Spinach
2. Peas
3. Asparagus
4. Shallots
5. Okra
6. Carrots
7. Rhubarb
8. Snap Beans
9. Onions
10. Fennel

All of these vegetables contain vitamins A, C, K  and Folate. They are also good sources of iron, magnesium and potassium.

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Personal Training Institute-Encino is ready to reshape clients in the LA area

Encino, CA, April 13, 2011 — Personal Training Institute (PTI) is pleased to announce the Grand Opening of its unique fitness and nutrition club in Southern California with its first franchise to open in Encino. The Grand Opening will take place at PTI’s new location at 16350 Ventura Boulevard (near Hayvenhurst Ave., across from Ralphs) in Encino. New owner and President, Joe Hlavenka of West Toluca Lake, says that the public is welcome to take part in the festivities. The official ribbon-cutting ceremony is planned for 12 noon on Friday, April 29^th, with representatives and members of the Encino Chamber of Commerce. A Grand Opening Reception will follow on Friday evening from 5 pm – 8 pm., featuring complimentary food and beverages, raffles, club tours, free body and nutrition evaluations, personal time with PTI’s trainers and nutritionist and more. The Grand Opening activities will continue on Saturday, April 30^th between 12-3 p.m.

“I am very pleased to welcome Joe Hlavenka to our family of franchise owners,” commented Carol Kur, MSRD, Co/founder of Personal Training Institute. “A fitness enthusiast with a background in the healthcare industry, Joe brings both the passion and business expertise to build a strong club that will deliver results for his clients!”

At the helm of PTI-Encino is Joe Hlavenka

“The PTI combination of strength training and nutritional guidance, provided one-to-one to each member seems like the perfect fit for the Southern California lifestyle.” Hlavenka commented. “I’m looking forward to providing the opportunity, incentive and inspiration to improve the quality of life for each of my PTI members, one life at a time.”

PTI programs are designed for members ranging in age from children to seniors. Programs vary from endurance training and weight loss to strengthening, sculpting and nutritional education.

Hlavenka, who has run six marathons, including most recently the LA Marathon on Sunday, March 20, 2011, and several duathlon races, wanted to build on his personal dedication to fitness, and his strengths in the area of sports, health and wellness. He was drawn to PTI because of its unique personalized approach to both fitness and nutrition.

He also brings exceptional communications skills in the area of healthcare. He served as Director of Marketing Communications for St. Jude Medical and was the Principal in The H is Silent, a medical marketing communications company. He continues to provide pro bono marketing and public relations for the non-profit organization Community Counts, and lends his strategic marketing support to the National Human Resources Association – LA Affiliate as a board member.

Personal Training Institute: PTI has been changing lives since 1987 by combining its proven integrated program that encompasses one-to-one strength training and customized nutrition counseling for every client. Ranked in Entrepreneur’s “Franchise 500,” PTI was also named among the “Top 50 Franchises – for franchisee satisfaction” by Franchise Business Review. This results-oriented franchise is growing nationwide to help members and owners to achieve their goals. Visit www.ptifranchise.com for more information.

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Spring is a time to clean out your closets but also a great time to spring clean your diet. Try to add foods that can give you energy.

Here are ten foods that we recommend:

• Whole grains
• Oatmeal.
• Orange Juice
• Bananas
• Salmon
• Whole Wheat Pasta
• Beans
• Almonds
• Dried Fruit
• Greek Yogurt

Check out our past PTI Buzz posts on Greek Yogurt brands, Chobani and Fage.

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PTI-Encino is ready to welcome new members in Southern California

PTI-Encino to welcome the public during special events scheduled Friday April 29th and Saturday April 30th

Encino, CA, April 1, 2011 — Personal Training Institute (PTI) will soon bring its unique one-to-one approach to fitness and nutrition to Southern California with its first franchise to open in Encino. Save the dates April 29-30, during which the community is invited to get acquainted with PTI – Encino.

 The Personal Training Institute-Encino Grand Opening events will take place at 16350 Ventura Boulevard (near Hayvenhurst Ave., across from Ralphs) in Encino. New owner and President, Joe Hlavenka of West Toluca Lake, says that the public is welcome to join the festivities, which will range from club tours and a ribbon-cutting ceremony to fitness demonstrations, as well as opportunities to meet trainers, the club nutritionist, enjoy refreshments and much more.

 “The PTI combination of strength training and nutritional guidance, provided one-to-one to each member, seems like the perfect fit for the Southern California lifestyle.” Hlavenka commented. “I’m looking forward to providing the opportunity, incentive and inspiration to improve the quality of life for each of my PTI members, one life at a time.”

 PTI programs are designed for members ranging in age from children to seniors. Programs vary from endurance training and weight loss to strengthening, sculpting and nutritional education.

Welcome Joe Hlavenka, PTI-Encino's franchise owner

 Hlavenka, who has run six marathons, including most recently the LA Marathon on Sunday, March 20, 2011, and several duathlon races, wanted to build on his personal dedication to fitness, and his strengths in the area of sports, health and wellness. He was drawn to PTI because of its unique personalized approach to both fitness and nutrition.

 He also brings exceptional communications skills in the area of healthcare. He served as Director of Marketing Communications for St. Jude Medical and was the Principal in The H is Silent, a medical marketing communications company. He continues to provide pro bono marketing and public relations for the non-profit organization Community Counts, and lends his strategic marketing support to the National Human Resources Association – LA Affiliate as a board member.

 Personal Training Institute: PTI has been changing lives since 1987 by combining its proven integrated program that encompasses one-to-one strength training and customized nutrition counseling for every client. Ranked in Entrepreneur’s “Franchise 500,” PTI was also named among the “Top 50 Franchises – for franchisee satisfaction” by Franchise Business Review. This results-oriented franchise is growing nationwide to help members and owners to achieve their goals. Visit www.ptifranchise.com for more information.

 For further information about this location, call Joe Hlavenka at, 818 783-4792 or, email him at, Encino@personaltraininginstitute.com.

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Everyone is always asking our nutritionists if certain foods can help with our ability to get a good night sleep.  So, are there healthy foods that can help us get a good night sleep?

Jars of Honey

PTI co-founder and Director of Nutrition, Carol Kur, M.S.R.D. says, yes.  Certain foods can relax muscles, quiet a busy mind and regulate sleep-inducing hormones such as serotonin and melatonin.

Ten healthy foods that will help you sleep:

1. Warm milk
2. Honey
3. Chamomile tea
4. Turkey
5. Bananas
6. Oatmeal
7. Potatoes
8. Flax seeds
9. Almonds
10. Whole-wheat bread

These ten power foods can really help you get a good night sleep which for many of us is a dream come true!

Jericho, NY, March 16, 2011 – Personal Training Institute (PTI)-Garden City has just completed a move to Mineola. The new club, which is located at 460 Jericho Turnpike, Mineola, is twice the size of the previous location and will offer expanded services for its clients from the now defunct Garden City and New Hyde clubs. This new PTI club will be open seven days a week in a space that has more than 3,000 square feet and separate rooms for specialty programming. PTI-Mineola will feature its always one-to-one personal training and nutrition, as well as one-to-one spin, eNutrition, cardio boxing and additional programs that meet client wants and needs.

All of our clients benefit from always one-to-one personal training and nutritional counseling!

“We have worked so hard to make this expanded club a reality,” comments Constance Famiglietti, Manager of PTI-Mineola, “Expanding our hours and program options reflects our desire to make this Personal Training Institute club ‘super’ in every way.”

Carol Kur, MSRD, Co/founder of PTI remarks, “I am excited about this bold expansion step by our franchise owner Jeff Amengual, his manager Connie and their team. Jeff, who opened a third club in Montclair, New Jersey late last year in addition to his location in Cedarhurst, has a great vision for how PTI can grow to meet the fitness and nutrition needs of clients in the communities he serves.”

For further information about this location, contact Connie Famiglietti at 516-294-3020 or email: mineola@personaltraininginstitute.com.

Interested in being a part of this dynamic and growing fitness franchise? Visit www.ptifranchise.com or text “ownpti” to 48510.

PERSONAL TRAINING INSTITUTE: PTI has been changing lives since 1987 by combining its proven integrated program that encompasses one-to-one strength training and customized nutrition counseling for every client. Ranked in Entrepreneur’s “Franchise 500,” PTI was also named among “Top 50 Franchises – for franchisee satisfaction” by Franchise Business Review. This results-oriented franchise is growing nationwide to help members and owners to achieve their goals. Visit www.ptifranchise.com for more information.
CONTACT: Carol Kur, MSRD 516-342-9064 x16 or ckur@personaltraininginstitute.com or Karin Machusic, PR Consultant to PTI at 925-524-4334 or kjmachusic@msn.com.

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Jericho, NY, March 16, 2011 — Personal Training Institute (PTI) is hosting an open house on Sunday, March 27th from 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. at its location in Suffolk County situated at 1 C Miller Place in the Village Commons Shopping Center, Smithtown, NY. Members of the community can drop by to meet former client and new franchise owner Paul Daly, as

NY Mets Hall of Fame shortstop Bud Harrelson will be signing autographs at the open house!

well as meet and obtain autographs from NY Mets’ Hall of Fame shortstop Bud Harrelson and the Long Island Duck’s mascot, Quackerjack. Sign up for a free trial and enter to win four (4) tickets to a Long Island Duck’s game. Visitors can tour the brand new cardio boxing room, as well as see the newest Star Trac Humansport and interact with PTI’s trainers and nutritionist. Kids will enjoy the Ernie the Clown, along with face painting and balloons.  Complimentary food will be served by Long Island’s number one caterer, Mark of Excellence.  Guests will receive special offers for joining PTI-Smithtown.

“Seeing is believing,” commented Paul Daly, who recently purchased the PTI-Smithtown club, adding, “I encourage people to meet our top notch staff and discover the great results that can be yours.” Paul joined PTI-Smithtown as a client a year ago and was so impressed by the program that he decided to make it his career.

“We welcome Paul to our dynamic team of PTI franchise owners,” remarked Evan A. Kaplan, President & CEO of Personal Training Institute, which is headquartered in Jericho, NY. “Paul’s business acumen and his passion for PTI will equip him for success.”
Daly has an eye for athletics. A veteran photographer and sports enthusiast, Daly has captured images of the Long Island Ducks, the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona, Spain and much more.  Now, Daly will zero in on his clients, helping them to achieve results that are visible inside and out.

Come see the brand new Cardio Boxing Room at PTI-Smithtown!

EVENT RSVP:

Call 631-382-4098 or smithtown@personaltraininginstitute.com to reserve your place at the PTI Open House.

PERSONAL TRAINING INSTITUTE BACKGROUND: PTI has been changing lives since 1987 by combining its proven integrated program that encompasses one-to-one strength training and customized nutrition counseling for every client. Ranked in Entrepreneur’s “Franchise 500,” PTI was also named among “Top 50 Franchises – for franchisee satisfaction” by Franchise Business Review. This results-oriented franchise is growing nationwide to help members and owners to achieve their goals. Visit www.ptifranchise.com for more information.
CONTACT: Carol Kur, MSRD 516-342-9064 x16 or ckur@personaltraininginstitute.com or Karin Machusic, PR Consultant to PTI at 925-524-4334 or kjmachusic@msn.com.

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With more choices than ever, the whole flavored water craze can be very confusing.  Here are some nutritional facts for some of the most popular brands of flavored water.

• SoBe Life Water – 40 calories per 8 oz. serving. Five flavors available and has “very low sodium” with vitamins C,E and B.
• Glaceau Vitamin Water – 50 calories per 8 oz. serving. 15 different flavors and contains no sodium. Each flavor has different vitamins for your needs.
• Kraft’s Fruit₂O – 0 calories per 8 oz. serving. One of the healthiest options. Adds a little zest to the water…not a lot of flavor.
• Dasani Flavored Water – 0 calories per serving.  This comes in three flavors and is sweetened with Splenda.
• Aquafina FlavorSplash – 0 calories per 8 oz. serving. This is similar to Dasani but has 65 mg of sodium in an 8 ounce serving.
• Gatorade’s Propel Fitness Water – 10 calories per 8 oz. serving. This has 3 grams of carbs per serving and would be considered more of a fitness drink than simply water.
• Nestle Pure Life Natural Fruit Flavored Water Beverage – 0 calories per 8 oz. serving. Very similar to Dasani and Aquafina with too much sodium for a bottled water.

The healthiest beverage to quench your thirst always has been, and always will be, plain old water.

In honor of National Heart Month , include these ten foods in your diet and lower cholesterol naturally.

• Whole grains and Oats
• Blueberries
• Pistachios
• Walnuts
• Almonds
• Avocados
• Olives
• Olive Oil
• Flaxseed Oil
• Fish and Fish Oil

You still may need medication to help reduce your cholesterol,however,everyone should have their cholesterol checked-it doesn’t matter if you are young/old, female/male, or thin/overweight.

Fitness Fast Fact: Shovel snow from your driveway for 15 minutes and burn 100 calories!