The Princeton Packet - February 11, 2009
Thomas Yannitte, owner of Phrog Fitness in Princeton, wants to help people reconnect with themselves — and get in shape in the process.
"I want people to come find their human being," he said. "That's really what it’s about. Fitness is just one of the ways to get people to connect with themselves and feel good.”
It's a system Mr. Yannitte calls Reality Fitness. Reality Fitness improves strength, flexibility and conditioning. The center also offers various classes that take a total body approach to fitness and pay special attention to the ergonomics of and physics of movement.
"We use non traditional equipment that does not isolate just one muscle group;” he said. “We have specific equipment that engages both the mind and body. It’s about working not just harder, but also smarter."
Mr. Yannitte says he and his staff pay attention to the little details that have been long forgotten in traditional fitness centers. Phrog Fitness stresses listening skills, empathy and connecting with the client.
In fact, a client may not even begin an exercise routine on their first day. Instead, a Phrog exercise specialist interviews our clients and get to know them first in order to tailor a program specific to their needs. They do a medical history check, ask about medications, and discuss goals with a client before working with Mr. Yannitte on the next step. After that, clients will meet with a registered dietician, who also will do a thorough nutritional consultation.
“The first meeting with a client is incredibly interesting. It’s more of an interview where we custom design a personal exercise protocol specific to each individual. We just talk at that first meeting.
A former college gymnast and wrestler, Mr. Yannitte has been involved in a variety of areas in the fitness industry throughout his life. An industrial design engineer by trade, he has and continues to design fitness equipment.
“One day I realized that it wasn’t about the equipment, that it wasn’t even just about fitness and exercise or even eating right. It was really all about helping people achieve total wellness, so I wrote a book, and began writing for fitness magazines about what I call, (finding your human being),” he said. “I’ve been doing this my whole life and it got to the point where I needed to create the physical manifestation of my ideas and teaching philosophy. The Phrog™ studio is the culmination of almost 30 years of the power of intension.”
Phrog Fitness is a 9,000-square-foot personal training studio with open areas decorated with bamboo flooring, flowing fountains and an organic natural tone. There are no sales offices, and no closed rooms except for the equally pristine locker rooms and child care area.
hrog™ offers only private and semi private personal training, and semi-private classes, and there are no televisions to distract customers from the reason they’re there — getting a great work out.
“I wanted the Phrog™ experience to be something completely different,” he said. “Fitness has gotten very corporate, very plastic. I wanted something very organic and natural. We really teach here, instead of just counting the reps.”
Mr. Yannitte opened Phrog™ Fitness on Oct. 15, and has since seen the country and area fall on hard economic times, but people are still making a budget for health and fitness. “Our clients are making an investment in their future health and also in feeling good. That’s not something anyone should compromise.”
Phrog Fitness is located at 376 Wall Street, Princeton, N.J., 08540 on Route 206, across from the Princeton Airport. Call them at 609-683-0042 to make an appointment. Phrog Fitness will hold a Valentines Day Champagne Brunch Open House on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2009 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
PM Packet Magazine, September 2009
Owner Thomas Yannitte has opened a new personal training studio in Princeton, at a time when he is issuing a new book and DVD that illustrate his personal training philosophy of exercise encompassing innovative fitness techniques melded with complementary nutrition and mental techniques. “The exercise is like nothing that has been done before,” he says of the book and DVD.
Mr. Yannitte, who has a background in engineering and industrial design, says his training philosophy encompasses “the physics of what is happening” in a client’s body, and how the human machine is improving in tandem with the mind. He interviews clients prior to working out a tailored regimen for them. He calls his system of training “Reality Fitness.”
The new studio offers only private and semi-private personal training, and has few of the distractions we associate with fitness studios, like blaring televisions and sales offices. “I wanted the Phrog experience to be something completely different,” Mr. Yannitte says.
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