Frank Pucher, our December 2018 Trainer of the Month award winner, can best be defined by his unfettered commitment to helping others succeed. Since 1998, Frank has been providing personal training with his loyal team in his Roseland, New Jersey training studio, Fitness 121. His multiple awards and recognition are a testament that he’s doing it right. Frank applies the same focus, professionalism and energy that he does with his clients to also helping fitness professionals succeed at owning and operating a financially sound fitness business in his recent book, Smart Money Moves: A Practical Approach For Earning, Growing & Protecting Your Money. Frank has a gift for elevating others – both clients and colleagues in the industry.

Here is a look at how Frank is raising the bar…

Certifications/qualifications: American Council on Exercise (ACE), Cooper Institute of Aerobic Research (COOP), National Exercises and Sports Trainers Association (NESTA), Titleist Performance Institute (TPI)

Business Name: Fitness 121 Personal Training

Website: www.Fitness121online.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/frankpucher

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/frank-pucher-361a2198/

Twitter: Http://www.twitter.com/frankpucher

Year started in business: 1998

List any PR/recognition/awards received:

4-time award winner in the category of “Best Personal Training Studio, New Jersey”

What inspired you to start your business?

I saw the impact that fitness has on helping people to build not just a better body, but a better life. I knew that by focusing my attention on building a world class team of personal trainers and a world class personal training facility, I could create the greatest amount of impact.

What is one hard lesson you’ve learned in business you believe has been most valuable?

As much as I love the fitness-side of what I do, I needed to learn and love the business side of (more) if I was going to survive and thrive.

If I asked one of your clients why they choose you over other gyms, what would they likely say?

They would immediately mention our clean, friendly and professional environment. They might also mention the “laughter” as our greatest strength. This is no accident. Our clients might not remember what they did when they walk out the door, but they most certainly know how they felt.

Name one or two ways you are trying to raise the bar in the industry.

I’m trying to help fitness professionals earn, grow and protect the money they deserve by bringing attention to a topic that they generally feel uncomfortable discussing. Fitness professionals perform both noble and valuable work and I want to help them to be compensated accordingly.

I also want to raise the financial IQ of fitness business owners. Many are great fitness coaches who make the leap to business ownership without a solid financial plan. Experience often becomes their teacher but for too many, the lessons are too costly. I use both my success and failures to help shorten their learning curve.