The Birth of Pure Physique: 
a story from founder Michael Lipowski

I established PURE PHYSIQUE in 2004 with the intent of solving three problems, and a belief that solving one would satisfy the ends of the other.  
 

After having worked as personal trainer in a number of gyms and personal training studios in Manhattan and on Long Island I realized that there were some very big problems and voids that existed in regards to the personal training offered at these establishments. 

The first problem was specific to the larger gyms and health clubs.  Although each place had plenty of personal trainers to choose from there were very few professional trainers.  Only a small minority of trainers had both the knowledge and service skills to make themselves sought after by the members.  Training people in what would be considered a “productive” manner is rarely a pleasurable experience which is all the more reason that the trainer needs to provide more than just encouragement when putting the client through exercise that causes discomfort.  

The second problem was with the smaller personal training studios and their rigid training programs.  Many had good training programas in place that produced decent results but when the client stopped seeing results or became bored with the program they would leave and the trainer would lose a client. ...Hard to make a living in such a volatile enviroment. 

Because the training program was so rigid the trainer would not have the opportunity to analyze each situation on an individual basis and make decisions or take action to get the clients progress back on track...that's if the trainer was capable of doing such in the first place. 

So in these instances the good trainers would eventually leave because the environment was too restrictive and volatile.  The facility would not only lose a good trainer but some of the clients trained by them.

The third problem was, is and always will be a universal problem.  People don't have time to get in great shape.  Whether this statement is actually true or not doesn't matter. The fact is, this is what most people believe.  And, because they believe this to be true, many don't even start an exercise program and those that do, think that results beyond what they've achieved after the first year or two would require too great a time committment to be worth pursuing.

Fortunately I know for certain that achieving one's ideal level of fitness DOES NOT require a large time committment IF they are employing the proper training program.

So with these three problems squarely in mind my plan was to create a private training facility in which people could achieve the results they desired with only 90 minutes of exercise each week, working with a highly qualified professional fitness trainer who could make intelligent and educated decisions as to the direction of the program based on the clients individual needs, goals, abilities, and limitations.                                                                                                      

* Aspiring personal trainers would have a place to work where they could continually improve their knowledge and training ability as well as learn valuable customer service skills which would increase customer demand and retention of their services. 

* People looking for training would have a place where they can rely on finding a personal trainer with the knowledge, expertise and professionalism to help them achieve their goals with very little time investment. 

*  It’s a win/win situation for both!

What is most unique about PURE PHYSIQUE is that our trainers are taught how to work within a “system-less system”.  By this I mean, everyone is on the same page as far as training principles, guidelines, and standards are concerned, however each trainer is taught how to personalize the  half-hour training sessions to meet each clients individual needs.  So while there is a system in place it is not rigid or confined to a singular belief nor is it the same ‘canned’ workout routines over and over again. 

The only thing we believe in is getting people results in the most effective and time-efficient manner possible.   The best way to do that is left up the professionals…our trainers.