PTS Fitness

Owner and Operator

Alexander Obe

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Education

B.A. in Psychology from Bucknell University.

Certifications

CPR, AED, ACE Certified Personal Trainer

Bio

Alex has been involved in some form of athletics for most of his life and loves all things that have to do with fitness. As a fitness enthusiast himself, he tries to view things from the member's perspective and believes that if it's not good enough for himself, then it's not good enough for his members.

Achievements

2006
NJ State Triathlon - Sprint Distance (1:20:51)

2008
NJ State Triathlon - Sprint Distance (1:14:07)
Northeast Maryland Triathlon - Sprint Distance (1:49:48)
Run with Rotary 5k  (20:11)
Run for Dad 5k ( 20:11)

2009
NJ State Triathlon - Sprint Distance (1:16:08)
Run with Rotary 5k (20:25)
Run for Dad 5k (24:04) -- Running with Jogging Stroller
Philadelphia Distance Run, Half Marathon (1:34:50)
Marine Corps Marathon 10k (42:25)

2010
Rutgers Unite, Half Marathon (1:33:50) - PB
Run for Dad 5k (21:31) -- Running with Jogging Stroller
ETS FireCracker 5k (20:05) - PB
NJ State Triathlon - Sprint Distance (1:13:29) - PB
Philadelphia Distance Run, Half Marathon (1:35:36)

2011

Run with Rotary 5K (19:41) 
Rutgers Unite Half- 9.5 miles due to weather (1:07:28)
NJ State Triathlon- Sprint Distance (1:14:37)
Philadelphia Half Marathon- (1:33:54)

Upcoming Events 
Marine Corps Marathon, Tough Mudder 12 mile obstacle course

Hobbies

Running, Biking and Swimming

New Membership

Kira Scharf

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Education

B.A. in Communication Studies- The College of New Jersey (graduation pending)

Certifications

CPR, AED

Bio

Kira’s philosophy is, “If you don’t begin and end your workout with a smile... you mustn’t be at PTS!” Kira is passionate about helping others achieve their own mind, body and spirit balance while having a sense of humor in the process. She respects each individual’s path to a gaining a more fit life and expresses this through her support for new and current members. As a singer, she enjoys bringing her love of the arts into the realm of fitness marketing and member care...  heck you might even get a song!

Achievements

2010
Cupid's Chase 5K (35:29)
Festival of Ballooning 5K (31:12.32)

Hobbies

Reiki, Joga, Singing, Organization Systems

Certified Personal Trainers

Britt Reilly

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Education

B.S. in Exercise Science from Lake Superior State University

Certifications

CPR, NASM, AED

Bio

Brittany has grown up in the fitness world and has been involved with athletics since she was a child. She participated in many sporting activities, but played basketball competitively in high school and college. She loves working in the fitness industry because she hopes to help people find enjoyment and fun in the gym environment. As a personal trainer, Brittany loves to safely and effectively help her clients achieve their goals. Her philosophy is that you can learn a lot about yourself from your workouts, if you do not like what you see or how you feel, find a way to make it so that you do!

Achievements

2008
Broad Street Run - 10 mile race (1:25:31)
 
2009 
Race for the Cure - 5K Walk 
 
2010
Maguire Air Force/Fort Dix Mud Run - 10K Run
Bloomsburg-athlon - 5K Obstacle Course
Tri- State Tough Mudder - 12 mile run with obstacles
 
2011
Broad Street Run - 10 mile race
Hair of the Dog- 5K run (23:56)
PA Biathlon - 4K run and shoot
Newport Liberty Half Marathon- (1:56:31.45)

Upcoming Events
Philadelphia Marathon- Nov  '11
Tough Mudder- Dec '11

Hobbies

CrossFit, training for my next race, going to concerts, hanging out at coffee shops, trying new things in the fitness world and watching sports (especially Michigan State Football!)

Jeff Meszaros

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Certifications

CPR, AED, ACE Certified Personal Trainer, CHEK Golf Performance Specialist

Classes Taught

Abs / Core Conditioning

Specialties

Strength Training, Sculpting, Weight Loss, Bodybuilding, Fitness and Figure Competition Training, Posing and Prep, Sports Conditioning, Post Re-hab and Pre/Post Natal.

Bio

Jeff has been working in the fitness industry for over 11 years and has over 28,000 hours training clients of various levels. He feels empowered when clients achieve their goals and when they feel better about themselves because they are healthier and stronger because of our training sessions. It is stated that “Knowledge is power” but as one of his mentors would say “Knowledge is not power, until it is properly applied”. Jeff loves working in the health and fitness profession and would not want to be doing anything other.

Achievements

2000-2002
Placed 5th through 1st in Tri-State Bodybuiling Competitions
 
Trained and coached nine personal training clients in “all natural” regional and national level bodybuilding, fitness and figure competitions.  All clients placed no less than 3rd place in their respective weight classes. One female client won numerous 1st place awards and became a professional “all natural” bodybuilder in April 2005

2008
Brigantine, NJ Triathlon - ¼ mile Swim (10 min) -Sprint Distance- Team Event (1:38:15)
 
2009
NJ State Triathlon - Sprint Distance-  ¼ mile swim, 13 mile bike, 3.1 mile run (1:22:07)  
Brigantine, NJ Triathlon – 13 mile Bike –(32:44) -Sprint Distance Team Event (1:19:35)

2010
Tough Mudder- 7 mile obstacle course(1:24:43)   
Trick or Treat 5 Miler- (46:52)

2011
Race for Haiti's Children 5K- (25:59.4)
Warrior Dash- 5K Mud Run (50:00)
Brigantine Triathlon- Sprint Distance (1:25:15)
Hightstown Triathlon (Run-Bike-Run) (1:23:02)

Upcoming Events
Trick or Treat 5 Miler 

Hobbies

Weight Training, Running, Biking, Watching Tennis and Hockey

Joy Whipple

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Education

B.A. in Psychology from Lafayette College

Certifications

CPR, AED, ACE Certified Personal Trainer, First Aid

Classes Taught

Isofirm

Bio

Joy has always been interested in fitness and exercise. She competed in track from elementary school through College and continues to enjoy fitness activities that are both challenging and fun. Joy began her career in the fitness industry after spending time at home raising small children and volunteering in the community.  As a personal trainer, Joy’s goals are to encourage clients to continually achieve fitness goals beyond their own expectations through improved confidence, health, condition, and well-being.

Lisa Pettit

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Education

B.A. in English, Montclair State University;  M.S. in Counseling/Business, University of Bridgeport

Certifications

CPR, AED, ACE Certified Personal Trainer, WITS Personal Trainer

Classes Taught

P.T.S. On the Run

Specialties

Coaching Runners for distance

Bio

Since “retiring” from the Corporate world in 1999 where Lisa held various positions in Human Resources and Organizational Development at J&J, Warner-Lambert and Campbell Soup Company, she has pursued diverse avenues of fitness. A combination of being a Spin instructor, running coach, circuit training instructor, marathoner, and retail running specialist at The Princeton Running Company have fueled Lisa’s passion for exercise while staying home with her three children, Dave, Katie and Jake.
Lisa believes improving one’s fitness is the best gift you’ll give yourself. As a personal trainer, she wants to help you believe that you can accomplish what you set your mind to. Whether it’s completing a half marathon, conquering plank push-ups for the first time, or just feeling stronger every day, Lisa’s satisfaction comes from motivating people to reach fitness goals.   

Achievements

Group fitness instructor for 11 years

A runner for 36 years, Lisa has completed countless 5Ks and 17 marathons since her first in NYC (1982). She has qualified and completed the Boston Marathon 4 times ('06,' 08, '09, '10) and is qualified for 2012. 

2011
More Half Marathon (1:50:29)
Boston Marathon (4:00:54)
Hightstown Triathlon (Run-Bike-Run) (1:33:41)


Upcoming Events
Paris Marathon (April '12)
More Half Marathon (April '12)

Hobbies

Reading fiction, writing articles, and exploring with my family.

Luis Calderon

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Education

B.S. in Exercise Science/Corporate Fitness from the College of N.J., minor in Psychology.

Certifications

CPR, AED, ISSA Certified Fitness Trainer

Classes Taught

Circuit, Total Body Blast

Specialties

Weight Loss Management, Special Populations, Functional Training, Sports-Specific Training, Pre and Post Natal, Post Rehabilitation programming

Bio

Luis has served the fitness industry in multiple capacities for about 12 years, the last four of which he has enthusiastically worked as a member of the P.T.S. staff. Through his work with clients of varying physical ability from ages 14-75, Luis has gained the tools and expertise necessary to meet the fitness needs of his clients. He takes pride in his duty to help his clients reach their goals safely and efficiently, while having a bit of fun along the way. Luis continually looks for new modalities of exercise, and is currently studying aspects of functional training and Pilates.

Hobbies

Weight Training, Biking, Hiking, Running, Playing Guitar and Piano, Reading, Movies, Seeing live concerts.

Steven Shuster

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Education

B.A. Economics, Washington University in St. Louis

Certifications

CPR, AED, ACSM Certified Personal Trainer, CrossFit Kettlebell Instructor

Specialties

Sport specific training, strength training, weight-loss

Bio

Shuster has participated in athletics since an early age and competed in track through high school and into college. Continuing his involvement with Track and Field, he coached the boys distance team at The Lawrenceville School for five years between 2005-present. He is currently working towards a Master’s Degree in Sports Nutrition and Exercise Science with the expectation of completing the degree in Dec 2011. Whether competitive, recreational, or personal, Shuster enjoys working with others to meet and exceed their fitness goals. Shuster is interested in all aspects of health and fitness including improving the quality of life, excelling at sports, and sports nutrition.

Achievements

2009
NJ State Triathalon- Sprint Distance (1:28)
Run For Life 5K (21:09)
Bone Run (5K) (19:58)

2010
Tough Mudder- 7 mile obstacle course (1:24:42)

2011
Run for Rotary 5K- 4th overall, 1st in age group (19:05.1)
Spartan Sprint- 26th in heat (1:29:02)

Hobbies

Running, Hiking, Reading, Playing with my Dog (Darwin), Mud Runs and Slow Cooking.

Mary Ellen Sparno

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Education

BS, cum laude, Marist College; Pace University School of Law

Certifications

CPR, AED, ACE Certified Personal Trainer

Classes Taught

Lite Circuit, Boot Camp, Lower Body Blast, Upper Body Blast

Bio

Mary Ellen has been running for over 20 years. She has completed several marathons (New York, London, Philadelphia and Boston) and is a top local masters runner. In her spare (???) time she enjoys cooking, strength training, reading and watching her childrens hockey, lacrosse and gymnastics events. Prior to PTS Mary Ellen was employed by Merrill Lynch serving as Vice President and compliance counsel and was admitted to the New York State Bar.

Hobbies

Cooking, Reading, Traveling and Catching up with friends using social media.

Group Exercise

Joe Woodby

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Education

BA Central State University

Certifications

CPR, AED, NETA Certified Personal Trainer

Classes Taught

Joga

Specialties

USUI - Reiki Master Therapist; USUI - Reiki Therapist II - Jin Kei Do

Bio

Joe entered the fitness industry as a mid life career change after solving personal health challenges with exercise and nutrition.


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