In this week’s Protein Recipe Contest, winner Katie Belko shared and won 1 tub of MAX Protein in with Vanilla or Chocolate.
Yield: 1 Filled MAX Shaker cup
Serving Size: 1
Protein: 1/3
Fruit: 1/ 2 Fruit.
Ingredients
Directions
Add all ingredients to blender and blend to desired consistency.
Yield: 2-3 crepes
Serving Size: 1
Protein: 1
Fruit: 1
Ingredients
Directions
Place a nonstick skillet over medium high heat. In a bowl combine egg whites and MAX protein powder and whisk until protein powder is dissolved. Scoop about 1/2 of the mixture (if using an 8-inch pan) or 1/3 of the mix if using a smaller pan, into the pan and rotate pan around so the batter spreads thin. Cook until the bottom is lightly browned and flip it over to cook through.
Bryan Klein knows firsthand how life’s challenges prevent people from prioritizing their health. “Fifteen years ago, my pregnant wife spent six months in the hospital due to our child’s life being in jeopardy,” Klein said. “I gained well over 100 pounds during that time due to stress.” The extra weight impacted him in more ways than one.
Klein felt this weight gain meant he wasn’t honoring his commitment to be the best parent he could be after the birth of his son. And he felt his appearance was hurting his business, United Taekwondo Academy.
“The way I was displaying myself wasn’t in line with the fitness lifestyle I was trying to teach to others,” he said. “It took me over a year of joining the gym and hiring personal trainers and nutritionists to get back into good physical condition.”
Losing the weight cost him thousands of dollars every month a financial burden Klein had trouble facing. He knew others would, too. In 2011, he set out to change that paradigm.
“I started The MAX Challenge in Manalapan with a few hundred bucks,” he said. “It was as simple as having a logo and fliers made.”
After securing co-tenancy with his current martial arts academy, Klein got started.
He invited 32 people to en- roll in the first MAX Challenge: A 10-week program, which combines varied yet structured cardio and strength workout regimens with focused nutritional programs and motivational doses of daily inspiration.
It costs $499. The plan quickly caught on. “In six months, we grew to 500 (members),” Klein said. “Within three years, we had sold 50 locations. “Last year, we grew to 65 locations in five states with 10,000- plus members.”
It helps that The MAX Challenge is one of the more easily attainable franchises.
Often located in a “B” class shopping center, MAX Transformation Centers typically operate within spaces as low as 2,000 to 3,000 square feet with an average of two employees each.
A new franchisee could expect to initially invest between $80,000 and $170,000, depending on rent, fit-out costs and real estate market conditions.
Compared to the $800,000- plus it can cost to franchise a big box concept such as Retro Fitness and Planet Fitness, or the $400,000-plus it can cost to franchise some of The MAX Challenge’s small group competitors such as Orangetheory Fitness, that’s a good deal.
“Big box gyms often need thousands of members just to keep the lights on,” Klein said. “Our franchisees need only a few hundred members in order to reach their financial goals.”
The MAX Challenge’s small footprint and limited equipment such as free weights, medicine balls and standing heavy bags help keep operating costs to a minimum and franchisee’s attention on its members.
While Klein found a 10-week program to help people get in shape, he realizes workout plans do not have a start and stop date. It’s why members can continue to participate for $99 a month. “I flew out to California a few weeks ago to visit one of our centers,” Klein said. “I noticed that everyone in there was physically fit one person had lost 50 pounds, another 70.
“They were there simply because they had become incredibly loyal to the brand that helped them break their habits and achieve their fitness goals.”
That kind of dedicated following has made The MAX Challenge into a multimillion-dollar company with over 200 employees.
With 47 locations sold in New Jersey alone, The MAX Challenge shows no sign of slowing down. In fact, sales for the popular workout increased by 189 percent last year.
“Small group training is definitely an emerging sector in the fitness industry, but our advantage is that we are going after a market that few else are,” Klein said. “We’re targeting members who have either never exercised before or haven’t exercised in the last five to 10 years.”
As well as specific regions with additional locations in New York, Pennsylvania, California and Florida, The MAX Challenge is focused on exclusive growth along the Interstate 95 corridor in every state from Maine to Florida, along with northern California.
But Klein is most excited about developments in Jersey.
“We’re opening up in Pennington, Clifton, Secaucus, East Rutherford, Wayne, Fair Lawn, Mount Laurel, Scotch Plains, Madison, Somerset, Monroe, Middletown and Paramus this year,” he said.
E-mail to: megf@njbiz.com
On Twitter: @megfry3
COMPANY: The MAX Challenge EXECUTIVE: Bryan Klein, founder and CEO
HEADQUARTERS: Morganville
FOUNDED: 2011
REVENUE: Between $5 million and $10 million
EMPLOYEES: 200
ONE MORE THING: A MAX Trans- formation Center is located within the Union County sheri ’s department building so that the squad can complete The MAX Challenge as part of its training.
A challenge for everyone According to Bryan Klein, The MAX Challenge franchisees come from all walks of life.
“We have housewives that want to get back into the workforce while adding value to their lives and communities; we have experienced retail managers who are looking for a new industry; and we even have executives from companies such as Johnson & Johnson that are looking for a change,” Klein said.
One thing his franchisees may be surprised to hear, however, is that Klein still gets jitters when he goes into meetings in which he is unsure of the outcome.
“I am not always 100 percent con dent about new ideas, but the biggest thing in life is overcoming self-doubt,” Klein said. “It’s when you face your fears and march forward that you develop the con dence to act on your ideas regardless of how big and crazy they may sound.”
Rich Bruno Success Story
“I have always been conscious of my health and fitness, but had a tendency to stray from cardiovascular conditioning and healthy eating habits. JP Bartolomeo approached me early in 2012 at my son’s Karate class, encouraging me to join Max Fitness. I wasn’t ready to make the commitment and found work schedule reasons to put it off. Well, once the 5 AM class opened up in June 2012 I knew there were no more excuses!
So I joined the June 2012 Max Fitness Challenge and have never looked back. My primary goals were to lose weight and body fat, while improving my cardio conditioning. I set goals right from the get-go and was very focused on my complete commitment to the nutrition and the exercise. As I progressed through the program, I found myself exceeding my expectations and revising my goals along the way. I will say that I have far exceeded all of my expectations.
I was so encouraged by what I witnessed in my first challenge that I asked to become more involved as a coach for the 2nd challenge. I have been amazed with the changes my peers have made right before my very eyes! Most importantly, I know that it is not just about the physical changes. It is actually more about the mental aspects: the improved self-esteem and confidence; realizing that you can absolutely break through “perceived” barriers; that anything is possible.
One of the more unique things about this 10 week fitness challenge is that it continues to be a challenge throughout the entire 10 week period. The Nutrition plan changes, and from a physical standpoint we continue to be pushed to perform at “our own level 10 best”, as Bryan Klein would say.
This program offers a sense of community unlike anything I’ve experienced. The support of the staff and your peers, the collective achievements of everyone in the class as we share common goals, and last but not least the positive energy that you feel in the room.
All of the resources we need are made available to us, to enable us to succeed. The rest is up to us. This program works, and I have had the benefit of seeing many individuals prove that with their results over the last two challenge sessions.”-Rich Bruno
Rich is now an instructor and owner of the MAX Fitness Matawan Location!
Grilled Chicken with Bean Salsa
Ingredients:
Chicken-
2 chicken cutlets
pinch of garlic powder
pinch of black pepper
Bean Salsa-
1 can beans (any type)
1/2 bell pepper
1/2 onion
1 celery stick
handful of cherry tomatoes
1/2 avocado
dash of garlic powder
dash of pepper
sprinkle of dried parsley
1 tbs EVOO
1/2 lemon
Procedure:
1. Season the chicken on both sides with the garlic powder and pepper.
2. Grill the chicken on the BBQ or grilling pan, 5 min per side.
3. Rinse the can of beans into a bowl.
4. Dice the onion, bell pepper, and celery stick and place in the bowl.
5. Half the cherry tomatoes, dice the avocado, and add them into the mix.
6. Season the salsa with your garlic powder, pepper, and parsley.
7. Add the EVOO and squeeze 1/2 lemon.
8. Toss everything together and measure out in container.
This is sooo tastey and there is absolutely no salt used!
2 chicken cutlets and 1 container of bean salsa=1 protein (chicken)
1 1/2 fat (from evoo and avocado)
1 carb (beans)