Empowering Strength
How The Exercise Coach is Redefining Fitness in Sarasota
The Exercise Coach of Sarasota is redefining the way locals approach fitness. Owned and
operated by Sarasota native and registered nurse Chrystal Pruitt, this innovative fitness studio
offers a radically different—and incredibly effective—approach to strength training. With
personalized, AI-powered workouts that last just 20 minutes, twice a week, The Exercise Coach
is proving that smarter exercise, not longer workouts, leads to lasting results.
Founded in 2000 and franchised since 2011, The Exercise Coach has grown to over 220 studios
nationwide and 20 international locations in Japan. In 2020, Pruitt brought the concept home,
opening her studio at 4333 S. Tamiami Trail. Outfitted with Exerbotics®—a suite of proprietary,
computerized resistance machines—the studio tailors each session to individual strength and
mobility levels. "Our programs adapt to you, not the other way around," says Pruitt. "It’s a
perfect solution for busy adults, people intimidated by traditional gyms, or those managing
chronic health concerns."
The technology and training philosophy behind The Exercise Coach is grounded in science.
Rather than focus on activity volume, the program emphasizes quality resistance training to
improve metabolism, muscle mass, insulin sensitivity, bone density, and overall wellness.
Certified coaches guide every workout, ensuring both safety and effectiveness. The coaches are
all certified and all have college degrees in various areas of fitness from, physical fitness,
exercise science, exercise philosophy and kinesiology, and strength and conditioning.
Regular strength training offers numerous health benefits, especially as we age. It helps prevent
muscle loss, maintains metabolic rate, and increases both muscle mass and calorie burn. Strength
training reduces body fat, improves bone density, and enhances glucose metabolism—lowering
the risk of diabetes. It also supports better digestion, lowers blood pressure, and can improve
blood lipid profiles. Additionally, it helps alleviate low back pain and arthritis by strengthening
muscles and joints. In just a few short sessions a week, strength training boosts vitality, reduces
disease risk, and supports a healthier, more active lifestyle at any age.
Pruitt’s background as a nurse—spanning critical care to home health—and her entrepreneurial
spirit shaped her decision to open the franchise. “As a nurse, I’ve seen people at their worst. I
wanted to do something proactive that would help people feel their best,” she explains. "At The
Exercise Coach, we help clients build strength from the inside out, and that changes everything."
Beyond fitness, Pruitt is deeply embedded in the local community. She’s an active member of
Impact100 SRQ and supports rehabilitation programs for individuals unable to afford traditional
therapy. Her studio also accepts insurance-based fitness benefits from Medicare and commercial
providers.
When she’s not helping clients transform their lives, Pruitt enjoys boating, scuba diving, and
spending time with her three adult children and her significant other, Troy, a fellow local who is
a broker/owner of Realty Executives and owner of Island House Tap and Grill. Her personal journey
through professional challenges—including launching just before COVID-19 and weathering
three hurricanes—has only strengthened her commitment to health, family, and community.