Ronnie Petito, owner of PPTC Fitness in Cape Coral, Florida, is much more than a personal trainer or gym owner. Since purchasing the gym in 2016, Ronnie has been on a heartfelt mission to redefine what health and fitness mean for the Cape Coral community—going far beyond the traditional notions of lifting weights and counting reps. His story is one of inspiration, dedication, and an unwavering commitment to helping every person who walks through his doors find not only physical strength but also confidence, community, and a deeper sense of well-being.
Ronnie’s journey into fitness began remarkably early. Inspired by his father’s legacy as a 1984 Olympic boxing trialist—who came just short of making the team after a tough bout against Pernell Whitaker—Ronnie absorbed the lessons of discipline and perseverance from a young age. By the time he was six or seven years old, he was already training hard, focusing on baseball and building the foundational strength that would carry him through high school and college athletics.
As a high school athlete, Ronnie’s focus was clear: get bigger, get stronger, and improve performance on the baseball field. His passion for fitness wasn’t just about competing; it was about personal growth. After high school, Ronnie pursued a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science and Wellness Management, sharpening his knowledge of human anatomy, physiology, and the science behind sustainable wellness.
Even while in college, Ronnie’s passion for helping others began to shine. By his third year, he was seeing the real, sustainable results of combining proper exercise with holistic wellness habits, and word quickly spread. People sought his advice and support, eager to experience the same transformation.
By 2015, a pivotal moment arrived when Ronnie met a former Olympic track athlete who was then running PPTC Fitness (formerly known as Athlete Institute). This meeting sparked an opportunity, and Ronnie poured countless hours into training clients and learning the ropes. The following year, he took the leap and purchased the gym, changing the name from Athlete Institute to PPTC Fitness. From there, he began to nurture a culture unlike any other—a culture rooted in acceptance, encouragement, authentic support, and sustainable fitness in Cape Coral, where everyone feels like family and every success, big or small, is celebrated.
Ronnie’s approach to fitness isn’t simply about sweating through an intense workout or hitting a personal best on the bench press. It starts with something far more fundamental: purpose. He believes that understanding why you want to improve your health is the foundation of lasting success.
Every new member at PPTC Fitness begins their journey with what Ronnie calls a “No Sweat Appointment.” This 20 to 30-minute consultation isn’t about pressure or selling memberships—it’s a thoughtful conversation where prospective gym members dive into their motivations, fears, and goals. What brought them to the gym? Why now? What do they hope to achieve, not just physically but in their lives as a whole?
Next, Ronnie introduces them to the Wellness Wheel—a powerful self-assessment tool that covers eight critical areas of life including fitness, nutrition, finances, personal relationships, and mental health. Members rate each category on a scale from 1 to 10, often revealing imbalances and areas needing attention. Ronnie often sees the wheel looking more like a “flat tire,” a visual metaphor for how out of balance many people feel when just starting out.
But that’s where hope enters the conversation. Ronnie shows how improving fitness can ripple into every area of life, boosting not only physical health but emotional resilience, social connections, and even financial well-being. It’s a holistic view that recognizes fitness as part of a broader lifestyle, not just an isolated activity.
This philosophy permeates everything PPTC Fitness offers—from their lively group bootcamps to tailored one-on-one personal training. Each client receives a customized blueprint including:
No matter their age or ability—PPTC members range from as young as 6 years old to as mature as 95—Ronnie ensures that programs meet people exactly where they are. Mobility and strength levels are carefully assessed, and workouts are built with safety, effectiveness, and progression in mind.
Perhaps one of Ronnie’s most inspiring contributions to empowering sustainable fitness in Cape Coral is his weekly bootcamp class at the South Cape Community Center. This inclusive, supportive class was born from a community-minded idea by local resident Tim Holland, who wanted to create a welcoming space for people hesitant to enter a traditional gym environment.
Ronnie embraced the opportunity, designing the bootcamp to be accessible and adaptable, helping participants safely learn proper form, build confidence, and understand that fitness is truly for everyone—regardless of age, ability, or experience.
“It’s all about giving people a safe place to start,” Ronnie explains. “We demonstrate movements, make adjustments, and show that fitness truly is for everyone.”
The results speak for themselves. Ronnie proudly shares success stories like William’s, a 67-year-old who came to the gym after enduring two triple bypass surgeries. With dedicated training, William’s health improved dramatically—in just six weeks, he was able to improve his health so much that he could stop taking his blood pressure medication. Another story is Nicole’s, who started her journey weighing 320 pounds. Through consistent workouts, adequate protein intake, and Ronnie’s guidance, she lost 75 pounds in a year.
These transformations are more than just physical changes; they’re testament to the power of community, commitment, and personalized care. Ronnie credits the culture of PPTC Fitness to a simple core principle: “Stay true to yourself and what you’re doing. The results will come with hard work and the right support.”
When it comes to working with women, Ronnie’s philosophy extends beyond typical fitness instruction to focus deeply on mindset and empowerment.
“Many women are too hard on themselves,” he says. “We work on reframing that inner dialogue and focusing on strengths—not shortcomings.”
Ronnie insists that women receive the same rigorous, quality training as any other client. Yet, he also understands that women’s bodies and experiences are unique, especially during the postpartum period. He takes special care to teach proper form, core bracing, and safe exercises that support healing from diastasis recti—a common postpartum condition.
One of Ronnie’s core messages to women is to reject the myth that the scale is the ultimate measure of success. “It’s not about a ‘magic number,’” he explains. “It’s about strength, body composition, and how you feel—mentally and physically.”
For women intimidated by the gym environment, Ronnie encourages starting with a qualified personal trainer in a private setting. Ronnie offers private 1-on-1 training sessions for newcomers where they can confidently start their fitness journeys without the pressure of having other gym members around. This builds confidence and helps shift the focus from appearance to empowerment, setting the stage for a sustainable fitness journey that centers on joy, health, and self-love.
Ronnie is quick to emphasize that exercise is only part of the equation. In fact, 80% of fitness results actually come from nutrition, while just 20% come from physical training.
“People often overlook food, but it’s the foundation of energy, recovery, and long-term progress,” he says.
His approach to nutrition is straightforward but effective. He helps gym members understand the importance of:
Before workouts, Ronnie recommends aiming for about 30 grams of protein paired with low-glycemic carbs, like fruit, to provide steady energy and support recovery. In addition, it is vitally important to refuel within 30 to 60 minutes post-workout—especially for women—highlighting that this window maximizes strength gains and healing.
By teaching nutrition basics alongside fitness, Ronnie empowers his clients to build a foundation that sustains results long after their workout.
At the heart of Ronnie’s message is a call to action for anyone feeling stuck or unsure where to begin.
“You don’t need an elaborate plan to get started. If you can walk to the fridge, you can work out.”
Whether someone is managing a disability, returning to fitness after a break, or just feeling overwhelmed by conflicting advice, Ronnie offers a clear, compassionate path forward.
For those still hesitant, he shares a simple truth: “Nothing changes if nothing changes. And in all my years of training, I’ve never had someone complain about starting their journey.”
The future looks bright for PPTC Fitness. Ronnie and his team are excited to host upcoming community events like a free picnic featuring kickball and a healthy potluck, welcoming members and their families to celebrate movement and connection.
Beyond the gym walls, members also enjoy Ronnie’s “Inner Circle”—an exclusive online community offering:
Whether online or in person, Ronnie Petito’s mission is clear: to deliver sustainable fitness in Cape Coral with integrity, positivity, and the belief that fitness and wellness are for everyone, regardless of age or ability. At PPTC Fitness, it’s not just about building muscle—it’s about building lives.
