THE ACSM’S REVISED STAND ON RESISTANCE TRAINING
It has been announced by The American College of Sports Medicine that they had recently revised their position statement on strength and resistance training since their last update in 2009. Research on the topic of resistance training has greatly expanded, and with these findings over the past sixteen years of clinical studies, there were several things that should be considered for discussion.
WHY WE NEED MORE DEAF FITNESS EVENTS
Our Deaf Bootcamp on June 10th was nothing short of incredible. The energy, the laughter, the teamwork, and the sense of community made it a day to remember. Everyone showed up ready to move, learn, and support one another—and that’s exactly what happened. We didn’t just work out; we connected, communicated, and created a space where Deaf and Hard of Hearing athletes could thrive together.
OZEMPIC & STRENGTH TRAINING
GLP-1s, or glucagon-like peptide-1 medications, have revolutionized weight loss and treatment for various conditions like type 2 diabetes, chronic kidney and liver conditions, sleep apnea, and the prevention of cardiovascular disease. Many people who use these medications lose up to 15-20% of their body weight. But with that weight loss, people lose lean muscle mass. Research shows that with any calorie deficit, your body will shed weight from both fat and muscle.
So, how can GLP-1 users prevent that? Let’s look at the steps you can take to prevent loss of muscle mass with Ozempic.
STUDENT ATHLETES: MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR SUMMER
Summer is the perfect time for student athletes to get ahead before the next season begins. Without the demands of games, practices, and school schedules, athletes can focus on building strength, improving performance, and reducing their risk of injury. Whether you’re preparing for volleyball, soccer, football, basketball, cheer, softball, or another sport, summer training can help you hit the ground running when the season starts.
THE SPORTS PSYCHOLOGY OF YOUR SMARTWATCH
Smartwatches, rings, and fitness trackers have completely transformed how we work out. But while they are incredible pieces of technology, the most powerful tool you bring to the gym isn't on your wrist—it's between your ears. When you sync your wearable tech with basic sports psychology, you stop being a slave to the data and start using it to unlock serious mental gains. Here is how your watch changes your brain during a workout, and how to use it to your advantage.
SUMMER IS COMING: TRADE THE "STRESS" FOR THE "SHIFT"
The arrival of summer often brings a wave of "seasonal pressure." We see the ads telling us to "get ready" or "transform" before the first beach trip. But in the world of sports psychology, we know that stress is the enemy of performance—and health. If you are feeling anxious about the warmer months, it’s time to change your mental game. Here is how to use sports psychology to enjoy your summer, stay moving, and keep your mental health a priority.
WHY WE HOLD PRIDE EVENTS AT PFP
As a lifelong gym user and athlete, I feel MOST comfortable in fitness spaces. However, for many people, this isn’t the case. Fitness spaces can be filled with prejudice and judgment, which can make them feel exclusionary (both consciously and subconsciously). Not everyone has the privilege of walking into any space and feeling safe and welcome. Which is why at PFP, our mission is to create a fitness community where people feel safe and are free to be themselves.
READ THIS IF YOU WANT TO COME TO PFP, BUT YOUR ANXIETY IS STOPPING YOU
Gym anxiety (or "gymtimidation") is incredibly real, whether it stems from a fear of not knowing how to use a machine or a fear of being judged for who you are. But your health and your fitness goals belong to you. At Pittsburgh Fitness Project, we believe anxiety shouldn’t keep you from building a body that moves and feels great. Here is a quick shift in perspective and a practical survival guide to help you take that first brave step into our space.
SQUAT VARIATIONS FOR OLYMPIC WEIGHTLIFTING
In the sport of Olympic Weightlifting, squatting is king. It is the movement we as lifters use to drive most of the leg strength and overall adaptations for our performance. It allows us to increase our ability to apply force into the ground, which then translates force and power into the barbell when we lift. Let's discuss some of the best squat variations, why we use them, and how they’re programmed.
SUMMER ADVENTURE SEASON IS HERE
The second the weather gets nice, everyone suddenly becomes an outdoor athlete again. One weekend you’re casually “going for a hike,” and the next thing you know you’ve climbed 2,000 feet in elevation, your legs are cramping, and you’re questioning every life decision halfway up the mountain. So with adventure season officially here, remember recovery keeps you doing more!
MEET OUR NEW TRAINER, ANDI!
Hi everyone! I’m Andi Parana, and I’m thrilled to be part of the team here at Pittsburgh Fitness Project.
PARENTS, BOOK A MASSAGE BEFORE SUMMER BREAK HITS!
Summer is fun… but let’s be honest, it’s also chaos. That’s why now is the perfect time to sneak in a massage before the cute little goblins are home full-time asking for rides, snacks, sunscreen, and “one more thing” every five minutes.
BREAKING THE SILENCE: BUILDING A TRULY ACCESSIBLE GYM COMMUNITY
When we talk about "gym accessibility," many people immediately think of ramps or elevators. While physical access is vital, true accessibility goes much deeper. It’s about the atmosphere—the feeling that when you walk through the doors, the community is prepared to meet you where you are. For the Deaf community and those with disabilities, the gym can often feel like a "loud" place, not just because of the music, but because of the barriers to communication and understanding.
MASSAGE FOR RUNNERS
The weather gets nice, and suddenly everyone starts signing up for races again. Race season is here, and whether you’re training for a HYROX, running your first 5k, getting ready for a half marathon, or just adding more miles outside, your body definitely notices. Running has a way of making random muscles sore that you didn’t even know were involved. Tight calves, sore hips, heavy legs… and somehow your shoulders end up tense too. That’s where recovery work can really help.
SIMPLE GPP WORKOUTS FOR SPRING
General Physical Preparedness is a phase of training that emphasizes foundational strength and work capacity. Everyone benefits from GPP training, whether you’re an athlete, have a specific fitness goal, or simply want to exercise to stay healthy. GPP focuses on building a well-rounded base of strength, endurance, mobility, and coordination so your body can handle more challenging workouts and activities of everyday life with ease. This week, I’m sharing an example week of what GPP training could look like and how to apply it to your current goals.
WHY EVERYONE NEEDS GPP TRAINING
When it comes to getting stronger, leaner, and moving better, most people start too hard and too soon, and end up overwhelmed or injured. The real secret to long-term progress and resilience? General Physical Preparedness (GPP), or establishing a solid foundation of movement. GPP focuses on building a well-rounded base of strength, endurance, mobility, and coordination so your body can handle more challenging workouts and activities of everyday life with ease.
ONE MORE ON MOBILITY
Independence as you age is about both freedom and capability. It’s the confidence you can have to move freely, carry your groceries, get up off the floor, play with your kids or grandkids, and live your life without limitations. Mobility and strength are the foundations for that independence.
GETTING STRONGER FOR REAL LIFE
What does getting stronger actually mean for us as people? Many view strength or getting physically stronger as only something that avid gym-goers do to increase the number on a barbell or dumbbell. They may see it as unnecessary or a waste of time in their daily life. It is quite the contrary. A strong and healthy body can extend to help with so many things in our daily life. Whether it is making tasks easier, improving our self-efficacy and autonomy, or even just making it easier to enjoy ourselves. Getting stronger for real-life looks like a lot of things for different people, but let’s discuss some approachable methods you can use to get stronger for real-life things and situations.
HOW FASCIAL STRETCH THERAPY CAN HELP EVERYONE MOVE BETTER
Let’s be honest: most people do not think about mobility until something starts feeling tight, stiff, cranky, or just plain annoying. Maybe your hips complain when you stand up. Maybe your shoulders feel like they belong to someone twice your age after sitting at a desk all day. Maybe you stretch and somehow still feel tight five minutes later. That is where Fascial Stretch Therapy (FST) comes in — and why so many people are paying attention to it.
CLEAN TECHNIQUE ESSENTIALS
The clean, much like snatching in weightlifting, requires not only power and strength, but good rhythm and timing. In order to execute it properly, we are going to go over some key technical aspects as well as some ways to internalize those cues and output them in your training sessions. We will highlight the overall goals first and then break down how we can ensure they're occurring in the lift properly.