XShadyside Blog

ACL rehab is a challenging journey that tests you mentally, physically, and emotionally. Even though this injury is common, don’t be misled into thinking the recovery is a simple, “one size fits all” process. This guide is designed to help you navigate the road ahead, offering clarity and hope that you CAN come back stronger than before.

There’s a lot of buzz out there on investing. We hear stories in the news about the stock market: Where we should put our money, saving for retirement, it’s a never ending list. But what about our physical health? What should we be investing there?

Sports performance training can be the extra help that you need to improve upon your sport. During these particular training sessions, you may work to improve upon some skills that are overlooked in your traditional training.

If you are an athlete, you probably know how devastating an in-season injury can be. Building up your strength and stamina takes a ton of work that can all be rendered useless by an ill-timed injury. That’s why injury prevention is not just important—it is essential for athletes of all kinds.

Are you a competitive athlete in Pittsburgh? If you are, then you’ve made it to the right place! Competitive athletes do everything in their power to optimize their training for the best performance results possible. However, too many athletes believe that they can do everything regarding their training on their own.

Before you decide on a personal trainer, you first need to outline your goals for your fitness journey and determine what you want to achieve with the help of personal training. Because some personal trainers have specialties of focus, you may end up working with someone who just doesn’t align with your personal goals. So, what can personal training help you accomplish?

One of the big reasons that people avoid going to the gym is out of anxiety, fear, or inexperience. Often, the biggest roadblock that prevents people from achieving their goals happens outside of the gym. If you find yourself dreading going to the gym or feel too intimidated to even try exercising in a gym, keep reading.

It happens to everyone — you’re on a new fitness plan that is working well when suddenly you hit a plateau. Hitting a plateau while training is completely normal, so don't get too down on yourself. You also may not overcome your plateau for a little while, which is okay too! We’re here to show you some techniques that can help you overcome fitness stagnation.

The holidays are rapidly approaching, and for many that means the hardest part of the year to stay in shape is on the horizon. More than just the rich foods and drinks, the business of the holidays makes it extra hard to find time to exercise. It is also worth mentioning that during the holiday season the sun goes down around 5PM, making it difficult to do your regular outdoor activities. Because of these reasons — and more — so many lose track of their fitness goals during the holiday months.

If you’re a woman finding it especially difficult to lose weight, you are not alone. Many don’t know that it really is more difficult for women to lose weight than it is for men. This is due to several reasons including an average lower metabolism rate and unique social pressures that make it harder for women to lose weight and keep it off.

Most people are busier than ever these days. Whether it's school, a demanding job or other obligations, a lot of people feel like they don’t have any time to workout during the day. That’s why we’ve created a list of ways to stay in shape even with a busy schedule. Taking care of your health and fitness is important — and there are easy and fun ways you can work exercise into your daily routine.

As restrictions loosen and our days stuck inside come to a close, many are looking to return to the gym. For a lot of people a gym environment is the best environment to get a really satisfying workout. After the past year or so, many are stepping back inside of the gym for the first time in a very long time, and need a bit of advice ahead of the big return. In this article, we’ll break down the two major factors that raise concerns among gym patrons — COVID-19 policies and injuries.

If you have a busy work schedule, or are looking for a new way to get in shape now that gyms are up and running, you have likely heard of HIIT workouts. HIIT workouts are short intervals of high intensity anaerobic activity followed by short periods of rest. These workouts are usually relatively simple and can be done anywhere, sometimes even without equipment.

For all of the healthy lifestyle options that the city has to offer, Pittsburgh remains under the radar as a health focused city. The city is home to some of the country’s best parks and is one of the most walkable and bikeable cities too. Shadyside, a neighborhood on the east side of the city, is home to many healthy options that residents and visitors can take advantage of. Whether you are looking for a place to grab a quick and healthy lunch or are searching for a new personal trainer at one of the best gyms in Pittsburgh, PA it can all be found in Shadyside. Let’s take a closer look at some of the best healthy lifestyle activities you can experience in Shadyside.

Staying fit becomes even more important as we age. If you are over the age of 60 and are looking for some ways to stay fit, why not try personal training in Pittsburgh. Older individuals need different ways to work out and build muscle, and personal training is an excellent way to make sure that your specific needs are met. Building strength as an older person improves your mobility and quality of life, so it is important to keep your body moving no matter what your age. In this article we’ll explore the benefits of personal training sessions for seniors and the ways an individualized fitness program can be tailored to meet your fitness goals. Let’s get started and find out why personal training is becoming so popular for seniors.

Many people have fallen behind on their workout routines or have stopped working out during the COVID-19 shutdowns over the past year. With gyms closed and stay at home orders in place, it was difficult to know where and how to get a good sweat going. Now that we have clearer guidelines and gyms in Pittsburgh, PA are reopening, it's time to focus on getting back in shape. We’ve compiled a list of ways you get active and stay active for the foreseeable future. Let’s get back to it!

It’s easy to get overwhelmed by all of the stuff going on with your life. Work, school, and personal relationships can all require a lot of attention and time on your part. As a result, squeezing in time to exercise can be a little challenging. Maybe you also just aren’t feeling as motivated as you once were.

Some couples enjoy dining out at their favorite restaurant for Valentine’s Day. Others arrange a special day at the spa. Most prefer to arrange a classic dinner and movie night. But if you’re getting tired of these typical Valentine’s Day festivities, you aren’t alone.

Whether you are a seasoned tennis player or a casual runner, dealing with a sports injury is never fun. Not only are you sidelined from practicing a sport you love, but you may also be dealing with immense pain. At X Shadyside, one of the top gyms in Shadyside, we understand the pains (both physical and metaphorical) that come with the healing process. If you’re dealing with a pesky injury right now, we have a full guide dedicated to helping you through the healing process. Check it out now!

Healthcare workers have always had our backs. But if 2020 has taught us anything, it’s that we’d be in big trouble without them. The amount of stress and pressure they deal with every day, especially during the coronavirus pandemic, shows how mentally strong they are.

During the early days of the pandemic, our options for fitness and exercise were extremely limited. Gyms were shut down, exercise classes were canceled, and parks implemented strict social distancing policies. Thankfully, Pittsburgh has since started to re-open.

Fall has finally arrived. And with a new season, comes a renewed sense of motivation for crushing your fitness goals! Whether you are a complete beginner to working out or you have been taking some fitness classes for a while, it doesn’t hurt to take a moment to evaluate your current workout routine. Have you been seeing progress? Do you follow it on a regular basis? Do you enjoy it?

Like most people, you are probably sick and tired of missing out on workouts at the gym. But you might not be comfortable with going to one just yet. That’s ok! There are a number of places in Pittsburgh where you can get a great workout in. From services for personal training in Pittsburgh to outdoor fitness programs, you have a number of different options for working out. Check out X Shadyside’s top workout recommendations in our latest blog post now!

Whether you have just set a new health goal for yourself or you have been working toward achieving a new fitness level for a few months now, it can be challenging to stay motivated on the path toward accomplishing these goals.

Summer is quickly approaching. As hiking trails and outdoor pools open up again and fitness centers start to unlock their doors, we finally have more opportunities to break up our regular exercise routines and try something new. To help you get started, one of the best gyms in Pittsburgh — X Shadyside — is here to share our top 5 summer workout ideas with you.

Starting June 15th, X Shadyside will finally re-open to members of the Pittsburgh community. As you walk in, you might notice that some things about your favorite gym are a little different. In order to minimize the risk of human to human infection, we have implemented some new guidelines. As you prepare your return to our fitness center, read up on our newest cleaning and disinfecting guidelines for members and staff.

Maintaining social distance is the key to ensuring that we as a community stay healthy. As a result, gyms in Pittsburgh and other businesses have closed their doors temporarily. While the team at X Shadyside is excited to start training with our members once again and inspiring a healthy lifestyle. However, just because we can’t meet face-to-face doesn’t mean that health habits need to stop. That’s why we’re here to share with you 10 low-contact ways to stay active and healthy. From workout ideas to healthy restaurants that are offering delivery and pickup options, X Shadyside has all your social distancing ideas covered.

The COVID-19 pandemic in indefinitely changing the way our society functions. With many nonessential businesses closing down, it’s difficult to carry out our daily routines uninterrupted. However, social distancing is the best way to stop the spread of the virus, which is why X Shadyside — a leader among Pittsburgh gyms — is here to share a number of tips and ideas for keeping up with your workout routine while at home. With these tips, you’ll be able to keep us with your routine and make the most out of your self-quarantine — or days when we just don’t want to leave the house. Check it out!

Athletes know that one of the biggest things they can do increase performance is to fuel their bodies right. This not only entails eating a balanced, nutrient-rich diet, but also includes a plan for adequate hydration. During the cold winter months, however, it’s natural to feel less inclined to hydrate adequately during the winter months because you don’t feel thirsty or dehydrated as quickly. At X Shadyside — a leader among gyms in Pittsburgh, PA — we’re here to help you accomplish all of your biggest fitness goals, which is why we’re breaking down tips for combating dehydration during winter workouts.

JP is a 7th grader and he’s been training with Mike for over a year. He plays football, soccer, basketball and cross country. Training with Mike has helped JP prevent injuries by focusing on proper technique and balanced, total-body workouts. Not only has JP’s endurance and overall fitness improved, but working with Mike gives him a head start on the upcoming season. For more information on Youth Training, please fill out the form on the Personal Training page.

When you’re pushing yourself at the gym consistently, you know how it feels to ache and burn afterward. While this is certainly a good kind of pain, you find that this achy feeling inhibits you from pushing yourself the next day. What’s there to do about this? Focus on your recovery. Recovering from a workout is just as important as fueling before a workout, which is why the leader among gyms in Shadyside is here to break down the 5 steps for maximizing your recovery and getting back in the gym as soon as possible.