In 2018, he graduated from Carnegie Mellon University with a degree in Decision Science from the Dietrich College. Studying psychology and decision-making systems shaped how he approaches coaching today – combining intelligent programming with behavioral structure to help clients train consistently and with purpose.

A bicycle accident in 2022 reframed his perspective on fitness. The recovery process shifted his focus from chasing numbers to building resilience in spinal health, movement quality, mobility, and strength that carries beyond the gym into daily life.

Isaac trains year-round across strength, endurance, and mobility disciplines — cycling through Pittsburgh’s summers, practicing hot yoga, preparing for endurance races, and competing in HYROX-style events — maintaining a hybrid approach to performance that values both engine and durability.

He blends strength training, hybrid conditioning, and mobility work to help Union Fitness members build strong, adaptable bodies that perform well and last beyond the session.

Our annual Push/Pull competition is just around the corner! If you’re new to the gym or the area, this is a bench press and deadlift competition held right here in the gym. It’s your chance to test your strength, step onto the platform, and take home bragging rights and all the glory.

The sign-up fee is $25, and all proceeds will be donated directly to the Urban Impact Foundation here in the North Side of Pittsburgh.

What You Get

Your registration includes:

• Entry into the Push/Pull competition
• A custom Union Fitness Push/Pull t-shirt
• The opportunity to compete in a fun, supportive environment

Important: Be sure to register by the end of March so we have enough time to order and print all event shirts. We will order extras, but those sizes will be first come first serve. 

Let’s make 2026 our biggest turnout yet!

Why We Chose Urban Impact

We selected the Urban Impact Foundation as this year’s donation recipient because of the incredible work they do for children and youth in our community. Their programs use athletics as a vehicle to improve physical health, support mental well-being, and develop important life skills like teamwork and leadership.

For 30 years, Urban Impact has been serving the youth of Pittsburgh’s North Side. Their mission focuses on holistic community outreach, bringing transformative hope one person, one family, and one block at a time.

Luke Schriefer, Senior Director of Development and Marketing at Urban Impact Foundation, shared:

“The Athletics Department at Urban Impact provides year-round sports programming for children and youth on Pittsburgh’s North Side, using athletics as a platform to support the physical, social, and personal development of each student. Through leagues, teams, camps, and training opportunities in sports such as soccer, football, basketball, and baseball, the department creates safe, structured environments where young people can build skills, confidence, and strong character. Coaches and mentors focus on positive relationships, teamwork, discipline, and leadership, while also encouraging values such as respect, responsibility, and care for others. As a faith-based organization, Urban Impact seeks to model compassion, integrity, and service in all of its programs, while welcoming students from all backgrounds.”

How to Get Involved

Ready to step up and compete, or just want to support a great cause? Here’s how you can be part of it:

• Sign up by registering via this link
• Register before the end of March to secure your event t-shirt
• Invite a friend or training partner to join you
• Come out and support even if you’re not competing

Let’s Lift for a Purpose

This event is about more than just numbers on the bar. It’s about community, pushing yourself, and supporting a mission that’s making a real difference right here in our backyard.

Let’s show up strong, lift some weight, cheer each other on,  and make an impact together. 

Union Fitness is proud to announce the launch of The Northside #Powerful Program, a brand-new initiative designed to celebrate growth, grit, and giving back. This 3-month free personal training program will be awarded to one local Northside resident who is ready to rise, rep for their community, and commit to positive change.

This program is about more than fitness. It’s about uplifting a neighbor who’s dedicated to personal growth while also making a difference for others. Whether you’ve overcome challenges, are working on your mental health, or are simply motivated to take your next step forward, this opportunity could be for you.

Eligibility:

• Live in the Northside
• Show commitment to self-growth
• Actively give back to the community (through volunteering, mentoring, caregiving, or contributing to local causes)

Application Period: October 1 – November 30, 2025

• The selected winner will begin their journey in January 2026.

What’s Included:

• 3 months of Personal Training Membership (2x per week)
• Unlimited gym access & classes

If you or someone you know is ready to grow stronger, both in and out of the gym, we encourage you to apply. Let’s highlight the incredible resilience and altruism of the Northside community together.

Applications open October 1st, apply at www.unionfitness.com/northside-powerful/

This intentional shift will set the stage for our end of October strength testing, allowing your nervous system to adapt, your technique to sharpen, and your confidence under the bar to grow. Expect to see fewer reps, more rest between sets, and a bigger focus on quality over quantity all in preparation to push your limits and hit some serious PRs when the time comes.

UF Unlimited members, if you haven’t already don’t forget to log into the Teambuildr website. This is a great training aid for members attending #Powerful. On the website you will be able to see upcoming workouts and log your numbers and weights! Reach out to myself or any of the full-time staff if you need help setting this feature up!

Class Schedule

Monday: 6:00 AM, 5:00 PM, 6:00 PM

Tuesday: 6:00 AM, 7:00 AM, 5:00 PM, 6:00 PM

Wednesday: 6:00 AM, 5:00 PM, 6:00 PM

Thursday: 6:00 AM, 5:00 PM, 6:00 PM

Friday: 6:00 AM, 7:00 AM

-Tristan

Now that football season is back in full swing, it’s time to bring out the game-day recipes! One staple that never disappoints is buffalo chicken dip.

But if you’re looking for a lighter, more macro-friendly version without sacrificing flavor, this is my go-to recipe. It’s creamy, a little spicy, packed with protein, and just as delicious as the classic! Perfect for fueling up while cheering on your team!

Ingredients: 

• 1 1/2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breast raw

• 1/2 cup Frank’s Red Hot Sauce

• 8 oz 1/3 less fat cream cheese cubed

• 1/2 cup non-fat plain Greek yogurt

• 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese shredded, 112g

• 1 cup low-moisture part-skim mozzarella cheese shredded, 112g

• 4 green onions chopped

• 1 tsp. garlic powder

• 1 tsp. Salt

Directions:

1. Add the raw chicken to a pot. Cover the chicken with water and set to boil for 15-20 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked through and no longer pink with an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. 
2. Remove the chicken from the water and shred with 2 forks or with a hand mixer in a bowl (my preferred method).
3. Add the shredded chicken, hot sauce, cream cheese, greek yogurt, shredded cheeses, green onions, garlic powder and salt to the crock pot. Stir together to slightly mix and set on low for 1.5 hours. Stir around the 1 hour mark to ensure even cooking.
4. Once done, give the buffalo chicken dip a good mix until evenly combined throughout.
5. Serve with chopped pita, crackers, chips or veggies. I recommend Siete brand tortilla chips if you’re looking for an ingredient friendly option.

Notes:

• Yields approximately 10 servings.
• You can sub chicken for canned or pre-cooked rotisserie. Whatever works for you!
• You can also use any brand of hot-sauce. I just prefer Frank’s!

However, the science isn’t fully sold on foam rolling as a performance enhancer. Meta-analyses, including one published in Frontiers in Physiology (2020), report that while foam rolling may feel good and support mobility, it doesn’t significantly improve muscle strength or power output. In other words, it’s unlikely to make you faster, stronger, or able to lift more weight on its own. But here’s the catch, if it helps you mentally feel more prepared, relaxed, or in tune with your body before or after a workout, there’s real value in that. Sometimes, just feeling better is reason enough to include it in your routine so go ahead, roll it out!

-Tristan

Sunday, September 7 and Sunday, November 2.

Our partnership with Union Fitness is a natural fit. Both of our organizations are dedicated to

promoting health, wellness and togetherness in Pittsburgh. Teaming up allows us to provide

even more opportunities for people to move, connect and grow stronger as a group. By bringing

runners into Union Fitness’s inspiring space, we’re not just creating a starting point for long runs

— we’re building a bridge between two communities who share a passion for fitness and a

commitment to helping people achieve their goals.

In addition to beginning long runs from the gym in the past, Nova Place is home to our annual

Holiday Lights Charity Run. This community event combines the spirit of the season with a

meaningful cause. Each year, this run raises funds for a local charity while offering participants a

tour of Pittsburgh’s holiday lights. We invite runners and walkers of all levels to join through

options of 2, 4, or 6 miles. This year, the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank is our charity

Partner.

Starting from Nova Place, our route will showcase Pittsburgh’s best holiday displays. Highlights

include running through a European-style Christmas market, a loop around the downtown

business district and, of course, a view of the iconic home of the Steelers. The event concludes

back at Nova Place, where participants can enjoy post-run refreshments and refuel. Last year’s

event drew more than 300 attendees.

Save the date: this year’s Holiday Lights Charity Run, sponsored by Union Fitness, will be

Thursday, December 18.

About the Fleet Feet Running Club

The Fleet Feet Running Club’s mission is to foster a lifetime passion for running and walking by

providing inspiration, motivation and know-how. We cater to all abilities, paces and levels of

experience.

We currently run four days a week:

• Monday – Recovery Run: 6:30 PM from both Fleet Feet Pittsburgh’s Bakery Square and South Hills locations (3 miles)
• Wednesday – Track Club: 6:30 PM at the Schenley Park Oval (structured interval session)
• Thursday – East End Pub Run: 6:30 PM from Bakery Square (routes of 3 and 6 miles)
• Sunday – Long Runs: 7:30 AM from various locations (routes of 3, 6 and 10 miles)

About Fleet Feet Pittsburgh

Fleet Feet Pittsburgh is the go-to store in the Pittsburgh area for anyone who spends time on

their feet. Whether you are running, walking or standing for long periods, everyone can benefit

from being properly fitted. With our fit ID® scanner, we create a 3D scan of your feet and

recommend the best shoes and insoles for your needs.

-Andrew Zentgraf: Fleet Feet Pittsburgh – Community Outreach Manager

Long weekends aren’t just for cookouts, they’re perfect for recovery.

Labor Day gives you an extra day to slow down, recharge, and hit “reset” on both your body and mind. At UF, we’re here to help you build better recovery habits that keep you performing your best, inside and outside the gym.

Recovery isn’t just about giving your muscles a break (though that’s important for repair, hormone balance, injury prevention, immune health, and energy restoration). It’s also about supporting your mental and emotional well-being—regulating stress, sharpening focus, and boosting mood.

Here are a few ways to make the most of the long weekend:

• Take a calming walk outside 
• Spend quality time with friends & family 
• Get 7–9 hours of sleep 
• Fuel up with nutritious meals 
• Treat yourself to self-care, think face masks, a relaxing bath, or stretching 
• Work on a hobby or passion project that usually gets pushed aside 

Remember: recovery is where real progress happens. Give yourself the time to rest, and your body and mind will thank you for it.

P.S. Labor Day hours are 10am-2pm. All classes are cancelled!

-Ashley

Ingredients:

• ½ cup plain greek yogurt
• ¼ tbsp avocado oil mayo or light mayo
• ½ tbsp lemon juice
• ½ tbsp dijon mustard
• Salt & black pepper to taste
• 2 shredded chicken breast
• ¼ of a red onion, diced
• 1 stalk green onion, diced
• 1 stalk celery, diced

Other delicious add-in options:

• Finely diced herbs like dill, parsley, or basil
• Dried cranberries, raisins, or diced grapes for a sweet crunch
• Chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans

How to:

• Add greek yogurt, avocado oil mayo, lemon juice, dijon mustard, salt & pepper to a mixing bowl and whisk until smooth
• Add shredded chicken, red onion, green onion, celery and any other add-ins if using.
• Stir well so it’s all combined. Store in the fridge using an airtight container for 3-4 days!

This is one of my go-to lunches for the week because it’s quick and easy and can be added to anything! I love it on its own with some crackers, but you can also make it a sandwich, a wrap, or eat it with sliced veggies! This recipe has wonderful flavor, high in protein, has healthy fats, and low-carb! Enjoy!

-Ashley

Class Schedule

Monday: 6:00 AM, 5:00 PM, 6:00 PM
Tuesday: 6:00 AM, 7:00 AM, 5:00 PM, 6:00 PM
Wednesday: 6:00 AM, 5:00 PM, 6:00 PM
Thursday: 6:00 AM, 5:00 PM, 6:00 PM
Friday: 6:00 AM, 7:00 AM

Programming Focus

Each training day in #Powerful is programmed to build strength and balance throughout the week. Mondays and Wednesdays focus on upper body strength, think pressing, pulling, and building those shoulders, arms, and back. Tuesdays and Thursdays are dedicated to lower body strength, working through squat variations, deadlifts, and glute/hamstring development. Fridays bring it all together with a full-body strength workout that also includes some conditioning and active recovery work to set you up for the weekend!

Right now, we’re entering a hypertrophy and strength-building phase. This phase will allow you to build lean muscle and increase your ability to move heavier loads efficiently. Our #Powerful training blocks are 3 weeks long, so our next one starts on August 11th and leads us into October, when we’ll be testing out our strength!

Don’t forget, your first class is always FREE! Stop on in to the front desk to score your first class on us.

-Tristan