The holiday season is one of the most magical times in Pittsburgh. From the glowing lights Downtown to the traditions celebrated across our neighborhoods, the city embraces a spirit of warmth and togetherness. But beyond the festivities, this time of year invites us to pause, reflect, and support the people and communities who need it most.

 

If you’re looking for meaningful ways to give back this year, Pittsburgh offers a wide range of local events, volunteer opportunities, and charitable initiatives that make it easy to make a difference. Here are several heartfelt ways to spread generosity across the city this holiday season:

 

1. Pittsburgh Community Food Bank 
   • Union Fitness is a donation site for the Pittsburgh Community Food Bank for the entire month of December. We’re accepting a wide variety of items, including canned goods, dry goods, household essentials, and hygiene products. Every donation, big or small, helps support families in our community during the holiday season. Anytime this month, stop by the gym and help us fill the donation boxes located at the front desk. Together, we can make a meaningful impact and bring a little extra warmth to those who need it most.
2. Holiday Lights Run for Charity
   • Fleet Feet is hosting a holiday lights run sponsored by Union Fitness! This event will take place Thursday, December 18th, 5:30PM at Nova Place. The event is free, but you can RSVP HERE! Come early to participate in the raffle with prize baskets from vendors and community partners. Pittsburgh Food Bank will be the charity partner.
3. Help a Neighbor Clear Their Snowy Driveway
   • The City of Pittsburgh’s Snow Angels Program helps dealing with the wintry seasons a little easier for seniors. Specifically, this program serves as a connection between older residents and residents with disabilities with nearby neighbors to assist them with snow removal from their sidewalks and walkways. Not only does this program help make winter weather less stressful, it helps strengthen neighborhoods and fosters relationships with local residents.
4. Help a Furry Friend Find a Home for the Holidays (and forever!)
   • Organizations like Animal Friends offer animal-lover volunteers a wide range of opportunities such as spending time with shelter animals, bringing pet therapy to those who need it most, lending a hand at a low-cost clinic, greeting guests at a signature gala, and everything in between!
5. Give Diapers to Families in Need
   • Diapers are a much needed and often costly expense for families with little financial support resources available. The Western Pennsylvania Diaper Bank helps to provide disposable diapers by coordinating collection drives and then distributing to families in need. Volunteers can help with the coordination and distribution efforts, as well as help be advocates and ambassadors in the community to raise awareness.
6. Serve a Holiday Meal to The Homeless
   • For most of us, the holiday season triggers excitement for festive foods and treats shared with our loved ones. But for others, that’s not always the case, and there are several local organizations that have set out to help. Holiday Meals for the Homeless is a program from the Salvation Army that sponsors both Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners in the days before and after the holidays. The Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank looks for volunteers to help sort, inspect, and box food donations, as well as distribute to people in the area through food pantries, soup kitchens, and shelters. 412 Food Rescue is an organization where volunteers can help transport food from donors to nonprofit partners. With pick-ups happening daily and logistics coordinated through an easy-to-use mobile app, giving back can take as little as 30 minutes!

 

Pittsburgh is a city built on community, generosity, and heart. This holiday season, take time to explore the countless ways you can make a difference, whether through food donations, volunteering, supporting local businesses, or simply spreading kindness.

 

If you’re ever unsure where to start, VisitPITTSBURGH is an excellent resource for finding events, holiday volunteer opportunities, and community initiatives happening across the region.

 

-Ashley

We are restructuring our membership options and moving from five tiers down to two. Below is a detailed breakdown of how each current tier transitions into the updated membership structure in the new year, including grandfathered pricing details for active members.

 

Beginning January 1, 2026, we will offer two membership tiers:

1. Fitness Center – Provides full access to the current Fitness Center and Strength Lab spaces.
2. UF Unlimited – Provides full access to the current Fitness Center, Strength Lab spaces as well as full access to all of our classes.

Current → 2026 Membership Tiers

Fitness Center:

• Current Access: Front portion of the gym back to the double glass doors
• Current Rate: $39/month
• Updated Access: Full gym access, both front and back (Strength Lab) areas
• New Rate (Effective 7/1/26): $49/month
• Grandfathering: Current members remain at $39/month until 6/30/26.
• Requirement: Members must submit a membership change form by 12/19/25, if they would like updated Fitness Center and Strength Lab access starting with the new year.

 

Strength Lab → Fitness Center

• Current Access: Full facility (front + back gym areas)
• Current Rate: $75/month
• Updated Tier Rate: $49/month
• Requirement: Members must submit a membership change form by 12/19/25 to qualify for the updated 2026 rates.
• Note: This tier name expires January 1, 2026

 

Cardio Lab → Expires

• Current Access: Full facility + all Cardio & Yoga classes
• Current Rate: $90/month
• Membership Tier Expires on: 6/30/26 for current members and will not be available for new members starting on 1/1/26.
• Grandfathering: Current members keep their rate and current access through 6/30/26
• Next Steps (Effective 7/1/26): Choose either
  • UF Unlimited, or
  • Fitness Center via a completed Membership Change Form

 

UF Unlimited:

• Current Access: Full facility + all cardio, yoga, and strength classes
• Current Rate: $125/month
• No Change for active members currently paying $125/month
• Others: 6-month grace period; all not already at $125 will be adjusted to $125 by 6/30/26, no action needed, pricing will be updated automatically starting on 7/1/26.

 

Wellness Plus → Expires

• Current Access: UF Unlimited + one 60-minute massage per month
• Current Rate: $175/month
• Membership Tier Expires on: 12/31/25
• Final Benefits: All remaining massages must be scheduled before 12/31/25
• Next Steps: Current members must submit a membership change form by 12/19/25 to transition to:
  • UF Unlimited, or
  • Fitness Center via a completed Membership Change Form

 

Current, active members will be grandfathered into current pricing for a period of time, ensuring a smooth and supportive transition. Many members will gain additional access as part of these improvements.

 

Our mission remains the same: to provide a welcoming, supportive, and empowering space for every person who walks through our doors. These updates help us continue delivering top-tier services while keeping memberships simple and valuable.

 

Stay tuned for more details — and as always, thank you for being part of the Union Fitness community.

 

FAQ’s Membership Tier Changes

 

Why are membership tiers changing?
We are simplifying our offerings from five tiers down to two to ensure clearer options, better consistency, and improved value for all members.

 

What are the new tiers?
Beginning 1/1/26, we will only offer:

 

• Fitness Center — Full gym access (front + back areas)
• UF Unlimited — Full facility access + all cardio, yoga, and strength classes

 

What happens to my current membership?
Every existing tier transitions differently. Here’s a quick guide:

 

Current Tier	New Status	Member Action Needed?	Grandfathered Pricing
Fitness Center ($39)	Stays Fitness Center	No	Keep $39 until 6/30/26
Strength Lab ($75)	Becomes Fitness Center	Yes — complete membership change form by 12/19/25	New rate $49 effective 1/1/26 with a completed change form
Cardio Lab ($90)	Expires 6/30/26	Choose new tier effective 7/1/26	Keep $90 until 6/30/26
UF Unlimited ($125)	Stays UF Unlimited	No (if currently paying $125)	New pricing applies 7/1/26 if not already at $125
Wellness Plus ($175)	Expires 12/31/25	Change form by 12/19/25 + use remaining massages	N/A

 

What does “grandfathered rate” mean?
If you are an active member in a membership tier transitioning to a new price, you can continue paying your current rate until the posted adjustment date, as long as your membership remains active and in good standing. Cancelled/Unpaid/Inactive/Expired memberships cannot take advantage of these grandfathered rates after 1/1/26.

 

Do inactive or canceled members qualify for grandfathering?
No, only members with active accounts and no breaks in membership.

 

Will benefits change?
Yes — access is increasing for many members.
For example, current Fitness Center members will gain full facility access.

 

Do I need to do anything right now?
Only if your tier requires a change form (Strength Lab, Cardio Lab, Wellness Plus). Otherwise, we will handle your adjustment automatically.

 

Where can I get help or submit changes?
Visit the front desk or contact us at any time, we’re here to guide you through the transition. Our membership change form lives on the Contact tab on our website: unionfitness.com/contact/

On Monday, November 3rd, Union Fitness hosted a bootcamp in support of Crisis Center North. It was inspiring to see our members and the CCN community unite, sweating it out, fostering camaraderie, and contributing to a cause that aids those affected by domestic violence. The event kicked off with a warm welcome, followed by an intense hour-long workout blending cardio and strength exercises. Our head personal trainer, Tristan Hillebert, led the strength portion and one of our high-quality trainers, Hannah Empfield, led the cardio portion. We were able to have participants using both the performance lab and the cardio lab. This allowed them to have more space and see more of what we offer at Union Fitness! We concluded with a poignant moment as a courageous survivor from CCN shared her personal journey battling domestic violence. 

 

Bringing our community together to emphasize the significance of physical activity for our wellbeing and raise awareness about local resources is a core mission at Union Fitness. We will continue to stand together, prioritize our health, and advocate for those in need.

 

-Ashley

What’s up UF family! After 3.5 years of being a full-time employee, and 1 year of being a part time employee total, the time has finally come for me to say goodbye to Union Fitness and step into a new chapter of my life. This decision was not made lightly, it has been an emotional process of reflection, gratitude, and hope for what lies ahead.

 

When I first stepped through the doors of Union Fitness, I could never have imagined how much this place would come to mean to me. It has been far more than just a job. It has become more like a second home. A place that over the years has been filled with smiles, happy tears, sad tears, lots of early mornings, and lots of late nights. A place where I have watched many lives transform. Not just physically, but mentally and emotionally as well. And I enjoyed every second of that.

 

As a manager, I have had the incredible privilege of working with a passionate team who showed up every day ready to inspire, push boundaries, and create a welcoming space for every single member. Your energy has been infectious, your dedication unmatched, and your friendships are something I will always carry with me no matter what. You will all go far and do great no matter where you choose to end up in your lives.

 

To the most important part about UF, our members: you really are the heart of this gym. Your commitment, strength, and growth have been the most rewarding part of my time here. Thank you for trusting me, challenging me, and letting me be a part of your fitness journeys. Watching your progress has inspired me more than I can put into words. I wish every single one of you the best in your future endeavors and appreciate all of the time we spent together.

 

This isn’t a goodbye forever, just farewell for now. I will still be cheering you all on, just from a different place. As I move on to explore a brand-new industry and lifestyle, I leave here with lessons that will serve me for a lifetime.

 

To everyone at Union Fitness: thank you. You have made this experience more than just a job. You have made it a community, and I’m forever grateful to have been a part of it.

 

Stay strong, stay moving, and never stop pushing yourself.

 

With heartfelt gratitude,
Toria Crispin

What’s up UF Squad! I wanted to take a few minutes to highlight our Push/Pull charity event from 2 weeks ago. Thank you to every single one of you who came out to compete and those who helped donate some money to a special cause as well. We ended up raising $671.50 overall for the No Empty Seats charity.

 

The No Empty Seats mission is to break the stigma behind mental illness and encourage showing unconditional love to friends and family. They invest in nationally recognized suicide prevention charities and share stories revealing the unspoken prevalence of depression and anxiety. Their goal is to emphasize the tragic effects of suicide, with partnered initiatives and projects spreading genuine compassion and acts of kindness.

 

Another big thank you to all our staff members and interns who volunteered for a few hours on their Saturday morning to help the event to run both quickly and smoothly. Congratulations to all our top lifters and to all of those who hit some PR’s on that Saturday. We love to see your progress and the work you all put in at the gym.

 

Cheers to another great event and looking forward to next years!

 

Team UF

Hey Union Fitness Fam!

 

My name is Emily Roan, and I’m beyond excited to be here!

 

I’m bringing over 10 years of experience managing large-scale recreation facilities—everything from fitness centers and climbing walls to indoor/outdoor courts, tracks, turf fields, and swimming pools. It’s been a wild ride, and I’m so pumped to bring that experience into this next chapter with all of you.

 

When I’m not at the gym, you’ll find me running my small business, Odie Bear Brand, where I handmake dog accessories (because dogs are the best, and I’m a little artsy fartsy—it’s my favorite creative outlet). I also love being outdoors—growing up in rural Central PA left its mark on me. Hiking, biking, camping, kayaking… count me in. I’m also a big travel bug and try to cross off a new state or country whenever I get the chance.

 

My husband and I have two mini Bernedoodles, Odie and Zoey, who are truly two of my best buds.

 

Please come say hi if I don’t beat you to it! Catch me in the gym soon, I’ll be the tall one belly laughing at someone’s joke, dancing to my playlist in between sets and helping you crush your goals!

 

Let’s gooo 💪✨
—Emily

Hello Union Fitness gang!

 

My name is Tristan Hillebert! Some of you may remember me from many moons ago, I completed my internship through Union in 2023 and worked the front desk for a brief period after.  I have spent the past two years away from Union working at Shape Training where I trained one-on-one, semi-private, and coached athletes ranging from youth to professional. I’m excited to be back, and will be joining the team as the Head of Personal Training.

 

In my free time away from coaching I enjoy anything that gets me outside… fishing, shooting, working on my truck, etc.  I also played hockey at the NCAA level, and enjoy playing in local adult leagues with buddies from school.  Like every retired athlete I’ve developed quite an addiction to golf in my down time.  If you ever want to talk sports, outdoors, or just want to chat, feel free to come say hi!

 

Tristan

Hello!

 

My name is Josh Daub. I was born and raised in Milton, PA. I am currently in my last semester at the University of Pittsburgh for a Bachelors in Exercise Science. In the fall of 2025, I will attend Chatham University’s Physical Therapy program.

 

I have a passion for exercise and physical therapy! This started because of my experience as an athlete in high school who dealt with injuries. My favorite form of exercise is resistance training with a hypertrophy focus. Outside of the gym I enjoy watching sports, playing video games, hiking, and kayaking.

 

I am excited to learn from the staff at Union and to get to know everyone this semester. If you need any help around the gym, don’t be afraid to ask!

 

Josh