Hello, my name is Allyssa Space! I am a personal trainer and will also be leading powerful classes as well as some of the collegiate teams here at Union Fitness. I’m from Warrenton, Virginia, and just moved to pgh about a month ago! I graduated in May from Shenandoah University in Virginia where I played Softball. I earned my Bachelor’s in Exercise Science, and am now working on my Doctorate of Physical Therapy at Pitt. I am also working towards getting my CSCS, and would like to work in D1 or professional sports when I graduate.

I have been immersed in sports my whole life, and with that I have sustained many injuries. I want to help others recovering from injury not only get back to where they were prior, but better. I am also a big proponent of injury prevention, and think it should be included for everybody, not just athletes. I also believe it’s essential to be active in any way you can! I want to help athletes be stronger and faster on the field/ court and help others reach their fitness goals, be comfortable in the gym, and just feel good about themselves physically and mentally. Outside of the gym, I love to hike and kayak, and am also a big baker!

Allyssa

Maxwell

My name is Caroline Mullineaux and I’m from Frederick, Maryland. I recently completed my Bachelor’s in Health Sciences at Saint Vincent College, and am currently completing my Doctorate of Physical Therapy at Chatham University. I am passionate about physical fitness and sport performance and have always had a sport-oriented lifestyle. I played collegiate lacrosse during all four years of my undergraduate education, and I also enjoy running, strength training, and hiking. While I’m not training or working, I enjoy watching the Pittsburgh Pirates and spending time with family and friends.

While at Saint Vincent, I worked closely with the Football and Men’s and Women’s basketball teams as a student strength coach. I’m excited to be involved in UF’s personal training and class services because they will allow me to continue to grow as a personal trainer and to gain experience with a wide variety of members. I look forward to learning new styles of training and variations of traditional strength exercises. I’m thankful for the privilege to help others achieve their fitness goals and to make personal connections with each member I meet here at Union. Thank you, everyone, for this opportunity!

Caroline

A few times each year I review what we have been doing and what we will be doing in the near future. Today, I want to take you on this trip to the past and future with me. UF has been busy as always, CeJ has run a few of his beer bootcamps already, we have hosted another successful powerlifting meet and our classes are busy as usual. Below I will touch on some of the other things we have done or are doing.

Donations

As always we are doing the best we can to donate to local charities. Here is a short list of charities we have either donated to or worked with so far this year.

1. Homeless Children’s Education Fund.
2. Heart of Glass Animal Rescue.
3. Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.
4. The Open Door Inc.
5. Veterans Leadership Program.
6. Heart of Glass Animal Rescue 
7. Planned Parenthood of Western Pennsylvania

And we have more to come in 2023.

Events

Pride Night. Join us this Saturday July 15th at 4 PM for a fun bootcamp style workout. This will be followed by local comedians, taking the UF stage. Pride night is always one of our best events all year.

United Not Divided. We are proud to again host this event. We work closely to plan this event with Leg1on on bringing together 7 gyms from the region for a fun day of workouts. Come by for this fun day of training, food trucks, and other special activities.

New Vending

In 2022 we added smart vending machines. We were the first gym in the country to use these machines, and they have been a huge hit. Now we have added one more with meals, chilled coffee drinks, and more beverage options.

That’s a brief review of what’s happening at the U. As always if you have any questions, comments, or concerns please bring them up to us.

Yours in strength,

Todd Hamer

I can’t believe it has already been a full year since I first started working at Union fitness. My journey to Union has always been a full circle moment for me. Let me tell you why.

My strength coach in college was David Kitchens, and he was there for 3 years of my college track and field career at my alma mater Susquehanna University. He might not know it, but the values he instilled in me would make a statement in my life moving forward.

3 years after graduation, I finished up graduate school and moved to Pittsburgh for my first official job after college. I knew I wanted to get into training and coaching, but I didn’t know where to start. I had a friend who was coaching at Union and introduced me to the famous Todd Hamer. Low and behold, right before I met Todd, he got off the phone with my old strength coach Kitch. Turns out he had interned at Union back in the day and in that moment, I knew this would be the place for me.

I was right, because now after a year later from starting at Union, I can say confidently that this gym has given me an opportunity that few receive. I have made incredible friendships, learned and continue my growth as a coach, and allowed me the opportunity to help so many push towards their goals and aspirations.

If you want to make a change, get stronger, and have some of the best minds have your back and support you, then Union Fitness is the place for you. I am so thankful for a full year here, and I cannot wait for what’s to come next.

Thank you,

Dylan Heisey

Hello! My name is Sydney Libell. I started my internship with Union Fitness this month. I am from Cranberry Township, and I am a sophomore at Penn State. I’m studying for my bachelors in kinesiology and looking into multiple different career paths! I’ve been working out for about six years and lifting for three. My hobbies outside of lifting include being outside, spontaneous adventures, cooking, playing with my dog, and much more.

I found out about Union Fitness after Todd Hamer came to PSU. He came to a Kinesiology Club meeting and talked about UF. I knew I wanted to start interning this summer and I have had a couple gyms on my list. Once Todd came in, I knew I was pretty much set on wanting to come and learn more from the trainers at Union.

I grew up limited to a small community due to my parents sending me to a private school. Since being in college and having opportunities like my internship at Union Fitness allows me to see more into the real world. I appreciate so much about how different everyone can be. My favorite thing since my 2 weeks of being here is that our personal trainers get matched to their clients based off interest and goals and not just so someone can have a client. Working well with people is so important and shadowing different trainers allows for much more appreciation for Union.

My goal this summer is to learn as much as I can about programming, mobility, teaching, and more. I’m happy to be a part of this little community here at Union Fitness.

Sydney