We try a unique approach to personal training at Union Fitness. We don’t have trainers walking the floor trying to sell you things you don’t need. Instead, we first assess each client’s physical health and wellness, fitness background, and goals. Then we pair that individual with one of our trainers that is best suited to help the client reach their goals in the most efficient way possible.
Most clients are just searching for motivation, accountability, or knowledge. They want to lose weight, strengthen nagging injuries, or just get back into the swing of things at the gym. But we’ve also successfully trained clients to improve their hobbies inside and outside of the gym including downhill bicycle racing, marathons, powerlifting, and olympic weightlifting.
Dahveed Jorge
Head Personal Trainer
Jose Dahveed Jorge is originally from Caracas, Venezuela but moved to the United States when he was 14. He moved to Findlay, Ohio, where he attended Findlay High School and competed on the swim team. Dahveed then attended Bowling Green State University and was in the Athletic Training program for two years and worked with multiple sports, football being one of his favorites. He then decided to specialize in strength and conditioning. During that time, he completed two internships- one at a Physical Therapy clinic in Findlay, and another at Fastrak Performance, a private strength and conditioning facility in Perrysburg, Ohio.
Dahveed graduated with his degree in Exercise Science with a minor in Kinesiology. After graduating, he got a job as a strength and conditioning coach at Fastrak Performance, where he worked with athletes from middle school to college and professional. Since joining Union Fitness, Dahveed has worked with our college teams and clients. Dahveed’s goal as a coach is to help people become the best version of themselves, not just in the weight room but in their everyday life.
Charles Jasper (CJ)
Personal Trainer
CJ is a Pittsburgh area native who attended Blackhawk High School where he played football. In his first few years of college, he attended Duquesne where he competed on the men’s rowing team. He then went to Slippery Rock University to finish his degree and became a student strength coach for football and women’s basketball. After graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science he interned with Ohio State Football and Robert Morris University. After his intern stints, he worked as a strength and conditioning coach with the New York Mets organization, Morehead State and Youngstown State. During his time at YSU he was a member of the coaching staff the took the football team to the 2017 National Championship game. In 2016 CJ got his Master’s degree in wellness promotion from Morehead. He is also a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist through the NSCA. CJ is passionate about training athletes, youth, weekend warriors and anyone looking to live well.
Hannah Empfield
Personal Trainer
Pittsburgh native Hannah grew up in a family where there is a heavy focus on living a healthy and active life. She played fast-pitch softball for over a decade and has been an avid golfer since middle school. When not in the gym you can find Hannah spending time with family, on the golf course, or hiking with her dog Quinn. Hannah originally pursued a degree in Forestry from West Virginia University with the intent to work in the national park systems. With a change of heart post covid and a short stint as a rock climbing instructor Hannah then put her focus into becoming a part of the Health and Wellness community. She received her personal training certification through NASM and has been working as a trainer ever since. With her clients Hannah focuses on helping them build sustainable habits in the gym that can improve their overall wellbeing and day to day life. If she’s not with her one on one clients you can find Hannah coaching group classes where she creates a high energy and inclusive space for anyone and everyone regardless of their past experience. Hannah works hard to create a personalized approach that prioritizes balance in making healthy choices both attainable and enjoyable for her clients.
Ethan Raese
Personal TrainerEthan has been involved in the field of strength & conditioning for close to a decade now. While studying exercise science at the University of Pittsburgh, he spent many hours working under coaches at the colligate level. Ethan has also worked in the private sector giving him the opportunity to experience a broad spectrum of athletes from high school to Division 1 and even up to the professional level. Ethan has two highly respected certifications including certified strength and conditioning special (CSCS) through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) as well as a certification in USA Weightlifting Level 2 Coach. Currently, he is the strength coach for the Carnegie Mellon football program. And in working with clients at Union Fitness, he uses his background in multiple sports and disciplines to help each client reach their goals.
Kyle Hartman
Personal Trainer
Kyle is a young professional in the field of sports performance. He is a graduate of the University at Buffalo where he finished with a major in Exercise Science and a minor in Nutrition. He has since earned his Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) certification from the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) and is pursuing a graduate degree in Sports Science from the University of Pittsburgh.
Having completed internships at a research laboratory with the University at Buffalo, Buffalo Sports Performance, and Pitt Sports Science, Kyle has found his passion in applying scientific principles to help others achieve their strength and fitness goals. The cultivating of meaningful relationships and building rapport with clients, athletes, and fellow coaches has been the most fulfilling aspect of his journey thus far and he aims to continue surrounding himself with amazing people.
Miranda Gard
Personal Trainer
Miranda is from one of the many small towns of the Pennsylvanian countryside. With a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science from Chatham University, Miranda continues her passion of fitness and sports at Union Fitness. From a young age, Miranda started gymnastics which gradually lead to competing in other sports as she made her way through high school, picking up cheerleading, volleyball, and track and field. In college, Miranda pursued track and field as a pole vaulter and continues to hold the school records for pole vault. Miranda is continuing her education with Chatham’s Physical Therapy program. Her previous experiences of coaching gymnastics, cheerleading, and swimming set up the foundation for her current position as a personal trainer and coach at Union Fitness, and a strength coach at Carnegie Mellon University.
Mary Howski
Personal Trainer
Mary has been an athlete since she was in grade school, competing on a school volleyball team that went to state championships and a club volleyball team that went to nationals. She is currently studying Exercise Science at Pitt, and she hopes to pursue a career in strength and conditioning. Originally she studied psychology at Boston College, but once she got her certificate in personal training, she realized quickly that she had a much stronger passion for working with athletes and figuring out how to make them perform at their highest possible level. She helps with Chatham Women’s Soccer and Chatham Men’s Hockey at Union, and will be working with Pitt Men’s and Women’s Basketball. She enjoys working in personal training and with group exercise where she has experience, but her favorite atmosphere will always be with a team in the weight room.
