Happy Anniversary to Instinct Fitness

On April 21, 2011 Instinct Fitness moved into 331 Station Street. Prior to that we spent a few months getting started at a place on McLaughlin Run Rd.  It meant a lot for us to get into this space since this is where Instinct Fitness was truly founded. 

Here is a video from 2008 back when Jason Turko ran the show.

I lived a few blocks from the gym Martial Arts Sports Complex (MASC) for years before I ever stepped foot into it.  One day in 2007 my instincts told me to take a look and try the place out.  At MASC I was exposed to a whole new world of fitness.  I spent a year or so training there before making a career move to State College.

After moving to State College I realized that what existed at 331 Station Street was a truly unique fitness experience.  I was inspired to start my own version one day and developed the vision for Instinct Fitness.  After attending a few certification courses I started training from my apartment and at local parks.  At one point I even was hauling my bells into a commercial gym.  Frustrated with the lack of functional training gyms, I wanted to create a place just like MASC. 

In late 2010, Jason and I set out to do Instinct Fitness for real.   We always wanted to start at 331 Station St., but the dollars didn't make sense at the time.  We started in a racket ball court for a few months and then moved into Pittsburgh Sports Performance Center on April 21, 2011. 

Here are some pictures and videos of our journey: 

Free workout in the park.

Here is what 331 Station St. looked like 3 years ago:

 

I am proud to say my training methods have evolved and will continue to evolve as I continue to learn and grow.  Instinct Fitness is poised to grow and develop into the premier training gym in the South Hills of Pittsburgh.  I can not thank everyone enough for being part of this journey.  Happy Anniversary to us!

 Justin Thomas

Instinct Fitness

Suburban Wilds

Suburban Wilds - the patches of green space that are intertwined within our communities. 

Getting out in nature is very important to our peace of mind and health, and in today’s over-connected world we need to unplug and experience nature.  Getting outside in nature does not require a long drive or a bunch of gear.  All you really need are shoes with traction (that you don’t mind getting a little muddy) and a water bottle. What a lot of people don't realize is how many beautiful places are close to our homes in Pittsburgh.  I like to call these gems the Suburban Wilds.

All throughout the Pittsburgh area there are land trusts that are preserving green space for us to enjoy (Check out the Allegheny Land Trust and Hollow Oak Land Trust).  It is amazing since some places feel as if you are far from anything yet you are often in the shadow of the daily hustle. For most of my life I have been taking advantage of them on a weekly basis.  I think it is important I share some of these experiences so you can discover and enjoy them as well. 

Montour Woods

I was recently informed of a new suburban wild by Ben Brilmyer: the Montour Woods Conservation Area (find the trail head here). The property is owned by the Hollow Oak Land Trust and is located off of Hassam Road in Moon Township, only a 20 minute drive from Bridgeville.  The trail head has a nice parking area and a porta-john.  As I looked at the map I realized the property was part of my old teenage stomping grounds, and this same area used to be a rutty 4x4 trail.  I remember getting stuck down here multiple times in vehicles not built to handle such terrain.  It was amazing to see an area that was once considered dumpy turned into a suburban wild.

We headed down the swampy trail and traveled along the Meeks Run trail, which follows and crosses Meeks Run a few times.  At the end of the Meeks run trail we reached a beautiful home that sat at the edge of the land trust’s property.   At this point we back tracked on Meeks and a found a trail marked as under development on the map.  The new trail traversed up the valley overlooking Meeks run.  The trail meets up with the Power Line trail which is a straight up climb to a pond at the end of the Ewings Mills plan in Moon . Here sits a tribute in memory of two boys who drowned in 1993.

The trail continues along the pond and intersects with Baseball Trail which has no relation to baseball, but is actually on old Nike missile site. Be aware of your surroundings as dirt bikes still use the trails. We explored the old site a bit and headed back to the Hemlock trail which traverses the eastern ridge providing an amazing view of some of the more opulent homes in Moon township. At one point the wind gushed with a powerful force giving an exhilarating sense of nature.  Being tucked into the folds of suburbia enjoying the hawks flying above and moss covered fallen trees, the area provided the much needed sense of desolation and peace.

We followed the hemlock trail off the ridge and back into the valley. We lost the leaf covered trail a few times but were well aware of where we were going. At the bottom we found a nice resting spot with a small waterfall.  We forged the run and returned to Meeks run trail which takes you to where it meets Montour Run. Here you can climb your way to a rock beach and watch the water flow by as it meanders it's way to the Ohio river.  Pittsburgh is slowly returning some of its natural beauty with touches of its industrial past.  On the trail you can find remnants of oil wells and the equipment that supported them. 

 

 

Considerations for hiking:

• Prepare for different conditions and expect to get muddy.   A change of shoes can be kept in your car.
• Carry a water bottle.
• Dress in layers.
• Take a camera (or put your phone on airplane mode so you aren’t distracted)
• Most areas provide a map. Check it frequently as you hike.
• Have fun!
• Pack out some trash you find on the trail and help keep it clean.

Justin Thomas
Instinct Fitness