Tag Archives: pittsburgh pilates

FitLabPGH Features 23:21 Laura Breen Escott (Repost)




FitLabPGH is a podcast about movement and movement opportunities in the Pittsburgh, PA area.  Once a week we also highlight a FitLabPGH mover…someone who understands that movement is a lifestyle…not just an activity.  The questions are lightly edited to allow for easy readability.  Click FitLabPGH Features for more info if you want to be featured/know someone who should be featured.

This Week: Laura Breen Escott

Are you a Pittsburgh native? If not, what brought you to the Pittsburgh area? If so, why are you still here? I grew up in Phoenix, Az. I came to Pittsburgh in 2002 to be close to my family when they moved to Pittsburgh for a job change. Within 3 years my family had all moved back to AZ. I ended up staying because I met my husband here and his work kept us in Pa at that time. Since then we stayed because we wanted to establish a good foundation for our son. At first Pittsburgh was a difficult transition for me. Especially the weather! I will never get used to the winters. Now, I love Pittsburgh! (Still not the cold) but for the growth in art, development, restaurants, culture and the wellness expansion.

What are your three favorite movement activities in the Pittsburgh area? Creating and moving in Meraki studio. (Rebounding, Pilates & sculpting classes revolving around supporting muscle structure) Walking in the Strip by the river to the Pointe. Stand up paddle boarding

Describe the best vacation you’ve ever taken? Where did you go? What movement activities did you include? The Dominican Republic. We stayed in a very private location with only 7 villas on the property on the beach. It was extremely private and we were able to really fully unplug and restore. We walked on the beach daily and hiked to various waterfalls and lagoons. It was secluded and magical.

What is your favorite pre- or post-workout snack? I prefer to eat fresh foods like fruit or veggies but if I don’t have access to these I will eat a Sakara Detox bar.

What is your favorite thing to eat in Pittsburgh? Note: it does not need to be healthy. B52, Soba, Nicky’s Thai! So many things from here.

Do you have a movement activity on your “bucket list”? If not, what’s a movement activity/event you’re looking forward to in the next year? Travel! Would include lots of walking to explore and experience the new environment. And walking the Camino De Santiago.

What do you think is the biggest obstacle to getting people to move more? I think people have the notion they need to be good at it or “perform” well. The thought process should shift from exercise or working out to, like [FitLabPGH says], “move” or “movement.” This is a primal desire. We just need to move without any expectations or pressure about what that means or should look like. The experience is simply movement. The benefits are from moving. Mind, body, emotion, soul. Are all interconnected through physicality.

What do you feel is the most adventurous movement activity you’ve ever done? Pilates! Ha. (I mean sometimes you have to be real brave to go upside down on equipment) Water rafting excursion

What is your favorite recovery or self-care practice? Infrared sauna heat therapy

What is your favorite spot in Pittsburgh? (Bonus points if it is a “hidden gem”) My home (homebody) & Mt. Washington

Contact info for Laura Breen Escott:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurabreenescott/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meraki_studio412/


FitLabPGH Features 18:21 Erica Strasser (Repost)




FitLabPGH is a podcast about movement and movement opportunities in the Pittsburgh, PA area.  Once a week we also highlight a FitLabPGH mover…someone who understands that movement is a lifestyle…not just an activity.  The questions are lightly edited to allow for easy readability.  Click FitLabPGH Features for more info if you want to be featured/know someone who should be featured.

This Week: Erica Strasser

Are you a Pittsburgh native? If not, what brought you to the Pittsburgh area? If so, why are you still here? Pittsburgh native! But I’ve lived in Ohio (Cincinnati) and in Florida (Siesta Key) for periods of time.

What are your three favorite movement activities in the Pittsburgh area? Dog park walks with my pup Zoe! , yoga @ South Hills Power Yoga, Tennis at Highland Park tennis courts.

Describe the best vacation you’ve ever taken? Where did you go? What movement activities did you include? Panama was an amazing vacation! I was there for two weeks. I did lots of running through the small towns and swimming/snorkeling in the Gulf with my daughter and seeing the Coral reef

What is your favorite pre- or post-workout snack? Pre workout- Nuun sports electrolyte tabs lemon lime 🙂 post workout- coffee and a banana or PB&J

What is your favorite thing to eat in Pittsburgh? Note: it does not need to be healthy. Country Style VEGAN pizza in Bridgeville

Do you have a movement activity on your “bucket list”? If not, what’s a movement activity/event you’re looking forward to in the next year? Triathlon before 50 yrs old (9 years) and Paris Marathon

What do you think is the biggest obstacle to getting people to move more? People are resistant to changing their comfortable lifestyle. Stepping out of a comfortable health and wellness box is difficult. Especially for diet change. Getting folks motivated to move in the winter months is always an obstacle. I try to lead by example.

What do you feel is the most adventurous movement activity you’ve ever done? Zip lining in North park! Very fun and super challenging for me to land on my feet!

What is your favorite recovery or self-care practice? Sauna therapy- currently at Pure Sweat Pgh and practicing Pilates on off days from running.

What is your favorite spot in Pittsburgh? (Bonus points if it is a “hidden gem”) West End Overlook in Elliot City neighborhood of Pittsburgh

Contact info for Erica Strasser:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erica_strasser40/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/erica.britsch


FitLabPGH Features 14:21 Cecile Elias (Repost)




FitLabPGH is a podcast about movement and movement opportunities in the Pittsburgh, PA area.  Once a week we also highlight a FitLabPGH mover…someone who understands that movement is a lifestyle…not just an activity.  The questions are lightly edited to allow for easy readability.  Click FitLabPGH Features for more info if you want to be featured/know someone who should be featured.

This Week: Cecile Elias

Are you a Pittsburgh native? If not, what brought you to the Pittsburgh area? If so, why are you still here? Born and raised! I’m the only one of my parents’ 5 children that have never lived out of state. I’ve gone back and forth, between Allegheny and Washington Counties but never lived on the other side of the bridges or tunnels. I’ve traveled quite a bit, but circumstances as a young adult just sucked me into staying, I suppose! I married a rebound guy at 21 and was divorced with a mortgage at 23. My Pilates practice kept growing and at some point I found myself in a position where I had it too good to leave! However, the adaptations that I’ve made during “stay at home” orders are proof that I can make it work anywhere. For the past 3 years or so, my husband and I have talked about moving to a warmer, dryer climate…

What are your three favorite movement activities in the Pittsburgh area? Hiking/running/walking- can that be one? I love to be outdoors, especially surrounded by nature! PILATES!!! Yoga

Describe the best vacation you’ve ever taken? Where did you go? What movement activities did you include? I feel like there are best vacations for different categories! For movement, I workout during every vacation. Typically, I run or walk a lot while I’m away and make a point to find a Pilates studio or do my own mat. I also might do a body weight circuit or HIIT style workout and home or away I do a little bit of daily yoga. I’ve loved my European trips and nothing beats a week on the beach. Last August, my husband and I visited Yellowstone for the first time with my bother, sister and brother in law . The whole week was centered around hiking. We’ve done a couple shorter trips to Colorado like that. This might be my favorite type of trip!

What is your favorite pre- or post-workout snack? I’d rather eat after and I don’t “snack”, so it’s just a whole meal! Properly raised protein, please! Salmon, steak, bone broth, pasture raised eggs, homemade jerky if I’m on the go, etc.

What is your favorite thing to eat in Pittsburgh? Note: it does not need to be healthy. Steak or I love a whole roasted fish!

Do you have a movement activity on your “bucket list”? If not, what’s a movement activity/event you’re looking forward to in the next year? Last year, I went white water rafting for the first time at Ohiopyle. I would love to do it again!!! Otherwise, maybe jiu jitsu?

What do you think is the biggest obstacle to getting people to move more? People have a hard time prioritizing it in their schedules. Everyone has time to do 10 push ups in a day. They have to prioritize it. There’s time…

What do you feel is the most adventurous movement activity you’ve ever done? Probably the white water rafting! I went with my dad and two uncles, who had all done it before and were on the swim team in college. I was the only one that didn’t fall out at some point! (I used my inner thighs like crazy to hang on!)

What is your favorite recovery or self-care practice? Do I have to pick just one? Sauna but followed closely by meditation, foam rolling and dry brushing

What is your favorite spot in Pittsburgh? (Bonus points if it is a “hidden gem”) As far as restaurants, my favorite thing is to go to different ones each time. I do very little repeats! On the outskirts of Pittsburgh, I really love Ohiopyle. (The folks out there are still Steelers Fans, so it counts!) My parents recently moved there and every time I visit them, it feels like vacation. That said, my favorite spots in the actual city of Pittsburgh are the parks!

Contact info for Cecile Elias:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cecile_elias_pilates/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cecile.wagner3


FitLabPGH Movement Tips & Lifestyle Hacks 11:21




@FitLabPGH Movement Tip & Lifestyle Hack Videos
movement is the normal not the abnormal because #movementisalifestyle

FitLabPGH is a Pittsburgh area podcast and promoter of the ethos movement is a lifestyle, not just an activity.  Each week we bring you 3 movement tip & lifestyle hack videos to help you treat movement as normal, not abnormal.

Week 11 of 2021be a good #hikingbuddy you don’t need to #crushit everytime and #runningshoes don’t forget function over flair…all promoting #movementisalifestyle

Want to tell your movement story, or the movement story of your 4 legged friend our FitLabPGH Feature gives you that opportunity.  This week we featured Gracie & Mia– a repost from their pandemic plan from March, 2020…who knew a year later their advice would still be relevent??

Learn more about our Features and submit a questionnaire to be highlighted.  If you are from outside the Pittsburgh area fill out a Movement is a Lifestyle Features.

 


FitLabPGH Features 11:21 Special Feature – Gracie and Mia



FitLabPGH is a podcast about movement and movement opportunities in the Pittsburgh, PA area.  Once a week we also highlight a FitLabPGH mover…someone who understands that movement is a lifestyle…not just an activity.  The questions are lightly edited to allow for easy readability.  Click FitLabPGH Features for more info if you want to be featured/know someone who should be featured.

This Week: A look back at a Special Feature: the Cats of FitLabPGH, Gracie and Mia

As we mark the one-year anniversary of pandemic restrictions in much of the U.S., we’re looking back at this Special Feature we released on 4/9/20, in which the cats of FitLabPGH, Gracie and Mia, offered their advice on how to embrace staying at home.

What are your three favorite home movement activities? Mia (the White and Black Cat): Climbing the stall bars; climbing the coat racks; and jumping on top of the fridge (the humans don’t love it when I do this)

Gracie (the Gray Cat): Chasing Mia around the house; pacing around the downstairs while I wait for the humans to feed me; and stretching/scratching on my cat condo

Any advice for humans who wish they could travel right now? Watch a virtual tour of where you want to go on the internet and enjoy planning your future vacation.  Although, we don’t really understand the appeal of travel because we have everything we need at home.

How about advice for humans who aren’t able to enjoy dining out in restaurants right now? Our staff members have our food delivered to the house…can’t the humans out there have their food delivered???

Any suggestions for humans who are bored at home? Use your imagination to create entertainment! Examples: Turn a delivery box into a fort or a bed. Meow at the top of your lungs until your staff members come running in a panic. Knock objects off the counter at 2am to let your staff members know it’s time to play.

What’s your advice to humans who miss their gyms and fitness facilities? See our answer above about favorite home movement activities! With a few toys and a little imagination, you humans can get your exercise fix at home!

What is your favorite home recovery or self-care practice? This one is easy, and all of you humans should add these two items to your daily agenda: 1) Make sure you get enough sleep! Worried that you haven’t slept enough? Make time for a nap. 2) Take time for daily mobility work – a couple of moves to try: cat stretch and downward-facing-cat.

Any last thoughts for humans coping with a Stay-At-Home order? Appreciate the little things, like taking a nap on a sunny windowsill or watching the birds eating at the birdfeeder.

Contact info for Gracie and Mia:  The Cats of FitLabPGH do not maintain their own social media accounts, but you can keep up with them through the following FitLabPGH accounts:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fitlabpgh/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fitlabpgh/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/fitlabpgh


FitLabPGH Features 37:20 Ashley Fortune



FitLabPGH is a podcast about movement and movement opportunities in the Pittsburgh, PA area.  Once a week we also highlight a FitLabPGH mover…someone who understands that movement is a lifestyle…not just an activity.  The questions are lightly edited to allow for easy readability.  Click FitLabPGH Features for more info if you want to be featured/know someone who should be featured.

This Week: Ashley Fortune (SweatNET Pittsburgh) (RePost from 1/2/20)

Are you a Pittsburgh native? If not, what brought you to the Pittsburgh area? No, I am from Seattle. Moving to Pittsburgh January 2020. My significant other is from Pittsburgh and has been wanting to move back. I am excited for the change and the opportunities of moving to Pittsburgh!

What are your three favorite movement activities in the Pittsburgh area? TBD!

Describe your fantasy movement-focused vacation…cost is not an object…where do you go and what do you do? I’m a tropical beach person so any beautiful island that offers beautiful hikes, stand-up paddle boarding, snorkeling and swimming in the waves

What is your go-to weekday breakfast? Your weekend breakfast? Weekday: Vegan protein smoothie mixed with kale, blueberries and a green juice. Weekends I love a delicious veggie scramble or hash with a mimosa!

What is your favorite thing to eat in Pittsburgh? Note: it does not need to be healthy. I’ve been to PGH a handful of times to visit and as cliché as it sounds I LOVE the Italian Sandwich from Primanti Bros – although, I have recently gone more pescatarian so I will need to find a new favorite! I will be on the hunt for the best Thai restaurant in the city!

What is the most unusual and/or challenging movement activity you’ve done? Would you do it again? I took an incredible but SUPER challenging boxing class. The “warm up” was about 20 min of full on HIIT following by 40 min of partner boxing combos and static movement. It took me way out of my comfort zone but I loved it and would go back in a heartbeat. I LOVE getting out of my comfort zone when I workout.

What movement activity/event are you looking forward to in the next year? Trying endless new workouts from studios and instructors around the Pittsburgh area as we work on launching SweatNET Pittsburgh in 2020

Would you rather go scuba diving or skydiving? Sky Diving – I love to snorkel but the idea of scuba diving makes me a little claustrophobic.

What is your favorite recovery or self-care practice? 90 min massage with added cupping!

What is the one place visitors to Pittsburgh “must” see? I’m a sucker for a good skyline so the incline is a MUST so they can see the incredible view. I also love roller coasters so Kennywood is where I plan to take all of my visitors.

Contact info for Ashley Fortune:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sweatnetpgh/

https://www.instagram.com/ashleyfortune_/


FitLabPGH Features 30:20 Laura Breen Escott




FitLabPGH is a podcast about movement and movement opportunities in the Pittsburgh, PA area.  Once a week we also highlight a FitLabPGH mover…someone who understands that movement is a lifestyle…not just an activity.  The questions are lightly edited to allow for easy readability.  Click FitLabPGH Features for more info if you want to be featured/know someone who should be featured.

This Week: Laura Breen Escott

Are you a Pittsburgh native? If not, what brought you to the Pittsburgh area? If so, why are you still here? I grew up in Phoenix, Az. I came to Pittsburgh in 2002 to be close to my family when they moved to Pittsburgh for a job change. Within 3 years my family had all moved back to AZ. I ended up staying because I met my husband here and his work kept us in Pa at that time. Since then we stayed because we wanted to establish a good foundation for our son. At first Pittsburgh was a difficult transition for me. Especially the weather! I will never get used to the winters. Now, I love Pittsburgh! (Still not the cold) but for the growth in art, development, restaurants, culture and the wellness expansion.

What are your three favorite movement activities in the Pittsburgh area? Creating and moving in Meraki studio. (Rebounding, Pilates & sculpting classes revolving around supporting muscle structure) Walking in the Strip by the river to the Pointe. Stand up paddle boarding

Describe the best vacation you’ve ever taken? Where did you go? What movement activities did you include? The Dominican Republic. We stayed in a very private location with only 7 villas on the property on the beach. It was extremely private and we were able to really fully unplug and restore. We walked on the beach daily and hiked to various waterfalls and lagoons. It was secluded and magical.

What is your favorite pre- or post-workout snack? I prefer to eat fresh foods like fruit or veggies but if I don’t have access to these I will eat a Sakara Detox bar.

What is your favorite thing to eat in Pittsburgh? Note: it does not need to be healthy. B52, Soba, Nicky’s Thai! So many things from here.

Do you have a movement activity on your “bucket list”? If not, what’s a movement activity/event you’re looking forward to in the next year? Travel! Would include lots of walking to explore and experience the new environment. And walking the Camino De Santiago.

What do you think is the biggest obstacle to getting people to move more? I think people have the notion they need to be good at it or “perform” well. The thought process should shift from exercise or working out to, like [FitLabPGH says], “move” or “movement.” This is a primal desire. We just need to move without any expectations or pressure about what that means or should look like. The experience is simply movement. The benefits are from moving. Mind, body, emotion, soul. Are all interconnected through physicality.

What do you feel is the most adventurous movement activity you’ve ever done? Pilates! Ha. (I mean sometimes you have to be real brave to go upside down on equipment) Water rafting excursion

What is your favorite recovery or self-care practice? Infrared sauna heat therapy

What is your favorite spot in Pittsburgh? (Bonus points if it is a “hidden gem”) My home (homebody) & Mt. Washington

Contact info for Laura Breen Escott:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurabreenescott/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meraki_studio412/


FitLabPGH Features 21:20 Cecile Elias




FitLabPGH is a podcast about movement and movement opportunities in the Pittsburgh, PA area.  Once a week we also highlight a FitLabPGH mover…someone who understands that movement is a lifestyle…not just an activity.  The questions are lightly edited to allow for easy readability.  Click FitLabPGH Features for more info if you want to be featured/know someone who should be featured.

This Week: Cecile Elias

Are you a Pittsburgh native? If not, what brought you to the Pittsburgh area? If so, why are you still here? Born and raised! I’m the only one of my parents’ 5 children that have never lived out of state. I’ve gone back and forth, between Allegheny and Washington Counties but never lived on the other side of the bridges or tunnels. I’ve traveled quite a bit, but circumstances as a young adult just sucked me into staying, I suppose! I married a rebound guy at 21 and was divorced with a mortgage at 23. My Pilates practice kept growing and at some point I found myself in a position where I had it too good to leave! However, the adaptations that I’ve made during “stay at home” orders are proof that I can make it work anywhere. For the past 3 years or so, my husband and I have talked about moving to a warmer, dryer climate…

What are your three favorite movement activities in the Pittsburgh area? Hiking/running/walking- can that be one? I love to be outdoors, especially surrounded by nature! PILATES!!! Yoga

Describe the best vacation you’ve ever taken? Where did you go? What movement activities did you include? I feel like there are best vacations for different categories! For movement, I workout during every vacation. Typically, I run or walk a lot while I’m away and make a point to find a Pilates studio or do my own mat. I also might do a body weight circuit or HIIT style workout and home or away I do a little bit of daily yoga. I’ve loved my European trips and nothing beats a week on the beach. Last August, my husband and I visited Yellowstone for the first time with my bother, sister and brother in law . The whole week was centered around hiking. We’ve done a couple shorter trips to Colorado like that. This might be my favorite type of trip!

What is your favorite pre- or post-workout snack? I’d rather eat after and I don’t “snack”, so it’s just a whole meal! Properly raised protein, please! Salmon, steak, bone broth, pasture raised eggs, homemade jerky if I’m on the go, etc.

What is your favorite thing to eat in Pittsburgh? Note: it does not need to be healthy. Steak or I love a whole roasted fish!

Do you have a movement activity on your “bucket list”? If not, what’s a movement activity/event you’re looking forward to in the next year? Last year, I went white water rafting for the first time at Ohiopyle. I would love to do it again!!! Otherwise, maybe jiu jitsu?

What do you think is the biggest obstacle to getting people to move more? People have a hard time prioritizing it in their schedules. Everyone has time to do 10 push ups in a day. They have to prioritize it. There’s time…

What do you feel is the most adventurous movement activity you’ve ever done? Probably the white water rafting! I went with my dad and two uncles, who had all done it before and were on the swim team in college. I was the only one that didn’t fall out at some point! (I used my inner thighs like crazy to hang on!)

What is your favorite recovery or self-care practice? Do I have to pick just one? Sauna but followed closely by meditation, foam rolling and dry brushing

What is your favorite spot in Pittsburgh? (Bonus points if it is a “hidden gem”) As far as restaurants, my favorite thing is to go to different ones each time. I do very little repeats! On the outskirts of Pittsburgh, I really love Ohiopyle. (The folks out there are still Steelers Fans, so it counts!) My parents recently moved there and every time I visit them, it feels like vacation. That said, my favorite spots in the actual city of Pittsburgh are the parks!

Contact info for Cecile Elias:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pilatesandprimalliving/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cecile.wagner3


FitLabPGH Features 46:19 – Sandor Koppanyi




FitLabPGH is a podcast about movement and movement opportunities in the Pittsburgh, PA area.  Once a week we also highlight a FitLabPGH mover…someone who understands that movement is a lifestyle…not just an activity.  The questions are lightly edited to allow for easy readability.  Click FitLabPGH Features for more info if you want to be featured/know someone who should be featured.

This Week: Sandor Koppanyi

Are you a Pittsburgh native? If not, what brought you to the Pittsburgh area? Kind of. My mom is born and raised in Sewickley and I personally moved 7x before the end of high school but I always came back to Pittsburgh every summer. After college, I knew that I wanted to move away from Kentucky and made my final decision to live in Pittsburgh since I knew I would have support from family nearby and there is a growing fitness scene!

What are your three favorite movement activities in the Pittsburgh area? Training in Olympic weightlifting at Pittsburgh Fitness Project. Taking my kettlebell or steel mace to a park and doing a random workout for an hour. Working on my “pretty boy,” muscles at my apartment with kettlebells, bands, and perfect pushups.

Describe your fantasy movement-focused vacation…cost is not an object…where do you go and what do you do? This would be later in life when I don’t care as much about brute strength compared to how I feel, but I would spend a summer in India or Thailand and do a yoga excursion. Not necessarily a teacher certification, but just escape reality for a while and enjoy nature as well as be in tune with my mind and body for an extended period of time.

What is your go-to weekday breakfast? Your weekend breakfast? 1 cup rolled oats with a handful of chopped almonds, cinnamon and a banana. Then I soak the oatmeal with a protein shake instead of water. On the weekends I love having a breakfast sandwich with scrambled eggs, guacamole on the bread, then some bacon on the side.

What is your favorite thing to eat in Pittsburgh? Note: it does not need to be healthy. I love a lot of restaurants in Pittsburgh, and with my Hungarian heritage I would recommend Huszar 10/10. You probably wouldn’t get better Hungarian food in America unless someone’s grandma makes it, they are really friendly and they even have some Hungarian alcohol on hand if you’re feeling adventurous.

What is the most unusual and/or challenging movement activity you’ve done? Would you do it again? I’ve done quite a variety and when it comes to unusual, I’d say it would be a Pure Barre class. Unless you were a former dancer there’s basically no way to prepare your body for what’s to come and it can be brutal. But my most challenging workout involved using my street back home that was .2 miles long on Thanksgiving 2 years ago. I did frog jump squats down one end, walked back, then walking lunges down one end, walked back and then monster walks with a slingshot down to one end. It was over a half mile of exercises and my legs were sore for almost a full week!

What movement activity/event are you looking forward to in the next year? I’m competing in the Arnold Classic for weightlifting in the 73kg class. It’s my first American Open meet!

Would you rather go scuba diving or skydiving? Sky diving

What is your favorite recovery or self-care practice? Getting a light pump throughout the body, a long walk listening to a podcast on a beautiful day, work on Pilates or do a random free yoga class.

What is the one place visitors to Pittsburgh “must” see? My 3rd cousins from Hungary visited at the end of this summer but were only in town for a short time and I took them to Mt. Washington overlook. It’s a great view of the city but if you have time I think seeing the strip district is great too.

Contact info for Sandor Koppanyi:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sandor.fitness/