We are thrilled to announce the opening of our brand-new weight room in June of 2024!
Our weight room will feature 6 racks with 6 benches, two sets of dumbbells up to 75 lbs with 4 benches, 3 functional training systems, a plyometric area with kettlebells, medicine balls and foam rollers, and 2 assault bikes. The weight room, in addition to our sports complex, will be included in membership. We will be providing 1-hour open lift sessions that members can book and reserve a spot 24 hours in advance.
In addition to these sessions, we will be providing sports performance programs. These programs will initially focus on soccer and pickleball athletes emphasizing strength, mobility, flexibility, functionality, and injury prevention.
Weight Room Programs
Running these programs and the weight room, as well as other wellness programs like stress management and injury recovery, will be our newly hired Director of Wellness and Strength and Conditioning, Derek Clark. Derek’s first program will be for high school level soccer players and starts June 10th. Learn more about our program.
Athletic Trainer – Derek Clark
Derek Clark is an athletic trainer and strength and conditioning coach with 25 years of experience working with middle school to professional athletes. He holds several advanced certifications in sports medicine and athletic performance development-related areas. Derek has a passion for helping athletes develop physically and mentally both in preparation for their chosen sport and in recovering from injuries.
Assistant Football Athletic Trainer
Derek began his career at the University of Nebraska where he was the Assistant Football Athletic Trainer and Coordinator of Reconditioning for 7 years. After a short stint in medical sales, Derek moved back to his home state of Pennsylvania and has been the Head Athletic Trainer and Director of Athletic Performance at Quaker Valley High School for the last 14 years. He is also the owner and operator of Grizz Athletic Performance & Recovery which is a sports performance and injury rehabilitation/reconditioning company focusing on the physical and mental development of athletes of all ages and proper recovery strategies and treatments.
Sports Dietician – Leslie Bonci
We will also be bringing on nationally known sports dietician Leslie Bonci, an authority in the field of fueling athletes of all levels, to consult interested athletes and members in nutrition.
Leslie J. Bonci, MPH, RD, CSSD, LDN, FAND is a registered dietitian, a board-certified specialist in sports dietetics, and is the owner of Active Eating Advice- be fit, fed, fearless- a nutrition consulting company and co-founder of Performance365- a sports nutrition consulting company.
Sports Nutrition Consultant
She was the sports nutrition consultant for the 2020, 2023, and 2024 Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs. Her company, Performance 365 provides sports nutrition services for universities, industry, and professional sports teams. She runs a private nutrition counseling practice specializing in performance nutrition, weight management, body composition optimization, disordered eating, and digestive disorders. She is the author of Sports Nutrition for Coaches and the American Dietetic Association Guide to Better Digestion and co-author of Run Your Butt Off, Walk Your Butt Off, the Active Calorie Diet, and Bike Your Butt Off. She has authored numerous chapters for sports medicine and sports nutrition manuals. Leslie is also a blogger for US News and World Report and participates in many podcasts as well as providing nutrition expertise for television, radio, and print interviews.
Leslie is an adjunct instructor in the School of Dental Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh and also teaches in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Pitt and the Athletic Training program at Duquesne University. Leslie received her undergraduate degree in Biopsychology from Vassar College, her Masters in Public Health from the University of Pittsburgh, and completed her dietetic internship at Mercy Hospital in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Leslie was the director of sports nutrition at the UPMC Center for Sports Medicine for 16 years.
Recognized Speaker
Leslie is a nationally and internationally recognized speaker presenting on topics such as nutrition misinformation, combating misinformation, the Winning Plate, and the Fuels of Engagement. She focuses on client-centered care with an emphasis on listening, meeting clients where they are, and realistic recommendations over idealistic expectations. She is a 2021 recipient of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Medallion Award.
Our Community Wellness Hub
We are extremely excited about the addition of the weight room and these programs. We believe these additions will make us the hub for overall wellness and longevity, sports performance, recreation, and community fun in the Greater Pittsburgh Area. Come check us out!
Don’t forget to follow us on social media to stay up to date with the services we provide! Questions or suggestions? Email info@pghsportsplex.com
