Personal Training for Women

Build lean muscle, boost metabolic health, and protect your bone density with Pittsburgh’s only Masters-level training team.

Strength Training for Women

Which Goal Describes You?

Most fitness advice for women is reductive. It’s either endless cardio, low-weight 'toning' that doesn't work, or intimidating gym environments where you're left to figure it out alone. Our programming is based on your unique biomechanics, focusing on pelvic alignment, joint stability, and sustainable body composition changes.

Strength & Athleticism

There is nothing more empowering than feeling strong and confident in your body. Our programming focuses on muscle density and definition, giving you a lean, athletic look without the bulk. Rediscover your physical potential with science-based training that proves heavy weights are the key to a sculpted physique.

Longevity & Metabolism

Strength training builds the bone density and metabolism you need for your next chapter. This is the only clinically proven method to combat osteoporosis and keep your body capable of doing what you love for decades. We provide the expert supervision to make sure you get stronger safely, without the risk of injury.

Pain Free Living

Rebuild your body with a program that bridges the gap between physical therapy and real-world strength, focusing specifically on pelvic stability and pain-free movement. Our personal trainers ensure you can lift heavy, carry your kids, and handle daily life without fear of injury.

Why Us?

Why Essential Strength?

Our system is designed to turn your athletic potential into measurable results.

Semi-Private Environment

You are never alone on the floor (unless you want to be alone!). Our 1:4 coach-to-client ratio means a Masters-level trainer is always watching your form, adjusting your weights, and ensuring absolute safety during every lift.

Safe for Every Stage

Our bodies are always changing. With our deep clinical background, we expertly tailor your workouts to keep you safe, strong, and resilient through pregnancy, postpartum, menopause, and every stage in between

Individualized Programming

Your body isn't generic, and your training shouldn't be either. We provide custom-engineered strength programming that adapts to your unique physiology, ensuring you train effectively to your goals.

Book Your Consultation

The Whole Body Connection

Bone Density Protection
Collagen and Skin Elasticity
Metabolic Fire
Cognitive Boost
Why Weight Train?

Why Building Strength is Important

Bone: The physical stress that weightlifting places on your bones stimulates them to adapt and become denser and stronger, which is critical for preventing osteoporosis as you age.

Brain: Resistance training has been linked to improved focus, memory, and overall brain health, particularly as we age.

Skin: Weight training boosts collagen and circulation, improving elasticity and reducing sagging. Studies show just 30 minutes twice a week can reverse skin aging.

Fat: While cardio is often the go-to for burning calories during a workout, weight training helps you lose fat by keeping your metabolism elevated even after your workout is over (the "afterburn" effect).

Metabolism: Muscle tissue is metabolically active, meaning it burns more calories at rest than fat tissue. Increasing your muscle mass raises your basal metabolic rate (BMR).

Meet Laine, Your Metabolic Strategist
Laine helps you navigate the nutrition and hormonal aspects of training. She ensures you're fueling for protection and preservation, not just deprivation.
Personal Training Testimonials

Hear From Our Female Personal Training Clients

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As a woman in my 40’s experiencing strange new pains from just putting my shoes on or getting out of the car 😂, it is wonderful to know that Sam and Josh will take care of me, answer my questions, and tailor my workout to my body. I bring my mother here as well and it puts me at ease to know she is gaining strength and confidence to take care of herself as she ages. Also, you might get to pet cute dogs which is always a nice bonus.

Amanda B.

Transformer

★★★★★
I love this gym! I started working out with Sam and Josh and the rest of the crew about a year ago because I could feel myself getting creaky and sore with age, plus discovered I have osteoporosis because of chemo I had 20 years ago. I feel like a different person now, a year later, stronger and healthier and so much better physically than I would have been if I hadn't started with Essential Strength. Didn't want to resign myself to getting creakier and less able with age. And even though I whine about the workouts because the trainers make me work hard, this feels like I gift I give myself over and over.

Judy W

Bone Density Improver

★★★★★
I truly cannot give Sam, Noah, Josh and all of the trainers at Essential Strength enough credit. I have been dealing with lower discogenic issues for years and most recently underwent a L5-S1 spinal fusion. They have helped me get over mental and physical blocks in my recovery that no other PT has been able to. I love how knowledgeable they are and how they integrate PT with strength training. My biggest regret is I wish I would have met them prior to any surgical intervention because I truly think they would have helped me never go down that path. Despite that, they have me doing movements I never thought I would ever be able to do again. I plan to continue to train with them for a long time. I cannot recommend Essential Strength enough!

Adrienne R

Rebuilder

★★★★★
Sam and his team cured me. I've suffered with herniated discs, degenerative disc disease, strained ligaments for the last 4 years, been to multiple physical therapists, many doctors, and the pain continued to impact my quality of life. Sam and his staff had me pain free in 6 weeks! I continued lifting and working out all through a pregnancy and post partum. They go above and beyond for their clients. All of the staff is so knowledgeable and work hard to get you feeling your best.

Lauren K

Post-partum Transformer

★★★★★
As a mature female with years-long muscular skeletal issues, with no relief in spite of the best medical and non-medical treatment……..Sam and team provided the only relief I have felt. Because of a different knowledge base, their therapies are unique and very targeted. Breath work, acupressure, stretches, and so much more have provided me with ways to get rid of the pain on my own by duplicating their efforts. (Nothing like themDoing it, though!). They rebalanced my very “crooked” body, and the strength training made a very noticeable difference for the body parts targeted. If you have chronic issues and are simply done with it, head over to Essential Strength!

Paula N

Chronic Pain Reliever

★★★★★
Best gym in pgh! Followed them here from the previous location even though it's farther for me because the people - staff, trainers, clientele community - truly are that good. I'd keep following them anywhere!

Annelle F

Transformer

★★★★★

Trainer Highlight - Mary

Mary has a diverse background in athletic performance, coaching, and holistic health. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Athletics as well as a Master of Education in Coaching with a focus on sports coaching and strength and conditioning. She is also a Certified Personal Trainer, Nutrition Specialist, and Sports Performance Specialist.

She spent two years working in a women-focused fitness facility specializing in weight loss and pelvic floor workshops, and has additional experience teaching kickboxing and training first responders through Combat Athlete. After college, Mary played four seasons with Steel City FC’s Women’s First Team. Today, she combines her education, athletic background, and coaching experience to help athletes and clients build confidence, performance, and lifelong strength.

"The strongest I've ever felt"

Susan Koeppen has been training with us for 1 year and holds the gym record for the dead hang (2:02) and farmer's carry. She is a model of what consistency and hard work can do!
Why Strength Training?

Strengthen Your Bones

Many older women fear heavy lifting because they worry about injury or have already been diagnosed with osteopenia. Here is what we found works for building up bone density.

The Science of Safe Bone Building

  • Mechanical Tension
    Utilizing safe, supervised resistance to trigger natural bone regeneration and joint stability.
  • Progressive Overload
    Slowly adding more over time (not just "toning").
  • Consistency
    Showing up for yourself, week after week.
Contact Us

Your Best Year is One Step Away.

After you submit this form we will be in contact within 24 hrs to set up an appointment to come into our East Liberty location for a physical assessment.

Location:

5877 Commerce St #120, Pittsburgh, PA 15206

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