On Tuesday afternoon, Dec. 18, Shady Side Academy celebrated the opening of a new Fitness Center on its Senior School campus with an open house for students, faculty and staff. The 3,500-square-foot facility, which opened for daily use on Wednesday, Dec. 19, is part of SSA's Athletic Department and housed on the ground floor of the Curry-Mellon Gymnasium building.

The Fitness Center features new and updated cardio equipment, speed and agility equipment, athletic performance-enhancing equipment, and athletic training and rehabilitation equipment, as well as flat-screen TVs, surround-sound stereo and WiFi. (See full equipment list below.)

The Fitness Center is staffed and open for walk-in use by Senior School students from 2:30-6 p.m. on school days and 2:30-4:30 p.m. on weekends, or at other times by appointment with a coach or trainer. Senior and Middle School athletic teams may use the facility with their coaches during scheduled practice times. Strength and Conditioning Coordinator Chuck DiNardo, whose office is adjacent to the Fitness Center, will work with coaches and student-athletes to develop customized workout plans. The Fitness Center is also open for use by SSA faculty and staff from 5 a.m.-10 p.m. daily.

The Fitness Center was created through a renovation of the former wrestling room by SSA's Facilities Department. The renovation included the installation of new rubber flooring, glass entrance/exit doors, an acoustic suspended ceiling, a new HVAC system, dimmable LED lighting with occupancy sensors, security cameras, access-controlled entrance via fob and, of course, the equipment. The cost of the renovation and equipment was approximately $200,000, which is being funded in part by donations from the SSA community. Naming and support opportunities are still available; contact Director of Alumni & Development Ali Saras for more information.

The Fitness Center is a significant upgrade to the old weight room, known as "The Pit" – a 2,400-square-foot room in the basement of the gym with limited equipment.

Shady Side Academy Fitness Center Equipment

New Fitness Equipment

• 6 Hammer Strength HD Elite Custom Power Racks
• 3 Lifefitness Treadmills
• 3 Lifefitness Upright Bikes
• 2 Lifefitness Ellipticals
• 3 Hammer Strength Glute-Ham Trainers
• Troy Dumbbells
• SKLZ Speed and Agility training equipment

• Shuttle MVP Rehab Trainer
• Medco Rebounder
• Woodway Treadmill
• Gronk Fit Stretch Trainer
• Theraband Station
• Med Balls
• BOSU/Half BOSU balance equipment

Equipment From "The Pit" Relocated to the Fitness Center

• Hammer Strength Jammer Press
• Strive Leg Press
• Strive Leg Extension
• Strive Multi-Function Trainer

Technology

• Two 75" Vizio Flat-Screen Televisions
• Surround-Sound Stereo System
• Wireless Internet

View photos of the facility below: