Training
E
Ross resident
Freddie Jones is one of
the top powerlifters
in the country.
are some things you can’t teach people how to do. And you can’t
lite Custom Fitness isn’t your typical gym. There are
teach somebody how to jump up on a 52-inch box.”
no mirrors on the walls. There are no ellipticals or
Since then, Jones has been training five or six days a week, and
treadmills. There’s no locker room or sauna or lap pool.
he also has his own clients at Elite Custom Fitness. All that hard
This gym is a world-class training facility with a tight-
work has paid off—Jones can deadlift 600 pounds.
knit community of members dedicated to fitness and health. Oh,
Merolillo notes that one of the biggest misconceptions of
and a trainer who happens to be one of the top powerlifters in the
powerlifting is that you have to be a big, elite athlete to train for
country—Ross resident Freddie Jones.
the sport. “Passion, dedication and the ability to learn is all you
Tim Merolillo started Elite Custom Fitness in 2011 after
need,” he says. He also adds that women often shy away from
strength training in college, getting his master’s degree in
powerlifting because
exercise physiology
they don’t want to
at Indiana University
get bulky, but that’s
of Pennsylvania, and
just simply not going
working at other gyms
to happen: “We train
around Pittsburgh.
for performance and
His passion for
we eat for leanness. If
strength training came
you think about that
after multiple knee
and train like that,
surgeries and lots of
then you’ll never have
physical therapy to
any issues.”
recover. “I was originally
Elite Custom
going to be a physical
Fitness’ approach to
therapist, but then I
powerlifting is unique
went to college and
among other gyms.
found strength training.
The trainers help
I wanted to make
their clients focus on
people stronger so they
decompressing the
didn’t get hurt instead
spine. “We are able
of rehabbing people
to train without a
who were coming off of
barbell on our back,
surgery,” Merolillo says.
Elite Custom Fitness’ Dynamic Duo: Tim Merolillo (left) and Freddie Jones.
decompress our spine,
Elite Custom Fitness
and get stronger as we’re
has about 80 members,
doing it. That’s the name of the game if you want to stay healthy
ranging in age from 8 up to nearly 70. Members can come for
and continue doing it for a very long time,” Merolillo says.
open gym hours, group classes, and one-on-one training.
Elite Custom Fitness is located at 1025 Mount Nebo
Merolillo first met Jones at La Roche College. Jones was a
Road. It is open daily from 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Those who are
student in two of Merolillo’s classes: Theories of Weight Training
interested can stop by for a free consultation and to learn about
and Conditioning. Merolillo says one day the students wanted
personal training and group classes. Membership starts at $50/
to learn how to box jump. So he brought out a 6-inch box to start
month. For additional information, contact Tim Merolillo at
and gradually increased the height of the box until just Jones
[email protected] or call 412.302.2128. n
remained. Merolillo recalls, “He jumped up on a 52-inch box.
When I saw that I thought, ‘Oh, I have to train this kid.’ There
ROSS TOWNSHIP
❘
WINTER 2019
11