Back to Home

GARY SHANK, PH.D.

"Challenging my body and spirit with Josh's professional and compassionate assistance"

When I first started weight training, I was an overweight middle aged professional man, just turned 56, and I thought personal trainers were not for folks like myself. Personal trainers were for young and fit people to become even more fit. But my physician wanted me to get more exercise, and so I thought what the heck? I called Josh, and that one call changed my life.

Josh believes in physical culture. Physical culture is not a series of exercises — it is a lifestyle. From the very first day, Josh convinced me that I could benefit from physical culture, and he has never led me wrong. Over the first six months, I became stronger and more composed. I learned to do each and every movement with perfect form. I learned how to stretch and how to breathe. I learned how to build up my lungs, my heart, my legs, my wind and endurance, my shoulders, my arms, my back, and most importantly, my mind. I cannot imagine not going into Training Revelations twice a week and challenging my body and spirit with Josh’s professional and compassionate assistance.

If you think personal training is beyond your ability, then Training Revelations is for you. I am neither the oldest nor the most physically challenged person that Josh trains. But all of us progress at our own rates. All work is one on one, and each program is personally tailored for us to succeed. I have been able to cut my medications in half in just six months of personal training with Josh. By this time next year, I expect to be even more fit, more healthy, and more composed.

​

I owe a great debt to Josh and his commitment to my health and fitness. I can only suggest that if you have any doubts about doing this, come in and talk with this remarkable young man.

SUE LLOYD

"Working with Joshua became the catalyst to achieving my multiple health goals."

A few years ago when I entered the retirement phase of my life, I decided that I needed to make changes to my lifestyle in order to become healthier. After exhaustive research, it became clear to me that strength training, diet, stretching and flexibility exercises, and cardio workouts were paramount in achieving my goal. Although I had a plan, it was not always easy to execute action. Working with Joshua became the catalyst to achieving my multiple health goals. Since I was a novice, he offered a safe and secure environment to confront the obstacles faced when trying to change one’s lifestyle. His professional knowledge as well as personal support has been pivotal in making me a healthier and happier person. Achieving and maintaining my health goals have been a rewarding challenge, and Joshua has been a remarkable and dedicated coach who has supported me along this journey. Throughout these past years, Joshua has earned my respect both professionally and personally.

HOWARD FEINBERG

"Helping me improve my quality of life"

Josh started helping me retrain my muscles after I was nearly crippled by arthritis. Medication was important, but his vast knowledge of anatomy and exercise meant that he could recommend the right regimen to rebuild the strength lost to years of sprained ankles and searing pain in my joints.

Josh cares about people. He was much less concerned with reps and weight loads than helping me improve my quality of life. His background in social work gives him a completely different vibe in training and planning sessions than an ordinary trainer, and his holistic approach to training, diet and exercise offered me renewed possibilities.

DIAN SALTZBERG

"Josh's passionate and enthusiastic commitment to his work has contributed to my success.

I have been training with Josh for more than four years. I had been diagnosed with cancer and had just completed treatments which left me exhausted. Prior to my cancer I was able to walk for miles at a time. During and after the treatments I no longer had the desire or the strength to go even for a short walk. Climbing stairs left me out of breath. It took me approximately a year after treatments before I began taking short walks.

In addition, I have a history of osteopenia and read that strength training was recommended to increase bone density. In the past I joined gyms and classes (yoga, pilates, tai chi} for the short term but always had an excuse not to go, such as work, children’s activities, or fatigue.

I had been thinking about searching for a personal trainer for quite some time when I passed the Training Revelations sign outside Josh’s studio. I called and met with Josh and signed up for ten weekly sessions. Having met Josh blindly and knowing little about him, it took me some time before I began to trust him. After months of training with Josh that trust evolved. I increased my trainings to two sessions per week wanting to increase the progress I made under his guidance.

During the years of training with Josh, I have known him to demonstrate professionalism, extensive knowledge, a desire to continually acquire more knowledge, and attention to detail (emphasis on correct form) which enables him to create a successful individualized program. He is not only knowledgeable about the anatomy of the body but also psychological and emotional well being and the effects on exercise. Josh’s passionate and enthusiastic commitment to his work has contributed to my success.

The results I have achieved are largely due to Josh’s diverse training methods, individualized program and challenging yet achievable goal setting. He has inspired me to reach goals I would never have imagined.

Since training with Josh my energy and strength have increased. I find it has been easier to climb stairs, I have more definition in my arms, and have stabilized and improved bone loss.

​

During the years of training with Josh I have hit bumps in the road due to two reoccurrences of cancer, other related health issues and subsequent treatments. Each time my recovery time has shortened which I attribute to working with Josh. Josh has been responsive to my needs and limitations and knows just how and when to encourage and when to push forward, though never too much.

I definitely feel fortunate to have stumbled into Josh’s studio. He is truly in a league of his own! It is now four and one-half years later and I continue to train with Josh.

JOSEPH M. NEWCOMER, PH.D.

"You learn to give that "extra little bit" that turns into improved physical capability."

I spent most of my life being inactive. In my youth, I was limited by a congenital heart defect. This was fixed when I was 42. But I was unable to make any progress in becoming fit, partly through laziness and partly because, unbeknownst to me, I was suffering from fibromyalgia, which left me in nearly continuous pain. While the pain was manageable, it was never absent, and walking more than a block or so had become an exercise in pain tolerance. Eventually, I got so bad that for the last 20 years I have had to ride an electric cart to go anywhere that would involve walking for more than a few minutes at a time.

My wife died in 2012. I discovered that I was now so physically debilitated that if I fell I could not get up. This made living alone quite dangerous. There would be nobody to come home at the end of the day to find me and call 911.

My friend Gary suggested I contact Josh. I did so. After a few sessions, we began to get a calibration on how far I could be pushed before a serious fibromyalgia attack set in (it took several hours for this to occur after exercise). Josh works me within the limitations of my fibromyalgia and the effects of fifty years of no exercise.

At age 67, I can not only do things I could not do when I started with Josh, I can do things I was never capable of doing in my entire life. In addition, I was borderline Type II diabetic, and my A1C levels have dropped back to a safer level, my “bad cholesterol” is down, and my “good cholesterol” is up. And I can get off the floor if I fall, or even have to get down to it to do something (like find something that just rolled under the couch).

I have realized that the importance of a trainer lies in several factors: (a) you learn the right form, which prevents you from injuring yourself while exercising (b) without a trainer, you will often train “within your comfort level”, which does not apply enough stress to promote any improvement. Lacking any evidence of improvement, it is easy to give up. With a trainer, you learn to give that “little bit extra” that turns into improved physical capability. And (c), you put yourself in a position where you have to train. The time is already carved out of the week. You show up, and you work.

TODD C. MOWRY, PH.D.

"I give him my strongest possible endorsement as a strength trainer."

I have been training with Josh Wolinsky since 2008, and it has had a transformational effect on my life. Before I started training with Josh, I was not in good physical shape: my upper body strength was very poor, and I had the “spare tire” of an out-of-shape male in their early 40’s. One thing that I was certain about was that I had zero interest in strength training or weight lifting. (I did not enjoy it when it was a required unit back in high school gym class, and I had never done it again since then.) My wife took the initiative to start training with Josh herself, and given the positive experience that she had, she eventually convinced me to give it a try.

After my first session with Josh, I realized that this was going to be something that I would enjoy (much to my own surprise). Josh clearly new what he was doing, and he explained that the idea was not to compare my strength with other people, but simply to make improvements relative to my own previous performance (i.e. to try to set “personal records”). I really liked to think about it that way. Also, given how out-of-shape I was, I decided that my room for improvement was probably huge.

I noticed myself getting stronger even after the first couple of months of training with Josh. I was impressed by how good he was at setting and adjusting my goals during each workout. Eventually, I found that I was not only getting stronger, but my body was noticeably changing for the better: I was starting to look like someone who was in good shape.

These positive changes inspired me to not only continue with my strength training, but to also improve my diet, and to start running, swimming, and biking. I eventually worked my way up to running marathons and doing triathlons (including Half Ironman races), which I really enjoy. I’m now in the best shape of my life since I ran track as a teenager. I feel like I’ve turned back the clock by several decades.

Although I now spend more time each week on my endurance training than I do on strength training; training with Josh continues to be extremely important to me, since it is the foundation of all of my training. My workouts with Josh give me the overall strength to make it through a marathon or a 6-hour triathlon without injuring myself, and so that I can perform well.

I think that Josh’s most remarkable gift as a trainer is his ability to sense and predict exactly when I would cross over from pushing myself hard enough to get stronger to pushing myself too far. I see examples of this nearly every week that I train with Josh; for example, I might think that 10 reps at a certain weight might be reasonable, but Josh somehow knows (from personal experience and from his ability to read how my body is responding to the workout better than I can) that 8 reps is the right number on that particular day. It never fails that Josh is exactly right about these things, and I learned to trust him on this many years ago. In summary, Josh makes me stronger, and he does so without putting me at risk of injuring myself. I give him my strongest possible endorsement as a strength trainer.

BERNADETTE SCHEID

"The physical change…is only a fraction of the difference in my life"

A personal trainer, not me,...yes me.

I was 46 years old and found my weight would not change, despite watching my diet and eating fairly healthy. Although I was formerly active, I had become too sedentary and not pleased with how my former more slender body made clothes shopping no longer fun.

I felt that my former step aerobics exercise of my 30’s would no longer be a good choice for my forty year-old knees. I found Yoga to not be the workout I was seeking, and Pilates to not be a good match for me. I was in search of a new exercise program. I sought something that focused on major muscle movements; I wanted to feel like I was working out.

I never had much exposure to Strength Training or ever considered working with a personal trainer, until a friend suggested I meet Josh Wolinsky. Josh is different than any preconceived ideas I had about “stereotypical extreme” trainers. Josh is kind, soft spoken, sensitive, insightful and encouraging. I have been training with Josh for almost six years now; and it has indeed made a difference in my life.

With Josh’s personal one-on-one encouraging guidance, I was surprised how quickly I was able to perform machine movements as well as free weight movements, despite not having much experience at all in a weight room environment. From day one, Josh educated me about the weight training process and was positively vigilant regarding safety and proper form to avoid any injury. Josh is extremely knowledgeable and well-educated in the science and techniques of strength training, and continues to be a passionate researcher of new data in this field.

Now at 52, my body has gotten stronger and strength training continues to help me stave off the customary effects of aging. When I am working out and watching my diet, both my weight and body shape are positively affected.

The physical change, however, is only a fraction of the difference in my life. Training with Josh has helped me deal much more effectively with the stresses of life: work demands, family demands and health issues. Training has seen me through some hard hits in life, which have included a breast cancer diagnosis and recovery from mastectomy & reconstructive surgeries, as well as a job loss. Josh’s amazing sensitivity during these life issues and my ability to continue training throughout, helped me manage my stress and fear, and helped me conquer these challenges with great internal strength.

JOEL ALCOFF, MD

"…the total package as a personal trainer"

My name is Joel Alcoff. I have been a physician for the past thirty years and I have competed in regional, national and Pan American competitions in natural bodybuilding and natural power lifting for the past eleven years. I have known Josh since he was fourteen years old. He has always been highly intelligent, motivated and focused. His current in depth knowledge of weight training far exceeds that of the doctorates in exercise physiology that I have met and known over the years.

He is a true scholar in the field of weight training with acquired expertise in mid-life and geriatric age groups, where deconditioning is so prevalent in our society. He is the total package as a personal trainer, with equal emphasis on nutritional lifestyle changes and functional strength for everyday activities. His emphasis on perfect form and personal motivation is a unique niche product in the field of personal training.

MARY ANN CASCIATO

"After surgery…it was Josh who…helped me gain full mobility,

and made my rehabilitation successful"

My journey with Josh at Training Revelations started in October, 2008. At that time, I had lost 30 lbs. on my own, but reached a plateau; I decided to change up my routine and work with a personal trainer.

Working with Josh, I was able to lose additional weight and was in the best shape of my life. The benefit was not only my physical appearance but increased energy and confidence in all areas of my life. Josh is so much more than a personal trainer, he is a teacher. He explains the purpose of all exercises, how to use the correct form, and how important it is to keep your mind in the game.

In 2011 I began to experience hip pain. It started out slowly, but as the months went on I had trouble walking and sitting, and exercising was difficult. As suspected, I needed to have a hip replacement. The decision to move forward with the surgery was difficult; Josh helped make that decision easier by reviewing the pros and cons. He also adjusted my exercise routine; this allowed me to continue exercising and to keep my upper body and legs strong in preparation for the surgery.

After surgery, I attended the traditional physical therapy, but it was Josh who got me over the hurdle, helped me gain full mobility, and made my rehabilitation successful. I am happy to report that I am back to my exercise routine, including full body weight squats and straddle lifts (last routine was with 45 lbs. for 25 reps).

If you have ever had a joint replacement, you know that you have to fully trust your rehabilitation experts – I trust Josh 100% and thank him for his guidance. I look forward to continuing to work with him.

H. JACOB HANCHAR, MBA, PH.D.

"Josh has made a masterpiece out of weightlifting."

On one of my most recent business trips I trained at a public commercial gym, as I do any other time when I’m traveling; only this time I had been training with Josh for a little over three years. I went and did my usual routine which Josh designed; warm ups and eventually working sets. As soon as I had finished putting the last plates on the bar for my set of heavy deadlifts, I looked up and noticed the gym’s trainers gathering around me. They were whispering to each other as I squatted down to grab the bar. I began my set and could see their surprised faces in the gym wall mirrors as I picked up the weight. It was not the weight alone that surprised them, but the fact that the lift was executed with flawless form and focus. After I finished the last repetition, I received a standing ovation from the crowd surrounding me. This would just be another day of lifting at Training Revelations, but to the outside world, Josh has made a masterpiece out of weightlifting. In my opinion, Josh deserves the title ‘guru’ rather than one of ‘fitness instructor’. I am stronger than I have ever been before and I know the best is yet to come.

FRANK D.

"I admit to this remarkable transformation in awe"

It’s a fact. Opinions have consequences, and for some reason wrong-headed opinions seem to have their own particular brand of nasty consequences. At least that is what I discovered while stubbornly believing that strength training was for the athletic type only. I was told otherwise, of course, and several times. My views about this matter, however, were too set and too crusted to allow even a modicum of common sense to get through.

Years passed living with this false comfort, until one day I realized that my posture was sinking and my upper body was gradually leaning forward like the Tower of Pisa. I needed physical exercise, and quickly. Once I made that decision, the only outstanding issue remaining was which gym to join.

In Pittsburgh there are a number of gyms to choose from. However, I knew from the outset that I did not want to join any gym. If I was going to make this big commitment, then I wanted a gym that was equally committed to my personal well-being. I wanted, in other words, a gym that had a dedicated personal trainer who could determine my training needs with the same amount of knowledge and intensity that a diamond cutter uses while transforming a rough stone into a faceted gem. As it turned out, however, finding this gym and especially this trainer proved more difficult than spotting a white crow.

Many strength trainers I was told about turned out to be very impressive self-promoters; however, less so while demonstrating their skills, and even less so when they applied their skills to me. This all changed when I finally contacted Training Revelations, and specifically Josh Wolinsky.

Josh has been my trainer for the past four years. During this time, I have not only re-aligned my posture, but my weekly training sessions, planned and supervised entirely by Josh, have made a tremendous contribution to my overall well-being as well. Today, I admit to this remarkable transformation in awe, because, even though early on I set my gym-selection criteria high, I never dreamed that the long-term benefits of working with this incredibly able trainer would be even higher.

Training Revelations takes “customized commitment to the client’s needs” to another level altogether, and that’s also a fact!

ARLEEN JAMA

"My back pain is gone"

As Josh helps me stretch he assesses my mental and physical state that day and adjusts my workouts to achieve maximum psychological and physical benefits. Some days we would go outside and do hill sprints or just go for a long walk. Josh always knows how much he can push me at any given workout. When I work with Josh, any prior hell that took place that day is forgotten. These six years I trained with Josh my body was physically and mentally at its best. My back pain is gone. My briefcase elbow does not hurt anymore. I am able to work in my garden and not be in pain from carrying heavy bags of dirt. I have so much energy. I feel my best ever.

As I get older, resistance training is more and more important to me, both physically and mentally. It is so wonderful to be able to actually sit up in bed and walk to the bathroom every morning. It is so wonderful to be able to bend over and feed my cats without pain each day. Josh has taught me that fitness is not about chasing an ideal image of what society deems fit, but is about being proud of achieving realistic personal fitness goals and unlocking my potential.

I am very happy to be a part of Training Revelations and my only regret is that I didn’t meet Josh way before I turned 50.

SAM SHREVE

"I learned how to perform each movement…for safety and productivity."

I was 16 years old with great aspirations to be muscularly defined and strong for soccer and lacrosse, so I began training with Josh. From that moment until now I could not ask for a single thing more in a trainer or friend. Training with Josh was a growing process. First I learned how to perform each movement in my regiment step by step for safety and productivity. Though it took some time to see significant increases in strength, I eventually enjoyed almost weekly increases in most movements.

Josh encouraged me to participate in a power lifting meet at a local gym. Josh made some slight modifications to my training regimen so that I could perfect the lifting movements that would be used in the competition. I did not win the event or lift the most weight, but I received perfect marks for form, even better marks than the personal trainers in the competition! I owe that small bit of success and all of my knowledge of weight training to “the encyclopedia of weight training”, who became my mentor and good friend, Josh Wolinsky.

JANET S. SLIFKIN

"Working with Josh is highly motivating"

I have trained with Josh Wolinsky for over two years, and I am so pleased. Josh is highly knowledgeable about the body and its mechanics. He makes sure my body is ready to execute all exercises; he does not hurry me into a procedure without the proper warm-up. Additionally, he patiently works with me and instructs me on a variety of exercises that I can carry out on my own.

I am doing exercises I thought I would never be able to do at my advanced age of 72. I can do full range of motion body-weight squats, bench press 44 pounds and do 55 pound pull-downs. I also do a variety of stretching exercises to keep my lower back pain-free and in shape.

With my last trainer, I was not motivated and would cancel for no reason. Working with Josh is highly motivating; I enjoy training twice a week.

YA’AQOV ABRAMS, MD

"Josh [helped me] rehabilitate my chronic back, knee and shoulder problems"

A lifelong athlete, up until 8 years ago I never considered resistance training relevant to me. However, by the age of 40 a nagging back injury suddenly required urgent surgery, my weak knees were becoming unreliable, and swimming was difficult because of shoulder problems.

Fortunately one day during my recovery from back surgery I asked Josh for an opinion about an exercise prescribed by a physical therapist. After verifying that he actually does know musculoskeletal anatomy and kinetics quite well, Josh began to teach me how to rehabilitate my chronic back, knee and shoulder problems. It has taken time and hard work, but I can honestly say that I am as flexible as when I was a young man, but quite a bit stronger and resilient.

​

I would recommend Training Revelations to anyone who wants to retain or improve flexibility and functional strength.