South Fayette grad makes fitness personal

Andrew Phillips, a 2009 graduate of South Fayette High School, received an associate’s degree in specialized technologies with a specialization in culinary arts from the Le Cordon Bleu. While working at a local country club, he continued his education by earning a personal trainer certification from the International Sports Science Association (ISSA) and added on a part-time job at a health club. Through ISSA, he attained his certification in fitness nutrition and group fitness training.

His business, Phillips Phitness, began almost by accident when the health club’s space was purchased and Phillips became unemployed. However, former health club members wanted to continue working with him and he established his own clientele and contacts.

Phillips took out a small loan and purchased equipment, enabling him to travel to clients’ homes so the people could train on their own time and in their own home.

Now living in Canonsburg, he continues to customize the workouts to each individual’s goals and needs. He recently added in services such as nutritional guidance because of his culinary background.

“Food and fitness go hand in hand,” Phillips said. “Though you can do well with one or the other separately, you truly will not achieve the results you want unless you can get the two things to work together. I can show what recipes to make or even just what foods to eat or to avoid.”

This past winter, he released a sweatshirt line and hopes to offer a few nutritional books and guidelines in the near future, as well as pre-designed workout programs for individual purchase.

“This will give me the ability to still help people who just want a template, but not the trainer,” Phillips explained.

Anyone with questions can text 412-580-1082 or visit www.phillipsphitness.com. Phillips’ own fitness journey is detailed via Twitter (@P_Phitness) on which he posts food ideas, tools to motivate, body transformations and exercise videos.