Pittsburgh Football Recovery & Performance
Direct Current Athlete Maintenance Program
For High School Athletes
Coach Derek (Pittsburgh, PA) is helping athletes train smarter, recover quicker, and prepare for the physical demands of football through professionally guided training and Direct Current sessions used by NFL Trainers & Athletes.
Contact Us Today To Learn More
Or, Attend Our FREE Pittsburgh Open House
August 22nd
Football is no longer just about
lifting more, running harder, or pushing through soreness.
The Best Athletes Are Learning:
- How to best prepare their body for practice and games
- How to recover between high-output sessions
- How to move with better control
- to protect performance and stay competitive after injuries
Direct Current
Backed by Science
From injury recovery to explosive performance, the NFL’s best athletes and teams trust Direct Current to keep them ahead of the competition.
Proven by Pros
View over 100 NFL players using Direct Current for Recovery & Performance, including: Saquon Barkley, Jalen Hurts, Dak Prescott, Odell Beckham Jr., George Kittle, Tony Romo, and many more.
A Pittsburgh-Based Program
for Serious Football Families
This is not a generic recovery offer.
This is a focused local program for Pittsburgh-area football athletes who are serious about how they train, how they recover, and how they prepare for the next level.
Sessions may be available through Pittsburgh-area partner training locations, including the North Pittsburgh region and the Strip District/Downtown Pittsburgh area.
How This Fits Into The Week
Led by Coach Derek Gionta
Pittsburgh, PA
Coach Derek Gionta brings a unique combination of strength training, boxing, football experience, sports nutrition, athlete development, and accountability-based coaching to the Pittsburgh Football Recovery & Performance Program.
Derek is a strength and boxing trainer who works with athletes, boxers, and fitness clients across experience levels. He is NASM certified, a NASM Certified Sports Nutrition Coach, a former college football player at Robert Morris University, a former amateur boxer, and has coached football at the junior high level.Â
- Former college football player
- NASM Certified Personal Trainer
- NASM Certified Sports Nutrition Coach
- Experience training high school, college, and professional-level athletes
- Focused on accountability, confidence, movement quality, and performance habits
Coach Derek’s Training Approach
A Position-Specific Approach to Football Performance
Every football position moves differently. A lineman does not train like a wide receiver. A quarterback does not recover the same way as a linebacker. That is why Derek’s approach starts with understanding the athlete’s position, workload, movement demands, and goals.
Training may include controlled movement work, boxing-based conditioning, first-step mechanics, stance evaluation, hand placement, lateral movement, core strength, and position-specific intervals. Direct Current may then be incorporated to support activation, recovery, mobility, and neuromuscular readiness based on what the athlete needs most.
Curious To Learn More About The Sessions or Programs?
Open House Details
Free Attendance. Live Demos. Free Athletic Shirt.
Parents, athletes, coaches, and athletic directors are invited to attend a free open house to learn how Direct Current may support football recovery, performance preparation, activation, and movement quality.
Coach Derek will be presenting the benefits of Direct Current, answering questions, and providing demos for athletes and families interested in learning whether this program is a fit.
Open House Agenda
What to Expect at the Event
Join Coach Derek Gionta and the NerveOTX team for a focused 45-minute introduction to Direct Current technology, football recovery, neuromuscular activation, and how this program may support high school athletes throughout the season.
Parents, athletes, coaches, and athletic directors will have the opportunity to learn, ask questions, and see a live Direct Current demonstration.
Welcome & Coach Introduction: 5 Minutes
Why Direct Current & How Pro Athletes Use DC: 5 Minutes
Live Direct Current Demonstration: 15 Minutes
Questions, Next Steps, & Open House Offer: 15 Minutes
Location & Dates
Choose the location and date that works best for you
To make the Open House easier for Pittsburgh-area athletes, parents, coaches, and athletic directors to attend, we are offering two convenient locations with two available dates.
Registration for Saturday, August 22 is now open.
Jack’s Boxing Gym
Registration Closed:
Saturday, August 15th
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
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Conn-Greb Boxing Club
Registration Now Open:
Saturday, August 22nd
3:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Prefer a Private Demo?
Schedule a 1-on-1 Direct Current Demo With Coach Derek
Can’t make the Open House or prefer a more personalized experience? Athletes and parents can request a private demo with Coach Derek to learn how Direct Current may fit into their recovery, activation, mobility, and football performance routine.
A Private Demo May Include:
- Athlete check-in
- Priority area review
- Direct Current demonstration
- Light guided movement
- Recovery and performance discussion
- Recommended next step
Best for: First-time athletes, parents with questions, or athletes interested in trying Direct Current before starting a program.
Ready For Private Sessions?
Sign Up for Private Sessions or Programs
Private sessions are best for athletes who want consistent recovery and performance support throughout the season, offseason, or training block.
Private Sessions May Focus On:
- Post-practice recovery
- Post-game recovery
- Pre-training activation
- Speed and change-of-direction readiness
- Lower-body recovery
- Shoulder, neck, back, hip, hamstring, knee, or ankle support
- Position-specific maintenance
Best for: Athletes who want weekly support to help them recover smarter, move better, and stay prepared for football demands.
Built for Athletes.
Clear for Parents.
Responsible for Minors.
For high school athletes, parent involvement matters. Coach Derek consults with parents before training younger athletes and uses waivers as part of his onboarding process. If an athlete is dealing with an injury, medical concern, or training restriction, proper medical input or clearance may be recommended before participation.
Direct Current is intended to complement training, recovery, and appropriate care — not replace medical diagnosis, rehabilitation, or treatment.
- Parent consultation before training high school athletes
- Waiver process before participation
- Liability insurance in place
- Physician consultation when needed
- Medical clearance may be requested for injuries or restrictions
- NerveOTX and Coach Derek determine athlete fit together
RSVP
Register Today
Complete the short form below and we will follow up to determine whether your athlete is a fit for the Pittsburgh Football Recovery & Performance Program.
Attend the Open House
Unlock 25% Off NerveOTX Technology
Participants who attend the Pittsburgh Football Recovery & Performance Open House will receive an exclusive 25% discount on NerveOTX products, including the DX500 and PRS.
DC Athlete Maintenance
What Typical Sessions & Programs Look Like for Athletes
Maintenance Sessions
A Typical Session Includes
1. Athlete Check-In
A quick review of soreness, tightness, fatigue, training load, game schedule, and any areas that feel limited.
2. Priority Area Selection
Coach Derek identifies the top focus areas for the session, such as ankles, knees, hips, hamstrings, low back, shoulders, or neck.
3. Direct Current Application
Direct Current is used to support neuromuscular activation, recovery, mobility, and movement readiness in the selected areas.
4. Guided Movement
The athlete performs simple controlled movements to reinforce activation, stability, range of motion, and position-specific control.
5. Re-Test & Feedback
The athlete checks how the area feels after the session and reviews any changes in movement, comfort, or readiness.
6. Weekly Recovery Plan
Coach Derek gives one simple focus for the week, such as hydration, mobility, rest, activation, or recovery timing.
Typical Session Length:
20–30 minutes
12 Week Programs
A Typical Program Looks Like
Weeks 1–2: Baseline & Recovery Setup
Identify the athlete’s starting point, weekly workload, soreness patterns, and priority recovery needs.
Weeks 3–4: Lower-Body Foundation
Focus on the ankles, knees, hips, calves, quads, hamstrings, and other areas involved in running, lifting, cutting, and contact.
Weeks 5–6: Speed & Change-of-Direction Support
Support the areas involved in acceleration, cutting, planting, deceleration, and reacceleration.
Weeks 7–8: Power & Contact Recovery
Focus on recovery and readiness for the muscle groups stressed by blocking, tackling, sprinting, jumping, and repeated contact.
Weeks 9–10: Position-Specific Maintenance
Customize sessions based on the athlete’s position, movement demands, and most stressed areas.
Weeks 11–12: Re-Test & Maintenance Plan
Review progress, reassess priority areas, and build a simple plan to help the athlete maintain recovery and performance moving forward.
Typical Session Length:
20–30 minutes
