NASHVILLE, TN – For Anthony Vigilante, fitness isn’t just about hitting a personal best or building the perfect body, it’s about creating movement equality. It’s about making sure everyone, regardless of ability, background, or experience level, feels welcome, empowered, and supported on their wellness journey.
Now based in Nashville, Anthony has transformed his own personal challenges into a mission to help others move better, feel stronger, and live pain-free lives—whether they’re competitive athletes, desk-bound professionals, or members of the special needs community.
“Fitness is for everybody,” Anthony said. “That’s not just a motto. That’s how I train, how I coach, how I live.”
Anthony’s story begins in Staten Island, New York, where his love for movement showed up early. As a kid, he played basketball and volleyball competitively, ultimately earning a spot on his college volleyball team. But his passion for fitness truly ignited thanks to the influences of his father and a little help from Hollywood.
“My dad always went to the gym,” he said. “And I had all these fitness icons I looked up to including Sylvester Stallone, Rocky, and of course, The Rock. My first-ever workout program was Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson’s Hercules workout.”
But under the surface of that passion was pain. Chronic shoulder instability, knee issues, and foot problems plagued Anthony throughout his youth. There were times his shoulder would dislocate mid-game or go numb during everyday activities. Movement, the thing he loved most, was being taken from him.
“It started to feel like my body was breaking down. I wasn’t performing well, and I definitely wasn’t feeling good.”
Rather than give up, Anthony dove deeper. After trying everything from bodybuilding to self-directed rehab, he discovered a calling: to help others find freedom through fitness, just like he was trying to do.
Anthony officially started his personal training career six years ago in New York, working out of a gym under the mentorship of another trainer. His first clients were anyone looking to get fit, but within a few years, a shift happened, one that changed everything.
“I started working more and more with the special needs community,” he said. “By the third year, about 60 percent of my clients had special needs. And I absolutely loved it.”
Working with this group of people taught Anthony the power of empathy, patience, and creativity in coaching. It also reinforced his belief that movement is for everyone.
“You realize real quick that just because someone is nonverbal or has a diagnosis, that doesn’t mean they don’t understand you,” he said. “They might need things broken down or modified, but they’re just as capable.”
Out of all the clients he’s worked with, one young teen left an indelible mark on Anthony.
“He was maybe 12 or 13. Nonverbal, had a history of self-harm including biting himself and banging his head against the wall. His mom told me he hadn’t run in years due to being a toe-walker and having had surgery.”
Anthony took that as a challenge.
“We worked for weeks. At first, it was simple drills. Slowly, he started to warm up to me. And then one day, we’re in the back alley behind the gym and I encourage him to pick up the pace. Next thing I know, he takes off in a full sprint laughing and smiling.”
Tears filled his mom’s eyes as they watched; overcome by emotion at something most people take for granted.
“That moment right there? That’s why I do this. That’s the ‘why’ behind everything I do.”
Anthony’s journey hasn’t been without its setbacks. At 21, he tore his ACL, a serious injury that would challenge even the most seasoned athlete. But rather than go through traditional rehab alone, he studied everything he could find online from physical therapy protocols to YouTube tutorials.
“I was obsessed with learning how to move better. I didn’t just want to get back to where I was, I wanted to be better than before.”
This hunger for knowledge led him to certifications like the PPSC (Pain-Free Performance Specialist Certification), which helped him develop systems for training people in functional, pain-free movement.
“My goal became simple: make people stronger, more functional, and keep them out of pain.”
But that wasn’t the end of his learning curve. A few years later, Anthony sustained a MCL injury, which triggered a deeper exploration into biomechanics, joint health, and unconventional training techniques.
“I realized I wasn’t training for longevity. I was just training for aesthetics. That needed to change.”
Now, Anthony integrates deep-range strength training into his own workouts and his clients’, emphasizing long-term health over short-term gains.
When Anthony moved to Nashville, he discovered a new layer to his coaching identity which was unconventional fitness.
“I started getting into kettlebells, maces, sandbags, functional tools that mimic real-life movement and help build strong, stable joints,” he said. “I even got certified in Functional Kettlebell Training (FKT).”
This opened new doors in his programming, allowing clients to get out of pain and into strength through dynamic, fun, and unconventional movements.
“Not everyone connects with barbells or dumbbells. Some people just need to find their style of fitness. That’s where these tools come in.”
Whether it’s heavy squats with a sandbag or shoulder mobility work with a kettlebell, Anthony’s coaching style is about building movement literacy to help people move with confidence for the long haul.
Beyond coaching, Anthony is also a familiar face in the local wellness scene as an event lead for Nashville Fit Magazine. When he moved to the city, he knew community was non-negotiable.
“NFM gave me a chance to connect with like-minded people, attend events, and just be a part of something,” he said. “It’s fun. I get to meet cool people, share what I know, and keep learning from others in the space.”
Anthony currently trains clients in person in All Strength Nashville, Brentwood and Cool Springs, and also offers virtual sessions for those outside the city. His Instagram is packed with insights, tips, and behind-the-scenes looks at his unconventional training methods.
He’s also working on launching intro-level programming for beginners interested in kettlebells or pain-free movement.
“If you don’t love fitness as it looks right now then change it. You don’t need a gym. You just need movement that you enjoy. That’s how you make it stick.”
“You don’t need to be shredded to be healthy. You don’t need to suffer through workouts to make progress. And most importantly, you’re allowed to have fun with fitness. That’s what keeps you going.”
“Longevity is the goal, he added.
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