Everything about Tony Bianchino — owner of Out Run Your Fork in Westfield, NJ — feels big. His presence. His energy. His smile. Even his muscles. But what draws people in isn’t the physical stature; it’s the gravitational pull of someone who shares his enthusiasm for life generously and without hesitation. Tony is a man with many chapters behind him and countless more taking shape. When he wonders out loud what the “grand finale” of his story will be, I meet his smile with a quiet knowing: he will never be done. Not because the vision won’t be realized, but because new dreams will constantly evolve from the old ones. Legacy-building is like that — and it becomes clear very quickly that “Big Tony” is doing exactly that.
A Life Transformed by Fitness
Tony’s journey into fitness began almost accidentally during his college years at Seton Hall University. The gym was a place to make friends, stay out of trouble, and — as he admits with a laugh — impress the ladies. But something unexpected happened: his body transformed. Without obsessing over the strict diets common in bodybuilding, he entered his first competition and placed second. No spray tan. No boiled chicken. Just determination and iron. By 1991, he earned the title of Teen NJ.
The gym didn’t just reshape his physique — it rerouted his entire life. It’s also where he met Melissa, the woman who would become his wife of 27 years. “She was different from any girl I had ever met,” he says. In classic Tony fashion, he didn’t waste time. He proposed 12 weeks later. Go big or go home, right? Together they built a life anchored by their two children, Kira (23) and Cale (20), weathering not only the joys but the inevitable storms.
One of the biggest challenges came in March 2020, when they took a leap of faith and opened their dream fitness studio — just as the world shut down.
A Pandemic, A Pivot, and a Purpose
Where many might have folded, Tony adapted. His commitment to health, longevity, and community kicked in immediately. He launched free video workouts for the public and donated his small-business grant to local restaurants to help them survive. While others focused on survival, Tony focused on service.
When I ask why he believes Out Run Your Fork made it through a time that shuttered so many gyms, he doesn’t hesitate:
“Because of the vision. I imagined people laughing. A gym where life was happening. It was never about the workout — it was about human beings being joyful.”
Fitness merges with friendship in Tony’s world. And when the studio finally opened its doors in September 2020, that spirit was at its core.
A Gym Built for Real People with Real Lives
Today, Out Run Your Fork is a welcoming, nonjudgmental space — especially for people who feel overlooked by traditional gyms. The team offers:
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One-on-one training
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Small-group sessions
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Injury prevention and post-PT recovery
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Custom nutrition programming
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A bright, energetic environment designed to elevate mood as much as metabolism
Tony’s approach to nutrition is rooted in science and personalization. No fad diets, no cookie-cutter plans — each program aligns with the client’s lifestyle, preferences, and even genetic tendencies.
The studio’s culture is its heartbeat:
“No judgments. No ego. Just support.”
Fun, fitness, and family — that’s the mantra.
Even the vibrant orange and blue throughout the studio are purposeful, chosen for their ability to lift energy and encourage positivity. (And no — they’re not Mets colors. But you wouldn’t be the first to think so!)
Transformations That Go Beyond the Physical
Client stories at ORYF read like love letters to the power of compassion paired with expertise.
PJ, a long-time client, shares, “When I met Tony, I was a recent widower. I was overweight, diabetic, and depressed. Tony helped me believe I could do it. It’s not an overstatement to say he saved my life.”
Marisa Benetich, a five-year client, calls the studio her “home away from home.” She’s lost more than eighty-five pounds — but what she emphasizes most is the care and authenticity she feels every time she walks in the door.
And then there’s his daughter, Kira. Diagnosed with autism at five and diabetes at fifteen, her life changed profoundly once accessible fitness programming became available at her parents’ gym. Now she trains with other young adults with special needs. She has friends. She has confidence. She has joy. Watching fitness become a pathway for connection and fulfillment for Kira inspired Tony to expand programming and fundraising for the special-needs community. Personal became universal.
Rooted in Community, Powered by Heart
Tony is everywhere in Westfield. Social media. Events. Sponsorships. Networking groups. He doesn’t just attend — he hosts. Out Run Your Fork offers wellness expos, nutrition classes, and workshops. He writes openly about resilience, forgiveness, and the emotional side of transformation.
His reach goes far beyond the gym. He has collaborated with the Union County Office for Persons with Disabilities & Special Needs, and he serves on the Board of Directors for the Greater Westfield Area Chamber of Commerce — reinforcing his commitment not just to business, but to community leadership.
In 2025, Out Run Your Fork expanded into a new, larger facility at 500 Central Avenue, a move that aligns perfectly with Tony’s mission: serving people, not selling memberships. Education, empowerment, and longevity remain at the forefront of everything they do.
Once you become friends with Tony - you are forever friends. Yes, everything about Tony Bianchino feels big - but nothing more so than his heart.
“I imagined a gym where life was happening — people laughing, connecting, belonging.”