About Dr. Anthony Brocato, PT, DPT, CSCS

I founded Ascendus Performance with a mission to bring a more scientific, individualized approach to traditional strength and conditioning. My goal is to bridge the gap between the principles of exercise science, sports performance, and clinical expertise to create training programs that are not only effective, but specifically designed around the needs of the individual.

My passion for teaching and science developed throughout my undergraduate and graduate education at Rutgers University. During this time, I worked as both a tutor and a teaching assistant, experiences that strengthened my ability to communicate complex concepts and fostered a deeper interest in the science behind human performance. My passion for research began during my undergraduate studies, when I completed my senior thesis within the Exercise Psychophysiology Laboratory as part of the Exercise Science Department. This experience introduced me to the scientific method and reinforced the importance of critically evaluating evidence rather than solely trusting intuition. My dedication to remaining an evidence-based practitioner is what drives me to still actively participate in research activities such as of data collection/analysis, as well as serving as an anonymous reviewer for several sports physical therapy journals.

That exposure fundamentally shaped my philosophy as a coach. I became increasingly interested in how evidence-based practices can be translated into practical training strategies—and how thoughtful exercise selection, programming, progression, and individualization can influence not only physical performance, but also an individual's overall physical and mental well-being.

After completing my Doctorate of Physical Therapy and becoming a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, I set out to develop a system of evidence-informed training designed to optimize performance. Ascendus Performance represents the culmination of these experiences: a training philosophy built around understanding why we train the way we do, not simply following what has traditionally been done.

My background as a Doctor of Physical Therapy provides an additional level of expertise beyond strength and conditioning alone. This allows me to approach program design from a broader perspective—considering not only how an athlete can optimize their training adaptations, but also how their individual movement characteristics, training history, and physical limitations should influence the way those qualities are developed. My experience involves working with athletes and active populations across central and north Jersey ranging from the elementary school through the collegiate level, both as a PT and strength coach. From developing thorough exercise programs, conducting athletic testing sessions, and performing guided exercise instruction, I have always taken an individualized approach to designing plans that will allow each athlete to access their full athletic potential.

The combination of DPT and CSCS expertise allows Ascendus Performance to integrate performance training with a deeper understanding of the human body. Rather than applying a one-size-fits-all program, I aim to identify the specific demands and needs of each individual and use evidence-informed principles to determine the most appropriate exercises, training variables, progressions, and modifications.