Lots of people are still discovering what exercise physiology can do for their health and fitness. Here are some of the top questions we get:
What’s the difference between exercise physiology and personal training?
There are two major differences: What training your trainer or coach has, and whether you can claim rebates on your sessions through Medicare and/or private health.
An exercise physiologist is university trained and accredited by Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA), while personal trainers may have a university degree, or may be certified through shorter courses. ESSA accreditation allows Medicare and private health rebates to be claimed for exercise physiology sessions; personal training does not have this option.
What will happen during my first session?
Whatever you need to get fit and healthy! During your initial session, you and your coach will go through:
- Your goals
- Your health and injury history
- Any challenges you’re facing
- A brief, low intensity movement screen and workout
This establishes your physical starting point and what kind of exercise will benefit you the most. You’ll wrap up the initial session with some starter exercises, and you’ll received a more in-depth program at your second session. Further program updates taking place as often as are needed or desired to maintain progress.
Please note: We want your program to be exactly right for you, so if you have significant health concerns, you and your coach may discuss bringing your doctor into the loop. You’ll definitely still be able to start a safe and effective exercise program!
What kind of exercise will I do in my sessions?
In your second and subsequent sessions, your coach will guide you through your program, making sure you feel comfortable and confident. Your program will contain exercises to help you:
Loosen – Self-massage work can be done at home to help loosen tight muscles, decreasing stiffness, tension, pain, and injury risk. Muscles and connective tissues with the optimal amount of tension work efficiently, keep you pain-free, and help prevent overuse injuries.
Lengthen – Many of our muscles are held in shortened positions for hours (or even days) at a time. Lengthening out means increasing flexibility and joint mobility, which in turn can help you improve posture, decrease stiffness, and move through life more easily.
Strengthen – Keep your muscles ready and able to support your body. Strong muscles help maintain optimal joint alignment and function, help you carry the shopping in from the car, and make sure you can take the dog for a long walk. Muscle strength supports you in everything you do!
The actual exercises you’ll be given will depend on your physical starting point and goals. Your coach can make each exercise harder or easier as needed, ensuring that your program will have you feeling comfortable and confident, while still being suitably challenged.
Do I need to have a home-gym set up?
Not at all. We’ll make use of whatever space you have available, and focus on using the tools and equipment that you already have, especially your own bodyweight! We may recommend the purchase of some equipment like a foam roller or exercise bands, but anything recommended will have multiple uses and will be budget-, space-, and user-friendly.
How does this approach help me in the long term?
HealthFit programs use a “Big Picture” approach that follows these three steps:
Get Moving – Our bodies are built to move, and you might be surprised at how good a little movement can make you feel! Ease into adding movement to your life safely, easily, and enjoyably (or at least in a way that is a bit more palatable).
Move Better – Your coach can show you how to use your body in a more efficient manner. This means decreasing and preventing the aches and pains we often associate with aging, improving numerous health indicators, and helping you tackle the demands of daily life more easily.
Move More – If you’re feeling good and want to take the next step, you and your coach will work as a team to figure out how to get stronger, fitter, more flexible, or train for a specific goal or event. Your program will follow the same rules: keep you safe and pain-free, fit into your lifestyle, and still be enjoyable (or at least not awful!).
Do I need to buy a package of sessions or sign a contract?
No contracts are required. Most clients start with our Starter Pack, which offers you significant savings on a month’s worth of weekly or fortnightly sessions as well as rolling your initial consult into the pack. After completing your Starter Pack, if you wish to continue your sessions, you can sign up for weekly, fortnightly, or monthly sessions that are automatically billed for your convenience. You can stop these at any time.
Depending on your session goal, you may also be eligible for a Medicare Chronic Disease Management plan through your GP. A CDM plan can provide up to five allied health sessions per year, and can be scheduled as you desire. These CDM plans are designed to help manage chronic disease or conditions by providing you with an exercise program for things like diabetes and heart disease. Painful muscle and joint conditions are also often eligible.
What are the session fees?
Starter Pack pricing is as low as $205, and ongoing sessions start from $100 per session for in-home exercise physiology. Some private health funds will provide rebates for exercise physiology sessions. Additional pricing information is available here.
Where do exercise physiology sessions take place?
Our main areas of service include inner city Brisbane and the western suburbs, including Spring Hill, Paddington, Bardon, Rosalie, Milton, Auchenflower, Toowong, Taringa, St Lucia, Indooroopilly, Chapel Hill, Kenmore, Graceville, and Chelmer. In-home exercise physiology and healthy eating support programs can be arranged outside these areas by request.
How do I get started?
Click the button and get in touch! We can set up time for a chat, and figure out together how exercise physiology sessions can get you back on track, moving well and feeling great.