Exercise Physiology
What Is An Exercise Physiologist?
An Exercise Physiologist (EP) is a health professional specializing in the use of exercise to prevent and manage a wide range of health conditions.
Exercise Physiologists (EPs) are different to physiotherapists. While physiotherapists primarily focus on diagnosing and treating acute (i.e. short-term) injuries, Exercise Physiologists (EPs) specialize in using exercise as a form of treatment to manage and prevent chronic (i.e. long-term) health conditions. Physiotherapists often address immediate injury or pain relief, while exercise physiology takes a long-term approach, helping clients improve their strength and functional capacity through sustainable exercise routines.
Our EPs are trained to assess your unique health needs, design personalized exercise plans, and guide you safely through each step, whether your goal is rehabilitation, chronic disease management, or achieving a healthier lifestyle.
When To See An Exercise Physiologist?
Whether you need help to manage a condition or want to prevent getting a condition, you can consult an Exercise Physiologist (EP). And, you don’t need a doctor’s referral to come see us.
Consider seeing an EP if you want to:
Manage a chronic condition, like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or arthritis
Build overall strength and fitness to maintain functional independence
Improve balance and prevent falls
Before or after surgery (e.g., hip or knee replacement)
Improve mental well-being through structured exercise
Improve your lifestyle and adopt healthy habits
EPs are trained in exercise prescription and behaviour change to support health and manage long-term conditions, and there’s so much they can help you achieve!
How An Exercise Physiologists Can Help You
Our Exercise Physiologists (EPs) support a wide range of health needs, from chronic disease management to injury recovery and general wellness. Here are some of the conditions we commonly work with:
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Anxiety
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Arthritis
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Asthma
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Back Pain
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Cancer Recovery
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Cardiovascular Disease
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COPD
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Chronic Pain
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Depression
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Diabetes
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Fibromyalgia
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Hip and Knee Replacement Recovery
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Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
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Mental Health and Stress Management
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Mobility Issues
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Neurological (e.g., Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s)
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Obesity and Weight Management
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Osteoporosis
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Post-Surgical Rehabilitation
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Sports Injuries
Why our Clients choose us
At Holistic Healthcare, we believe in a personalized, supportive approach to exercise physiology. Here’s what sets us apart:
Fully Equipped Clinic
Our clinic is designed to be welcoming and accessible, with specialized equipment to meet a variety of health needs.
Experienced Team
Our Exercise Physiologists bring 10+ years of combined experience and a deep commitment to helping clients improve their health and well-being.
Client-Centered Care
We take the time to understand your unique goals and challenges, creating tailored exercise programs that fit your lifestyle.
Holistic Approach
Beyond physical fitness, we focus on improving mental well-being and enhancing quality of life.
Friendly and Supportive Environment
We prioritize making our clients feel comfortable and supported at every step of their journey.
Convenient and Accessible Location
Located close to home in a quiet residential area with plenty of free parking, making it easy for you to prioritize your health.
What to Expect During Your First Visit
Your first visit with one of our Exercise Physiologists (EPs) is all about understanding your unique health needs and goals. Here’s what you can expect:
Conversation: We’ll start by discussing your health history, current concerns, and goals. This helps us understand your needs and any specific conditions we should focus on.
Physical Assessment: Next, we’ll conduct a gentle physical assessment to check your strength, flexibility, and overall fitness. This helps us tailor your program to ensure it’s safe and effective
Goal Setting: Based on your assessment, we’ll work with you to set realistic, achievable goals that align with your health and lifestyle.
Personalized Exercise Plan: Finally, we’ll create a customized exercise plan tailored to your needs, whether it’s for rehabilitation, chronic disease management, or general fitness.
We’re here to support you every step of the way. Your journey to better health starts with this first visit, where we lay the foundation for a program that’s safe, effective, and designed just for you.
Frequently Asked Question
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What is an Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP)?AEP is an allied health professional who can help manage a number of chronic (long term) conditions by designing and delivering safe exercises. An AEP can help you manage diabetes, high blood pressure, arthritis, falls risk, osteoporosis, COPD, Parkinson's disease, stroke, chronic pain and many more. AEPs can also help you make lifestyle changes, whether you're looking to lose weight or get stronger, to help prevent chronic conditions.
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What types of treatments or exercises will my EP sessions involve?Our Exercise Physiologists focus on active, exercise-based treatments rather than passive modalities like massage or TENS. Your sessions will include exercises tailored to your needs, such as strength, flexibility, or aerobic activities, depending on your goals.
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What is the difference between an AEP and a physiotherapist?Let's first look at what is similar. AEPs and physiotherapists are both university qualified health professionals recognized under the Medicare program, DVA and private health care. Physiotherapists help to manage injuries and pain through a range of hands-on techniques. These include massage, dry needling, joint mobilization and so on. Typically, a person may see a physiotherapist shortly after they have an injury such as a fracture, neck or back pain and range of other joint and muscle pains. Physiotherapists aim to stop the injury from getting worse while managing pain levels and also restore movement of the joint. AEPs on the other hand will help manage the condition over the long term. They use their expertise of exercise prescription to help improve your balance and get stronger so everyday tasks are easier to perform. AEPs also help the client make behavioural and lifestyle changes and educate the clients to self-manage their own condition.
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What is the difference between an AEP and a personal trainer?Let's first look at what is similar. AEPs and personal trainers both design and prescribe exercise programs. Personal trainers are qualified to work with healthy populations. The training to be a personal trainer takes approximately 6 weeks in which they are taught about the body and exercise programming. AEPs are qualified to work with a range of clients, including healthy as well as those with a chronic (long term) conditions. All AEPs complete a 4 year university degree in which they are taught about the body, exercise programming, latest research, a range of clinical conditions and their management. All AEPs complete 500 hours of supervised practice before they can be called an AEP.
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What do you mean by 'exercise'?This is a great question. Often times, I can see the anxiety set in when I mention the word 'exercise'. However, an exercise is any activity that you perform for the purpose of improving your health or preventing harm. It can be as simple as breathing to as intense as running a marathon. If you do something that is too easy, then it' does not bring you much benefit. Whereas if you do something that is too hard, you may give it up or even hurt yourself. This is why it is important to consult a exercise professional about what type, amount and frequency of exercise is right for you.
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What is an Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP)?AEP is an allied health professional who can help manage a number of chronic (long term) conditions by designing and delivering safe exercises. An AEP can help you manage diabetes, high blood pressure, arthritis, falls risk, osteoporosis, COPD, Parkinson's disease, stroke, chronic pain and many more. AEPs can also help you make lifestyle changes, whether you're looking to lose weight or get stronger, to help prevent chronic conditions.
-
What types of treatments or exercises will my EP sessions involve?Our Exercise Physiologists focus on active, exercise-based treatments rather than passive modalities like massage or TENS. Your sessions will include exercises tailored to your needs, such as strength, flexibility, or aerobic activities, depending on your goals.
-
What is the difference between an AEP and a physiotherapist?Let's first look at what is similar. AEPs and physiotherapists are both university qualified health professionals recognized under the Medicare program, DVA and private health care. Physiotherapists help to manage injuries and pain through a range of hands-on techniques. These include massage, dry needling, joint mobilization and so on. Typically, a person may see a physiotherapist shortly after they have an injury such as a fracture, neck or back pain and range of other joint and muscle pains. Physiotherapists aim to stop the injury from getting worse while managing pain levels and also restore movement of the joint. AEPs on the other hand will help manage the condition over the long term. They use their expertise of exercise prescription to help improve your balance and get stronger so everyday tasks are easier to perform. AEPs also help the client make behavioural and lifestyle changes and educate the clients to self-manage their own condition.
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What is the difference between an AEP and a personal trainer?Let's first look at what is similar. AEPs and personal trainers both design and prescribe exercise programs. Personal trainers are qualified to work with healthy populations. The training to be a personal trainer takes approximately 6 weeks in which they are taught about the body and exercise programming. AEPs are qualified to work with a range of clients, including healthy as well as those with a chronic (long term) conditions. All AEPs complete a 4 year university degree in which they are taught about the body, exercise programming, latest research, a range of clinical conditions and their management. All AEPs complete 500 hours of supervised practice before they can be called an AEP.
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What do you mean by 'exercise'?This is a great question. Often times, I can see the anxiety set in when I mention the word 'exercise'. However, an exercise is any activity that you perform for the purpose of improving your health or preventing harm. It can be as simple as breathing to as intense as running a marathon. If you do something that is too easy, then it' does not bring you much benefit. Whereas if you do something that is too hard, you may give it up or even hurt yourself. This is why it is important to consult a exercise professional about what type, amount and frequency of exercise is right for you.