What is a clinical exercise physiologist?
A clinical exercise physiologist is a healthcare professional with specialized education in exercise prescription and rehabilitation. They design individualized exercise programs based on your medical history, current health, physical abilities, and personal goals to help you move safely and improve your quality of life.
Who can benefit from exercise physiology?
Exercise physiology can benefit people of all ages and activity levels, including those who:
- Are recovering from an injury
- Live with chronic pain
- Have arthritis or joint conditions
- Manage diabetes or other chronic diseases
- Have heart or lung conditions (when appropriate)
- Want to improve strength, mobility, or balance
- Are preparing for or recovering from surgery
- Want to reduce their risk of future injury
- Are looking to improve overall fitness and function
What happens during my first appointment?
Your initial appointment includes a comprehensive assessment of your medical history, lifestyle, current activity level, movement patterns, strength, flexibility, balance, cardiovascular fitness, and personal goals. Based on this assessment, your exercise physiologist will develop a customized exercise program tailored to your needs.
What types of exercises will I do?
Your program may include:
- Strength training
- Mobility and flexibility exercises
- Balance and coordination training
- Cardiovascular exercise
- Functional movement training
- Core strengthening
- Injury prevention exercises
- Rehabilitation exercises
- Sport-specific conditioning (when appropriate)
Every program is individualized and progresses at a pace that is appropriate for you.
Can exercise physiology help with chronic pain?
Yes. Regular, appropriately prescribed exercise can help improve strength, mobility, endurance, and function while reducing pain and improving confidence in movement. Your exercise physiologist will tailor your program to your abilities and adjust it as your condition changes.
Can exercise physiology help me recover from an injury?
Absolutely. Exercise plays a key role in rehabilitation by restoring strength, flexibility, balance, and movement while reducing the risk of re-injury. Exercise physiologists often work alongside physiotherapists and other healthcare providers to support your recovery.
Is exercise physiology only for athletes?
No. While athletes can benefit from exercise physiology, the majority of clients are individuals looking to improve their health, recover from injury, manage chronic conditions, or maintain independence and mobility throughout life.
Do I need to be fit before I start?
Not at all. Exercise programs are designed for your current fitness level, whether you are new to exercise, returning after an injury, or already physically active.
What should I wear to my appointment?
Wear comfortable clothing that allows you to move freely. Athletic clothing and supportive footwear are recommended. Please bring a clean pair of indoor athletic shoes, as outdoor footwear is not permitted in the clinic or gym area.
Can I use the gym before or after my appointment?
Yes. Exercise physiology clients are welcome to use the gym for up to 30 minutes before or after their scheduled appointment to warm up, cool down, or complete additional prescribed exercises. Please remember to bring clean indoor athletic shoes, as outdoor footwear is not permitted in the clinic or gym area.
How often will I need appointments?
The frequency of your appointments depends on your health status, goals, and treatment plan. Some people benefit from multiple supervised exercise sessions each week or weekly sessions, while others attend less frequently as they gain confidence and independence with their program.
Will I receive a home exercise program?
Yes. Your exercise physiologist may provide a personalized home exercise program to help you continue making progress between appointments. Your exercises may be updated regularly as your strength and function improve.
Can exercise physiology help prevent injuries?
Yes. By improving strength, flexibility, movement quality, balance, and overall physical conditioning, exercise physiology can help reduce the risk of future injuries during work, sport, and everyday activities.
Is exercise physiology covered by insurance?
Coverage varies depending on your extended health benefits plan. We recommend contacting your insurance provider to determine whether exercise physiology services are included in your policy.
Please note we do not provide direct billing to insurance for Exercise Physiology, but you will be provided with a detailed receipt to submit to your insurance provider.
Can exercise physiology be combined with other treatments?
Absolutely. Exercise physiology often complements physiotherapy, massage therapy, chiropractic care, acupuncture, and other healthcare services. Working as part of a multidisciplinary team allows your care to be coordinated and tailored to your recovery and wellness goals.
Why choose One Wellness for exercise physiology?
At One Wellness, our exercise physiology services are designed to help you move with confidence, recover from injury, manage chronic conditions, and improve your long-term health. We create individualized, evidence-informed exercise programs based on your unique needs and goals while collaborating with other members of our healthcare team when appropriate to provide comprehensive, patient-centered care.
