In many cases, an Exercise Physiologist can be a better choice because of their broader approach to your physical and mental health.
Accredited Exercise Physiologists go beyond getting you physically fit. They are more capable of handling various physical and mental conditions that a Personal Trainer may not be qualified to handle.
This guide compares an Exercise Physiologist vs Personal Trainer to help you choose between the two.
What Do Exercise Physiologists Do?
Accredited Exercise Physiologists (AEPs) are professionals who study the human body’s responses and adaptations to physical activity. They specialise in:
Training Design
AEPs can design comprehensive exercise programs that help individuals improve their health and fitness. These programs are not just about weight loss or muscle gain; they often focus on recovery from chronic diseases or injuries.
Their work often involves creating personalised exercise regimens for people with specific health concerns.
Exercise Physiologists can help people with conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) to improve their symptoms and overall well-being.
They understand how exercise can be used as a tool to prevent or manage chronic conditions, improve physical function, and enhance overall quality of life.
Fitness Assessments
In addition to program design, Exercise Physiologists conduct fitness assessments. They measure body composition, cardiovascular fitness, muscle strength, flexibility, blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar levels and more.
These assessments help them monitor progress and effectively adjust exercise plans as required.
Wide Variety of Clientele
Exercise Physiologists are equipped to work with various populations, including those with physical limitations.
They use their understanding of exercise science to help individuals safely increase their activity levels, alter various program parameters and choose exercises safely for the multitude of conditions and injuries that they treat.
Communication With Healthcare Professionals
Lastly, EPs might collaborate with other healthcare providers to ensure a holistic approach to a patient’s health and wellness.
This collaboration is especially important when dealing with chronic conditions or rehabilitation after injuries or surgeries.
What Do Personal Trainers Do?
Personal Trainers (PTs) are fitness professionals who work with clients to help them achieve their health and fitness goals. Here’s a breakdown of their primary responsibilities:
Exercise Instruction and Guidance
Personal Trainers provide direct instruction on how to perform exercises correctly and safely. They demonstrate proper techniques and coach clients through workouts, providing motivation and feedback to ensure effective and safe training.
Customised Fitness Programs
Like Exercise Physiologists, Personal Trainers design exercise programs. However, their focus is often more on healthy individuals looking to improve their physical fitness, lose weight, or gain muscle. They tailor workouts to fit a client’s fitness goals, abilities, and preferences.
Health and Lifestyle Coaching
A Personal Trainer may also offer advice on general health, nutrition, and lifestyle changes to complement their clients’ training regimens.
While they do not provide medical advice, they can help with setting goals for a healthier lifestyle and maintaining motivation.
Progress Tracking
Personal Trainers help clients track their progress toward their fitness goals. This can include measuring improvements in strength, endurance, flexibility, and body composition. Unlike Exercise Physiologists, however, they do not take blood measurements.
They use this information to adjust the exercise plan as needed for continued progress.
Diverse Clientele
Personal Trainers often work with a broad range of clients, from beginners to more experienced exercisers.
They adapt their training strategies to suit the individual needs and fitness levels of each client, which may include designing workouts that can be done at home, in a gym, or outdoors.
Why Is an Accredited Exercise Physiologist Best for You?
Here’s why you may be better off with an AEP instead of a PT:
Education and Knowledge
Accredited Exercise Physiologists bring a high level of education and knowledge to their practice, which sets them apart in the field of exercise and health sciences. Here’s how:
1. Advanced Educational Requirements
Exercise Physiologists complete a four-year university degree in exercise science or a related field and graduate with over 500 hours of practical experience.
This rigorous academic program includes an in-depth study of human physiology, anatomy, biomechanics, and pathology. They learn how the body responds to exercise at both the systemic and cellular levels.
2. Specialised Clinical Training
Throughout their education, Exercise Physiologists receive specialised training that prepares them to work with individuals who have various medical conditions.
This clinical training is crucial for safely and effectively designing and implementing exercise programs for those with chronic diseases or injuries.
3. Evidence-Based Practice
AEPs rely on scientific evidence to guide their practice. They can read, critique, and apply research findings to ensure their exercise prescriptions are based on the most up-to-date information.
This approach helps to deliver safe and effective outcomes for their clients.
4. Certification and Accreditation
To become an Accredited Exercise Physiologist, graduates must also complete a period of practical experience.
This accreditation process ensures that AEPs maintain high professional standards and stay current with continuing education.
Approach
AEPs have a distinct approach to client care that emphasises individual health and clinical conditions.
1. Holistic Health Focus
AEPs approach their clients’ fitness with a broad perspective on overall health. They consider not just physical activity but also how exercise (or lack of exercise) affects and is affected by other aspects of a person’s health, including mental health, nutrition, and chronic conditions.
2. Clinical Exercise Interventions
Their approach often involves clinical exercise interventions. This means they are adept at designing and adjusting exercise programs to meet the specific needs of clients with acute or chronic health issues, ensuring the exercise is beneficial and doesn’t exacerbate the condition.
3. Personalised Care
AEPs provide personalised care that goes beyond general fitness. They develop exercise programs tailored to the unique health status, goals, and abilities of each individual.
Additionally, they often work closely with other healthcare professionals to integrate exercise into the client’s overall treatment plan.
4. Risk Management
When working with clients who have existing health conditions, AEPs place a strong emphasis on risk management. They can identify potential risks associated with exercise and modify programs accordingly to ensure safety.
5. Behaviour Change Strategies
Beyond exercise prescription, AEPs are trained in behaviour change strategies. This enables them to help clients overcome barriers to physical activity, establish healthy habits, and make sustainable lifestyle changes.
Insurance and Health Funds
AEPs are recognised within the healthcare system for their expertise in clinical exercise interventions, which has implications for insurance and health fund coverage.
1. Recognised Allied Health Professionals
AEPs are considered allied health professionals, which means they are eligible to be recognised by various health insurance providers.
This recognition allows clients to receive rebates for their services if their insurance policy covers allied health services.
2. Coverage for Chronic Conditions
Clients with chronic health conditions may be able to access services provided by an AEP under specific health insurance plans or government-funded healthcare initiatives (such as Medicare).
This can reduce the out-of-pocket cost for individuals who require ongoing support for their conditions.
3. Private Health Insurance
Many private health insurance plans offer benefits for exercise physiology services, acknowledging the role of exercise in preventing and managing health issues.
Clients should check with their health fund to understand their coverage and any potential rebates for seeing an AEP.
4. Workers’ Compensation and Third-party Claims
AEPs are often involved in workers’ compensation and third-party claims. When an individual is injured at work or in an accident, an AEP may be part of the rehabilitation team.
Their services may be covered by the relevant insurance policies as part of the client’s return-to-work or rehabilitation program.
When to Consider an AEP?
If you have chronic health issues or specific physical conditions, seeing an AEP can be a wise choice. Exercise Physiologists are trained to understand and work with medical conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, osteoarthritis, and obesity.
Additionally, if you’re recovering from surgery or dealing with an injury, an AEP can create an exercise plan that caters to your rehabilitation needs.
Older adults or those with mobility issues can benefit from an AEP’s expertise in designing safe and effective exercise programs that improve balance, strength, and flexibility.
If you require professional guidance that considers your complete health picture and medical history, an AEP is the professional you might need.
When to Consider a Personal Trainer?
If your main goal is to improve general fitness, lose weight, or build muscle, a Personal Trainer could be the right professional for you.
Personal Trainers excel at motivating clients, setting fitness goals, and providing the accountability many people need to stick with an exercise program.
If you’re relatively healthy and you’re looking for guidance on workout routines, proper exercise techniques, and nutrition tips for fitness, personal trainers are well-equipped to help.
In the End
If you find yourself dealing with chronic pain, recovering from an injury, or managing a condition like diabetes or heart disease, the specialised care of an AEP might be exactly what you need.
At EP360 Exercise Physiology, we are dedicated to helping you feel stronger, move better, and get back to doing what you love. Our team of qualified exercise physiologists is ready to create a personalised plan that’s right for you.
Don’t let pain or injury keep you from your favourite activities. Get started on your path to improved health and well-being today.
Visit our website at EP360 Exercise Physiology, or call us at 0432 179 939 to learn more about our services and how we can assist you in living your best life.
Sources
- Accredited Exercise Physiology vs Personal Training – What’s the Difference? | Transcend Health
- Exercise Physiologist vs. Personal Trainer Breakdown | Pocket Prep
- Exercise Physiologists vs Personal Trainers: Should I train at an Allied Health Clinic or a Gym? | The Movement Standard
- What’s The Difference? Exercise Physiologists And Personal Trainers | HOAG Executive Health
