Exercise Physiology
Our ALL ACCESS gym enables us to empower all people of ALL ABILITIES to CHANGE their life
Our expertise lies in clinical exercise interventions for various health conditions. The conditions WE WORK with:
Neurological conditions
Cardiovascular Disease
Musculoskeletal injuries
Chronic pain
Mental health conditions
Cancer
Spinal cord injuries
Osteoporosis
Physical and Intellectual Disabilities
Physical restrictions or mobility issues
Chronic Respiratory Diseases
Pre-diabetes and Diabetes
Difficulty maintaining adherence to an exercise regime
Obesity and weight issues
Children/young adults
Empower Gym is a leading clinic in Exercise Physiology services.
Exercise as medicine is also a great way to think of what our Exercise Physiologists. Our experienced team of Accredited Exercise Physiologists (AEPs) have the expertise to design, deliver and provide safe and effective exercise prescription for those living with disability and various chronic health conditions.
Our Exercise Physiologists provide interventions that support long term lifestyle changes, prescribe individualised exercise programs specific to you and your
goals and can help improve overall physical function and wellbeing. If you have never exercised before and need some assistance on where to start, our team can help. If you are returning from an injury or health condition, or are wanting to maintain your current physical abilities and activity levels, our Exercise Physiologists are here to help! You do not need to be diagnosed with a chronic health condition to see an AEP. You may just want to improve your function or how you feel.
Our Exercise Physiologists work out of our new Empower Gym, Unley, South Australia. We provide state of the art facilities and equipment that is accessible and designed to be used safely and independently by as many different users as possible, regardless of ability.
At Empower Gym we know what it takes to get YOU moving or back to moving.
Exercise Physiologists Have The Ability To:
- Conduct assessments to recognise individuals abilities and health concerns
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Identify other areas of concern and refer on to other allied health professionals when necessary
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Educate patients on health, conditions, injuries, what to do and what to avoid
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Have a holistic approach by treating all patients individually- focusing on needs, interests, motivators (can use motivational interviewing)
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Prescribe individualised exercise programs to treat conditions and avoid further issues
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Provide a rebate if the client is covered for Exercise Physiology by their health fund
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Provide Team Care Arrangement services with a referral from GP
Our approach uses various treatments.
Find out more about them here.
1.1 Treatment In-clinic
Small Group NDIS Classes
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Increase social participation
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Increase independence
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Improve gross motor skills
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Improve co-ordination
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Improve strength
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Improve fitness
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Improve mental well-being
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Make it fun and make new friends
HITT Neuro Classes
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Improve aerobic fitness
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Improve muscular strength
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Improve and maintain current function
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Improve balance
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Delay neurological deconditioning
Empower FIT Classes
Hydrotherapy
We can provide 1.1 or group based hydrotherapy for patients of various chronic conditions and disabilities as well as abilities. Patients will require an assessment which can be completed in the clinic or at the pool to discuss their medical history, therapy goals, mobility prior to commencing these services.
Home Visits
All Access Workouts
We are so excited to have a wide range of HUR equipment at Empower Gym. HUR wheelchair accessible exercise equipment utilises Pneumatic (air resistance) technology. This follows the natural movement of the muscle, is easy on joints, and allows for optimal muscle loading equal to the fitness and ability level of each unique user.
The entire wheelchair accessible line includes the option for zero starting load. This is ideal for beginners and early initiation of rehabilitative therapy. Automatically loading touch screen exercise programs and equipment adjustments allow for safe, non-intimidating, independent use, allowing clients more control over their workouts while also saving staff time.
FAQ’s
What is the difference between an Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP) and a Personal Trainer?
AEPs (Accredited Exercise Physiologists) are like your go-to experts for all things exercise and health. They’re university-qualified pros who really know their stuff when it comes to exercise assessment and prescription.
Whether you’re dealing with a new injury, managing a chronic condition, or just aiming to boost your overall health, they’ve got you covered. They don’t just focus on the science of exercise and physiology—they also help with lifestyle changes and behavioral tweaks to get you closer to your fitness goals.
So, if you’re looking to optimize your health, an AEP at Empower Gym is your best bet!
What happens during my first appointment?
What should I bring to my first appointment? What should I wear to my appointment?
For your first appointment at Empower Gym, make sure you wear comfy clothes and footwear that are good for light exercise and movement. It’s also a great idea to bring along a water bottle and a gym towel to all your sessions. If you can, try to bring any details about your current medical conditions or injuries, like medication names, recent test results, or scans.
And if you have exercise-induced asthma, don’t forget your puffer, or if you’re diabetic, bring some sugary snacks or drinks. Our Exercise Physiologists will appreciate having this info to better tailor your plan!
What happens during my second and subsequent appointments?
When you come back for your follow-up appointments at Empower Gym, what happens next will depend on whether you’re doing one-on-one treatments or joining a class. If you’re sticking with 1.1 treatments, we’ll check on your progress, do the exercises we’ve set up for you, and keep pushing towards your goals. Your personalized plan might include face-to-face appointments, home or gym workouts, or occasional check-ins.
If you’re joining one of our group classes, our Exercise Physiologists might start with 1-2 one-on-one sessions to help you transition smoothly into the group setting. However, if you’re already an experienced gym-goer, this might not be necessary. Regardless of whether you’re in group classes or doing 1.1 treatments, we’ll review your progress every 3-6 months to reassess your goals and see how well the program is working for you.
Can I claim exercise physiology on private health insurance or Medicare?
At Empower Gym, Exercise Physiology is often covered by major private health funds under their ‘extras’ cover. How much you get back depends on your level of cover, and there are annual limits, so it’s best to check with your health fund for the details.
If you’re referred to us by your GP through the Medicare Chronic Disease Management (CDM) Program (formerly the Enhanced Primary Care (EPC) Program), you can claim a portion of your fees from Medicare, with a maximum of 5 visits per year. For those with diabetes, your GP might give you a CDM referral that covers one 1.1 assessment and up to 8 group class visits each year.
Do you accept RTWSA and DVA referrals?
Absolutely, we can help with that! If you want to use RTWSA for your exercise physiology consultations at Empower Gym, just make sure to bring all the necessary paperwork to your first appointment. This includes your claim number, insurance company details, and your case manager’s contact info.
For our DVA clients, please bring a valid referral from your GP for exercise physiology services. We’ll make sure everything’s set up smoothly for you!
What is the difference between physiotherapy and exercise physiology?
In simple terms, an exercise physiologist at Empower Gym helps you manage and improve your condition through tailored exercise. They might also check your blood pressure, blood sugar levels, and heart rate. On the other hand, a physiotherapist assesses, diagnoses, and treats your condition using hands-on techniques (manual therapy), along with education and exercise.
Why Choose Us?
We are part of the
Unley Physiotherapy Group
Our aim at Unley Physiotherapy is to get to the root of your problem by providing you with information, management solutions and developing a treatment plan that suits your needs and your lifestyle.
Empower Gym is an extension of the services we offer at Unley Physio – all of the highly skilled and experienced team, with a cutting edge facility.
Our referrals come from GPs, consultants and other health and sport professionals. Our main source of referrals has always been and continues to be, from client recommendations.
Find out more about Unley Physiotherapy here.