Exercise Physiology in Homebush & Seven Hills

Exercise physiology at Vibe Health & Performance uses targeted, evidence-based exercise programs to manage chronic conditions, recover from injury, and improve overall physical function. Our accredited exercise physiologists design personalised training plans that address your specific health needs, whether you’re managing diabetes, recovering from surgery, or building strength after a heart condition.
Unlike general personal training, exercise physiology is a regulated health profession. Our exercise physiologists hold university qualifications and are registered with ESSA (Exercise & Sports Science Australia), which means we can provide Medicare-rebated services for eligible chronic conditions.

What Exercise Physiologists Treat

Our exercise physiologists design programs for:

• Chronic disease management: Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity, metabolic syndrome, high blood pressure, high cholesterol
• Musculoskeletal conditions: Arthritis, chronic back pain, osteoporosis, joint replacements, chronic neck pain
• Neurological conditions: Stroke recovery, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury
• Mental health: Depression, anxiety, stress management (exercise as adjunct therapy)
• Cancer recovery: Pre and post-cancer treatment exercise programs, managing treatment side effects, rebuilding strength
• Respiratory conditions: COPD, asthma, pulmonary rehabilitation
• Pre and post-surgery: Joint replacement preparation, ACL reconstruction rehab, spinal surgery recovery
• Falls prevention: Balance training, strength programs for older adults, mobility improvement
• Weight management: Sustainable exercise programs combined with lifestyle modification

How Exercise Physiology Works

Exercise physiology starts with comprehensive assessment. We review your medical history, current fitness level, movement capacity, and health goals. This includes functional testing, cardiovascular assessment, strength evaluation, and identifying any barriers to exercise.
From there, we design a specific exercise prescription tailored to your condition and capacity. This isn’t generic gym programming – it’s medical-grade exercise treatment that accounts for your health limitations, medications, symptoms, and individual response to activity.
Programs progress gradually based on how your body responds. We monitor key health markers (heart rate, blood pressure, blood glucose where relevant), adjust intensity based on symptoms, and modify exercises to work around pain or limitations.

Your First Exercise Physiology Session

Initial assessment:
We discuss your medical history, current health status, medications, and goals. This includes understanding what you can and can’t do currently, what symptoms limit you, and what you want to achieve.
Functional testing: We assess your movement quality, strength, balance, cardiovascular fitness, and flexibility. Testing is always adapted to your current capacity.
Exercise prescription: We design your first program and teach proper technique. You’ll start exercising during this session – we don’t just hand you a program and send you home.

Ongoing sessions (45-60 minutes):
Each session includes supervised exercise with real-time coaching, program progression as you improve, and monitoring of relevant health markers. We adjust your program based on how you respond, manage any symptoms that arise during exercise, and provide education about managing your condition through activity.

Exercise Physiology vs Physiotherapy

Both professions work with exercise and rehabilitation, but the focus differs:
Exercise physiologists specialise in exercise prescription for chronic disease management and long-term health improvement. Treatment emphasises building capacity, managing symptoms through progressive exercise, and creating sustainable lifestyle change.

Physiotherapists focus on acute injury treatment, pain management, and restoring normal movement after injury or surgery. Treatment includes hands-on techniques, exercise rehabilitation, and functional movement correction.

Many patients benefit from both. You might see a physiotherapist for acute back pain treatment, then transition to an exercise physiologist for long-term strength and conditioning to prevent recurrence.
Our team collaborates internally, so if your needs change, we can transition you seamlessly between services.

Medicare Rebates & Chronic Disease Management Plans

Exercise physiology is covered under Medicare’s Chronic Disease Management (CDM) program for eligible conditions. This provides up to 5 subsidised sessions per calendar year.
How to access Medicare rebates:

1. Book a GP appointment and request a Chronic Disease Management Plan (also called a Team Care Arrangement or GP Management Plan)
2. Your GP provides a referral to an exercise physiologist
3. Bring the referral to your first appointment
4. We process your Medicare rebate on the spot (bulk billing available for some patients)

Conditions covered under CDM plans: Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, arthritis, chronic pain, COPD, osteoporosis, mental health conditions, obesity, and other chronic conditions managed by your GP.
Private health insurance: We’re registered providers with all major health funds. HICAPS claiming available for instant rebates.
WorkCover and third-party claims: We accept WorkCover referrals for workplace injuries and motor vehicle injury claims.

Who Benefits from Exercise Physiology

• People with chronic health conditions: Diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, COPD – exercise is proven medicine for managing these conditions, often reducing medication needs and improving quality of life.
• Pre and post-surgery patients: Preparing your body before surgery improves outcomes. Post-surgery exercise accelerates recovery and restores function.
• Older adults: Maintain independence, prevent falls, manage age-related conditions, and stay active longer.
• People returning to exercise after injury or illness: Safe, supervised progression prevents re-injury and builds confidence.
• Anyone stuck with generic gym programs: If standard PT programs don’t account for your health conditions, pain, or limitations, exercise physiology provides the medical expertise to exercise safely and effectively.

Evidence-Based Exercise Programs

We base our programs on current clinical guidelines and research. Exercise physiology has strong evidence for:

• Improving blood glucose control in type 2 diabetes
• Reducing cardiovascular disease risk
• Managing chronic pain without medication
• Improving mental health outcomes
• Increasing bone density in osteoporosis
• Reducing falls risk in older adults
• Improving cancer treatment outcomes and recovery

Homebush & Seven Hills Exercise Physiology

Both our Homebush and Seven Hills clinics offer comprehensive exercise physiology services with university-qualified, ESSA-registered practitioners. We provide:

• Individual one-on-one sessions
• Telehealth consultations for program check-ins
• Home exercise program design

Same-day appointments available for urgent needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ready to start? Book your exercise physiology assessment at our Homebush or Seven Hills clinic, or speak to your GP about a Chronic Disease Management Plan for Medicare rebates.