Frequently Asked Questions

Accredited Exercise Physiologists (AEPs) are university-qualified allied health professionals who specialise in using exercise to improve health, function and quality of life.

They provide evidence-based exercise prescription, lifestyle support and behaviour change strategies to help prevent, manage and treat chronic health conditions, complex medical concerns, musculoskeletal injuries, pain, and reduced physical function.

In simple terms, Exercise Physiologists use exercise as medicine.

At Optimum, our Exercise Physiologists work with people of all ages and abilities — from those managing medical conditions or recovering from injury, through to people wanting to improve their strength, fitness, confidence and overall wellbeing.

The goal is always to provide safe, personalised and effective exercise programs that help you move better, feel stronger, and do more of the things you love.

Your initial appointment is a comprehensive assessment. We will discuss your medical history, current health status, and specific goals. We will then conduct movement and functional assessments to understand your capabilities and design a tailored exercise plan.

Absolutely not. Our services cater to all fitness levels, ages, and physical abilities. Programs are highly individualized, and our group classes offer varying levels of intensity to ensure everyone participates safely and comfortably.

Yes, if you have a Chronic Disease Management (CDM) plan or Team Care Arrangement (TCA) referral from your GP, you are eligible for a Medicare rebate for up to 5 allied health sessions per calendar year.

Yes. If your private health insurance policy includes 'Exercise Physiology' under your 'Extras' cover, you can claim a rebate. We have HICAPS available on-site for immediate claiming.

We require 24 hours notice for any cancellations or rescheduling. Appointments cancelled with less than 24 hours notice may incur a cancellation fee.

Yes, we are registered providers for NDIS, WorkCover, and Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA). Please inform us of your claim details when booking.

Please wear comfortable, non-restrictive clothing suitable for exercising, such as activewear or loose-fitting casual clothes, along with enclosed supportive footwear (sneakers).

We adhere to strict confidentiality guidelines in accordance with Australian privacy laws. Your personal and medical information is stored securely and will not be shared without your explicit consent.

There can be a big difference in qualification levels between these two professions. A personal trainer is qualified to prescribe exercise to healthy clientele who do not have any chronic conditions or risk factors, and they usually gain a qualification through TAFE or lesser organisation. The courses are often short courses allowing a personal trainer to be qualified in as little as 6 weeks, or sometimes up to a year if they obtain a diploma. A personal trainer can work with stable, low risk clients, but does not have the in-depth training that an AEP does at post graduate level.

An Accredited Exercise Physiologist studies at university for 4 years and completes 500 hours of clinical practice to gain accreditation. They also need to be registered with Exercise and Sports Science Australia, and undergo continuing professional development for a minimum number of hours each year. They provide exercise interventions to the general 'healthy' population (same clientele as a personal trainer), but also have the extensive education and skills to work with people with medical conditions, and also higher level fitness groups and athletes to increase performance. They form part of a multi disciplinary team which can include general practitioners, physiotherapists, dietitians, diabetes educators and more.

Who better to undertake personalised training with than an Exercise Physiologist?!