What the bloody hell is an EP?
If you’ve ever heard the term Exercise Physiologist and thought, “Wait… is that just a fancy name for a personal trainer?” you’re not alone.
Exercise Physiologist assess, design and deliver evidence based exercise interventions.
If I had a dollar for every time someone called me a Physio, let’s just say I’d be on a beach somewhere sipping coconuts. Exercise physiology is still a pretty new profession in Australia, and unless you’ve been referred to one before, you might have no idea what we actually do.
There are lots of crossovers between these professions, and we often work together to support clients. The main differences come down to focus and approach.
So let’s break it down.
EPs vs PTs vs Physios
Personal Trainers (PTs): Typically work with everyday individuals to help you get fit, strong, and smash goals like weight loss, muscle gain, or general fitness. Think group classes, gym programs, and accountability. While many PTs go on to gain extra qualifications in areas like strength and conditioning or injury rehab, the initial entry is usually a diploma focused on working with the general population.
Physiotherapists (Physios): University-accredited allied health professionals who are experts in diagnosing and treating injuries, particularly in the early stages. They’ll assess, may use hands-on treatments like joint mobilisation, soft tissue therapy, taping or dry needling, alongside exercise prescriptions to get you out of acute pain.
Exercise Physiologists (EPs): Also university-accredited, we sit in the sweet spot in between. We specialise in using exercise as medicine to prevent, manage, and treat chronic conditions, injuries, and health concerns. We take the long-term view and design exercise programs that are safe, evidence-based, and tailored specifically to you.
What That Means in Real Life
Here are just a few of the evidence-based reasons someone might see an EP:
Chronic disease management → Safe, structured exercise for conditions like cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes, PCOS, arthritis, and osteoporosis. Exercise is proven to improve blood pressure, insulin sensitivity, bone density, and overall quality of life.
Injury rehab & prevention → Tailored, progressive exercise helps people recover from musculoskeletal injuries (shoulder, knee, back, hip) and reduces risk of reinjury compared to passive treatments alone.
Pre- & post-surgery support → Preparing for surgery with exercise (“prehab”) and structured post-op rehab both improve recovery outcomes.
Cancer care → Exercise reduces treatment side effects like fatigue and muscle loss, supports mental health, and is linked to better survival outcomes.
Mental health → Movement is one of the best non-drug interventions for depression, anxiety, and stress. It improves sleep, mood, and resilience.
Women’s health → From pregnancy and postpartum exercise to bone health in menopause and managing PCOS, EPs help women move safely across every life stage.
NDIS & disability support → Programs to build strength, function, and independence for people living with conditions like MS, cerebral palsy, stroke, or autism.
Healthy ageing → Exercise reduces falls risk, preserves independence, and supports longevity.
Return to sport/performance → Helping athletes or weekend warriors safely transition back to training or competition after injury or time off.
What Makes EPs Different
Four-year uni degree → We’ve studied anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, and exercise prescription at a clinical level.
Evidence-based → Every program is grounded in science, not trends.
Individualised → No cookie-cutter workouts. Your goals, injuries, history, and lifestyle shape everything.
Healthcare recognition → EPs are recognised by Medicare, private health funds, DVA, and NDIS.
My Approach
For me, being an EP isn’t just about writing programs and training sessions. It’s about helping people find their spark for movement again in a way that feels meaningful and outcome-driven. I combine clinical exercise physiology with Pilates principles, strength training, and real-life empathy (because let’s be honest, life isn’t always structured around the perfect training week).
Whether you’re recovering from an injury, managing a health condition, or just trying to get stronger and more confident, my role is to guide you and make the process less overwhelming.
The Takeaway
So, what the bloody hell is an EP? We’re your partner in using exercise as medicine. We help you move well, feel good, and keep doing the things you love for as long as possible.
And if you’re curious what this looks like in practice, stick around. In my next post, I’ll be breaking down what happens in an initial assessment (and what a Movement Assessment Profile is).
Thanks for my ted talk, keep moving!
Dee 💜
