What’s The Difference Between Gym-Based and Clinical Exercise?

Clinical Exercise focusses on posture, core stability, balance, control, strength, flexibility, and breathing.

The practice of Clinical Exercise was developed by Joseph Clinical Exercise over 60 years ago. It was originally a dance/gymnast-based practice with a large focus on global muscle recruitment and end of range movements with strict dosages and order of repertoire. Nowadays this workout has been adapted for use as a rehabilitative tool by health professionals, and for fitness and wellbeing, practiced by both men and women.

There are two main types of Clinical Exercise, both with very different focuses; therefore it is important to differentiate between these.

Clinical Exercise

Clinical Exercise is an evidence-based, highly individualised form of traditional Clinical Exercise which is practiced by physiotherapists and other trained therapists. At Back In Motion, each client receives a thorough assessment of their mobility, strength and movement patterns to develop a program which is specific to their needs. The programs are progressive and goal-based; therefore they are not only rehabilitative for injuries, but also for prevention of injuries, and sport performance.

Neck pain and associated cervicogenic headaches are two conditions that I have seen have great outcomes following a Clinical Exercise.

With individual programs, your physio is able to target the multiple contributing factors to the injury or pain – in this case including thoracic mobility, posture, scapular control and cervical strength and endurance.

Your practice of Clinical Exercise with a physio will be held in a motivating, supervised and supportive environment which aids your performance and positive outcomes.

Back In Motion’s Semi-Private Clinical Exercise sessions are kept to a maximum of 4 participants which means you’ll get lots of attention from your qualified physiotherapist instructor.

Gym or Mat-Based Clinical Exercise

Gym or mat-based Clinical Exercise, on the other hand, is a generalised fitness program presented by Pilates instructors, personal trainers, and the like, focussing on core strength and flexibility. This is the type of Clinical Exercise you may participate in at your local gym and tends to have larger class sizes. It is a great workout for the general fit population, and can be useful later down the track for those participating in Clinical Exercise.

Whilst it can be a great tool for a total mind and body workout, it is not specific enough for those with pain or pathology. Back In Motion provides Free Initial Assessments before commencing a Clinical Exercise program so your physio can assess and develop a program which will help you reach your goals.

Alongside tailored programs, Back In Motion offers Clinical Exercise a more generalist mat-based class, with a maximum of 6-8 participants. These classes are instructed by Clinical Exercise-trained physiotherapists, which means they’ll use their knowledge of injury, pathology, bodily function and healing to tweak the exercises and provide advice where necessary giving you the best possible outcomes.

If you’re unsure of what type of Clinical Exercise will be best for you, arrange to have a Free Initial Assessment at your local Back In Motion practice to learn more.

Jessica Kostos – Physiotherapist, Back In Motion Northcote

Jess completed her degree with Honours at The University of Melbourne, and is currently completing her graduate certificate in Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy. She has a keen interest in spinal and Women’s Health (particularly pre-and post natal) conditions, and is passionate about helping people of all ages achieve their optimal physical health and wellbeing. Her clinical approach utilizes the most recent clinical evidence and traditional Physiotherapy along with Clinical Exercise, dry needling, exercise therapy, and education to treat, manage and prevent the re-occurrence of injuries. She has completed her Clinical Exercise training through the Australian Physiotherapy and Clinical Exercise Institute to become a Certified APPI Matwork Pilates instructor, and has completed Levels 1-4 of the Equipment Clinical Exercise series.