What Happens at Your First Exercise Physiology Session?

Before your first session

Once you complete an intake form or call us, we'll be in touch within one business day to confirm your details and arrange your first appointment. At this stage we'll ask about your location preference (home, gym, hydrotherapy pool or outdoors), your availability, and confirm your funding type.

No referral is needed for NDIS, aged care, private health or self-funded clients. Medicare CDM clients need a referral from their GP, and WorkSafe clients need a referral from their treating practitioner.

The initial assessment — what actually happens

Your first appointment is an initial assessment, not a standard exercise session. It typically takes around 60 minutes and covers:

• A conversation about you — your goals, what's brought you to exercise physiology, and what you hope to achieve
• Medical history review — relevant health conditions, medications, previous injuries or surgeries, and any precautions your EP needs to be aware of
• Physical assessment — depending on your situation, this might include strength testing, balance assessment, range of motion, cardiovascular fitness, or functional movement screening
• Goal setting — translating what matters to you into specific, measurable objectives your program will work toward
• Explaining your program — your EP will walk you through what your ongoing sessions will look like and how often you'll meet

What to expect in your ongoing sessions

Following your assessment, your regular sessions typically run 45-60 minutes and include:

• A brief check-in on how you've been since the last session
• Your prescribed exercises, delivered with hands-on guidance and correction where needed
• Progressive adjustments to your program as your capacity improves
• A home program to continue between sessions, where relevant

Your EP records progress notes after every session, which are available to you and can be shared with your GP, support coordinator or plan manager on request.

Is exercise physiology painful or intense?

No — sessions are tailored to your current capacity, not a generic fitness bootcamp. Whether you're recovering from surgery, managing a chronic condition, living with disability, or simply starting from a low fitness base, your program is designed to challenge you appropriately without being overwhelming. Your EP will always work within what's safe and appropriate for your situation.

Written by the Exercare team. Exercare is a mobile accredited exercise physiology practice serving south-east Melbourne. Contact us to book your first session →