Physical Therapy Vs Personal Training: What Is The Difference At Reload?
Personal Trainer vs Physiotherapist Explained
When it comes to fitness and rehabilitation, many people want to know the difference between personal trainer and physical therapist treatment.
In this article, Dr. Adrienne Lufkin, a Physical Therapist at Reload, explains that while both personal trainers and physical therapists aim to enhance physical capabilities, our methods and considerations differ significantly to those employed by most healthcare providers – a distinction that makes us unique when compared to the majority.
Adrienne began as a personal trainer, though it didn’t take too long for her to become interested in physical therapy. Her application for education in the field included many hours of observation at physical therapy clinics, during which she came to realize that a lot of people in this industry don’t actually know a lot about exercise.
“They don’t understand much about strength and conditioning principles, and there’s a big disconnect between the adaptations I was able to get with my training clients and those that I wasn’t seeing come to life in a traditional physical therapy clinic,” Adrienne says.
“I felt that I was doing more for my clients as a personal trainer, and so withdrew my application. Then I met with Dr. Ryan Chow, the founder of Reload. He had a very different vision of what rehab could look like. It was a vision that I could get behind – one that inspired me to reapply to physical therapy school – a vision that Phil Glasgow PhD identifies as ‘rehab is training in the presence of injury.’”
Physical Therapy vs Personal Trainer: The Reload Approach
Training with a physical therapist at Reload goes beyond conventional fitness training.
“Our philosophy is that physical therapy and training are essentially the same,” Adrienne explains. “We all need to train, to pick things up, push, pull, and carry things. If someone goes through physical therapy for several months in a traditional sense and avoids strengthening their upper body, lower body, and aerobic fitness, they become less prepared for life activities.”
In other words, despite all the therapy, any recovery is likely to prove temporary because the underlying issues that led to your injury haven’t been tackled.
“We aim for you to emerge from rehab stronger and more resilient. This involves preparing your body for strength, speed, power, agility, aerobic fitness, and other qualities necessary for functional movement, especially in day-to-day life as New Yorkers.”
Under the Microscope: Personal Trainer vs Physiotherapist
Our physiotherapists use a medical/orthopedic lens to craft recovery programs. They consider your medical and orthopedic history to determine the safest and most effective exercises for your condition. This is unlike personal trainers, who might avoid aggravating an injury.
“When working with a trainer, the strategy often involves working around your injury. For example, if you have a lower-body injury, the focus might shift to upper-body exercises or lower-body variations that are pain-free, which is great. However, with a physical therapist, we aim to understand what’s happening underneath the surface,” says Adrienne.
Our physical therapists work through the injury, focusing on healing and strengthening the affected area. This approach helps increase tolerance and prepares the body for more challenging activities in the future.
You see, at Reload, our physical therapists at Reload aren’t just working around injuries; they aim to understand what’s happening beneath the surface. This includes identifying underlying issues and working on the specific qualities needed for improvement. This helps us to develop a comprehensive, personalized training schedule with the goals of enhancing overall physical capacity and improving strength, speed, power, agility, and aerobic fitness.
This holistic approach ensures that clients not only recover from injuries, but also emerge stronger and more resilient.
Reload’s Holistic Approach: Training and Physical Therapy as One
Our perspective emphasizes the importance of maintaining a high level of physical activity and fitness, even during rehabilitation:
Integration of Strength and Fitness
Avoiding strength and fitness training during rehab can leave individuals underprepared for everyday activities. Reload aims to build strength and resilience, preparing you for the demands of your daily life.
Functional Movement Focus
The training at Reload includes preparing the body for various movements essential for functional living, such as lifting, pushing, pulling, and carrying.
Are You Suited to Physical Therapy vs a Personal Trainer?
Choosing between a physical therapist and a personal trainer depends on individual needs and circumstances. We have clients from all walks of life, of varying ages, and with a wide range of physical capabilities/injuries. Three of the most common types of clients we work with are:
Individuals with Recurrent Injuries
Those who have repeatedly stopped training due to injuries can benefit from the targeted and mindful approach of a physical therapist. You’ll need a more sustainable approach and recovery plan – one that won’t lead to a start/stop gym routine caused by pain or injury.
Complex Medical Histories
People with complex medical backgrounds may find personal training overwhelming or unsafe. Our physical therapists can design a safe and effective training plan that considers your medical history to help you navigate training safely.
Former Athletes
Individuals who once identified as athletes but feel they have lost their athletic edge can regain strength, power, and speed through physical therapy, which focuses on regaining these athletic qualities essential for a vibrant life.
We consider your background to create a training plan that is not only effective, but is also safe.
Physical Therapy vs Personal Trainer – Which Should You Choose?
Summing up, your choice between physical therapy vs personal training at Reload depends on your specific needs, medical history, and fitness goals. Our philosophy offers a more medically-informed, holistic approach. This will be particularly beneficial if you’re dealing with injuries or complex health issues. Meanwhile, personal training focuses on general fitness, and may not address specific medical concerns.
Understanding these differences can help you make an informed decision about which strategy to pursue for your health and fitness journey.
Still undecided?
If you are not sure whether you should train with a physical therapist or a personal trainer, book a free 20-minute discovery call to see if we are the right fit for you! Fill out the form and a member of our team will reach out to schedule a call with you.
