Many patients are sent to an exercise specialist to help them improve their health through exercise. Patients living with chronic diseases like hypertension, high cholesterol and/or diabetes can improve and manage their conditions by increasing their physical activity.
We work with patients who are learning to exercise properly with injuries or chronic pain, cardiopulmonary issues, metabolic syndrome, arthritis, osteoporosis, fibromyalgia, weight issues and other controlled medical conditions.
We provide fitness counselling and training with proper monitoring before and during exercise when needed. We get you moving safely and within your abilities to get you to your goal.
Patient care is provided individually and/or in a group setting.
Physical activity is an important component to healthy living. The benefits of regular physical activity include:
Our exercise specialists are experts in the field of movement. These recognized health professionals help treat, prevent and manage chronic conditions and injuries. With knowledge of movement and function, anatomy and physiology, combined with evidence-based research, they develop programs for people, helping them get and stay fit, and perform at their optimum level. Our team encourages life-long physical activity to improve quality of life.
We’ll determine your current activity and fitness levels through interviews and physical testing. Any barriers to exercising you may have will also be identified.
Our team will tailor a plan specific to you. Based on your assessment and health goals, we’ll prescribe a realistic and attainable exercise plan to help you improve your health, and provide follow-up as needed.
Are you looking to improve your health by increasing your activity and developing your fitness? This program is designed to provide patients with the tools and confidence to strength train independently. Learn how to make active living and exercise changes to manage an underlying health condition or simply improve your quality of life.
Patients will work on an individualized exercise program developed by an Exercise Specialist. You’ll work through your exercise program over 8 weeks, twice a week, for one hour each session, supervised in our on-site gym.
After that, your Exercise Specialist will be available to follow up as needed. They can also assist with finding options to help you maintain physical activity after your sessions are over.
Interested? Ask your health care provider for a referral to this program.
Active Living 101 is an introductory class to the exercise and active living program. A few of the topics covered in this recorded video session are learning about the effects of inactivity, discussing proper standing and sitting mechanics, physical activity guidelines and SMART goal setting. After completing the class, you will have the option to book an individual appointment with an exercise specialist or join the Lifestyle Program. Watch our pre-recorded class.
This class focuses on learning the different types of exercise and what facets of your physical fitness they may help to improve, how to schedule your weekly exercise effectively using the F.I.T.T. principle and how to self-progress your fitness plan at your discretion. This is a 90-minute pre-recorded class with both an educational and active component.
Our PCN offers GLA:D Canada programming, free of charge, to our member patients. These 7-week education and exercise programs are for patients with stiff or painful knees, hips, or backs. We offer both GLA:D Hip & Knee and GLA:D Back. Both programs include 2 to 3 education classes and 12 supervised exercise sessions where you will learn: to control your movements, proper posture, to build strength and apply your knowledge to everyday activities.
Visit gladcanada.ca for more information. Talk to your primary care provider for a referral to these programs.
Program details coming soon!
If you’ve been inactive or sedentary, this provincial initiative may be the boost you need to get more active. Your family doctor or PCN clinician provide an exercise prescription based on the recommended activity levels from Health Canada. With this Rx, you receive physical activity resources and you can redeem it at local participating recreation facilities who offer complimentary access. Read more about this program and how you can get started.
MOVE is a free outdoor exercise program running three times a week alongside our exercise specialist. Join us and connect with others who are also working to improve their health.
Getting Started
The majority of our patients start with our Active Living 101 class before they receive a 1-on-1 appointment with an exercise specialist. If you have special circumstances or limitations, you may go directly to individual consultation.
Who is Eligible?
To access some services, your family physician must be part of our PCN. Our Active Living 101 class and the MOVE program is open to everyone.
Need to find a doctor? Go to our FIND A DOCTOR page to see clinics accepting new patients.
How to Access Our Exercise & Active Living Services
You need a referral from your family doctor and exercise clearance prior to seeing our exercise specialists. If you are already seeing one of our PCN clinicians (dietitian, nurse, therapist) they can also facilitate a referral.
You can self-refer to our Active Living 101 class.