What do exercise physiologists love about their job? What keeps them able to inspire their patients to live healthy lives? AEPs Anna and Jennifer share what they love most about their jobs…..

Anna Roberts, accredited exercise physiologist at Life First said:

“I think some people who come to Life First for a health assessment are after a reality check – they know they need to make a change, but they have to find out the real state of their health to give them that push.

What I love about my job is advocating for small changes in people’s lives that will make a big difference. We work with lots of people who have executive jobs, working long hours as well as trying to meet family commitments. Lifestyle change sounds daunting for most people but if you’re someone who is currently doing no exercise, something simple like getting a skipping rope and doing a few minutes in the back yard every day will make a real difference.

When I’m measuring weight and waist circumference and talking to people about their diet, some people are really shocked by how overweight they are. I see people carrying weight around their torso, where it’s most dangerous to their health, but thinking they are OK because their arms and legs are still slim. I know changing your diet can be hard, so I tell people if you can’t do anything else, just start with portion size. Eating less to begin with will make a difference, and then they can think about other changes.

After a health assessment our clients are walking away with so much information, it’s important to me that I don’t make them feel overwhelmed. I think that arming people with a real picture of their health and some realistic, practical steps to help them improve it gives them hope, and makes sustainable change more likely.”

Anna completed a Bachelor of Applied Science – Exercise Physiology at the University of Sydney before she went on to achieve her Masters in Exercise Physiology and later completed a Masters in Brain and Mind Science. 

Having previously worked in Health Consultant and Personal Trainer roles, she took up her current Exercise Physiologist position at Life First in February 2016. 

Anna is passionate about combining mental health and exercise in both research and clinical fields 

Jennifer Smallridge B.Ex&SpSci, M.ClinExPhys, ESSAM, AEP, accredited exercise physiologist said:

“I love working with people who have never considered themselves to be ‘exercisers’, helping them to overcome the barriers and seeing the proud look on their face as they start to lift heavy weights and beat their personal bests! They actually inspire me to keep active as well!”

For example, a particular client came to see me because her doctor informed her that she had high cholesterol. She was skeptical and at the very start said that she “really didn’t enjoy exercise”. Two months on, I play her favourite music (Motown!) whenever she comes in for her twice weekly exercise session and we have a whole heap of fun. Her GP recently informed her that her cholesterol is now in the healthy range!

I am a strong believer in the fact that “you can only improve what you can measure”, so I perform regular re-assessments to ensure that we are on track. It’s so nice to see the look on their face when they have walked further or become stronger than they were at our first visit.”

Jennifer Smallridge B.Ex&SpSci, M.ClinExPhys, ESSAM, AEP is an Accredited Exercise Physiologist who works in private practice, occupational rehabilitation and hospital settings. She is also an Academic Lecturer in the field of Exercise and Sport Science. Since graduating from the Masters of Clinical Exercise Physiology at Deakin University in 2014, she has taken extra professional development in Pilates, Mindfulness and Therapeutic Yoga, which guides a lot of her clinical work. www.jennifersmallridge.com 

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