Physical Therapy or Personal Training: How to Know What You Really Need
Let’s talk about what physical therapy really is and what it isn’t, especially when it comes to the older adult population. There’s a lot of confusion around this, and honestly, it’s easy to see why. Words like “rehab,” “training,” and “wellness” get tossed around, sometimes interchangeably. But understanding the difference is important, because it affects how your care is delivered, what your goals are, and even what’s covered by insurance.
What Physical Therapy Is
Physical therapy (PT) is a licensed healthcare profession focused on restoring function, improving movement, reducing pain, and helping people live as independently and confidently as possible. For older adults, that often means addressing issues like balance, mobility, weakness, or recovery after surgery, illness, or injury.
When you work with a physical therapist, you’re getting a professional who evaluates your specific needs, identifies what’s limiting your mobility or safety, and designs a plan of care to help you reach your goals. Everything is individualized and evidence-based, and the focus is always on your ability to perform everyday activities—walking safely, getting in and out of a chair, climbing stairs, and doing the things you need to do.
What Physical Therapy Isn’t
Physical therapy isn’t just “going to the gym” or working out to get stronger. While exercise is a big part of PT, the goal is different. PT isn’t about achieving peak performance—it’s about addressing medical or functional problems that affect your daily life.
This is where Medicare comes into play. Medicare covers physical therapy when it’s considered medically necessary—meaning there’s a clear, documented need related to a health condition that impacts your ability to perform normal daily activities. It doesn’t cover therapy simply to improve general fitness, athletic performance, or mobility for recreational purposes. Those goals are still valuable—they just fall outside the realm of what insurance pays for.
(We’ll explore exactly what Medicare does and doesn’t cover in my next blog—it’s an eye-opener for many people.)
Physical Therapy vs. Personal Training
Here’s a simple way to look at it:
Physical therapy is about recovery. It focuses on function, safety, and medical recovery. Physical therapists help you address pain, movement limitations, or balance issues related to a health condition.
Personal training is about optimizing performance. It focuses on fitness, strength, and performance. Personal trainers help you reach wellness goals like increasing endurance, improving flexibility, or feeling stronger and more energetic overall.
For many of my clients, the best plan includes both—and that’s exactly what I offer. Some people start with physical therapy to address specific medical concerns, and then transition into one of my wellness or small-group programs to continue improving their strength, balance, and confidence. Some people do a combination of both at the same time.
In fact, many people come to me before they’re debilitated—while they’re still independent with walking and self-care, but they want to feel steadier and more capable. That’s the perfect time to act. It’s always easier (and cheaper!) to invest in your health now than to pay for care later.
The Bottom Line
Physical therapy helps you get back to the life you want to live. Wellness helps you keep building on it. Both are valuable, and both have their place.
In my practice, I bridge the two, providing both physical therapy for those with medical needs and wellness services for those who want to stay proactive. Whether you’re recovering from an injury or just want to move better and feel stronger, there’s a path forward for you.
In the next blog, we’ll break down what Medicare actually covers, and why so many people are surprised to learn where the line is drawn between “medical necessity” and “wellness.” It’s often not what people have been led to believe.