What is Different Between Personal Trainers and Kinesiologists in Burnaby?
It is important to understand the differences between personal Trainers and kinesiologists in British Columbia before choosing either one as a guide to help you reach your health, rehabilitation or fitness goals.
When I first became a Kinesiologist in 1999, people often asked me to define the difference between personal trainers and kinesiologists. This was partially because our profession wasn't as well known, and because the opportunities for kinesiologists to work at multi-disciplinary clinics were minimal.
My career started as a personal trainer with a focus on rehabilitation at a local, family-owned gym with multiple locations. Since then, I have always called myself a kinesiologist.
Key Differences Between Kinesiologists and Personal Trainers
This table summarizes how personal trainers are different from kinesiologists.
Header | Personal Trainers | Kinesiologists |
|---|---|---|
Scope of Practice | Generally healthy people with no known disease or injury | People with chronic diseases, disabilities and sub-acute injures |
Undergraduate Degree | Maybe in a related or other field | 4-year degree in Human Kinetics or Kinesiology |
Certifications | Certified Personal Certifications (some of minimal hands on experience) | Additional Certification in their chose niches |
Areas of Focus | General Fitness, Weight, Loss, Muscle Gains | Injury recovery, return to work, chronic disease management, occupational health and safety |
Insurance Coverage | No | Yes. ICBC. Other Check with the Provider |
Professional Memberships | Yes | Yes. British Columbia Association of Kinesiologists |
Professional Liability Insurance | Most Likely | Yes. Insurance is needed to renew the BCAK's Practicing Kinesiologist membership. |
Required Continuing Education | Uncertain | Yes. A minimum of 20 hours per year. |
Regulated Health Professional | No. | Yes, in Ontario. In progress for BC and Quebec. |
Allied Health Professional | No. | Yes |
Why Do People with Injuries and Chronic Diseases Switch from Personal Trainers to Kinesiologists?
We've seen clients in Burnaby switch from personal training to kinesiology because they end up reinjured or overworked. While Lifemoves' kinesiologist is also a kinesiologist, many trainers don't have the background and education to work with injured clients.
These people then figure out that they need to see a Practicing Kinesiologist to help them recover from their injury or manage their chronic disease(s). These clients will now only train with kinesiologists.
Do You Have a Chronic Disease and You Want to Improve Your Fitness?
What is a Kinesiologist?
It is first import to understand what a Kinesiologist is. Early in my career not many people knew what a Kinesiologist is, who we help, or what we do. Here is how Merriam-Webster dictionary defines Kinesiology:
Kinesiologists study the acquisition of motor skills, the mechanical aspects of movement, and the body’s responses to physical activity.
Merriam-Webster Dictionary
The British Columbia Association of Kinesiologists, which ensures that all practicing members have a minimum set of courses and pass the entry to practice exam, defines it here:
“Kinesiology is the application of scientific disciplines—including anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, psychology, and neuroscience – to enhance, restore, or optimize human movement and function within an evidence-informed practice environment..
BCAK
Kinesiologists are part of your health care team. We work in many different environments, such as ergonomics, active rehabilitation, sports performance, occupational safety, and disability management.
Watch the video to learn more.
What is the Difference in Education Between a Kinesiologist and Personal Trainer?
A practicing kinesiologist has a minimum of a four-year degree in Exercise Science, Kinesiology or Human Kinetics and often retains multiple other related health, fitness and certifications.
To gain membership in the BC Association of Kinesiologists, we are required to complete core courses in anatomy and biomechanics, as well as electives from related upper-level courses.
Personal Training courses cover these courses in less detail. As an example, the BCRPA certification includes a very basic introduction to anatomy and kinesiology over a couple of weekends, with limited practical evaluations.
Kinesiologists are required to maintain their current knowledge by attending a minimum of twenty hours of continuing education per year.
Some Personal Trainers do have undergraduate degrees or even Master's degrees and other health-related certifications; however, all Kinesiologists have an undergraduate degree.
Do You Want to Explore Working with a Kinesiologist in Burnaby Heights?
What is the Distinction Between a Personal Trainer and Kinesiologist's Scope of Practice?
A scope of practice defines what a professional allowed to do and able to do. Our areas of practice are also defined by any additional education and our experience. For example, in 2005 took training for on the Pilates Reformer and Mat and recently expanded my Clinical Pilates training to the Stability Chair. Also, in 2007 I became a Certified Frederick Stretch Therapist (formerly Fascial Stretch Therapy).
Personal Training certifications including the British Columbia Recreation Parks Association's (BCRPA) scope of practice which is limited to training those “who are apparently healthy” that is, they have no known medical conditions or injuries.
Why Choose a Kinesiologist Instead of a Personal Trainer?
A Kinesiologists expanded education and experience enable to them to better assist people with medical conditions stay active, or help people with injuries or those recovering from surgery. Our expertise enables us to understand our clients condition(s) and their tolerance to exercise and their day-to-day abilities.
Kinesiologists design exercise rehabilitation programs to empower people so that are able ot successfully return to work, return to sport and enjoy the activities of daily living with less pain.
It is always important to check the background of those who are taking care of your health. You need to be able to trust and get along with each provider. You can follow these steps to check out the credentials of your fitness professional or allied health care professional.
Do You Want to Improve Your Sports Performance or General Fitness?
When to See a Kinesiologist
Are Kinesiology Services Covered by Health Benefits?
Yes, as of 2026, many health care benefits providers, including Pacific Blue Cross, include kinesiology under paramedical, similar to a registered massage therapy and physiotherapy. This can also be direct-billed. Check with your employer and insurance company to confirm.
Our active rehabilitation program is recognized by ICBC to assist people with recovering from injuries, like whiplash, upper-back, concussions, and knee injuries, sustained in a car accident
Kinesiologists in B.C. are working diligently towards becoming a regulated health profession with colleges to protect the public, while the associations look after practitioners.
In Ontario, Kinesiologists are regulated health professionals; hopefully, this recognition will eventually spread throughout Canada.
Are You Ready to Start with Kinesiology Sessions in Burnaby?
When to Seek the Guidance of a Personal Trainer in Burnaby
Learn About Lifemoves' Unique Approach to Personal Training
Last Updated on 1 month by Alfred Ball
