Accredited Exercise Physiologists are allied health professionals providing exercise and lifestyle therapies to prevent and manage chronic disease, injury, and disability.
An Exercise Physiologist (EP) is a 4-year, University-trained Allied Health professional who is an exercise prescription expert. They will work with you to design a specific exercise program tailored to your injuries, health status and goals.
Our Exercise Physiologists at Sports & Spinal can help your condition by working with you to formulate an appropriate treatment plan to assist in reaching your specific goals. Exercise Physiologists use movement and exercise with specific education and motivational guidance to treat and manage your conditions.
Sports & Spinal accredited Exercise Physiologists can assist with Diabetes & Obesity, General Health & well-being, Mental Health Issues, Musculoskeletal Injuries, Neurological Conditions, Strength & Conditioning, Women’s Health, Aging, Chronic Pain, Fatigue, Cardiovascular, Pulmonary, Paediatrics and Cancer.
Exercise facilitates changes within the body that increases its efficiency. This allows us to manage conditions or diseases that can cause our bodies to not function to the best ability.
You can expect our Exercise Physiologist to listen to your personal story and ask questions, so they can work with you to guide an appropriate treatment plan. Our Exercise Physiologist will complete a detailed, goal-focused, clinical, and functional assessment.
Treatment will vary and be specific to you but will likely involve modified movement and exercises to build your capacity and function through strength, fitness, balance, and more. Treatment will change and progress while working alongside your Exercise Physiologist. Our Exercise physiologists will provide education on health, conditions, injuries and what to do and what not to do in different environments, including our onsite gym, your regular gym and pools, depending on your interests and goals. Our Exercise Physiologist believes in a multi-disciplinary approach and will work with other health professionals to help manage your condition.
Gympie Sports & Spinal is NDIS registered and accepts Medicare rebates and HICAPS health fund claims. EFTPOS and credit card facilities are also available for payment.
services & FACILITIES
- On-Site Parking (5 spaces)
- Street Parking
- Gym & Pilates Equipment
- NDIS Registered
- Medicare Rebates
- HICAPS Health Fund Claims
OUR TEAM
Benjamin Frank
Exercise Physiologist
Brandon Downie
Exercise Physiologist
Benjamin Frank
Exercise Physiologist
Ben has been involved in the fitness industry for over 10 years as a personal trainer across a wide range of areas including musculoskeletal rehabilitation for acute and chronic conditions, cardiometabolic health and weight loss, strength and conditioning, bodybuilding and group fitness classes. He has completed two bachelor’s degrees in science (majoring in physiology, minoring in psychology) and Exercise and Sport Science and has recently graduated with his Masters degree in Melbourne. Ben is excited to be starting this next chapter of his life in Queensland.
During his university internships, Ben was involved in exercise prescription and delivery for various musculoskeletal, cardiometabolic, neurological, pulmonary, cancer, women’s health and semi-professional athlete populations in hospitals, private practices and a sports academy.
Ben is thankful for having had the privilege of experiencing, managing and overcoming numerous injuries himself (including a traumatic road accident requiring surgery for shoulder complications and numerous arm fractures, as well as lower back and knee injuries), which have not only improved his knowledge and application of rehabilitation on a personal level but have also built resilience and compassion for others experiencing pain and chronic conditions.
Ben has particular interests in musculoskeletal (particularly orthopedic) rehabilitation, cardiometabolic health (including weight loss), strength and conditioning, return to sport in athletes, and the link between mental health, pain and chronic conditions. Ben believes mindset is everything and has a strong focus on building relationships with clients to empower them to achieve sustainable, life-changing results, both physically and mentally.
In his spare time, you’ll find Ben enjoying his daily gym workouts, running, hiking, and other outdoor activities, song writing on guitar and piano, investing in personal development and staying up to date with the latest research to ensure his practice is evidence-based.
Ben is available for exercise physiology consults at our Gympie clinic.
Brandon Downie
Exercise Physiologist
Brandon received his undergraduate and postgraduate degrees at Griffith University on the gold coast in 2019 and has worked as an Accredited Exercise Physiologist ever since. With over 4+ years of coaching and clinical exercise prescription experience, Brandon specialises in injury and pain rehabilitation; his wealth of knowledge and evidence-based practice have helped improve the lives of so many of his clients.
Brandon passionately believes in the mantra “Connect, Empower, Perform”, three key elements to developing a strong therapeutic alliance. Embodying these elements helps to gain a greater understanding of the person in front of him but also develops trust, and work collaboratively to guide each client along their unique journey to a stronger, healthier and happier life.
In his spare time, you’ll find Brandon doing something physical, either in the gym practising what he preaches, getting out into nature, or practising some form of self-development to learn new skills and challenge himself.
Brandon is available for Exercise Physiology appointments at our Gympie clinic.
WHAT PEOPLE THINK OF US
Have you sorted the dessert for Christmas day yet?
Have you sorted the dessert for Christmas day yet?
High Fibre Rum Balls 💫
High Fibre Rum Balls 💫
Disability Action Week 2023 💪🏻
Disability Action Week 2023 💪🏻
Healthy Gingerbread - Dietitian Approved ✅
Healthy Gingerbread - Dietitian Approved ✅
Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month 💙
Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month 💙
Disability Action Week! 👩🦽
Disability Action Week! 👩🦽
Last month Maroochydore Exercise Physiologist, Blair Austin graduated to local celebrity status!
Last month Maroochydore Exercise Physiologist, Blair Austin graduated to local celebrity status!
✨PERINATAL MENTAL HEALTH WEEK 2023 ✨
✨PERINATAL MENTAL HEALTH WEEK 2023 ✨
Why not try our Dietitian approved Christmas Pav?
Ingredients
⭐ 150ml egg whites (approximately 4 eggs)
⭐ 1 cup caster sugar
⭐ 1 teaspoon white vinegar
⭐ 400g reduced-fat Greek yogurt
⭐ 300g strawberries, diced
⭐ 300g blueberries
Method 🥄
1. Place the egg whites in the bowl of an electric mixer and whisk on high speed until stiff peaks form. Gradually add the sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, waiting 30 seconds between each tablespoon. Whisk for 6 minutes or until stiff and glossy.
2. Scrape the sides of the electric mixer, add the vinegar and whisk for 2 minutes or until glossy and combined.
3. Spoon 6 rounds onto the baking tray. Reduce the oven temperature to 120°C and bake for 30 minutes or until crisp to touch.
4. Cool in the oven for 1 hour.
5. Top meringues with yogurt and fresh berries or whatever fruit you like!
Why not try our Dietitian approved Christmas Pav?
Ingredients
⭐ 150ml egg whites (approximately 4 eggs)
⭐ 1 cup caster sugar
⭐ 1 teaspoon white vinegar
⭐ 400g reduced-fat Greek yogurt
⭐ 300g strawberries, diced
⭐ 300g blueberries
Method 🥄
1. Place the egg whites in the bowl of an electric mixer and whisk on high speed until stiff peaks form. Gradually add the sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, waiting 30 seconds between each tablespoon. Whisk for 6 minutes or until stiff and glossy.
2. Scrape the sides of the electric mixer, add the vinegar and whisk for 2 minutes or until glossy and combined.
3. Spoon 6 rounds onto the baking tray. Reduce the oven temperature to 120°C and bake for 30 minutes or until crisp to touch.
4. Cool in the oven for 1 hour.
5. Top meringues with yogurt and fresh berries or whatever fruit you like!
Get Christmas started early with these healthy rum ball recipes. best of yet, you can bake them now and freeze them for the big day.
Ingredients
🎄1 can black beans, rinsed
🎄1/4 cup natural peanut butter
🎄2 tbsp cocoa (additional for dusting optional)
🎄4 tbsp rum
🎄1 tsp vanilla essence
🎄6 dates
🎄2 tbsp maple syrup
🎄2 tbsp flour
🎄 2 tbsp almond meal
🎄 Desiccated coconut for dusting (optional)
Method 🥄
1. Soak dates in boiling water for 10 minutes. Drain fluid.
2. Combine all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth.
3. Roll dough into small balls and coat in coconut, extra cocoa, or as is.
4. Refrigerate for 20 minutes before serving.
Get Christmas started early with these healthy rum ball recipes. best of yet, you can bake them now and freeze them for the big day.
Ingredients
🎄1 can black beans, rinsed
🎄1/4 cup natural peanut butter
🎄2 tbsp cocoa (additional for dusting optional)
🎄4 tbsp rum
🎄1 tsp vanilla essence
🎄6 dates
🎄2 tbsp maple syrup
🎄2 tbsp flour
🎄 2 tbsp almond meal
🎄 Desiccated coconut for dusting (optional)
Method 🥄
1. Soak dates in boiling water for 10 minutes. Drain fluid.
2. Combine all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth.
3. Roll dough into small balls and coat in coconut, extra cocoa, or as is.
4. Refrigerate for 20 minutes before serving.
“From 25 November to 2 December 2023 celebrates Queenslanders with disability and the contributions they make to our families, communities, workplaces and economy.
This year’s theme – ‘Access ignites: it’s good business’ – focuses on increasing employment and economic participation of people with disability.”
Sports and Spinal Kawana works closely with their patients to increase their health and well-being to build community, social and economic participation 😃
Check out our range of classes ran by our exercise physiologists and physiotherapists via our bio 🙌🏻
#sportsandspinal #disabilityactionweek #alliedheath #exercisephysiology #physiotherapy #exercise #gym #disbaility #disabilityawareness #ndisprovider #ndis #ndisaustralia
“From 25 November to 2 December 2023 celebrates Queenslanders with disability and the contributions they make to our families, communities, workplaces and economy.
This year’s theme – ‘Access ignites: it’s good business’ – focuses on increasing employment and economic participation of people with disability.”
Sports and Spinal Kawana works closely with their patients to increase their health and well-being to build community, social and economic participation 😃
Check out our range of classes ran by our exercise physiologists and physiotherapists via our bio 🙌🏻
#sportsandspinal #disabilityactionweek #alliedheath #exercisephysiology #physiotherapy #exercise #gym #disbaility #disabilityawareness #ndisprovider #ndis #ndisaustralia
▫️ 1 1/2 cups wholemeal spelt flour (plus 1/4 cup extra)*
▫️ 1/4 cup maple syrup
▫️ 2 tsp ground ginger
▫️ 2 tsp ground cinnamon
▫️ 1/4 tsp ground cloves
▫️ 1/4 tsp bicarb soda
▫️ 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
▫️ 2 tbsp milk (any type)
Method 🥄
1. Preheat oven to 150C.
2. In a large bowl, mix together the 1 1/2 cups flour, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and bicarb soda.
3. Form a well in the centre of the flour mixture and pour in the oil, maple syrup, and milk then mix to combine.
4. If the mixture is sticky, add the extra 1/4 cup of flour.
5. With a rolling pin, roll the dough flat. Roughly 0.5cm thick.
6. Cut the dough out with cookie cutters and lay the biscuits on a lined baking tray.
7. Form a ball with the left-over dough and repeat steps 4-5 for the remaining dough.
8. Bake for 10-13 minutes until golden and then decorate however you wish!
* Can use Gluten Free or Buckwheat flour as an alternative
Makes 18 biscuits: Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Low fodmap, Vegan
Nutritional information per biscuit: Cal: 86 Fat: 3.5g Carbs: 11.6g Protein: 1.8g
▫️ 1 1/2 cups wholemeal spelt flour (plus 1/4 cup extra)*
▫️ 1/4 cup maple syrup
▫️ 2 tsp ground ginger
▫️ 2 tsp ground cinnamon
▫️ 1/4 tsp ground cloves
▫️ 1/4 tsp bicarb soda
▫️ 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
▫️ 2 tbsp milk (any type)
Method 🥄
1. Preheat oven to 150C.
2. In a large bowl, mix together the 1 1/2 cups flour, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and bicarb soda.
3. Form a well in the centre of the flour mixture and pour in the oil, maple syrup, and milk then mix to combine.
4. If the mixture is sticky, add the extra 1/4 cup of flour.
5. With a rolling pin, roll the dough flat. Roughly 0.5cm thick.
6. Cut the dough out with cookie cutters and lay the biscuits on a lined baking tray.
7. Form a ball with the left-over dough and repeat steps 4-5 for the remaining dough.
8. Bake for 10-13 minutes until golden and then decorate however you wish!
* Can use Gluten Free or Buckwheat flour as an alternative
Makes 18 biscuits: Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Low fodmap, Vegan
Nutritional information per biscuit: Cal: 86 Fat: 3.5g Carbs: 11.6g Protein: 1.8g
➡️ Swipe to see the men of Sports and Spinal Kawana show the love 💙
“November is Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month! Men’s mental health in Australia presents some scary statistics, with 1 in 8 men experiencing depression and 7 men committing suicide a day.
Inactive men are 60% more likely to suffer from mental health issues than those who are active. Exercise can do incredible things for your mental health as it releases ‘feel-good’ chemicals in your brain that help improve your mood and mindset.
Exercise is one of the simplest and easiest ways to help improve your mental health, and it can have a long-lasting effect on your overall health too.
However, exercise and movement are only so powerful.
If you or someone you know is struggling, it’s best to talk to a mental health professional. There are many confidential helplines you can reach out to such as Lifeline and Beyond” (@exerciseright_aus).
#sportsandspinal #mensmentalhealth #mensmentalhealthawareness #exercisemotivation #alliedhealth #physiotherapy #exercisephysiology
➡️ Swipe to see the men of Sports and Spinal Kawana show the love 💙
“November is Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month! Men’s mental health in Australia presents some scary statistics, with 1 in 8 men experiencing depression and 7 men committing suicide a day.
Inactive men are 60% more likely to suffer from mental health issues than those who are active. Exercise can do incredible things for your mental health as it releases ‘feel-good’ chemicals in your brain that help improve your mood and mindset.
Exercise is one of the simplest and easiest ways to help improve your mental health, and it can have a long-lasting effect on your overall health too.
However, exercise and movement are only so powerful.
If you or someone you know is struggling, it’s best to talk to a mental health professional. There are many confidential helplines you can reach out to such as Lifeline and Beyond” (@exerciseright_aus).
#sportsandspinal #mensmentalhealth #mensmentalhealthawareness #exercisemotivation #alliedhealth #physiotherapy #exercisephysiology
All this week we celebrate Queenslanders with disability and acknowledge the contributions they make to their families, workplaces, and communities.
Sports & Spinal is proud to be able to work with and treat Queenslanders with disability!
All this week we celebrate Queenslanders with disability and acknowledge the contributions they make to their families, workplaces, and communities.
Sports & Spinal is proud to be able to work with and treat Queenslanders with disability!
Blair took part in an interview on ABC radio 🎙discussing ‘bungalow legs’ - a term referring to muscle wastage in the legs as a result of not regularly using stairs🦵It is often experienced by elderly people who move into a single story dwelling. 🏠
Maintaining leg strength is important as we age, to ensure mobility and independence is maintained.🕺 A lack of leg strength can greatly increase the risk of falls and injury.
If you, or someone you know is experiencing weakness in the legs, causing difficulty standing up or with general mobility, contact your local Sports & Spinal clinic and see how one of our Exercise Physiologists can help!
Blair took part in an interview on ABC radio 🎙discussing ‘bungalow legs’ - a term referring to muscle wastage in the legs as a result of not regularly using stairs🦵It is often experienced by elderly people who move into a single story dwelling. 🏠
Maintaining leg strength is important as we age, to ensure mobility and independence is maintained.🕺 A lack of leg strength can greatly increase the risk of falls and injury.
If you, or someone you know is experiencing weakness in the legs, causing difficulty standing up or with general mobility, contact your local Sports & Spinal clinic and see how one of our Exercise Physiologists can help!
THE THEME FOR 2023 IS CONNECTION THROUGH CONVERSATION 👯♀️
At Sports and Spinal we offer Women’s Health classes which allows you to connect and relate with other mums and build a supportive community around you 💕
“Honest and compassionate conversations about perinatal mental health are life changing 💥 Whether you’re experiencing mental health challenges yourself, or if you’re concerned about a loved one we know that reaching out and talking about the way you’re feeling can be really hard ‼️It can feel tricky to find the right words. You might be worried about the way the person you’re talking to will react, and there’s a lot of fear around getting it wrong 🤦🏼♀️
That’s why this Perinatal Mental Health Week, we want you to know that everyone needs help at some point in their lives, and everyone deserves compassion and support 🙋🏾♀️
Reaching out, truly listening and making a connection is more important than getting the words completely perfect.
The PANDA Helpline provides counselling, referral and peer support from parents who have been through similar challenges. When someone calls, they will speak with a counsellor who understands the challenges of being a new or expecting parent. PANDA counsellors and peer workers listen with kindness and compassion, help callers explore support options, and can also provide information about appropriate specialist services” @pandanational
PANDA National Helpline 1300 726 306 | Mon - Sat 9am — 7.30pm AEST/AEDT
#sportsandspinal #PMHWEEK #pmhweek2023 #activemums
THE THEME FOR 2023 IS CONNECTION THROUGH CONVERSATION 👯♀️
At Sports and Spinal we offer Women’s Health classes which allows you to connect and relate with other mums and build a supportive community around you 💕
“Honest and compassionate conversations about perinatal mental health are life changing 💥 Whether you’re experiencing mental health challenges yourself, or if you’re concerned about a loved one we know that reaching out and talking about the way you’re feeling can be really hard ‼️It can feel tricky to find the right words. You might be worried about the way the person you’re talking to will react, and there’s a lot of fear around getting it wrong 🤦🏼♀️
That’s why this Perinatal Mental Health Week, we want you to know that everyone needs help at some point in their lives, and everyone deserves compassion and support 🙋🏾♀️
Reaching out, truly listening and making a connection is more important than getting the words completely perfect.
The PANDA Helpline provides counselling, referral and peer support from parents who have been through similar challenges. When someone calls, they will speak with a counsellor who understands the challenges of being a new or expecting parent. PANDA counsellors and peer workers listen with kindness and compassion, help callers explore support options, and can also provide information about appropriate specialist services” @pandanational
PANDA National Helpline 1300 726 306 | Mon - Sat 9am — 7.30pm AEST/AEDT
#sportsandspinal #PMHWEEK #pmhweek2023 #activemums
