Physical Therapy vs. adaptive fitness: what’s the difference?
If you're on a journey to feel stronger, move better, or recover from an injury, you've probably come across two terms: physical therapy and adaptive fitness. While they may seem similar, they serve different purposes when it comes to helping people of all abilities thrive.
In this post, we’ll break down what each one is, how they differ, and how they can work together to support your health and mobility.
🏥 What Is Physical Therapy?
Physical therapy (PT) is a clinical, medically-guided process focused on restoring movement and reducing pain after an injury, surgery, or illness. It often involves targeted exercises, manual therapy, and mobility work—all tailored to your individual medical needs. Key features of PT are:
Typically prescribed by a doctor
Led by a licensed physical therapist (DPT)
Focused on rehabilitation and recovery
Commonly used after surgery, accidents, or with chronic pain conditions
If you're having trouble transfering, walking, lifting your arm, doing daily tasks, etc PT is usually the first step.
🏋️ What Is Adaptive Fitness?
Adaptive fitness is an inclusive approach to exercise designed for people with physical disabilities, mobility challenges, or long-term health conditions. Rather than focusing on recovery from injury, adaptive fitness promotes long term strength, independence, and quality of life through tailored workouts and movement programs. Key features of adaptive fitness are:
No medical prescription needed
Led by certified adaptive or inclusive fitness trainers
Focused on ability-based fitness, not rehab
Ideal for individuals working on improving life long wellness
Adaptive fitness is for people who want to stay active, even if traditional gyms or classes don’t meet their needs.
How Do They Work Together?
Think of physical therapy as the beginning of the journey it's the foundation for regaining movement and stability. Once you're ready to move beyond medical recovery, adaptive fitness picks up the baton to help you stay strong, mobile, and confident in everyday life. At Revive, we believe in utilizing adaptive fitness throughout your PT journey to maximize your progress at every stage.
If you're not sure where to begin, hop on a FREE call with us! We’re here to help you move better, be stronger, and live a more full and active lift.
