Home, Community, or Gym? A Physio’s Guide to Picking the Right Rehab Setting
Why your rehab setting matters
Where your physiotherapy takes place can make a huge difference. It’s not just about convenience — the right setting can boost motivation, build confidence, and support better long-term outcomes. Some goals are best tackled in the gym, others in a park, or in the comfort of home. This guide will walk you through the pros and cons of each option to help you figure out what might work best for you or your loved one.
Home Based Physio
Who it’s best for: Home-based physio works best for people who can’t leave the house easily due to physical limitations, anxiety, or complex support needs. This might include participants recovering from surgery, those with high mobility needs, or anyone still building confidence before entering community settings.
Why it works: Sessions happen in the comfort of your own home — no travel, no stress. For some goals, home is the ideal environment. If you’re working on daily activities like standing up from a chair or getting safely in and out of bed, it makes sense to practice those movements right where they happen day-to-day. You don’t need fancy equipment — just the right plan, clear goals, and support.
What to keep in mind: Home physio can also be limiting. There’s often not much space, and equipment is minimal. It’s harder to create variety, build fitness, or increase challenge over time. If getting out is an option, we often recommend transitioning to the community or gym when ready.
Community Based Physio
Who it’s best for: Community physio sessions usually take place in a local park — a great option for clients who want to be active outdoors and work on real-world goals. These might include mobility, skills, or learning to play sports like soccer or basketball.
Why it works: The park offers space to move, sunshine, and access to outdoor gym equipment in many locations. It’s especially useful for younger clients with goals around sport participation, coordination, or movement confidence. Whether we’re kicking a footy, learning agility drills, or walking laps around the park, the community setting brings energy and variety to physio.
There’s also a social element. Getting out of the house, engaging with the world, and doing physio in a real-life setting can be a big step toward greater independence and confidence.
What to keep in mind: You’re at the mercy of the weather — we can always adapt, but rain can disrupt plans. While the park is great for movement and play, it won’t suit every goal. For strength-focused programs or more structured rehab, a gym might be the better choice.
Gym Based Physio
Who it’s best for: The gym is ideal for clients who want to build strength, improve fitness, and push toward physical independence in a structured way. This includes teens and adults with strength or mobility goals, or anyone preparing for work, sport, or independent daily life.
Why it works: Access to gym equipment means we can do more — more resistance, more challenge, more variety. It’s perfect for goal-driven training plans, especially when we want to measure progress over time. Whether we’re using free weights, cardio equipment, or machines, the gym gives us more tools to work with.
Our clients often come to the gym with their support worker or meet us there directly.
What to keep in mind: For some clients, especially those new to gyms, the environment can feel busy or overwhelming at first. That’s totally normal — we take it slow, work alongside you, and create a space where you feel confident and supported.
What’s Next?
Not sure which setting is right for you? Whether you're thinking about home visits, community sessions in a local park, or getting into the gym — we’ve got a quick checklist to help you weigh up the options. Check out our Physio Quiz!
Prefer to speak to us! Reach out to us here!
BONUS - Here is a quick reference guide of FREE outdoor Gym's in Lake Macquarie