Clinical Pilates vs. Fitness Pilates: Which Session Fits Your Goals?
A reformer can be used in both a rehabilitation appointment and a fitness session. Seeing the same equipment does not mean you are booking the same service.
At NU MVMT, Clinical Pilates and fitness Pilates serve different purposes. Physiotherapy-led Clinical Pilates is part of a clinical assessment and treatment plan. Fitness Pilates focuses on exercise instruction and your training goals. Knowing who is providing the session—and what appointment you are booking—is more useful than choosing by equipment alone.
The differences that matter when booking
| What to check | Physiotherapy-led Clinical Pilates | Fitness Pilates |
|---|---|---|
| Provider | A physiotherapist delivering a physiotherapy appointment. | A Pilates instructor delivering fitness instruction. |
| Starting point | Your health history, symptoms, functional goals and clinical assessment. | Your exercise experience, preferences and fitness goals. |
| Plan | Pilates-based exercises selected and adjusted as part of your rehabilitation. | A Pilates program suited to your training level and goals. |
| Coverage | May be eligible under physiotherapy benefits when the actual service and provider meet your plan’s rules. | Do not assume a fitness session qualifies for physiotherapy reimbursement. |
When to ask about Clinical Pilates
If pain, an injury or a recent change in your health is the main reason you are seeking help, ask about a physiotherapy assessment first. A physiotherapist can discuss whether Pilates-based exercise fits your rehabilitation plan or whether another approach is more suitable.
Clinical Pilates is not one fixed routine. The exercises, equipment and progression should reflect your assessment and goals. You do not need to arrive knowing which exercises you need.
When to ask about fitness Pilates
If your main goal is a structured way to practise movement, build exercise confidence and work on strength or control, fitness Pilates may match what you are looking for. Let the instructor know your experience and any relevant limitations before you start.
If you are transitioning from rehabilitation, ask your treating clinician and instructor how to carry useful guidance into training. Fitness instruction does not replace assessment of a new or worsening health concern.
Meet team members with Pilates backgrounds
NU MVMT’s team includes physiotherapists with Clinical Pilates training and instructors focused on fitness. These roles are different, even when some exercises look similar.
Physiotherapy-led Clinical Pilates
Alison Bogar
Jane profile and appointment options: Gilmore · Downtown
Physiotherapist and Clinical Pilates
Alison holds a Master’s in Physiotherapy from Brunel University and a kinesiology degree from SFU. She is an APPI-certified Clinical Pilates instructor and integrates movement-based rehabilitation into individualized treatment.
Bryanna Chan
Jane profile and appointment options: Gilmore · Downtown
Physiotherapist
Bryanna holds a Master of Science in Physical Therapy from the University of Alberta. Her postgraduate education includes Clinical Pilates, alongside manual therapy and other rehabilitation courses.
Trevor Lai
Jane profile and appointment options: Gilmore · Downtown
Physiotherapist and Clinical Pilates
Trevor offers Clinical Pilates and combines manual therapy with exercise in his physiotherapy practice. He holds a kinesiology degree from UBC and a Master’s in Physiotherapy from Australia; his continuing education includes Pilates and TPI golf assessments.
Owen Kwok
Jane profile and appointment options: Gilmore · Downtown · Brentwood
Physiotherapist and Clinical Pilates
Owen offers Clinical Pilates as part of his physiotherapy services. He holds a Master of Science in Physical Therapy from the University of Toronto and a kinesiology degree from UBC, and brings experience in rowing coaching and progressive strength training.
Michael Tengco
Jane profile and appointment options: Gilmore · Downtown · Brentwood
Physiotherapist and Clinical Pilates
Michael holds a Doctor of Physiotherapy from the University of Melbourne and a kinesiology degree from Dalhousie University. He has more than ten years of experience in Clinical Pilates and strength and conditioning, and combines hands-on treatment with progressive active rehabilitation.
Check Michael’s Jane profile for current new-patient intake, locations and appointment availability.
Fitness Pilates
Minji Kim
Jane profile and appointment options: Gilmore
Pilates Instructor
Minji is a STOTT and Power Pilates certified instructor. Her teaching interests include strength, mobility, body awareness and an educational approach to movement.
Michelle Kao
Jane profile and appointment options: Gilmore · Brentwood
Pilates and Functional Strength
Michelle holds a kinesiology degree from SFU and a Fascial Stretch Therapy certification. Her approach blends Pilates with functional strength, informed by her background as a netball athlete.
Related movement services
Kinesiology, assisted stretching and personal training are separate from physiotherapy-led Clinical Pilates. Michelle offers the kinesiology and FST appointments currently listed at Gilmore. Choose the service and location before booking.
View kinesiology and Fitness Pilates in Jane · View Gilmore FST appointments
Meet all five NU MVMT personal trainers
Choose the trainer and location that fit your goals. Connor and Zoe train at Brentwood; Max and Meghan train at Downtown Vancouver; Justin trains at both.
Connor Jung
Personal Trainer · Brentwood
Strength training, general fitness, athletic development and bodybuilding.
Zoe Juneau
Personal Trainer · Brentwood
Strength training, general fitness and bodybuilding, with a background in competitive bikini athletics.
Max Szredni
Personal Trainer · Downtown Vancouver
Strength training and functional fitness, with a background in yoga.
Meghan Zafaralla
Personal Trainer · Downtown Vancouver
Accessible, sustainable fitness through personalized coaching.
Justin Angeles
Personal Trainer · Brentwood and Downtown Vancouver
Individualized strength training, functional movement and mobility.
Explore NU MVMT personal training or view all trainers and book through Acuity. Select the correct location and trainer; current appointment times are shown in the booking schedule.
Four questions to ask before choosing a session
- What am I booking? Confirm whether the appointment is physiotherapy or fitness Pilates.
- Who will lead it? Read the provider’s current profile and qualifications.
- What should my first visit include? Ask about assessment, exercise, clothing and any information to bring.
- How will we review progress? Choose an activity or goal that matters to you, then revisit it as the program changes.
For example, wanting guidance around a painful movement is a different starting point from wanting a regular exercise session. Explaining that difference helps the clinic direct your booking.
Clinical Pilates in Burnaby: check the location and appointment
NU MVMT’s Gilmore clinic is at 100–4180 Lougheed Highway in Burnaby. Its booking options include physiotherapy appointments with Clinical Pilates. Availability varies by practitioner; confirm the current appointment category and location before selecting a time.
Explore our Clinical and Fitness Pilates service information and physiotherapy page. For fitness Pilates, view Minji and Michelle’s Gilmore appointment options in Jane.
Common questions
Is all reformer Pilates “clinical”?
No. The equipment alone does not establish that a session is healthcare or eligible for insurance reimbursement. Confirm the actual provider, service and purpose of the appointment.
Do I need Pilates experience?
Tell the practitioner or instructor if you are new. Ask which introductory appointment is appropriate so the session can start at a suitable level.
Can I claim fitness Pilates as physiotherapy?
Do not assume so. A receipt must reflect the service actually provided. Ask the clinic to clarify the appointment and check your insurer’s requirements before relying on reimbursement.
For physiotherapy appointments: View NU MVMT’s live Jane booking options. For help choosing between clinical and fitness sessions, call 604-759-0272.
This is general educational information, not an individualized exercise prescription.