Medical Exercise Specialist Manifesto
The Medical Exercise Specialist Manifesto -Â Bridging the Gap Between Healthcare and Fitness
Our Origin: Born from a Problem, Built for a Purpose
Medical Exercise Training was born from necessity—not marketing.
In 1994, as insurance carriers slashed physical therapy reimbursement, we saw physical therapy patients discharged before they were fully functional. The healthcare system was efficient but incomplete. Our clinics could not extend care, and the fitness industry was unprepared to continue it safely.
So, we built a bridge.
We designed a structured, medically guided approach to exercise that respected both science and scope of practice. The first Medical Exercise Specialist Workshop was held in July 1994. Thirty-two years later, the mission stands stronger than ever: to equip professionals to manage medical conditions through exercise—safely, effectively, and professionally.Â
Our Identity: More Than a Certification
We are not a fitness brand.
We are not a collection of weekend ...
Medical Exercise Specialists...Happy Birthday!!
Happy 30th Birthday to ALL Medical Exercise Specialists around the world!! Thank you for all the great work you have done to help clients improve their level of function, develop relationships with medical professionals, and build strong practices. You have set the standard for medical exercise/post-rehab services worldwide.
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Jeffrey Wright, DPT, ATC, and I started the Medical Exercise Specialist concept in Washington, DC in February 1994. We saw the need for a responsible and effective transition of their patients from outpatient physical therapy into an exercise setting. The drastic cuts in healthcare reimbursement for physical therapy beginning in the early 1990's prompted a need for this transition. Jeff and I wrote the Medical Exercise Specialist program outline and curriculum over several weeks and presented the first Medical Exercise Specialist workshop and certification in July 1994 in Silver Spring, MD. That original course had 14 participants.Â
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The first course was a h...
METI is Celebrating 29 Years of "Bridging the Gap"
The Medical Exercise Training Institute (METI) is 29 years old!! Yes, we started the medical exercise/post-rehab movement with the Medical Exercise Specialist workshop and certification in 1994. 13 students attended that first course. Since we have trained Medical Exercise Specialists on six continents around the world.Â
We watched post-rehab fitness grow into medical exercise training and witnessed the birth of our new profession. We owe all of our success to the amazing Medical Exercise Specialists (MES), Post Rehab Conditioning Specialists (PRCS), and Medical Exercise Program Directors (MEPD) we met along this 29-year journey. Thank you for all you have done to build this new profession and the support you have given METI. You made us look good by providing great service to your clients and developing relationships with medical professionals. You proved medical exercise training WORKS!!
If you are an AAFP, AAHFRP, or METI MES, PRCS, or MEPD, please send me an email at DrMike@postr...