Discover what services our kinesiologists can provide

austenzentner
7 days ago
6 min read

Updated: 2 days ago

Professional kinesiologists are university-educated professionals that specialize in using movement as medicine. Kinesiologists work independently or as part of a multidisciplinary care team to treat chronic conditions, improve health and fitness, increase strength, improve athletic performance, gain muscle, lose fat, and live a healthier lifestyle. Kins can also be trained to provide movement prescriptions for mental health, or specific conditions like cancer, diabetes, arthritis, and more. Whether you want to fight the malaise of aging, address a specific mental- or physical health concern, or just move and feel better, kinesiology is the answer.

What is Professional Kinesiology?

Professional kinesiology is the applied practice of movement for health. Academic kinesiology is the study of human movement, and a kinesiologist applies that science to improve health and quality of life in their clients.

Kinesiology is not just about physical movement. It also considers emotional and mental well-being. By addressing these aspects, kinesiologists (also known as kins) create a balanced state of health. This holistic approach leads to improved physical performance, reduced stress, and enhanced overall wellness.

What does a kinesiologist actually do?

At Zen Kin, our Kinesiologists work with you in the gym, online, outdoors (like in a park or a back yard) or in your home. Our team offers one-on-one movement sessions, personalized and custom-tailored movement programs, and lifestyle coaching to fit your unique needs.

Personal training: Our Kinesiologists provide all the services of your average personal trainer, and more. General health, fitness improvements, long-term rehabilitation, addressing chronic conditions, occupation-specific fitness, fat loss, strength training, and athletic performance all fall under our professionals' scope of practice.
Holistic Healing: Zen Kin understands the importance of movement for mental health, immune system performance, graceful aging, and more. Our kins can develop a personalized program to fit your lifestyle and your needs, whether it's physical, mental, or emotional. The human body is a complex and interconnected system, and movement benefits all parts.
Improved Performance: Whether you are looking to decrease your 40 time, increase your deadlift, or just get better at pulling wrenches, kinesiology can improve your physical performance.
Stress Reduction: Movement is the lowest-risk treatment for stress. We make sure that you get accessible, personalized movement advice to fit your situation and reduce the stress in your life.
Accessible Fitness: At Zen Kin, we embrace the belief that movement is for every body. Our kins can develop a plan that fits your unique needs, whether that is wheelchair-specific fitness programming, movement for osteoporosis, introductory fitness for people new to exercise, or any other situation, Zen kin will make moving your body work for you.

How Personalized Kinesiology Sessions Work

Every professional kinesiology session starts with a check-in and assessment to see how you're doing. Kins are more than just personal trainers, and they will work to provide you with the tools you need to improve your health - not just the fitness program to build your muscles. Whether your goal is fitness, health, or a stronger and more resilient mindset, your kin will work with you to find the strategies that are most effective.

Zen Kin offers kinesiology services in-gym at several partner facilities in Saskatoon, as well as being Saskatoon's foremost in-home and mobile kinesiology service. Whether your kin joins you at your gym or in your home, you can expect the session to involve assessments, a check-in, mobility work, and warm-up and cool-downs, all sprinkled with motivation and positive conversations.

Depending on your goals, your session will include various techniques to meet your goals, including:

Strength training: This is the core of kinesiology. Strength training builds mental resilience, physical strength and endurance, and more. Strength training doesn't just mean weight training, and your kin will find a way to make strength work for you.
Stretching: Muscle strength is only half of the picture, and muscle length - the ability for your muscle to go through its full range of motion - is just as important. Kins are trained to improve mobility with manual techniques, dynamic stretching, static stretching, and even proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF stretching).
Breathing Techniques: Proper breathing can enhance relaxation and improve overall health. Whether it's preparing to squat triple your bodyweight with a Valsalva maneuver or learning to calm your body and mind, your breathing is of utmost importance.
Motivational Interviewing: By finding the things that matter to you, a kin can tailor a program to you and make it sink it. Finding ways to tie movement into your life to fit your goals - rather than just recommending hours on a treadmill - helps clients to find success.

Every client is unique, and every session is tailored to help them achieve their personal health goals.

How is kinesiology different than personal training?

Many people have hired a personal trainer and been soured by the experience. Personal trainers are often masters of weight loss or muscle gain, but that's often as far as their education goes. A weekend course or online test pales in comparison to a four-year kinesiology degree - the mandatory minimum for Zen Kin's employees.

When you hire a kinesiologist from Zen Kin, you can confident that they have that four-year degree with specific education in:

Human anatomy and physiology: We need know how every body works to work with everybody.
Psychology and sociology: The social and psychological impacts of our words and our world have a very real impact on our physical health and how we move. Kins understand these aspects of health.
Ethics, inclusivity, and sensitivity: Kins are here to meet you where you are, not to bully you about it. Every session with a Zen Kin is meant to leave you with a positive impact - mentally and physically.
Movement across the lifespan: You move different today than you did yesterday, but your body is still made to move. Zen Kins work to find the way to move that best suits you right now and for the future.
Accessibility: Movement is for every body, and we strive to provide a safe and accessible environment for folks of all abilities and all backgrounds.

Does my benefits cover kinesiology services?

It depends on your specific insurance package, and you'll need to contact your provider to be sure, but many Canadian extended healthcare benefits providers do cover kinesiology! Exercise is a proven solution for improving health, reducing downtime, preventing workplace injuries and reducing call-outs, meaning if your insurance doesn't cover kin, it should!

Choosing the Right Kinesiologist

At Zen Kin, every practitioner is equipped with a four-year kinesiology degree to set them up with basic foundational knowledge of the human body. Beyond that, all of our Kins are registered with the Canadian Kinesiology Alliance, a national body that prioritizes continuing education, client safety and cooperation. Finding the right kin is essential for your success, and at Zen Kin, we make sure to have good people on hand.

Integrating Kinesiology into Your Wellness Routine

Personalized kinesiology sessions can be a valuable part of your overall wellness routine, and integrating kin sessions on a regular basis is a great way to build your physical competency, kinesthetic sense, physical literacy and movement skills

Introductory Session: We always start with an intro session to make sure your goals align with ours. Everyone's body is designed to move, and an introductory session is the chance for your Kin to help understand what types of movement will get you closest to your goals. Intro sessions can be done a few different ways:
- in-home
- in-gym
- online, by Zoom
- over the phone
- by FaceTime
In-home and Mobile Kinesiology: Zen Kin offers in-home kinesiology in Saskatoon and the surrounding area, including Warman and Martensville. Mobile sessions offer convenience and accessibility, and they also allow you to get professional movement help in the comfort of your home.
In-gym kinesiology: Zen Kin works with Rise Strength Lab in Saskatoon to provide access to a full weight room for our clients. Clients with a Rise membership can access the gym 24/7, even without a kinesiologist present.
Monthly Wellness Programs: A monthly wellness program goes beyond sets and reps in the gym. Our Kins will integrate applicable and accessible recommendations to get you closer to your fitness goals. Monthly programs include regular check-ins, motivation, and the nuts-and-bolts of a fitness program.

By integrating kinesiology into your routine, you can enhance your overall health and well-being.

The Future of Kinesiology

As more people discover the benefits of personalized kinesiology sessions, the practice continues to evolve. New techniques and research are emerging, making kinesiology more effective than ever. As members of the Canadian Kinesiology Alliance, Zen Kins are dedicated to expanding their knowledge base on an ongoing basis in accordance with the CKA's Continuing Education Standards Program.

Zen Kins are increasingly focused on the mind-body connection. This holistic approach is gaining recognition in the health and wellness community. As a result, more individuals are turning to kinesiology for support in their health journeys.

Embrace Your Journey to Wellness

Personalized kinesiology sessions offer a unique and effective way to enhance your health and well-being. By addressing the whole person, these sessions can lead to improved physical performance, reduced stress, and a greater sense of balance in life.

If you are curious about how kinesiology can benefit you, consider scheduling a session with a qualified practitioner. Embrace the journey to wellness and discover the power of personalized kinesiology sessions.