Why fitness matters now, more than ever

Meet Exercise Physiologist, Rakesh Patel

In a world increasingly dominated by screens and sedentary lifestyles, Rakesh Patel champions the transformative power of movement. As a Senior Accredited Exercise Physiologist, Rakesh draws from both personal roots and clinical expertise to help people overcome inertia and build sustainable fitness habits. Rakesh’s own passion for fitness was cultivated early.

“Fitness came from my upbringing in a sporting family,” he shared.

“My dad always promoted exercise, and that naturally guided me into becoming an exercise physiologist.”

He contrasts this with many modern families where children are not encouraged to move as much.

“Kids spend more time on phones, iPads, and gaming instead of playing outside,” Rakesh observed.

Rakesh acknowledges that technology is a double-edged sword. While devices can contribute to inactivity, they can also support fitness through apps and structured programs.

“The key is balance,” Rakesh notes.

Overcoming resistance and common rationalisations

One of the biggest challenges Rakesh encounters, is resistance from people who believe they are “perfectly fine” despite carrying excess weight and facing health risks. Rather than confrontation, Rakesh leads with education and meets people where they are.

“I use assessments like cardiorespiratory fitness tests or strength tests and compare results to normative data,” he explained.

“This makes progress, or the gaps, visible and motivating.”

Rakesh added that there is nothing inherently wrong with a “dad bod” provided the person maintains regular physical activity.

“It’s about overall health and function, not just appearance.”

Building Motivation: Routine, Mindset, and Feeling Better

Rakesh emphasises that fitness begins with a mental choice.

“You need that early faith in the process, especially when results aren’t immediate,” he said.

His advice is practical: start basic and focus on building routine in the first one to two months.

“Begin with 30 minutes daily or every second day, then progressively increase,” Rakesh recommends. He says that when clients raise common excuses, such as bad weather. Rakesh encourages discipline and persistence.

“At-home workouts, even in small spaces like the living room or a hotel room, remove many barriers,” he said.

“The benefits are primarily about feeling good, the endorphins and hormonal response, with appearance a secondary outcome.”

He likened the positive reinforcement of exercise to other end-of-day rewards.

“Over time, exercise can become your healthier coping mechanism,” Rakesh notes.

Expectations: it’s never too late

Age is not a barrier, according to Rakesh.

“It’s never too late to start,” he affirmed.

He recalled training clients across all ages, including a 98-year-old doing basic movements like sit-to-stands and staying remarkably healthy.

Results and timelines vary

“For people with some exercise background and good nutrition, visible changes can appear in about eight weeks,” Rakesh explains.

“For complete beginners, it may take three to four months.”

He stressed that fitness is a lifetime commitment, not an eight-week fix.

In future stories we’ll explore the role of nutrition alongside exercise and fitness and the importance protein plays in breaking plateaus and the impacts of high-carb versus high-protein choices on performance and strength.

The value of professional guidance and telehealth

Many people feel lost when starting at the gym.

“The biggest barrier is not knowing where to start, no structure, uncertainty about exercises, sets, and reps,” Rakesh said. This is where an exercise physiologist adds the most value:

“We create a tailored program with clear routines and goals.” Around telehealth and online support, Rakesh confirmed their value:

“These can work really effectively. I use twice-weekly telehealth calls with my clients, one for planning and goals at the start of the week, another for review and accountability at the end.”

“Clients follow app-based programs in the gym, log their sessions, and I review them. The anticipation of check-ins boosts consistency.”

Personalisation remains central, whether for gym, home workouts, frequency, or training style.

“We tailor everything to the individual’s preferences and lifestyle,” Rakesh emphasises.

Rakesh Patel’s approach combines empathy, science, and practicality. By focusing on education, realistic goal-setting, and sustainable routines, he helps clients move beyond excuses toward lasting health improvements. In an era where inactivity poses growing risks, his message is clear: the time for fitness is now, and support from professionals like exercise physiologists can make the journey achievable and rewarding.

You can reach out to Rakesh at www.epahealth.com.au and rakesh@epahealth.com.au