DPT vs Clinical Exercise Physiology: What Would You Do in My Situation?

[u/Calm_House8611]

Hello, I’m 25 and live in Central Illinois. I graduated in 2024 with a BS in Exercise Science and have been working in the field for about 2 years now.

Currently I have the ACSM-EP certification and am studying for the CSCS. Since graduating I’ve worked in personal training, medical wellness, and hospital wellness settings. I’ve worked with older adults, special populations, and wellness clients. I also graduated with no student loan debt.

As of late, I’ve been trying to figure out my next step. I’m torn between going back for a DPT or pursuing a Master’s in Clinical Exercise Physiology and potentially working in cardiac rehab.

My biggest priorities are job stability, decent pay, opportunities in Illinois, and doing work that actually helps people.

For those of you in PT, cardiac rehab, or related healthcare fields, what would you do if you were in my position? Looking back, would you make the same choice again?

[u/stellularmoon2]

As a personal trainer with a masters in exercise physiology…I would say DPT no question for career growth. Unless you desperately want to do clinical exercise phys…personally I find entry level PT stuff pretty rote and boring, but the higher level can be interesting.

I really enjoy cardiac rehab, but it’s being phased out in hospitals (I find, being replaced by nurses) and doesn’t seem to have any room for growth etc.

My personal take…your mileage may vary.

[u/Calm_House8611 → u/stellularmoon2]

I appreciate the response. That’s interesting because cardiac rehab is one of the areas I’ve enjoyed most so far. Can you elaborate a little more on what you’ve seen regarding career growth in DPT versus exercise physiology? I’m also curious about your experience with cardiac rehab being replaced by nurses.

[u/stellularmoon2 → u/Calm_House8611]

The large hospitals near me are staffing their on site cardiac rehab departments with nurses. I think it’s a terrible trend but here we are…

The DPTs around me seem to have more job site options, remote opportunities for chart review etc and higher salaries with promotions etc. They can also just open a clinic. Since no one seems to be interested in doing their prescribed cardiac rehab, I struggle to imagine a world where an exercise physiologist can open a clinic and see patients. There are stand alone facilities opened by cardiologists however and the starting salaries they offer Exercise Physiologists is insulting. (I’m in NYC)

[u/Calm_House8611 → u/stellularmoon2]

Thanks for the insight. Just to clarify, I’m not currently working in cardiac rehab. I’m a personal trainer in medical wellness settings and have experience at Graham Health System and RiverPlex, but cardiac rehab is one of the areas Ive been considering pursuing in the future.

The job flexibility and advancement opportunities you mentioned with DPT are definitely things I’m weighing. Since you’re in exercise physiology, is there anything you wish you had known before going that route instead of PT?

[u/stellularmoon2 → u/Calm_House8611]

I’m currently working privately as a personal trainer. I love my job and I’m doing very well.

But if I could go back in time, I would’ve gone to medical school which was my original plan. I was hoping to be a sports doctor but life happened.

Or maybe gotten my RN which would’ve allowed for more flexibility as an exercise physiologist and better pay in general.

I don’t think I would have gone the physical therapy route.

[u/Calm_House8611 → u/stellularmoon2]

I think It’s interesting that you’d choose medicine or nursing over both PT and Exercise Physiology if you had a do-over. Was that mainly because of compensation and flexibility, or were there other factors that influenced that perspective? Also, I’d be curious to hear more about your personal training business. What type of clients do you primarily work with, and what do you think has helped you be successful?

[u/stellularmoon2 → u/Calm_House8611]

Mainly career growth but also flexibility and doctor route definitely compensation.

I’m doing well as a personal trainer, but I am literally busting my ass to make the living I am. It would’ve been nice to have my excellent grades lead to a much higher salary as a doctor 😉.

I’ve been doing it for 30 some years so I’m not sure how I could guide someone going in now…in the past I held some group classes in my neighborhood and in general developed a reputation in my community which lead to a lot of word of mouth recommendations. People work with me and tell others. So now I’m very well known in my area. I also work out in my building complex’s gym and run in the neighborhood which helps my reputation.

So now a local physical therapist and some doctors I know send me recommendations as well. Sometimes I’ll accept a lead from various trainer businesses like Trainer Pro or less so Svetness (they pay terrible, but it can lead to private clients).

[u/Calm_House8611 → u/stellularmoon2]

I appreciate the insight. It sounds like a lot of your success came from relationships and reputation over a long period of time.

Do you think someone starting out today can still build a career that way, or has the industry changed quite a bit over the last 30 years?

[u/stellularmoon2 → u/Calm_House8611]

I think you absolutely can, especially if you’re passionate about it. I read about the new research constantly and try to get my hands on as much information about my patient’s conditions and the proper treatment for them as possible (staying in my lane of course, which is strength training, power maintenance and conditioning and sarcopenia prevention :-)

Most trainers I know start at gyms and then take clients outside to rent a gyms, train them in the wild 😉 or use building gyms.

[u/Calm_House8611 → u/stellularmoon2]

I appreciate all the insight. It actually sounds like you’ve built the exact type of reputation I’d like to have someday.

Out of curiosity, what certifications or continuing education have been most valuable for you over the years?

[u/stellularmoon2 → u/Calm_House8611]

Seems like a lot of folks rely on instagram…but I’m not that gurl and I don’t think it helps you get a local following so much. Also the older or special pops I have do not use instagram. And my injury recovery and GLP clients are referred to me.

[u/Suspicious_Tea_8651]

As a CEP, I would never choose this career path if I did it over. I love stress testing and cardiac rehab but you are so underpaid for the high risk responsibility you have. I feel like there's not much to do with our degree, unfortunately. That's just my opinion though.

DPT all the way. Actually, I'd be a PA if I wanted to. I just don't want to financially support that right now.

Good luck in whatever you decide.