Exercise Physiology
for Diabetes
Clinically-supervised exercise that lowers HbA1c, improves insulin sensitivity and reduces your risk of complications, delivered by a team that combines Exercise Physiology, Diabetes Education and Dietetics under one roof.
Takes 60 seconds · No referral needed to start · Medicare rebates available
Why Beachside EP
The only integrated diabetes team in South East Melbourne
Most people with diabetes see an Exercise Physiologist here, a Dietitian there, and a Diabetes Educator somewhere else with nobody talking to each other. At Beachside EP, all three are in the same clinic, working from the same plan, for the same patient. That integration is not just convenient. It produces better clinical outcomes.
Braeden King and Sierra Bulauan
Accredited Exercise Physiologists who design and supervise structured exercise programs targeting HbA1c, insulin sensitivity and metabolic health, with timing and intensity calibrated to your glucose patterns.
Braeden King and Sharon Chand
Credentialled Diabetes Educators who provide structured education on glucose monitoring, medication management, hypoglycaemia prevention and how to interpret your data to make better decisions every day.
Samadi Mallawa
Accredited Practising Dietitian who works alongside your EP and Diabetes Educator to align your nutrition with your exercise program, addressing the dietary drivers of blood glucose and insulin resistance.
What We Do
A clinical program built around your glucose, your medications and your life
Exercise for diabetes is not generic. The right type, intensity and timing of exercise depends on your medications, your glucose variability, your cardiovascular status and your lifestyle. We assess all of it before prescribing anything.
HbA1c reductionCombined resistance and aerobic programming proven to lower long-term blood glucose control markers.
Post-meal glucose managementExercise timing strategies that blunt post-meal glucose spikes, a primary driver of HbA1c elevation.
Insulin sensitivity improvementProgressive resistance training that increases your muscles' capacity to absorb and use glucose, reducing the load on your pancreas.
CGM-guided programmingIf you use a Continuous Glucose Monitor, we use your real-time data to inform exercise timing, intensity and recovery.
Hypoglycaemia risk managementSafe exercise protocols for patients on insulin and blood-glucose lowering medications. No guesswork.
Cardiovascular risk reductionAerobic programming addressing blood pressure, cholesterol and cardiovascular fitness, major complication risks in diabetes.
Weight and metabolic healthWhere clinically appropriate, exercise and dietary programming to address the metabolic drivers of insulin resistance.
Coordination with your care teamWritten reports back to your GP, endocrinologist or specialist after every review, keeping everyone on the same page.
The Evidence
Exercise is one of the most effective diabetes interventions available
This is not a wellness claim. The evidence for exercise in diabetes management is as strong as most pharmaceutical interventions, and the side effects are better strength, more energy and a longer life.
How We Exercise
Three types of exercise, each with a different mechanism
The strongest evidence is for combined training. We use all three modalities, prescribed in the right dose and sequence for your specific situation.
Best for: insulin sensitivity, HbA1c, body composition
Skeletal muscle is the largest site of glucose disposal in the body. Building more muscle through resistance training directly increases your capacity to absorb and use glucose, independent of weight loss.
We prescribe 2 to 3 sessions per week targeting all major muscle groups, progressed systematically over your program.
Best for: post-meal glucose, cardiovascular health
Aerobic exercise increases glucose uptake in muscle cells without requiring insulin, directly lowering blood glucose during and after exercise. A 30-minute walk after a meal can significantly blunt post-meal spikes.
We prescribe 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity, distributed appropriately across the week.
Best for: overall HbA1c, long-term outcomes
The combination of resistance and aerobic training produces significantly greater HbA1c reductions than either type alone.
Most of our diabetes programs incorporate both, sequenced to minimise hypoglycaemia risk and maximise metabolic benefit.
Who We See
Type 1, Type 2, pre-diabetes and everything in between
We work with adults at every stage of the diabetes spectrum. Our programs are adapted to your specific type, medications, complications and goals.
Your Program
What to expect from start to finish
Every patient starts with a thorough clinical assessment. Nothing is prescribed until we understand your full picture.
Initial assessment, 60 minutes
Your first appointment covers your full health history, current medications, glucose patterns, cardiovascular status, fitness level and goals. We review your most recent HbA1c, blood pressure and lipid results where available. This forms the foundation of your program.
Program design, specific to your glucose and medications
We design a combined resistance and aerobic program calibrated to your medication regime, hypoglycaemia risk, and current fitness. Exercise timing relative to meals and medication is built into the program from day one. Your program is delivered via our exercise app with videos, sets, reps and clinical notes.
Supervised sessions and monitoring
We supervise your sessions and monitor your response, adjusting intensity, timing and exercise selection as your fitness and glucose patterns change. If you use a CGM, we incorporate your data into every session review.
Integration with Diabetes Education and Dietetics
Where clinically appropriate, we involve our Credentialled Diabetes Educators and Dietitian, addressing glucose education, medication understanding, and nutritional alignment with your exercise program. All three clinicians share notes and work from the same care plan.
Regular reviews with reports to your GP
We conduct formal program reviews at 6 to 12 week intervals, measuring changes in functional capacity, glucose patterns and other clinical markers. A written report is sent to your GP and any other specialists after every review, keeping your entire care team informed.
Your Clinical Team
Three disciplines. One clinic. One plan.
The Beachside EP diabetes team is the only integrated EP, Diabetes Education and Dietetics service in South East Melbourne.
Braeden King
Accredited Exercise Physiologist and Credentialled Diabetes Educator. Braeden holds dual qualifications that are rare in Australian clinical practice, combining exercise prescription and diabetes education in a single consultation.
Sharon Chand
Credentialled Diabetes Educator specialising in structured diabetes education, glucose monitoring, insulin management and lifestyle modification for long-term diabetes control.
Samadi Mallawa
Accredited Practising Dietitian providing evidence-based nutrition support for diabetes management, from meal planning and carbohydrate awareness to metabolic health and weight management.
Funding and Rebates
Multiple ways to fund your diabetes program
Diabetes is one of the conditions most supported by Medicare and other funding streams. In many cases your out-of-pocket cost is significantly reduced.
Medicare CDM Plan
Up to 5 subsidised allied health sessions per calendar year with an active Chronic Disease Management plan from your GP.
Private Health Insurance
Most extras policies cover Exercise Physiology. Check your policy for your annual limit and rebate amount.
DVA Gold and White Card
DVA Gold Card holders have all clinically necessary EP sessions covered with no gap fee. White Card covers accepted conditions.
NDIS
Exercise Physiology funded under Improved Health and Wellbeing for self-managed and plan-managed participants.
My Aged Care
Support at Home and CHSP packages can fund Exercise Physiology and Dietetics for eligible older Australians with diabetes.
Private
No referral needed. Book directly and pay privately. No GP visit required to start your diabetes program.
Common Questions
Diabetes program FAQs
Do I need a referral to start?
No. You can book directly and be seen privately without a referral. If you have a Medicare Chronic Disease Management plan from your GP that includes Exercise Physiology, bring it to your first appointment and we will process your $61.80 rebate on the spot. If you do not have one yet, we can explain how to get one at your first visit.
Is exercise safe if I am on insulin or blood-glucose lowering medication?
Yes, but it requires clinical supervision, not a generic program. Certain medications increase hypoglycaemia risk during exercise, and the timing and type of exercise needs to account for this. Our Exercise Physiologists are trained in exercise pharmacology and will assess your medications before designing your program. We do not prescribe exercise without understanding your medication regime first.
How quickly will I see results?
Most patients notice improvements in energy, post-meal glucose patterns and overall wellbeing within 4 to 6 weeks of consistent exercise. Measurable HbA1c changes typically appear at the 3-month mark, as HbA1c reflects average blood glucose over approximately 3 months. We set realistic expectations at your first appointment based on your starting HbA1c and program compliance.
I use a CGM. Can you incorporate my data?
Yes. If you use a Continuous Glucose Monitor such as Freestyle Libre, Dexcom or similar, we incorporate your glucose data into your program design and ongoing reviews. CGM data gives us a clearer picture of how your body responds to different types of exercise, meals and recovery, allowing us to make more precise adjustments than is possible without it.
Do I need to see the Dietitian and Diabetes Educator as well as the Exercise Physiologist?
Not necessarily. It depends on your situation. Some patients benefit most from Exercise Physiology alone. Others have specific nutrition or education needs that make a coordinated approach significantly more effective. We assess this at your initial appointment and recommend the right combination of services for your clinical situation. There is no pressure to see all three.
Can I attend via telehealth?
Yes. Exercise Physiology, Diabetes Education and Dietetics appointments are all available via telehealth with the same Medicare rebates applying as in-clinic visits. Telehealth works well for program reviews, education sessions and follow-ups. Some initial assessments may benefit from in-person attendance and we will advise you at the time of booking.
Ready to take control of your diabetes?
Book your first appointment online or call us. No referral needed. We can see you privately or process your Medicare rebate if you have a CDM plan.
Start Your Plan (Book Your First Appointment)Takes 60 seconds · No referral needed · Medicare rebates available