(661) 282-8584 contactus@ariptcare.com Fax: (661) 727-0005 Español
Book an Appointment

Patient Questions  /  Physical therapist or personal trainer?

Starting Physical Therapy

What's the Difference Between a Physical Therapist and a Personal Trainer?

Both use exercise to help you, but their roles differ. A physical therapist is a licensed health care provider who evaluates and treats pain, injuries and medical conditions. A personal trainer is a fitness professional who helps generally healthy people get fitter, stronger and stay motivated.

Request an Evaluation

How their roles differ

  • Physical therapists complete a graduate degree (today, a doctorate) and must hold a state license. They examine you, identify movement problems, and treat injuries, pain, and recovery after surgery, along with problems like balance, dizziness and pelvic floor issues. Health insurance often covers their care when it's medically necessary.
  • Personal trainers usually hold a certification from a fitness organization, and their training varies. They design workouts, teach good exercise form, and help with fitness goals like strength, weight loss and consistency. Their services usually aren't covered by insurance.

Which one do I need?

See a physical therapist if you have pain, an injury, a recent surgery, or a health condition that affects how you move. A trainer is a great choice when you're healthy and want to build fitness or stay on track.

Many people use both: physical therapy to recover, then a trainer to keep building strength. Your physical therapist can tell you when you're ready to make that move, and what to keep in mind.

If an exercise with your trainer causes pain that doesn't settle, that's a good time to get checked by a physical therapist. The two professions often work well together.

How physical therapy at ARI can help

A physical therapist finds out why you hurt or can't move the way you want, treats it, and gives you a home program so you can keep progressing on your own or with a trainer.

At ARI Physical Therapy in Bakersfield, every visit is one-on-one and in person with a licensed physical therapist, and our clinic director, Deepa Konnur, PT, MPT, OCS, is a board-certified Orthopedic Certified Specialist. We accept most private insurance plans and Medicare, and we have staff who speak Spanish and Hindi.

No referral needed to start. In California, you can see a physical therapist directly for up to 12 visits or 45 days, whichever comes first. Some insurance plans still require a referral for coverage; call us at (661) 282-8584 and we'll help you check.

Related questions

Ready to feel better?

Talk to a licensed physical therapist at ARI, one-on-one. Request an evaluation and we'll get back to you, usually within one business day.

Request an EvaluationCall (661) 282-8584

This page is general information, not a diagnosis. If you have symptoms, a licensed clinician should evaluate you.

Clinically reviewed by Deepa Konnur, PT, MPT, OCS, board-certified Orthopedic Certified Specialist · Reviewed October 2026