What kind of PT are you looking for—Physical Therapy or Personal Training? We’re guessing it’s one of those that brought you here.
Because PT can mean a lot of things depending on the context. Pacific Time. Part-time. But in the world of health and fitness, the definition of PT usually comes down to two types: Physical Therapists and Personal Trainers.
At Performance One, we work with both. And we get it—it’s easy to mix them up.
If you're trying to figure out what PT is, or which type of PT you actually need, you're in the right place. We’ll break down the difference between physical therapy and personal training—what each one does, how they work, their certifications, and when to see one PT or the other.
Personal Trainer (PT) vs. Physical Therapist (PT)
Both Personal Trainers and Physical Therapists are movement pros. They use exercise to help people move better, feel stronger, and bounce back from setbacks. Whether it's building muscle or managing pain, both types of PTs help you make progress through movement.
But these two PTs are not exactly the same. The difference comes down to education, approach, and purpose. One helps you train smarter and get fitter. The other helps you heal, recover, and restore function after injury or surgery.
So what are the exact roles of these two PTs? Let’s break it down.
What is a personal trainer?
A Personal Trainer (PT) is a certified fitness professional who works with you one-on-one through personalized workout sessions. That means tailored exercise routines, progress tracking, and setting clear KPIs to measure success.
Personal trainers are exercise-driven coaches who guide your fitness journey, keep you motivated, and help you stay accountable—and injury free.
Some specialize in areas like strength training PT, mobility, or sports performance. They work with beginners, seasoned athletes, and people who just want to stay healthy and fit.
Most certified PTs have completed courses in exercise science, anatomy, and training methods. This means they are not medical professionals, but they know how to guide your form, structure your sessions, and push you—safely—toward progress.
Personal training is a self-regulated profession with many different study certificates. And that’s one of the key differences between a personal trainer and a physical therapist: their education paths.
What is a Physical Therapist?
A Physical Therapist (PT) is a medical professional who specializes in movement and recovery. The American Physical Therapy Association defines it like this:
“Physical therapists are licensed doctors who work with multiple patient populations impacted by disease, injury, and movement dysfunction.”
Many physical therapists hold a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree, which means they’ve completed years of clinical education and passed national licensing exams. That’s one of the key differences in the physiotherapy vs personal training comparison—the medical background and the scope of care.
Is it the same as physiotherapy? Yes, you can often use both terms interchangeably. While there are slight differences in approach, the key meaning and purpose is the same. If you want a more detailed explanation, we break this down further in our post about physical therapy vs physiotherapy.
Now, back to personal training vs physical therapy:
In the world of health and fitness, these two types of PTs often work together. A personal trainer may refer you to a physical therapy specialist for injury recovery. And once you're cleared, a physical therapist may refer you back to a trainer to rebuild strength and performance.
The big question now is—how do you choose the right PT for your needs? Let’s answer that next.
When Should You Choose the Right PT?
The straightforward answer is this: for injury recovery or movement assessment, go to a physical therapist. For performance improvement and fitness goals, go to a personal trainer.
But things are not always black and white. Let’s break down how each type of PT serves a different purpose—with different methods, tools, and goals.
Why go to a personal trainer?
Most people work with a personal trainer to improve their performance, fitness, health, and overall wellness. Common goals include losing weight, building strength, gaining flexibility or agility, and lowering the risk of injury.
Since personal trainers work through one-on-one sessions, your program is designed specifically for you. They take into account your current fitness level, medical history, past injuries, and long-term goals.
The focus of personal training is always on workout progression—with structure, support, and a plan that evolves as you improve.
Some people train to look and feel better. Others come in with more performance-based goals. For example, athletes might work with a trainer to prep for a championship season, improve strength and speed, or rebuild conditioning after time off.
But that’s not all. Personal training can also support mental and emotional well-being. Many clients use training to manage stress, boost focus, or work through chronic pain.
And here is where both types of PTs connect: health and wellness. A physical therapist may refer you to a personal trainer to continue progressing after rehab.
There are also different types of personal training depending on your needs. Sessions can be tailored around strength training PT, mobility, agility, cross training, or sport-specific conditioning.
This approach in personal training is very different from what a physical therapy specialist does—which we’ll dive into next.
Why go to a Physical Therapist?
If you're dealing with chronic pain or recovering from an injury, this is the PT you should start with. Physical therapy helps patients manage conditions like back pain, sprains, muscle tears—even post-surgical recovery and fractures.
But physical therapists do more than just prescribe exercises and stretches. They bring a clinical perspective to the table—looking at the root cause of stiffness, weakness, or persistent pain. They’re trained to assess your physical condition, identify movement limitations, and uncover underlying issues that could lead to injury down the line.
Many take a hands-on approach, combining movement-based rehab with techniques like stretching, soft tissue work, IASTM (Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization), or spinal manipulation.
There are also different types of physical therapy, depending on your needs. That’s why physical therapists often specialize in areas like:
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Sports Physical Therapy – for athletes recovering from injury; often working closely with personal trainers during later recovery stages
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Orthopedic Physical Therapy – focused on musculoskeletal injuries and chronic pain
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Pediatric Physical Therapy – for children with developmental or mobility issues
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Geriatric Physical Therapy – for seniors working on strength, balance, and independence
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Wound Management – to support healing after surgery or trauma
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Manual Therapy – hands-on treatment like massage and joint mobilization
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Neurological Physical Therapy – for recovery related to stroke, MS, or nervous system conditions
As you can see, this type of PT specialist focuses on recovery, healing, and clinical care.
But PTs don’t work in a bubble. Physical therapy and personal training often go hand-in-hand—the perfect combo of recovery and performance.
Professional PT Services at P1 Athlete: The Best Choice for You
Now you know: for pain or injury recovery, you go to a physical therapist. Performance and fitness improvement, that’s a job for a personal trainer.
So when people ask, “What type of PT do I need?”—our answer is simple: Why not both?
Physical therapy and personal training are the perfect team. One helps you recover and assess your physical limitations. The other builds you up, helping you move stronger, faster, and with more confidence.
That’s exactly how we work at P1 Athlete. Our approach blends clinical care and performance training into well-rounded, expert-led routines. People come to us for all kinds of goals—but they all leave stronger, healthier, and more confident. Because here, they get the PT they actually need.
Dealing with an injury or chronic pain? Our expert physical therapy specialists will get you on the right path. Then our expert coaching team will help you stay injury-free with progressive, safe training.
Want to stay at the top of your game? Our certified personal trainers know how to keep you motivated, accountable, and competition-ready. And if something feels off? Our therapists are right here to assess your movement and give you the edge you need to win.
At P1, our team has over a decade of experience helping people feel better, move better, and live better. We’re results-driven, and we tailor every plan to your goals—whether you’re a senior needing rehab, a youth athlete training for the future, or a weekend warrior looking for a strong, healthy routine.
Whatever brought you here, one thing’s for sure: you’re in good hands with Utah’s top training and wellness team.
Start Your Training or Recovery Today!
What if you could get both types of PT—expert personal trainers and skilled physical therapists—all in one place? Good news: you’ve found it.
At P1 Athlete, we bring both sides of physical performance together. Whether you’re recovering from an injury, managing chronic pain, or training to reach your next level, our team has you covered. We’re a professional crew with a welcoming community, built around getting you real results.
You know your body. You know your goals. We know the right moves to help you get there—safely, confidently, and with a plan.
Schedule your session today and get expert guidance from certified PTs at P1 Athlete.
Let’s get you stronger, healthier, and back to doing what you love—starting today.