Kickstarter Programs

Kurri Kurri Aquatic and Fitness Centre

What is the Kickstarter Program?
Kickstarter is a six week aquatic exercise program, tailored to your specific health needs by a physiotherapist. Each week we provide video tutorials and instructions to help you regain your fitness and develop a healthier and more active life. Best of all, this is not a class. You can start the program whenever you like and do the program at any time that works for you. 
Interested? Please complete  the Expression of Interest Form below 

Why try the Kickstarter Program?
Exercising when you have joint pain is tough. It's difficult to know if you're on the right track and difficult to stay motivated. The Hydro Functional Programs are for you if you want to kickstart your way into a healthier and more active life. Research shows you need at least 6 weeks to see improvements. Our program is a kickstarter to your fitness goals - to move better and be more proactive with how active and strong you want to be. After the 6-weeks, we help you make some choices about the longer term options for trying new classes or exercises or progressing your aquatic program. 

Is it for me?
This program is for people who:
- Find exercise challenging due to knee pain or arthritis
-Want to improve their leg power, fitness or balance
-Would like professional guidance in getting back to exercise

Please note: The Kickstarter programs do not include direct supervision by a health professional on-site,  so will not be suitable for people who need help getting in or out of the pool, or when exercising in water OR have complex health conditions or surgery in the past 3 months 

What does the program include?
Your Kickstarter Program includes:  
-  A welcome pack with program details, activity diary and reading  
-  A telehealth appointment with an physiotherapist to check your health status, leg movement and what you want to achieve
- Weekly emails with your personalised video program links, you can play these on your smartphone or tablet… if you think this could be tricky for you, we are here to support you every step of the way
-Check-ins from your physio during the program.


Interested? Please complete  the Expression of Interest Form below

Need more details? see the Frequently Asked Questions about the program at the bottom of this page

Expressions of interest now open

Pool

Heated leisure pool
Depth: 0.8m-1.3m
Entry: Ramp)
25m pool
Depth: 1.0m-1.6m
Entry: Steps (and rail)
Outdoor 50m pool
Depth: 0.8m-1.8m
Entry: ladder

Cost

Program cost: $188
Pool entry cost:
Members
Free
Single Visit
$6 ($5.40 concession)
10 Visit Pass
$54 ($48.60 concession)
Kickstarter Pass
unlimited pool visits 6 weeks $62

Location

Kurri Kurri Aquatic and Fitness Centre
Boundary Street
KURRI KURRI
New South Wales
2327
Centre website

If you're interested in joining this program
1. Please let us know using the form below
2. We will call you to discuss the health screening questionnaire
3. We will then review your health information and let you know if the program is right for you.

The program can start at a time that suits you. Please return the health screening questionnaire to us as soon as possible.

There is no cost for the health screening process. If you are not suitable for the program then we will give you suggestions of where else to seek treatment.  

The cost of the program has been discounted by 20% to $188. This can be paid after your telehealth session. There may be a rebate for the Physiotherapy Telehealth session if you have private health insurance. Please check with your fund.

Thank you! We will be in touch soon.
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Please email us at team@hydrofunctional.com if you continue to have trouble.

Frequently Asked Questions

What time are the sessions?

This is not a class. You do the program of exercises in the pool by yourself, guided by information from us.

You can attend the pool any time that works for you (sometimes you may need to book a time or check when are the best times to go).

It's a bonus if you have a friend or family member who may also want to go for a swim or already attends the gym so you can head to the centre with them. Otherwise it's a "Kickstarter" for you and your fitness, strength and balance so you may start out by yourself but then get into a routine and build confidence to join some other exercise groups after the program has finished. We'll help you with this.

Will I be able to get a rebate from my Private Health Insurance for the program?

If you have extras cover for Physiotherapy and if your Private Health Insurance includes teleheatlh appointments then it's likely you'll get something back. Call your Private Health Insurance to see if your cover includes a rebate for Physiotherapy telehealth sessions.

I'm not very confident with technology, will I still be able to follow the program?

Yes, absolutely. You mainly need to be able to access your emails as this is where we will send your video program. You also need a phone or tablet or computer that you can watch the videos on. Many people that would consider themselves not to be computer experts have found they have enjoyed the program. We are here to support you. We have ways of making the program less reliant on the technology if you're a bit more of a pen and paper person.

Can I do the program if I don’t have a phone or tablet to watch the program on poolside?

Yes, you can. You need to be able to watch your video program and technique tips on a computer and then we'll give you written instructions also (that you can take to the pool).

Can I do the program if I don’t have an email address?

No. You will need an email address for the program. You could ask a friend or family member to set one up for you.

Can I do the program if I’ve had a hip or knee joint replacement or waiting for one?

It depends on your individual situation.  In most circumstances, if you've recently had surgery it's best for you to follow a rehab program by a physio or exercise physiologist you've seen recently as they know exactly what is right for you. If you're more than 3 months after surgery and you'd like to join the program then we are happy to have you.

If you're on the waiting list for surgery then exercise to become a little stronger before the operation will be of benefit after the operation.  Aquatic exercise is a comfortable way to exercise prior to your surgery except in situations where you are in extreme discomfort.  

When does the program start?

Your program can start when it suits you.

Please send in your Expression of Interest as early as possible.

If you have any questions please email physio@hydrofunctional.com

Where can I find more information on arthritis, exercise or pain?

There are some great organisations producing some excellent material on arthritis, exercise and managing pain. Here are some of them

General information on osteoarthritis

https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/osteoarthritis

https://arthritisaustralia.com.au/types-ofarthritis/osteoarthritis/

https://www.msk.org.au/osteoarthritis/

Or give Musculoskeletal Australia a freecall and (weekdays 9am-5pm) and speak to one of their clinically trained nurses and

experienced volunteers for

- Information on arthritis

- Information on how to negotiate the complex health, disability and social services systems

- community resources in your area.

1800 263 265 or email helpline@msk.org.au.

Information on managing pain and symptoms

Managing your pain A-Z guide

https://www.msk.org.au/pain-guide/

Information on exercise with osteoarthritis

https://www.msk.org.au/exercise

https://arthritisaustralia.com.au/managing-arthritis/living-with-arthritis/physical-activity-and-exercise/

Information on recommended guidelines for physical activity to stay healthy

Australia's Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour Guidelines

http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/content/health-pubhlth-strateg-phys-act-guidelines

Living Stronger from COTA - exercise classes and online exercise videos

https://www.cotavic.org.au/our-programs/strength-training/

https://www.together.vic.gov.au/fitness-wellbeing/living-stronger-exercise-series?

GLA:D AU exercise classes for hip and knee arthritis

https://gladaustralia.com.au/

Can exercise cause damage to my joints if I already have arthritis?

No. Exercise programs designed by Health Professionals have controlled load which starts lower and gradually gets higher. Provided trauma is avoided (uncontrolled twisting or anything extreme), moderate exercise does not lead to acceleration of osteoarthritis. Exercise actually really helps people with arthritis get stronger, get moving and have less pain. Aquatic exercise has the added benefit of less vertical weight bearing load on the joint but can still push you hard with strengthening and also cardiovascular conditioning for your general health. Contact us to find out more. You can read more about the benefits of exercise and physical activity from Arthritis Australia here.

Do I need to be able to swim?

Quite a few people enjoy exercise in water and cannot swim. The pools we want you to exercise in need a shallow end where most exercises are done standing up.  All the exercises are initially easier and then progressed to be more difficult as your confidence in water grows. You don't have to put your head under the water and you don't have to be able to swim.

Does aquatic exercise work?

Yes. High quality research in hip and knee osteoarthritis that our team has been involved in has shown aquatic exercise supervised and designed by a physiotherapist to be beneficial for pain, quality of life, walking and stair climbing. We have done more research recently to show how some exercises in the pool are less painful for people with knee arthritis.

There are no guarantees of success with any treatment program but aquatic exercise has a solid base of research, is a great environment to start in and all programs will be modified to suit you.