Bone Health & Osteoporosis Classes

Movement Lab – Strong Bones Circuit

Movement Laboratory offers strength circuit classes for Osteoporosis and bone health, designed by physiotherapists and tailored to your body structure and performance goals.

Movement Laboratory Bone Health

Take Control of your Bone Health

Bone health is not just about staying active; it’s about moving with purpose. As we age, hormonal changes, periods of inactivity, and the natural wear and tear of life can lead to a gradual decline in bone density. This process is often silent, becoming evident only after a fall or fracture. 

If you are navigating perimenopause or menopause, living with osteoporosis or osteopenia, feel out of place in big commercial studios that push too hard and guide too little, or want more quality teaching in a smaller group, but not feel like you’re in a rehab class, then our Bone Health Strength Circuit are for you. 

Our Bone Health Circuit classes are led and designed by physiotherapists and experienced movement educators. Every session is structured around current clinical guidelines, tailored to your specific goals, and closely monitored for safety and progress. We are not a generic fitness studio. We are a clinic where exercise becomes a powerful tool for prevention, resilience, and confident living.

Tired of workouts that weren’t built for you?

“I just want to stay strong and steady—without the guesswork. I’m tired of Googling, second-guessing, and stitching my own plan together.”

The Stats on Bone Health

Bone loss doesn’t start at 70. For many, it starts at 40. It can present as joint pain, balance issues, or a classic fracture. This is particularly true for women. Women can lose up to 5% of bone mass during six months of breastfeeding, and bone density can drop by up to 20% in the first five to seven years after menopause. 

However, men also suffer bone-related injuries. A 2024 study by the International Osteoporosis Foundation found that 1 in 2 women and 1 in 3 men over 50 will suffer a bone-related fracture. For both women and men, after the first fracture, the risk of a second fracture more than doubles.

Exercise guidelines for healthy bones

Exercise Guidelines for Healthy Bones

Targeted, supervised exercise is one of the most effective ways to maintain and build bone strength, while also reducing the risk of falls. However, not all exercise is created equal, and not all strength classes are designed with your safety, bone health, and long-term outcomes in mind. 

Exercise and Sports Science Australia found: 

  1. Progressive resistance training (PRT), performed 2 to 3 times per week, such as with weights, resistance bands, and reformers, can help build and maintain bone density. 
  2. Loading the bones safely through weight-bearing activities, such as walking, stair climbing, and controlled step-ups, and focusing on balance and functional training 3 to 5 times per week, can improve postural control and reduce the risk of falls. 

Our team specialises in musculoskeletal physiotherapy and is experienced Clinical Circuit and Rehabilitation instructors. Using the guidelines above and by understanding your condition, we create evidence-based workout schedules tailored for you.

Bone Health Class in Movement Laboratory

Bone health is not just about feeling the burn, nor is it just about the glutes and core. We design our classes to keep you strong, steady, and resilient. 

Our Strength Circuit classes incorporate Reformers, weight rack, dumbbells, kettlebells, barbells, and targeted resistance tools to progressively load bones and strengthen the body safely. We combine strength training with balance-focused movement and postural education to ensure that every session supports your health in a measurable, evidence-based way. 

We don’t deliver one-size-fits-all classes. Your enrolment includes a 30 mins chat with our physio. We take the time to understand your health history, movement patterns, and goals through a comprehensive assessment.

Our classes are claimable on private health insurance where eligible, and we work closely with you to ensure your exercise program is sustainable and effective.

Bone health class movement lab

Our Class vs Commercial Pilates

Commercial Pilates Studios Movement Lab Clinical Classes
Large class sizes (10–20+ people) Small classes (max 5 per class) — you’re seen and guided
General fitness focus (burn, tone, sweat) Preventative health focus — designed for bone health, stability, mobility
Not tailored to specific conditions Targeted programs for osteoporosis, menopause, arthritis, etc.
Instructors may not be qualified for clinical populations Led by physiotherapists, women’s health specialists, and movement educators
No initial screening Starts with a 1:1 physiotherapy assessment
Often unaware of your medical history Your history is reviewed before you even join a class
No evidence-based framework Designed using latest clinical research and guidelines
Not health fund eligible Eligible for private health fund rebates
Minimal ongoing education Team constantly upskilling, training and reviewing outcomes
“Feel the burn” style classes Structured, intentional movement that protects and strengthens

Ready to Move with Confidence?

If you or your loved one is looking to exercise for bone health, simply “moving” is not enough. The type of exercise, the supervision you receive, and how your body is assessed and progressed can determine whether your efforts will effectively support your health or put you at risk.

At Movement Lab, we make exercise purposeful, safe, and aligned with your goals so you can move confidently and maintain your health long-term.

Lesson Guide

Class Structure (50–55 minutes)

Exercise Recommendations

Staying active helps support your bone health and is important throughout life. The benefits of exercise far outweigh any risk and a supervised exercise program can help you gain confidence. People with osteoporosis should remain active and not avoid exercise. Please note exercise is not a replacement for osteoporosis treatment.

Below is a summary of the 3 types of exercise recommendations. It explains recommended exertion level, repetitions and frequency per week based on your level of ability. This information can be shared with a trainer. For high risk individuals supervision by an exercise physiologist is recommended.

A trainer can assist with determining your 1RM and RPE.

Mode Components Low-risk individuals* Moderate-risk individuals† High-risk individuals‡
1. Weight Bearing Impact Loading Vertical and multi-directional jumping, bounding, hopping, skipping rope, drop jumps and bench stepping with progressively increasing height High impact activities
4–7 days per week
50 jumps per session
Moderate–High impact activities
4–7 days per week
50 jumps per session
Moderate impact activities
4–7 days per week
Work up to 50 repetitions per session
2. Resistance Training (Progressive) 8 exercises per session targeting major muscle groups attached to the hip and spine. These include weighted lunges, hip abduction/adduction, knee extension/flexion, back extension, reverse chest fly, and abdominal exercises, or smaller group compound exercises such as squats and deadlifts 2 days per week
2–3 sets of 8 repetitions
Select 8 exercises per session and rotate through different ones each training sessionTechnical Guide
80–85% 1RM§
≥ 8 on RPE scale**
2 days per week
2–3 sets of 8 repetitions
Select 8 exercises per session and rotate through different ones each training sessionTechnical Guide
80–85% 1RM§
≥ 8 on RPE scale**
2 days per week
2–3 sets of 8 repetitions
Select 8 exercises per session and rotate through different ones each training sessionTechnical Guide
80–85% 1RM§
≥ 8 on RPE scale**
3. Balance Training Standing and moving exercises with a gradual reduction in base of support to standing on one foot, perturbing the centre of mass with leaning and reaching then regaining balance with minimal use of the upper limbs, e.g. Tai Chi, and walking on uneven surfaces Challenging tasks incorporating balance activities into strength and impact elements where possible Challenging tasks 4 sessions per week
30 minutes of a variety of balance exercises; at least 10 per steps forward and back for mobility exercises
Challenging tasks 4 sessions per week
30 minutes of a variety of balance exercises; at least 10 per steps forward and back for mobility exercises


* Low risk – normal bone health
† Moderate risk – low bone density (osteopenia)
‡ High risk – diagnosed osteoporosis (includes individuals who have previously fractured)
§ 1RM is the maximum weight you can lift with correct technique for certain exercise (training is then done at 80–85% of this weight)
** Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE) on a scale 1–10, 1 being easy and 10 taking all your effort to complete 1 repetition

Frequently Asked Questions

What to Expect After Your Assessment

If you need more support, or are currently suffering from multiple pains and aches, we might suggest physiotherapy intervention, or to choose our clinical studio classes instead. 

Do I need an assessment before starting classes?

Yes. This ensures your program is tailored, safe, and aligned with your body’s needs and goals. It also allows us to screen for any underlying concerns and to develop a clear plan for your progression.

Are your classes health fund claimable?

Many of our clients claim their sessions under physiotherapy or exercise physiology, depending on their health fund and coverage.

How does enrolment work?

After your intro package, we will guide you into a class stream that fits your goals and schedule, ensuring consistency and clear progression.

Are you ready to get started on your recovery journey?

Booking Online is the most convenient way to lock in the location, practitioner & time that suits.

Movement Laboratory Awards & Memberships

Movement Laboratory Physiotherapy place picture
5.0
Based on 95 reviews
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tele jele profile picture
tele jele
02:33 09 Sep 23
Anastasia is the most wonderful physiotherapist who helped us recover and improve our mobility and strength in record time. Highly recommend!
Sara Page profile picture
Sara Page
01:43 08 Sep 23
I saw the lovely Shannon for my first consult today. She was extremely professional, knowledgeable and patient. The lovely reception staff were also amazing! Thank you team!!
Emma Powell profile picture
Emma Powell
11:14 07 Sep 23
The team are so wonderful and lovely to be around. They make your recovery feel effortless and no set backs are ever taken negatively. Thanks team!
paul nelson profile picture
paul nelson
03:30 04 Sep 23
I have loved my visits to Movement Laboratory. Alannah has really helped me on my journey to overcome back pain. Highly recommend
Min Zhuo profile picture
Min Zhuo
07:39 31 Aug 23
Anastasia is very patient and informative in my daughter’s point assessment. It was great to have someone guide us through this journey. Thank you
Karla Komene profile picture
Karla Komene
06:46 02 Aug 23
This place was amazing I was so happy about how I was treated and looked after . I liked how everything was explained to me and it made sense . I was grateful when I told my symptoms to the lovely lady she knew what I was talking about and ways we could improve things and that I wasn’t alone. Also I felt that the environment was pleasant calm and relaxing which is what I needed. I have already taken a few work cards to pass out to some ladies I know . Thank you ???? Looking forward to moving forward
Mark Westman profile picture
Mark Westman
10:18 05 Jul 23
Anastasia is a miracle worker! I'm a keen runner and I started seeing her a few months ago after a couple of broken backs and a (new) torn hammy. She diagnosed my hammy problem quickly and efficiently, provided immediate relief through some deep massage to allow me to survive a few more important runs before my wedding (honeymoon = rest), and has helped me rebuild through focused strength work and home exercises. She obviously cares about her patients and enjoys helping them achieve their goals. I'm now running regularly and pain free again! Thanks Anastasia 🙂

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