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A single purpose company specializing in clinical exercise physiology
Who we are
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Everyone should exercise, but if you are diabetic, have a heart condition, have high cholesterol, are hypertensive, have a combination of these or any other chronic condition, we can help you get active safely with specific exercises with the best intensity and frequency for you. Doing them correctly and with the right frequency and intensity is just as important for you to get the most out of those exercises. You will benefit most when these are done alongside your medical treatment and proper diet.
All exercise therapists at the Exercise Clinic inc. are university trained to specifically help patients with chronic conditions. Despite being very serious about what we do and committed to helping you, we try to inject some fun into the whole process and keep it light-hearted. It is important for us that you enjoy the time spent moving and exercising.
Our purpose is to help you!
Founder
Haig Noel Balekian, M.Sc, CSCS
Exercise Therapist (Clinical Exercise Physiologist) - Founder
Haig founded Health Matters FZ-LLE in Dubai in 2006 and has been working as an Exercise Therapist (Clinical Exercise Physiologist) for over 20 years.
He is the founder of the Exercise Clinic inc. in Montreal. He has helped cardiac patients, patients with diabetes, high cholesterol, hypertension, metabolic syndrome, and persons with other chronic conditions, incorporate the appropriate and safe exercise regimen to assist with the treatment of their condition(s) and for improved overall health, as well as helping with disease and injury prevention.
He applies evidence-based therapeutic exercise guidelines for patients with chronic conditions, set by the American College of Sports Medicine and the Canadian Society of Exercise Physiology.
He is born and raised in Montreal, Canada which is where he began his career, and lived and worked in Dubai for 15 years.
Haig and members of his team can help you better understand how your chronic condition is affecting your health and will guide you in a custom-made exercise progression adapted to your health and fitness status and that will specifically help improve the outcomes and effectiveness of your medical treatment plan.
Haig’s theoretical and academic background is well grounded with a Master of Science in Exercise Science and Health Promotion, a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science and a second Bachelor of Science in Biology, both from Concordia University in Montreal, Canada. He also holds a Post-Graduate Diploma in Entrepreneurship from the University of Cambridge in the UK.
Haig was the first licensed Exercise Therapist while he worked in Dubai between 2006 and 2021. This is a medical license issued by the Dubai Health Authority which is the body that licenses physicians, nurses, physiotherapists, etc... Haig is a certified strength and conditioning specialist (CSCS), a recognized certification with strict guidelines requiring a related university degree and with requirements of Continuing Education Units (CEU’s) to retain the certified status. This certification is issued by the world recognized National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA).
Additionally, and just as important, Haig’s practical, hands-on experience is extensive with over 20 years of coaching, fitness training and health counselling.
He has always been athletic, playing European football and ice hockey at a highly competitive level from a very young age. He has also participated in fitness competitions and ranked in the top 5.
Our Approach
We understand how difficult it can be to get the physical activity your body needs. It is often even more difficult when you have a chronic condition such as heart disease, diabetes, high cholesterol or hypertension. At times, it can also be emotionally difficult. As a person with one or more chronic conditions, it is more critically important for you to engage in physical activity than the general population.
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We are here, not only to help you start doing the physical activity you need but also to show which physical activity is best for you and your condition and at what intensity. This exercise is a form of medicine for you alongside your medical treatment and dietary recommendations.
Our ultimate objective is that you gain the knowledge and confidence you need to become independent with your regular exercise routine whatever shape or form this may take.
Just as important, it's all about positivity and feeling good in your skin, and being healthy long-term by avoiding potential complications related to your condition. This means enjoying family and friends and being independent for as long as possible.
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We are university trained and specialized to help people just like you. We will conduct health assessments and measure your progress. The core of what we do is clinical exercise physiology, using evidence-based therapeutic exercise to help people with metabolic conditions such as diabetes, high cholesterol, metabolic syndrome, obesity, and other conditions to better manage these conditions. This is essentially metabolic rehabilitation.