Qualified exercise professionals at Physical Activity Services provide information, guidance and support to residents of British Columbia to help them be more physically active and lead healthier lifestyles.

Our team of qualified exercise professionals hold undergraduate or graduate degrees in exercise science and certification as Clinical Exercise Physiologists from the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology or American College of Sports Medicine. Our team possesses the knowledge and skills to deliver physical activity interventions and healthy lifestyle education to apparently healthy individuals and populations with chronic health conditions, functional limitations and/or physical disabilities.

When can I contact a qualified exercise professional?

Qualified exercise professionals are available by telephone between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM Pacific Time, Monday to Friday. Access to our team is free-of-charge and does not need referral from a health professional.

How do I contact a qualified exercise professional?

For information and guidance related to physical activity and exercise you can call us, email us, or search for information on our website.

• Call 8-1-1 (or 7-1-1 for the deaf and hard of hearing) to speak with a qualified exercise professional. Translation services are available in over 130 languages
• Email Physical Activity Services your physical activity and exercise questions
• Visit Being Active and Active For Health to learn about physical activity and how to make healthy lifestyle choices

If you are unable to reach us by dialing 8-1-1 from your phone, please contact your telephone service provider to arrange access. If your provider is unable to support dialing 8-1-1, please access our service using our 10-digit number: 604-215-8110.

What services do qualified exercise professionals at Physical Activity Services provide?

Services for the general public

• Pre-participation screening for persons needing clearance to take part in individual and/or group fitness programs (e.g., Choose to Move and Osteofit)
• Information and education on healthy physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep. As well as personalized guidance on these movement behaviours based on your needs, health status and activity level
• Support with identifying and overcoming barriers, action planning and goal setting to help you move more, sit less and sleep well
• Guidance and resources on living active lifestyles for children, youth and families to promote healthy development and optimal well-being
• Finding appropriate fitness programs, health professionals and/or health services in and around your community

Services for health professionals

Physical Activity Services supports an integrated approach to improving the health and well-being of British Columbians through collaboration with health and fitness professionals and programs and health care teams. Our team of qualified exercise professionals can extend the reach of your client care in the following ways: 

• Providing evidence-based physical activity and healthy lifestyle information and tailored physical activity interventions
• Supporting behaviour change using evidence-informed frameworks and tools, including motivational interviewing and brief action planning
• Acting as a resource for clients prescribed lifestyle modification for health promotion or chronic disease prevention and/or management
• Providing prehabilitation and rehabilitation resources for general health and preparation and/or recovery from medical procedures (e.g., joint replacement, cancer or bariatric surgeries)
• Identifying appropriate public and/or virtual resources for the betterment of fitness, health and quality of life

Eating and Activity Program for Kids

This program helps children, youth and their families with healthy lifestyle behaviours to improve their overall health and quality of life. The program focuses on healthy eating, physical activity, sedentary behaviour (e.g., screen time), and sleep. To learn more about the program call 8-1-1 or visit HealthLink BC Eating and Activity Program for Kids.

What other services does HealthLink BC provide?

Visit the following pages to learn more about our other service areas:

• Nursing Services
• Navigation Services
• Dietitian Services
• Pharmacist Services

How do I get service in another language?

After dialing 8-1-1, you will be connected with an English speaking health service navigator. To get service in another language, simply state the language you are looking for (for example say “Punjabi”), and an interpreter will join the call.

Translation services are available in over 130 languages.

Can you provide health information or advice by email?

You can Email Physical Activity Services your non-emergency physical activity and exercise questions.

Can I use an internet calling service provide to call HealthLink BC?

Yes. However, you cannot access 8-1-1 by dialing 8-1-1 on web-enabled telephone services such as Skype or Google Talk. Instead, please dial 604-215-8110.

Last updated: February 6, 2023