Exercise Physiologist

Clinical Exercise Physiologist

The Clinical Exercise Physiologist delivers the clinical exercise program at Fountain Life Houston. This role is responsible for administration and interpretation of cardiopulmonary exercise testing (PNOE CPET), the movement and mobility assessment program, and translation of DEXA body composition results into individualized training prescriptions. The Clinical Exercise Physiologist builds, delivers, and iterates on evidence-based aerobic, resistance, and mobility programming for every APEX member, partners directly with physicians on care planning, and serves as the clinical exercise subject matter expert for the Houston site.

This is a hands-on clinical role. The Clinical Exercise Physiologist sees members, runs the tests, writes the prescriptions, and is accountable for the quality, safety, and consistency of exercise programming across every member visit.

Key Responsibilities

• Administer PNOE CPET (VO2 max) testing in strict accordance with Fountain Life SOP-PNOE-001.
• Enforce Fountain Life PNOE absolute exclusions on every member, every test, without exception: PNOE must NEVER be performed after sedation of any kind, and PNOE must NEVER be performed after beta blocker administration. Any member presenting with either must be rescheduled in coordination with the Medical Director.
• Complete all pre-test screening and safety verification, including cardiac history, symptom review, same-day scheduling rules relative to coronary CT angiography based on Gen 1 versus Gen 2 scanner classification, and physician clearance where indicated.
• Conduct accurate gas exchange testing, verify maximal effort criteria, and flag abnormal cardiopulmonary responses for immediate physician review.
• Interpret VO2 max, ventilatory thresholds, fat and carbohydrate oxidation, and heart rate zones, and translate results into a clear, member-facing summary with clinical context.
• Deliver a structured VO2 max results review consultation for every member, framing findings against age and sex-matched norms and longevity benchmarks.

• Design individualized aerobic training plans using a polarized training model (Zone 2 base volume paired with structured high-intensity VO2 max intervals, for example the Norwegian 4x4 method) calibrated from CPET-derived heart rate and metabolic thresholds.
• Provide weekly volume, intensity distribution, and progression guidelines for members across fitness levels, from deconditioned to masters athlete.
• Re-assess and re-prescribe based on follow-up CPET data, typically at 6 to 12 month intervals or at physician request.

• Conduct standardized mobility and functional movement testing on every APEX member using the site-approved platform (for example, Fusionetics movement efficiency testing or equivalent), including joint by joint mobility, stability, and asymmetry screening.
• Identify movement dysfunctions, asymmetries, and injury risk patterns that influence resistance training progression and cardiovascular loading strategies.
• Prescribe corrective exercise protocols that integrate with the member's strength and aerobic programming, and re-test at defined intervals to track resolution and progression.

• Review full-body DEXA scan results with members, including total and regional lean mass, fat mass, appendicular lean mass index, visceral adipose tissue, and bone mineral density, and translate these results into a training plan that protects bone, builds muscle, and reduces visceral fat.
• Design progressive resistance training programs grounded in current sarcopenia, bone loading, and body composition literature, including appropriate exercise selection, volume, intensity, frequency, and periodization for each member's baseline and goals.
• Integrate protein intake, recovery, and neuromuscular programming guidance with the clinical nutrition team to support hypertrophy, fat mass reduction, and functional independence across the lifespan.
• Apply Fountain Life's GLP-1 Lean Mass Protection Protocol for any member on GLP-1 therapy, including mandatory resistance training dose, protein targets, and follow-up DEXA cadence.

• Conduct one on one exercise consultations at initial APEX assessment and at every quarterly and annual follow-up.
• Deliver clear, member-facing written plans through the ZORI platform, including home, gym, and travel adaptations, with video or reference links where appropriate.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for member exercise questions between physician visits, escalating clinical concerns appropriately.

• Collaborate daily with the Medical Director, Fountain Life physicians, nursing, nutrition, and regenerative medicine teams to ensure exercise programming is safely layered on top of each member's diagnostic findings and therapeutic plan.
• Apply Fountain Life clinical safety rules, including PNOE absolute exclusions (no sedation, no beta blocker), absolute contraindications for proliferative therapies (for example, a positive Grail MCED result), cardiovascular clearance requirements, and any physician-imposed training restrictions.
• Participate in weekly Medical Grand Rounds and case review discussions, contributing exercise science expertise to multidisciplinary care planning.
• Maintain documentation to Fountain Life clinical operations standards, including SweetProcess-level SOP adherence.

• Own exercise program execution at the Houston site, including equipment readiness, calibration of PNOE and mobility testing hardware, scheduling logic, and member throughput.
• Contribute to ongoing SOP development, continuous improvement, and evidence updates in partnership with the Global Chief Medical Officer and the Clinical Exercise Physiology Partnership Network.
• Track program outcomes (VO2 max trajectory, lean mass retention, member adherence) and report to site leadership.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Exercise Physiology, Exercise Science, Kinesiology, or a closely related field from an accredited institution.
• Minimum 2 to 3 years of hands-on clinical, performance, or cardiac rehabilitation exercise physiology experience, including direct administration and interpretation of cardiopulmonary exercise testing.
• Demonstrated competence in VO2 max testing on a metabolic cart platform (PNOE experience strongly preferred; COSMED, ParvoMedics, or equivalent), including test administration, quality assurance, and results interpretation.
• Working fluency in DEXA body composition interpretation for the purposes of training prescription (not scan operation).
• Experience delivering movement screen or mobility assessment protocols (Fusionetics, FMS, SFMA, or equivalent).
• Strong foundation in resistance training program design for healthy and clinical populations, including periodization, progression, and bone and joint loading considerations.
• Current BLS certification. ACLS certification required within 90 days of hire.
• At least one of the following professional certifications: ACSM Certified Exercise Physiologist (ACSM-EP), ACSM Clinical Exercise Physiologist (ACSM-CEP), or NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (NSCA-CSCS).
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with proven ability to translate complex physiology into clear, motivating member-facing guidance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Exercise Physiology, Clinical Exercise Physiology, or Kinesiology.
• Multiple certifications across the stack (for example, ACSM-CEP plus NSCA-CSCS plus Precision Nutrition L1 or L2).
• Direct PNOE platform experience.
• Experience working in executive health, concierge medicine, or longevity medicine environments.
• Familiarity with GLP-1 lean mass protection programming, sarcopenia prevention in midlife women, and bone density optimization strategies.
• Experience with wearable and continuous biometric data (Garmin, WHOOP, Apple Watch, Oura, continuous glucose monitoring) and translating these data streams into prescription adjustments.

Core Competencies

• Scientific rigor: grounded in current peer-reviewed literature, comfortable citing evidence, willing to update prescriptions as the science evolves.
• Clinical judgment: knows what is in scope, what requires physician clearance, and when to stop a test or hold a prescription.
• Safety discipline: treats PNOE absolute exclusions and cardiovascular clearance rules as non-negotiable.
• Member experience: delivers warm, precise, high-end consultations that leave members confident and motivated.
• Operational discipline: executes to SOP, documents thoroughly, and flags gaps before they become issues.
• Team orientation: works seamlessly across physicians, nursing, nutrition, and regenerative medicine.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to demonstrate exercises, spot resistance training, and supervise graded maximal exercise testing, including prolonged periods of standing, walking, and moderate physical exertion.
• Ability to respond to emergent clinical events during CPET, including rapid support of members to a seated or supine position.