--- title: "Supervised training without a referral: how does it work? | Fit Square" url: https://fitsquare.nl/en/blog/trainen-zonder-verwijzing description: "You do not need a referral from your GP to train at Fit Square in Almere under the guidance of physiotherapists. Membership is open to everyone. That is…" lang: en --- Back to blog (https://fitsquare.nl/en/blog) Image: A physiotherapist guiding a member during training on EGYM equipment at Fit Square in Almere. (https://pqxapqovuktacuffcofb.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/blog-images/trainen-zonder-verwijzing-cover.webp) # Supervised training without a referral: how does it work? August 1, 2026 5 min read By Vincent Coppejans ## Why people search for "training without a referral" Many people want to exercise safely and with guidance, especially if they have had complaints, are recovering from an injury, or simply want to be sure they are doing things right. The question that comes up: "Do I need to see my GP first?" For training at Fit Square the answer is no. You simply sign up as a member and train under the guidance of our physiotherapists, without a doctor being involved. ## Supervised training versus physiotherapy It helps to keep two things apart. First: training with physio guidance at Fit Square. This is a gym membership. You train independently on the EGYM equipment, with a physiotherapist on the floor who corrects your technique, adjusts your plan and answers your questions. You do not need a referral for this and no health insurer is involved — it is a subscription, not a treatment. Second: physiotherapy as healthcare. This is an individual, medical treatment of a complaint or injury. In the Netherlands physiotherapy has been directly accessible since 2006 (Direct Access to Physiotherapy): you may also make an appointment at a practice without a referral. Whether the treatment is reimbursed depends on your supplementary insurance and the nature of the complaint. Fit Square was set up by physiotherapists (part of Orthomotive Fysiotherapie), but the membership itself is explicitly a gym subscription, not a care pathway. ## Why guidance makes the difference Without guidance, at most gyms you train on guesswork. At Fit Square there is always a physiotherapist next to you during the staffed hours. That is especially valuable if you are recovering from an injury or surgery, have chronic complaints (back, knee, shoulder, hip) or conditions such as osteoarthritis, diabetes or high blood pressure, are getting older, or have never exercised before. The EGYM equipment helps too: the resistance is motor-driven, so you are unlikely to overload yourself. ## When should you see your GP after all? If you have an acute or unexplained complaint — chest pain, sudden dizziness, an injury that will not heal — discuss it with your GP or physiotherapist before you start training. Guidance at the gym does not replace a medical examination. ## Frequently asked questions Do I need a referral to become a member of Fit Square? + No. Anyone can sign up and start right away, without a referral. Is the membership reimbursed by my health insurance? + A gym membership is in principle not reimbursed. Some supplementary insurance policies offer a fitness or exercise allowance; check your policy. Different rules apply to actual physiotherapy care. Can I come to Fit Square if I have just finished physiotherapy? + Yes, that is one of the most common situations. Our physiotherapists help you safely build on the strength you gained during your treatment. ## Ready to start training? Book a free intro session and experience EGYM training with personal guidance. Book a free intro session (https://fitsquare.nl/en/free-trial) ## More articles ### Losing weight without losing muscle: why strength training is the key If you only chase the scale, you lose muscle mass too. Here is how to lose fat while keeping your muscle — with strength training and the EGYM Body Scan at Fit Square Almere. August 1, 2026 5 min https://fitsquare.nl/en/blog/afvallen-zonder-spierverlies ### Exercising again after an injury or surgery: how to build up safely Your physiotherapy has ended, but you want to get stronger without relapsing. Here is how to build up safely after an injury or surgery with guidance at Fit Square Almere. August 1, 2026 5 min https://fitsquare.nl/en/blog/sporten-na-blessure-of-operatie ### What is your Bio-Age? How EGYM determines your biological age Your Bio-Age is your biological age, measured from strength, cardio fitness, flexibility and body composition. Here is how the EGYM Bio-Age measurement works at Fit Square in Almere. August 1, 2026 5 min https://fitsquare.nl/en/blog/bio-age-biologische-leeftijd We use cookies to improve the website. Read our cookie statement (https://fitsquare.nl/en/cookies) and privacy statement (https://fitsquare.nl/en/privacy) for more information. WhatsApp (https://wa.me/31641445915) ## Structured data ```json [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": [ "HealthClub", "LocalBusiness" ], "@id": "https://fitsquare.nl/#organisatie", "name": "Fit Square", "url": "https://fitsquare.nl/", "logo": "https://fitsquare.nl/favicon-192.png", "image": "https://fitsquare.nl/hero-egym.webp", "description": "Kracht- en cardiotraining met EGYM Smart Strength apparatuur en fysiotherapeutische begeleiding in Almere.", "telephone": "+31641445915", "email": "info@fitsquare.nl", "parentOrganization": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "Orthomotive Fysiotherapie" }, "address": { "@type": "PostalAddress", "streetAddress": "Raaltepad 31", "postalCode": "1324 ET", "addressLocality": "Almere", "addressRegion": "Flevoland", "addressCountry": "NL" }, "geo": { "@type": "GeoCoordinates", "latitude": 52.3655469, "longitude": 5.2117252 }, "areaServed": [ { "@type": "City", "name": "Almere" }, { "@type": "AdministrativeArea", "name": "Flevoland" } ], "hasMap": "https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Raaltepad+31,+1324+ET+Almere", "openingHoursSpecification": [ { "@type": "OpeningHoursSpecification", "dayOfWeek": [ "Monday", "Tuesday", "Wednesday", "Thursday", "Friday", "Saturday", "Sunday" ], "opens": "06:30", "closes": "22:00" } ], "priceRange": "€44,50 - €59,50", "currenciesAccepted": "EUR", "paymentAccepted": "Automatische incasso", "sameAs": [ "https://www.instagram.com/fitsquare.nl?igsh=bDNveGM1OWFuNGYx", "https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61583615260659" ], "employee": [ { "@type": "Person", "name": "Vincent Coppejans", "jobTitle": "Fysiotherapeut & mede-eigenaar" }, { "@type": "Person", "name": "Joost Nagelmaeker", "jobTitle": "Fysiotherapeut & mede-eigenaar" }, { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ivar Slabbekoor", "jobTitle": "Fysiotherapeut" } ], "makesOffer": [ { "@type": "Offer", "name": "Gratis kennismaking", "price": "0", "priceCurrency": "EUR", "url": "https://fitsquare.nl/proeftraining" }, { "@type": "Offer", "name": "Lidmaatschap 12 maanden", "price": "49.50", "priceCurrency": "EUR", "url": "https://fitsquare.nl/prijzen" } ] }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://fitsquare.nl/#website", "url": "https://fitsquare.nl/", "name": "Fit Square", "inLanguage": "nl-NL", "publisher": { "@id": "https://fitsquare.nl/#organisatie" } } ] }, [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BlogPosting", "@id": "https://fitsquare.nl/en/blog/trainen-zonder-verwijzing#article", "url": "https://fitsquare.nl/en/blog/trainen-zonder-verwijzing", "headline": "Supervised training without a referral: how does it work?", "description": "You do not need a referral from your GP to train at Fit Square in Almere under the guidance of physiotherapists. 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The question that comes up: \"Do I need to see my GP first?\" For training at Fit Square the answer is no. You simply sign up as a member and train under the guidance of our physiotherapists, without a doctor being involved.\n\n## Supervised training versus physiotherapy\n\nIt helps to keep two things apart. First: training with physio guidance at Fit Square. This is a gym membership. You train independently on the EGYM equipment, with a physiotherapist on the floor who corrects your technique, adjusts your plan and answers your questions. You do not need a referral for this and no health insurer is involved — it is a subscription, not a treatment.\n\nSecond: physiotherapy as healthcare. This is an individual, medical treatment of a complaint or injury. In the Netherlands physiotherapy has been directly accessible since 2006 (Direct Access to Physiotherapy): you may also make an appointment at a practice without a referral. 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