Damian Pavlinovich

Owner, Principle Exercise Physiologist

Damian is a pioneer in the industry having commenced working at in the field of health and fitness when he enrolled in a sport science degree at Edith Cowan University, while studying he worked in various roles for WA Hockey WA and at Perth Hockey Stadium. This were Damian tarted to develop his coaching and teaching skills.

Damian completed his Sports Science degree at Edith Cowan University graduating in 1994 and had already commenced work at Sports Medicine Australia (WA) in 1993 working in the ‘Safer Sport” Community Education Program. This involved developing, delivering and refining a variety of sport injury prevention courses and seminars on the prevention and management of sporting injuries.

At the end of 1999 he left and began work on two projects; the ‘Stay On Your Feet’ Program – a community falls prevention program and his own exercise and wellness program for older people as he had recognised that there were limited opportunities for older people to engage in regular physical activities and strength training.

Damian own exercise and wellness program for older people then lead directly to him securing a contract with the Department of Veteran’s Affairs (DVA) where he developed, implemented and delivered the Heart Health Program for Vietnam Veterans from 2001 – 2007.

Throughout these years Damian also played and coached hockey as he had done since he was a young boy. In in 1995 following a back injury from playing hockey he began to compete in Triathlons starting with small event and eventually completing 6 x Half Ironman events. Through these areas of work and personal participation in Triathlons Damian has developed great depth of knowledge and skill in assisting clients with improving their health, fitness and quality of life.

In 2007 Damian purchased Como Health and Fitness Centre (CHFC), it has been here that he continued to focus his attention on providing health, fitness and exercise programs for older people, people with chronic health conditions and people who wanted somewhere to exercise without feeling intimated by the ‘muscle-heads’ or the ‘lycra-set’.

During his time at CHFC, Damian has developed a strong relationship with local medical and allied health practitioners and has been involved with numerous community based health and exercise programs. These include;

• The pilot program of the Life Now program. An exercise program for people living with cancer which was funded by the Cancer Council of WA.
• Heart Beat, Healthy Lifestyle Program and Active Measure. All of these programs were funded through the Bentley Armadale Medicare Local. Damian and his team developed and delivered these programs throughout the south eastern corridor of the Perth Metro area.

Under Damian’s guidance and leadership the Como Fitness Centre has expanded and grown is now a modern 24/7gym with an atmosphere and soul. It is the focus of the local Como community and the larger City of South Perth.

Como Fitness Centre was one of the original providers of the Living Longer, Living Stronger program – a strength and exercise program for seniors – and has received several awards for the program’s success over the years.

As an Exercise Physiologist, Damian has utilised his extensive experience in exercise rehabilitation to specialise in assisting patient with complex and chronic disease. In particular Damian has a keen interest in neuromuscular conditions including MND, MS and acquired brain injury and mental health disorders.

During his career he has also held a number of lecturing and tutoring roles at Notre Dame University, Edith Cowan University, Murdoch University and TAFE.

Under Damian mentorship and utilising his extensive experience and expertise, Damian and his team are looking forward to developing and implementing both group and individual exercise programs for Aboriginal people.