Fitness Assessments Explained - Read on if youve got time on your hands. When you join a gym or sign up with a trainer there should be a measure of paperwork or a screening process for you to complete. If there isnt - run away very fast and dont look back. The process is in place to help protect both parties. It protects the trainer/gym because they dont want your family suing them because they killed you. And it protects the client because their current state of health has been professionally assessed and based on certain criteria, a judgement has been made as to the appropriate action to take next. This is usually... A) Welcome aboard, theres nothing stopping you from participating without restriction. Go hard. B) Welcome aboard, there are some minor concerns, so you will be strictly limited to low intensity exercise. C) There are 2 or more concerns (risk factors) and you will need a clearance from a GP with a letter stating you are okay to participate - very occasionally with some conditions in place. A good result given we should all go and see our GP for a check-up even if there is not a single thing wrong. 100 Candles is not in the business of taking chances with peoples health, or indeed the livelihood of 100 Candles - even if it means risking turning away potential clients. I would rather sleep at night, preserve my duty of care as trainer and uphold the industry standard, than grab a few bucks and cause somebody a heart attack that my fitness assessment may have intercepted. I follow the recommended industry generated form to the letter, giving peace of mind to both myself and my clients. At times the process can throw up a few surprises and it is not uncommon for the need to arise for clients to visit the GP for a clearance. Frustratingly when clients seek me out as a source of exercise opportunity I must hold up the stop sign to exercise which by nature contradicts the very reason my business exists -to give people a chance to exercise and make a living from it. But I am not a GP and Im not in a position to assess beyond the limitations of the form. I deal in black and white. The GP can deal with the grey. Pleasingly over 3 years and close to 200 clients I have NEVER had a GP deny a client the opportunity to exercise after referral. This is because generally it is exercise in itself which is likely to address the original reason for being sent to the GP in the first place. I know, I know, but its the safest way. Most people feel relieved, rejuvenated and invigorated at receiving a clearance from their GP because they can then rip into their new exercise regime without hesitation, restriction or doubt. From a trainers perspective it works too because I can now throw the kitchen sink at somebody I now know has a GP clearance to be pushed. On occasion an inconvenient trip to the GP does turn up something worth following up and Im pleased my screening process has been a part of keeping somebody safer and better informed about their body and their health. I like using the form because it protects me and it protects you. Whether we like it or not, its regulation. Its no different to steel capped boots on a worksite or keeping chicken at a certain temperature. Industry has regulation. The fitness industry is no different. Now that Ive made such a big deal about it, it really isnt a big deal. Its a few questions, some basic personal details from you and the administering and recording of your blood pressure, height, weight and waist measurement. 10 minutes tops. There are no push-ups of beep tests or rope climbs. Its mostly pushing a pen. Come with an open mind, free from physical exertion and caffeine in the previous 3 hours (both can affect your blood pressure) and well sit and have a relaxed chat. If you are signing up with 100 Candles as a new client, cheer in the knowledge that your trainer does things by the book when it comes to whats best for your health. WARNING - cliché imminent.... After all, your health is your wealth. FIRE UP! P.S. Ill post the actual form so you can see there is nothing to worry about. Its not a secret document.
Posted on: Mon, 08 Sep 2014 12:52:21 +0000
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