PAR-Q and health screening

You don't get to skip this

Every new client gets a screening. No exceptions. This isn't bureaucracy — it's how you avoid hurting people, getting sued, or both. The PAR-Q+ is the most widely accepted form.

The 7-question PAR-Q+ core

1. Has your doctor ever said you have a heart condition or that you should only do physical activity recommended by a doctor? 2. Do you feel pain in your chest when you do physical activity? 3. In the past month, have you had chest pain when not doing physical activity? 4. Do you lose your balance because of dizziness or do you ever lose consciousness? 5. Do you have a bone or joint problem (back, knee, hip) that could be made worse by activity? 6. Is your doctor currently prescribing drugs (for example water pills) for blood pressure or heart condition? 7. Do you know of any other reason why you should not do physical activity?

If any answer is YES → physician clearance required BEFORE you start training them.

Beyond the PAR-Q+

Always collect:

Resting heart rate (60–100 bpm normal; >100 = consult doctor)
Resting blood pressure (target <120/80; >140/90 = hypertensive, refer out)
Current medications (especially blood thinners, beta blockers, insulin, statins)
Recent surgeries or injuries (timeline + clearance status)
Family cardiac/diabetes history
Pregnancy status (changes everything; refer to pre/postnatal specialist if you're not one)

Red flags that require referral

Resting BP >140/90 mmHg or <90/60 mmHg
Resting HR >100 or <50 bpm without explanation
Chest pain at rest or on exertion
Unexplained shortness of breath
Recent surgery (<3 months) without clearance
Pregnancy without prenatal trainer cert
Cancer in active treatment
Uncontrolled diabetes (HbA1c >8 or recent severe hypoglycemic episode)
Severe arrhythmia

Referral isn't failure — it's professionalism. You build trust by knowing your scope.

Documentation

Keep on file (signed and dated):

Completed PAR-Q+
Informed consent / liability waiver
Medical clearance form if any PAR-Q answers were YES
Photo ID copy (optional but recommended)

These documents are your insurance against everything from injury claims to harassment accusations.

The conversation

A good screening isn't an interrogation. It's:

'I want to make sure we build a plan that actually works for your body. Mind if I ask a few quick health questions?'
Empathetic, not clinical
Genuinely curious about their goals + constraints