Health forms prior to commencement of an exercise program

[Nidan Melbourne]

This is specified to people that have signed up at the gym and exercise or do the fitness programs that are on tv.

Now if you signed up at a gym did they provide you a questionnaire and they actually assess whether it is safe for you to exercise or not without approval from a Doctor? If they did not provide you one and evaluate you further then why?

If you do a fitness program that was advertised on TV did you get told to speak to a doctor.

Filling out a questionnaire to your physical health and your family history assists in determining how intense you can SAFELY exercise.

- Note: When I say Family History it refers to IMMEDIATE family up to an including grandparents

You can be classified as High Risk if you have a diagnosed Cardiovascular, Respiratory or Metabolic Disease. So Cardiovascular Disease is either a heart defect or you have suffered from a Myocardial Infarction (Heart Attack). Respiratory Disease is Asthma or similar. And Metabolic Disease is Diabetes Mellitus (Type 1 or 2) or similar. And if you want to do vigorous or moderate intensity exercise you should speak to a Doctor or a Exercise Physiologist (or similar) because you could be putting yourself at risk of injury if you don't.

Moderate Risk is if you have 2 or more risk factors but hasn't been diagnosed. But you can do up to moderate intensity.

Low Risk is 2 or less risk factors and you are free to do ANY exercise you want.

[bushido_man96]

Most gyms aren't really in the business of checking to see if you are healthy enough to exercise. They want business, so most likely just have members sign a waiver stating that the member is responsible for assessing their level of health and all that.

If ever in doubt, see your doctor about beginning physical activity.

[DWx]

I'd say it is pretty typical of the gyms and sports groups I've joined over the years. But more because they are looking for alarms bells that you might flop over and pass out after having used their equipment or taken their class. Like Brian said, it's mostly more as a waiver than anything else - they want to cover their own backs.

[sensei8]

The waiver, for the gym, is a means of not taking responsibility over your health, just a way to get the dollars. Fine!! But, if the gym is so concerned about your health, and they want you to exercise at their establishment, then they shouldn't forgo doctor advice.

Waivers DO protect the liability of the gym! Fine!!

[bushido_man96]

The waiver, for the gym, is a means of not taking responsibility over your health, just a way to get the dollars. Fine!! But, if the gym is so concerned about your health, and they want you to exercise at their establishment, then they shouldn't forgo doctor advice.

Waivers DO protect the liability of the gym! Fine!!

I don't think they do forgo doctor's advise. They just don't give it, because they aren't doctors. So, all they can do is take in clients, have them sign the waiver so they take responsibility of their own health, and go from there.