The document outlines the importance of pre-exercise checks for gym instructors, including ensuring clients complete a PARQ form and expanding on any answers that indicate potential health issues. It notes instructors must never exercise a client without a completed PARQ, as it identifies contraindications to exercise. Instructors are told to use communication skills to expand on these answers to determine the severity of issues and decide if clients need a doctor referral or are fit to exercise. Examples of expanding questions about medication use are provided, with one client cleared to exercise and another requiring doctor sign-off due to epilepsy.

1. Pre Exercise Checks CYQ Gym Instructor L2 Session 2

2. Session Objectives To be aware of the danger checks that need to be made prior to a gym session. To identify the importance of client PARQ’s (Physical Activity Questionnaire) and confidentiality. To demonstrate expanded questioning techniques.

3. PARQ Screening Form You must never exercise a client without them first completing a Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PARQ) The completed PARQ will highlight any problems or contra-indications to exercise that will prevent the client from exercising safely.

4. Expanding on Answers You must use your communication skills and expand on any answers that indicate the client may have a problem or contra-indication to exercise; This will enable you to make a judgement on the level of severity of the problem or contra-indication and allow you to decide if the client is fit to exercise or needs to be referred to a GP

5. Expanded Examples ‘ Are you currently on any Medication?’ Answer - YES Instructor: “It says on your PARQ that you are on medication at the moment, could you tell me what type of medication you are on?” Client: “Yes that’s right, I had an infection in my thumb and the doctor gave me some antibiotics” This is acceptable so you would write on the PARQ “Client currently on antibiotics for a thumb infection”

6. Expanded Examples Client: “Yes that’s right, I suffer from epilepsy and have been on medication for six months” With this answer you would refer the client to the doctors using the medical clearance form and ask them to come back with the completed form from their GP stating that they are able to exercise safely.

7. Criteria Watch! As part of your assessment: It is part of the criteria that your client completes a PARQ and that you check it and sign it, and expand on anything that suggests that the client should not be exercising.

8. Task 1 In pairs using the PARQ provided, interview each other and expand on any answers that may indicate that your client shouldn’t be exercising.