Considering joining a gym? Or just looking for the right time to join one? Whatever gym you choose to join, one of the first things you’ll need to do is fill out a questionnaire about your health history. These answers are designed to give the gym or your personal trainer or both a snap shot of your medical history and overall well-being. They are going to be interested in your exercise and eating habits as well as your risks for developing cardiovascular disease as well as limitations you may face.
Typical questions on the questionnaire may include:
- Do you have any chronic joint problems (i.e. arthritis)?
- Do you have a high stress level?
- What medications do you take regularly?
- Are you currently taking over the counter or prescription medication for cardiovascular problems (i.e. blood pressure, heart rate)?
- Are you active? Inactive?
- Is there a history of heart disease in your family?
- Do you have diabetes or high blood sugar?
- Has anyone in your immediate family developed heart disease before 50?
- Do you smoke? Have you quit recently?
- If so, how much do you smoke daily?
- Do you have high chloresterol?
- Have you ever had surgery? If so, what kind and how often?
If at a glance, you can answer yes to any of those questions and you are over the age of 35, you should get a physician to give you a complete medical evaluation before you tackle a fitness program. Some gyms will require a medical release from your physician before you get started. These questions should not be used as a model to determine your overall health, they are just a suggestion.
Have you had a physical evalutation in the last 12 months?