When anyone comes to work out for the first time, they think they are ready to go. The reality is there are several factors they need to consider to know the right kind of exercise program to start, from their age to the intensity level that they are ready for. There are sets of evaluations that are designed to self-guide exercisers as they go, and your staff can guide clients how to use them for maximum effectiveness.
The two best known tests have been around since Jane Fonda and leg warmers. The first include is the talk test. When you’re doing moderate-intensity activity you can talk, but not sing, during the activity. With vigorous-intensity workouts you will only be able to say a few words without pausing for a breath.
Taking your heart rate requires some knowledge of the acceptable BPM (beats per minute) levels. Clients check their heart rate by taking their pulse for a full 60-second count of the heartbeats, or take for 30 seconds and multiply by 2. A chart provided by the CDC tells exercisers what their BPM should be for their age and the intensity of their activity.
Two intensity tests that may require more guidance from your staff, in fact, many gyms post these charts on their club walls. The CDC recommends the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE). This scale rates the level of intensity in exertion on a scale of 6 to 20 and has the person evaluate their feeling about their level of exertion. This can take some getting used to for a novice, and this is where your staff can come in handy.
Another evaluation that has grown in popularity is the physical activity readiness questionnaire (PAR-Q). The British Columbia Ministry of Health and the Multidisciplinary Board on Exercise created the PAR-Q and it has been adopted by the American College of Sports Medicine. This evaluation may be a bit more streamlined for a client to implement, as it is a series of yes or no questions designed to help someone know what kind of exercise intensity they need in planning to start an exercise program.
Helping your clients stay on track and know their own limits will help them reduce injury and keep you from liability.
