7.2 Contract, informed consent, liability waiver…
It is always better to be safe than sorry. Therefore, during your initial meeting with a client, it is important to clearly explain your business terms and provide them with a contract, informed consent, and/or liability waivers to sign. These documents should be obtained before collecting any health and fitness data, particularly physical data from fitness assessments, as there is a potential risk that physical exertion could exacerbate unforeseen underlying pathologies, such as high blood pressure, abnormal heartbeats, fainting, heart attack, stroke, or even death.
Informed consent for fitness testing should include the following:
- A clear explanation of the test
- Potential risks and discomforts that may be experienced
- The responsibilities of the participant
- Expected benefits from the test
- Assurance that the participant is free and encouraged to inquire about the test procedures and results
- A statement emphasizing voluntary consent
- The client’s signature and the date
The client should know they can withdraw consent, stop the exercise test or program, or terminate any other service. Informed consent must be obtained from a client prior to beginning any process in a professional capacity. Both the trainer and the client should sign the form.
By signing these forms, your client confirms that they understand health and fitness assessments’ purposes, benefits, and risks. This enables your client to make an informed choice about whether or not to participate. While these forms do not guarantee your protection in the event of a mishap, they can help minimize confusion about the entire process and, more importantly, reduce the likelihood of a mishap. For more information about the legal aspects of personal training, please refer to Chapter 14.