Par Q Form Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire: Fill & Download for Free

Answer the questions on a PAR-Q (physical activity readiness questionnaire) form to see if there is any reason you shouldn't partake in exercise or physical activity for your safety.

It’s always a good idea to check in with your physician when starting a new physical activity. Make your appointment stating that you need clearance for your upcoming routine—and if possible, be specific.If you are working out with a personal trainer (I would highly recommend starting with one before you set off on your own), ask for a description of what the workouts will entail to show your doctor (it’s possible that your trainer or gym may have a form specifically for your physician to sign). If you are not training under guidance, be as descriptive as possible with your doctor, including your level of experience, for example:Clear me to start a strength training routine using free weights. I haven’t done this since high school.Clear me to start a cardio training routine so that I can run a 5K race. I normally just walk my dog for exercise.Clear me to attend boot camp and other classes. I swim and do yoga and now want to try some other formats.You get the idea. Your doctor’s job is to ensure that you understand safe parameters as you get into your workout routine. This could mean staying within a certain heart rate, modifying some exercises based on past injury and current limits, or focusing on imbalances.Bear in mind physicians have varied experience in biomechanics and exercise science, so if yours prescribes a general modification (e.g., you say you have bad knees, and your doctor instructs you to stay away from running and lunges), follow those instructions and also ask for a referral to a physical therapist who can help you address the weak points (again, a personal trainer can also work with your doctor to develop your program).For a quick overview on the conditions to be aware of when beginning an exercise program, answer the questions on the PAR-Q (physical activity readiness questionnaire).https://www.acefitness.org/healthcoachresources/pdfs/Par-QandYou.pdf

Do you need to vent about anything?I don’t know anyone who doesn’t need to vent some of the time. The important thing is that when you do it, you vent to someone you can trust and in a nondestructive way. Going off on someone can have deleterious effects on relationships—at school, work, and at home.I try to use yoga and other things to distract me, especially if it is something stupid or someone acting stupid (BTW, IMO there are a lot of more willfully ignorant people in the world than stupid ones!)My current big rant is the Par-Q:Policies that literally add paperwork—like having to fill out a Par-Q (physical activity readiness questionnaire) for each physical activity (class or Open Gym) that you take each semester (local college) seems like a lot of duplication of effort. I filled out one for my weight training class and one for each of the open gyms. I will have to do the same thing each semester. They are 6 or 8 pages long, and you need to give detailed medical history. Let’s say that you have a student who wants to take a water aerobics class and a weight training class and be able to use a gym on two campuses during Open Gym. They must complete 4 of this form. It must be stored somewhere. One campus stores them in a locked supply cabinet. I doubt that this meets HIPPA standards. It wastes paper and storage space. Despite computerizing everything else on the three campuses, the Phys Ed department is resistant to doing this. I may try to set up an excel program (I’ve forgotten almost everything I know about access)—I would send it to the heads of the departments on the campuses to prove a point. A database could be set up with permission for students, faculty, and staff to have different levels of permission to access the records.I also detest tailgating, I will sometimes press on the brake until someone who’s doing it passes me.Just two things that I vent about.