Living with a health condition or disability

Exercise is for everyone, and that includes you. What it looks like for you is a conversation between you and your GP, physio or specialist, not a website. This path explains the questions trainers ask and why, and what to take to your GP so you get the most from that conversation. Body Reps doesn't give medical advice. It can help you know what to ask.

Your first step

Questions you could take to your GP

1. What's safe for me?Is there any type of activity I should avoid, or be careful with?
2. When should I stop?Are there warning signs that mean I should stop and get help?
3. Does my medication matter?Does anything I take affect exercise, for example my heart rate?
4. How should I build up?How much, how often, and how quickly?
5. Is there local help?Is there a specialist exercise service near me, such as an exercise referral scheme?

What trainers ask, and why

Before training someone, gym instructors and PTs usually ask you to fill in a short health questionnaire. One common version is the PAR-Q (Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire). It asks about things like your heart, chest pain, dizziness, joints and medication.

It isn't there to stop you. It's there so the trainer knows when to check with your GP first, and when something is outside what they're trained to handle. Always tell a trainer about any condition, even if it feels unrelated.

Useful places to go

1. NHS: exercise and staying active: the official starting point.
2. We Are Undefeatable: getting active with a long-term health condition.
3. Activity Alliance: disabled people and activity.
4. The PAR-Q explained: the health questionnaire gyms and trainers use.
5. How gym staff can help: they can show you how to adjust machines.
6. The effort scale: a simple way to describe effort to a professional.

Not sure this is you? Take the two-minute questionnaire, or see every starting point.