Free PAR-Q Form for Personal Trainers
A free printable Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q) for personal trainers. Based on the PAR-Q+ 2022. Seven screening questions with YES/NO fields, health notes, and client signature block. Print or save as PDF.
Print this form or save as PDF for clients to complete before their first session.
PAR-Q+
Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire
Based on the PAR-Q+ 2022 (Warburton et al., BJSM)
Before you answer these questions, please read the following:
Regular physical activity is fun and healthy, and increasingly more people are starting to become more active every day. Being more active is very safe for most people. However, some people should check with their doctor before they start becoming much more physically active.
If you are between 15 and 69 years of age, the PAR-Q will tell you if you should check with your doctor before you start. If you are over 69 years of age and you are not used to being very active, check with your doctor.
Please answer YES or NO to all seven questions below:
Has your doctor ever said that you have a heart condition and that you should only do physical activity recommended by a doctor?
Do you feel pain in your chest when you do physical activity?
In the past month, have you had chest pain when you were not doing physical activity?
Do you lose your balance because of dizziness or do you ever lose consciousness?
Do you have a bone or joint problem (for example, back, knee or hip) that could be made worse by a change in your physical activity?
Is your doctor currently prescribing drugs (for example, water pills) for your blood pressure or heart condition?
Do you know of any other reason why you should not do physical activity?
If you answered YES to one or more questions:
- Talk with your doctor by phone or in person before you start becoming more physically active or before you have a fitness appraisal.
- Tell your doctor about the PAR-Q and which questions you answered YES to.
- You may be able to do any activity you want, as long as you start slowly and build up gradually. Or you may need to restrict your activities to those which are safe for you.
If you answered NO to all questions:
You can be reasonably sure that you can start becoming much more physically active and take part in a fitness appraisal. Begin slowly and build up gradually. This is the safest and easiest way to go.
Additional health information (optional)
Important note: The PAR-Q is only valid for a maximum of 12 months from the date it is completed and becomes invalid if your condition changes so that you would answer YES to any of the seven questions. It is also invalid if you become pregnant.
This template is based on the PAR-Q+ 2022. It is provided for educational purposes only. Consult a certified exercise professional or physician before use in a clinical or training context.
How to use the PAR-Q with new personal training clients
The PAR-Q should be completed by every new client before their first training session or fitness assessment. Send it ahead of the first consultation so there is time to follow up on any YES answers before the session begins. For in-person sessions, keep a signed paper copy on file. For online clients, a digital copy signed and returned by email is acceptable.
If a client answers YES to any question, the appropriate response depends on the nature of the condition. For clients with known cardiovascular conditions, recent surgery, or uncontrolled blood pressure, medical clearance from their doctor is required before you begin training. Other YES answers may simply require a modified programme rather than a delay to starting.
Review the PAR-Q at least annually with ongoing clients. Health status can change significantly over 12 months, and a condition that did not exist at sign-up may affect how you programme training. Pregnancy, new medications, and recent injuries are common reasons a client's PAR-Q status changes between reviews.
PAR-Q screening: what to collect alongside it
- Liability waiver: obtains informed consent and limits your legal exposure as a trainer.
- Client intake form: collects background health history, fitness history, and goals in more detail.
- Fitness assessment results: baseline measurements to track progress against over time.
- Personal trainer contract: defines services, fees, cancellation policy, and confidentiality.
- Emergency contact details: required in case of a medical event during a session.
Frequently asked questions
What is a PAR-Q form?
The PAR-Q (Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire) is a validated pre-exercise screening tool that helps personal trainers identify clients who may need medical clearance before starting a new exercise programme. It consists of seven yes/no questions covering heart conditions, chest pain, dizziness, bone and joint problems, blood pressure medications, and any other reasons a person should not exercise. A client who answers YES to any question should consult a doctor before beginning exercise.
Is the PAR-Q legally required for personal trainers?
While the PAR-Q is not universally mandated by law, it is standard professional practice and is required by most professional fitness bodies (such as NASM, ACSM, REPs, and Exercise NZ) before beginning any exercise programme. Having a completed, signed PAR-Q on file demonstrates due diligence and may reduce liability in the event of a client injury. Many professional indemnity insurers also expect pre-exercise screening to be in place.
What is the PAR-Q+ and how is it different?
The PAR-Q+ (2022) is an updated, expanded version of the original PAR-Q developed by Warburton et al. for the British Journal of Sports Medicine. The PAR-Q+ is a two-page questionnaire that includes follow-up questions for clients who answer YES to the initial seven, allowing many of them to exercise safely without seeing a doctor first. This PAR-Q form is based on the seven core questions from the PAR-Q+.
How long is a PAR-Q valid for?
A completed PAR-Q is valid for a maximum of 12 months from the date it was signed. It becomes invalid earlier if the client's health status changes (for example, they develop a new medical condition, start new medication, or become pregnant). Best practice is to have clients review and re-sign the form annually, or whenever a significant health change occurs.
What do I do if a client answers YES on the PAR-Q?
If a client answers YES to any of the seven PAR-Q questions, they should consult their doctor before starting or significantly increasing physical activity. You can advise them to show their doctor the specific question(s) they answered YES to. Depending on the outcome of the medical review, the client may be cleared for exercise with certain restrictions, or may be referred to a clinical exercise physiologist for supervised exercise.
Can nutritionists or dietitians use the PAR-Q?
Yes. Dietitians and nutritionists who prescribe physical activity as part of a healthy eating programme, or who work in a multidisciplinary team with exercise professionals, may use the PAR-Q to screen clients before recommending exercise. In clinical settings, the PAR-Q is often used alongside a nutrition assessment and is helpful context for energy expenditure estimates used in meal planning.
Should I use the PAR-Q alongside a liability waiver?
Yes. The PAR-Q and a personal trainer liability waiver serve different purposes and both are recommended. The PAR-Q screens for health contraindications to exercise. The liability waiver obtains informed consent and limits your legal exposure. Many trainers collect both documents before the first session. A personal trainer contract is also advisable to define the terms of the professional relationship.