PAR-Q Form: Template, Example and Tips

A PAR-Q form is a short pre-exercise screening questionnaire a new client completes before their first training session. It asks a handful of yes or no questions about heart conditions, chest pain, dizziness, chronic conditions, medication, joint problems and past medical advice, so a personal trainer can spot who needs a doctor's clearance before training starts. Below you will find a free, copyable PAR-Q form template written for personal trainers, a guide to every section, a filled example and the safest ways to send, sign and store it.

We make Coachful, a coaching platform where trainers can send this form, have it completed or signed, and keep the answers on the client record next to sessions, programs and payments. You can use the template with any tool, though, including paper. The sections below show where it fits in the client journey first, then the template itself.

One important note before you copy anything. The best-known version of this questionnaire, the PAR-Q+, is published by the PAR-Q+ Collaboration and is copyrighted. The template on this page is our own wording, built around the same screening logic. If your gym, insurer or governing body asks for the official PAR-Q+, download the current version from the PAR-Q+ Collaboration directly and use that instead.

What is a PAR-Q form, and where did it come from?

The Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire started in Canada in the 1970s as a quick way to decide whether an adult could safely increase their activity without seeing a doctor first. It was revised several times, and in 2011 the PAR-Q+ replaced it, adding follow-up questions so fewer people were sent for medical clearance they did not need (background on Wikipedia).

The logic has stayed the same. A "no" to every question means the person can usually begin a gradual, moderate program. A "yes" to any question means the trainer pauses and the client checks with a qualified health professional, or completes further screening, before training begins or intensity rises.

The American College of Sports Medicine updated its own pre-participation screening recommendations in 2015, moving towards an approach based on three things: whether someone is already active, whether they have known cardiovascular, metabolic or renal disease, and whether they have signs or symptoms of it (Riebe et al., 2015, on PubMed). A good trainer screening form captures all three, which is why the template below asks about current activity as well as health history.

Screening exists to make activity safer, not to stop people from moving. Public health bodies are clear that most adults benefit from regular activity (WHO guidelines on physical activity; CDC guidance for adults). Your form is the gate that lets the right people start quickly and routes the rest to the right professional first.

Where does the PAR-Q form sit in a personal trainer's client journey?

It belongs after the client has said yes to working with you and before the first session where they exert themselves. In practice that is the gap between booking and the first workout, or between a free consultation and the first paid session.

A typical sequence for a personal trainer looks like this:

1. Enquiry. The prospect fills in a contact or application form. Keep health questions out of this step; you do not need medical details from someone who may never sign up. Our guide to qualifying questions for coaching clients covers what to ask instead.
2. Consultation call or booking. You agree on goals, format and price.
3. Agreement and payment. The client signs your training agreement or waiver and pays. See coaching contracts for how this works in Coachful.
4. PAR-Q form. The client completes the screening questions and signs the declaration, ideally at least 48 hours before the first session so you have time to request clearance.
5. Review. You read every answer. Any "yes" triggers the clearance step before training.
6. First session. You confirm verbally that nothing has changed since they completed the form, then begin with a conservative assessment.
7. Re-screening. The client repeats the form at least once a year, and straight away if their health changes, they become pregnant, they start new medication or they return after a long break or injury.

Screening also comes back between sessions. A client who mentions new chest discomfort in a weekly check-in has, in effect, answered "yes" to a screening question mid-program. Your process needs to catch that, not just the paperwork on day one.

The PAR-Q form template for personal trainers

Copy everything in this section into your form tool, word processor or practice software. Replace the [bracketed] parts with your own details. The readiness questions in Part C are paraphrased screening prompts written for trainers; they are not the official PAR-Q+ text.

[Your business name]: Physical Activity Readiness and Health Screening Form

Trainer: [Your full name], [your certification, e.g. Level 3 Personal Trainer], [CPR/AED certificate held, expiry date]
Location of training: [studio address / client's home / online via video]
Please complete this form at least [48] hours before your first session. Your answers help me decide whether it is safe to start training now or whether you should check with a doctor first. I am a fitness professional, not a medical provider, and I cannot diagnose or treat any condition.

Part A. Your details

1. Full name
2. Date of birth (you must be [18] or over to sign this form yourself; under-[18]s need a parent or guardian to complete it)
3. Phone number and email
4. Emergency contact: name, relationship and phone number
5. Your doctor or clinic name and phone number (optional, but helpful if clearance is needed)

Part B. Your current activity

1. In the last three months, how many days per week have you done planned exercise for 30 minutes or more? [0 / 1 to 2 / 3 or more]
2. What kind of activity was it? [walking, running, cycling, weights, classes, sport, other]
3. How hard did it usually feel? [easy, could chat comfortably / moderate, could talk but not sing / hard, could only say a few words]
4. Have you had a break from training of more than [3] months in the past year? If yes, why?

Part C. Readiness questions (answer YES or NO to each)

1. Has a doctor ever told you that you have a heart condition, or high blood pressure?
2. Do you get pain, pressure or tightness in your chest, either at rest, during everyday tasks, or when you are physically active?
3. In the past 12 months, have you fainted, blacked out, or lost your balance because you felt dizzy?
4. Do you have any other long-term medical condition diagnosed by a doctor, such as diabetes, asthma or another lung condition, kidney disease, epilepsy, or cancer?
5. Are you taking any prescribed medicine for a long-term condition?
6. Do you have a problem with a bone, joint, muscle, tendon or ligament (for example your back, knee, hip or shoulder) that could get worse if you become more active?
7. Has a doctor or other health professional ever told you to exercise only under medical supervision, or to avoid certain types of exercise?
8. Are you currently pregnant, or have you given birth in the last [12] months?
9. Have you had surgery, a hospital stay, or a serious injury in the last [12] months?
10. Is there any other reason, not covered above, why you think you should not start a new exercise program right now?

Part D. If you answered YES to any question in Part C

1. Which question number(s) did you answer YES to?
2. Please give a short description. Share only what you are comfortable sharing; you do not need to send medical records.
3. Has a doctor or qualified health professional cleared you for the type of training we discussed? [Yes, written clearance attached / Yes, verbal only / No / Not yet asked]
4. Any limits they gave you (for example a maximum heart rate, movements to avoid, or weight limits)

Part E. Today and this week

1. Are you currently unwell, for example with a fever, cold or flu, or recovering from one?
2. Do you have any pain right now that changes how you move?
3. Is there anything else I should know before your first session, such as poor sleep, high stress, or something you are nervous about?

Part F. Declaration

• I have read and answered every question honestly and to the best of my knowledge.
• I understand that if I answered YES to any readiness question, [your business name] may ask me to get clearance from a doctor or qualified health professional before training starts or becomes more intense.
• I will tell my trainer before any session if my health changes, including new symptoms, new medication, pregnancy, injury or illness.
• I will stop exercising and tell my trainer straight away if I feel chest pain, severe breathlessness, dizziness, or unusual pain during a session.
• I understand this form is valid for [12] months, or until my health changes, whichever comes first.
• I consent to [your business name] storing these answers securely for the purpose of planning safe training, as described in [link to your privacy notice]. I can ask for them to be deleted when I stop training.

Client signature: ______________ Date: __________
Parent or guardian signature (if client is under [18]): ______________ Date: __________

Part G. Trainer use only

• Reviewed by: [trainer name] on [date]
• Outcome: [All NO, cleared to start a gradual program] / [YES answer(s), clearance requested on date] / [Clearance received on date]
• Training adjustments agreed: [notes]
• Re-screen due: [date, 12 months from today]

What does each section of the PAR-Q form do?

Each part answers one decision you have to make before the first session. This table shows why each section exists and what to watch for when you read the answers.

If you want to automate the triage, the guide on automating intake form scoring shows how to flag answers for review. For a PAR-Q form the rule is simple: any YES in Part C flags the client for manual review.

What must personal trainers add to this template?

The template covers screening. Your own practice adds the parts that depend on your qualifications, location and setup. Work through these before you send it to a client.

Scope of practice and referral rules

A PAR-Q form is a screening tool, not a diagnosis. Personal training and coaching are not medical treatment, and you should never interpret symptoms, adjust medication advice or decide that a condition is "fine". Write your referral rule into your process in plain words, for example: "Any YES in Part C means no training until the client confirms clearance from a doctor or qualified health professional, or until I have their written limits." Refer straight away, and do not train, if a client reports chest pain, fainting, new or unexplained breathlessness, or symptoms that are getting worse.

Emergency action plan

Keep a short written plan for what you do if a client collapses or has chest pain in a session: who calls emergency services, where the nearest AED is, the address you give the operator, and who contacts the emergency contact. Online trainers need the client's training address before each live session for the same reason.

Sensitive health data

Screening answers are health data. In the EU and UK, health data is a special category under data protection law and needs a clear lawful basis and extra care (overview of the GDPR on Wikipedia). In the US, HIPAA applies to covered entities such as health plans and most healthcare providers (HHS HIPAA overview); many independent trainers are not covered entities, but state privacy laws and your insurer may still set rules. Either way, collect only what you need, store it in one place with access limited to you, and delete it when you no longer need it.

Coachful is GDPR-ready but is not HIPAA-certified and does not sign a business associate agreement. If you work inside a clinic, or you keep clinical records such as physiotherapy notes, those belong in a clinical system. A trainer's screening answers and clearance status can sit on the coaching record; diagnoses and medical reports should not.

Minors, pregnancy and special populations

If you train under-18s, a parent or guardian completes and signs the form. If you specialise in pregnancy and postpartum, older adults, or clients with long-term conditions, add questions specific to that group and check what your certification body requires. Many insurers expect specialist qualifications before you work with these clients.

Local law and your insurer

Rules about waivers, record keeping and how long you keep health data vary by country and state. Your professional liability insurer may also require a specific screening form or the official PAR-Q+. Ask them in writing which form they accept.

How do you run the PAR-Q form in Coachful?

In Coachful, the PAR-Q form sits inside the same client journey as booking, the training agreement, programs, check-ins and invoices, so the answers land on the client record instead of a separate inbox. Coachful is a coaching platform with one login for the trainer and one branded app for the client; the Fitness & Nutrition pack adds a workout builder, workout logging, nutrition targets and progress photos.

This short walkthrough shows how intakes work before you set anything up:

Step 1: Put the screening questions on the booking page

Coachful booking pages can ask intake questions when a client books. Add Parts A to E of the template as intake questions on the session type you use for the first workout or assessment. The client answers them while booking, and the answers are saved to their client record. The Intakes page shows upcoming intake calls and how many converted.

Alternatively, build it as a Forms & Worksheets resource, which is delivered into the client's branded home and app. The forms and questionnaires page shows the form types available.

Step 2: Send the agreement before the first session

Coachful sends coaching agreements with e-signature before the first call and stores the signed copy on the client record. Put your declaration (Part F) and your training terms or waiver in this agreement, so the client signs once. If a client hands you a signed paper form or a doctor's clearance letter, you can drop the signed PDF into the Agreements tab.

Step 3: Review the answers on the client record

Open the client record to read intake answers alongside their goals, notes, sessions and payments. Fill in Part G as a note: who reviewed it, the outcome, any agreed adjustments and the re-screen date. Use a tag such as "clearance pending" so you can see at a glance who should not be booked for hard sessions yet.

Step 4: What the client sees

The client opens their coaching hub in the app, carrying your branding. They see their next session, their programs, progress and documents, and any item they need to complete before the session.

Step 5: Keep screening alive with check-ins and habits

Weekly check-ins are where health changes show up between sessions. Add one standing question to your weekly check-in, such as "Has anything changed with your health, medication or injuries this week?", so a new YES does not wait a year for the annual re-screen. Habits and daily tasks then carry the program forward between sessions.

Step 6: Schedule and bill once the client is cleared

When a client is cleared, they can book through your availability rules, with calendar sync and reminders, and pay through your own Stripe or Razorpay account. Paid sessions, session credits, subscriptions and payment plans all sit in the same account, and each transaction gets an invoice.

Why Coachful stands out: a free white-glove service. If you would rather not build the form yourself, open Create > We'll build it for you, describe the screening form or worksheet you want, and attach this template or your insurer's requirements. The Coachful team builds it inside your account, usually within about 24 hours. Nothing is invented: your certifications, insurer details and prices are left for you to fill in. Read more about the free white-glove service.

In short: Coachful is for personal trainers and coaches who deliver programs, not just sessions, and who want booking, agreements, screening answers, workouts, check-ins and payments in one place. It does not do clinical record keeping, it is not HIPAA-certified, it does not sync with Garmin, Fitbit, Whoop or Oura, and it does not include stock exercise videos (you attach your own demos). To start, take a free trial and ask for the white-glove build. Current plans: Lite: $29/month for up to 5 clients; Solo: $49/month for up to 20 clients; Pro: $99/month with unlimited clients; Studio: $199/month with unlimited clients. More on the fitness side is on the page for fitness coaches.

How else can you send and store a PAR-Q form?

Any method works if the client can complete it before the first session, you can see every answer, and the record is stored securely and retrievable. The difference is how much you have to stitch together by hand. Prices below are as listed by each vendor in October 2026.

For a wider look at form tools, see the comparison of coaching intake and agreement software and the ranking of intake form software for health coaches.

What does a completed PAR-Q form look like?

This is a fictional example. The client, answers and clearance details are invented to show how a trainer reads and records the form.

Example only. Client: Jordan M., 47. Training location: trainer's studio. Emergency contact: partner, phone listed.

Part B. Planned exercise in the last three months: 1 to 2 days per week, mostly brisk walking. Felt moderate. Break of more than three months: yes, stopped going to the gym during a busy year at work.

Part C. Q10 heart condition or high blood pressure: YES. Q11 chest pain: NO. Q12 fainting or dizziness: NO. Q13 other long-term condition: NO. Q14 prescribed medicine: YES. Q15 bone or joint problem: YES. Q16 told to exercise only with supervision: NO. Q17 pregnancy: not applicable. Q18 surgery or injury in 12 months: NO. Q19 any other reason: NO.

Part D. "Diagnosed with high blood pressure two years ago and take a daily tablet for it. Left knee aches after long walks; no treatment." Clearance: not yet asked.

Part E. Not unwell. Knee is fine today. Sleeping about six hours a night.

Part G (trainer). Reviewed on [date]. Outcome: YES to Q10, Q14 and Q15, clearance requested. Asked Jordan to check with their GP that moderate strength and cardio training is appropriate and whether the blood pressure medicine affects heart rate during exercise. First session moved by one week. Clearance received on [date] with advice to avoid breath-holding on heavy lifts. Program: start with walking intervals and machine-based strength, avoid deep loaded knee flexion until reviewed after four weeks. Re-screen due: [date + 12 months].

Notice what the trainer did not do: they did not judge whether the blood pressure was "under control", did not guess what the tablet does, and did not start training while waiting. They paused, asked the right professional and planned within the limits they were given.

What are the most common PAR-Q form mistakes?

• Copying the official PAR-Q+ text into your own branded form. It is copyrighted. Use the official version as published, or your own paraphrased form like the one above.
• Collecting it on the day of the first session. If a YES appears at the door, you either cancel or train someone you should not. Ask for it at least 48 hours ahead.
• Never reading it. A signed form in a folder is not screening. Fill in the review section every time.
• Treating a YES as a no-go forever. Most clients with a YES can train once they have clearance and limits. The form routes them; it does not reject them.
• Accepting "it's fine" instead of clearance. Clients often minimise symptoms because they want to start. Ask for clearance from a professional, not reassurance from the client.
• Asking for more than you need. You do not need full medical histories or test results. Extra health data adds risk without making training safer.
• Storing answers in email or a shared drive. Keep health answers in one place with limited access, and delete them when the client leaves and you no longer need them.
• Screening once and never again. Health changes. Re-screen yearly, after illness, injury, pregnancy or new medication, and ask a health-change question in weekly check-ins.
• Using a generic coaching intake form instead. A general coaching intake asks about goals and motivation. It does not replace pre-exercise screening for physical training.

Is this PAR-Q form template legal or medical advice?

No. This template and guide are general information for fitness professionals, not legal, medical or financial advice. Screening requirements, waiver rules and health-data law vary by country and state, and your insurer or governing body may require a specific form.

Have a local lawyer review your declaration, waiver and privacy wording before you use them, especially if you train minors, work in a clinic or gym with its own policies, or operate across borders. If you plan to work with clients who have heart conditions, diabetes, pregnancy complications or other medical conditions, ask a doctor or clinical exercise professional to review your screening and referral process, and make sure your qualifications and insurance cover that work.

For related documents, see the health coaching intake form template, the guide to a client onboarding form, and the session recording consent form if you record online sessions. You can also generate a starting draft with the intake form generator.

PAR-Q form FAQ

Is the PAR-Q form free to use?

The template on this page is free to copy and adapt. The official PAR-Q+ is published by the PAR-Q+ Collaboration; check their current terms and download the latest version from them if you want to use the official form. Do not rebrand or rewrite the official text as your own.

Do personal trainers legally have to use a PAR-Q form?

It depends on where you work. Many gyms, insurers and certification bodies require pre-exercise screening, even when the law does not name a specific form. Check your insurance policy and employer requirements, and ask a local lawyer if you are unsure.

What happens if a client answers yes to a PAR-Q question?

Pause before training starts or intensity increases. Ask the client to get clearance from a doctor or qualified health professional, record any limits they are given, and plan within those limits. If the YES relates to chest pain, fainting or worsening symptoms, the client should see a clinician before any training.

How often should clients complete a PAR-Q form?

At least once a year, and again whenever their health changes: new symptoms, new medication, pregnancy, surgery, injury or a long break. A standing health-change question in weekly check-ins catches changes between annual re-screens.

Can I use a PAR-Q form for online clients?

Yes. Send it digitally before the first session, collect an electronic signature, and add the client's training address and emergency contact so you can direct help to them if something happens during a live session.

Is a PAR-Q form the same as a waiver?

No. The PAR-Q form screens for health risks; a waiver or training agreement sets out terms and the client's acceptance of risk. Many trainers send both, and in Coachful the declaration and waiver can sit in one agreement signed before the first session.

Where should I store completed PAR-Q forms?

In one secure place with access limited to the people who need it, linked to the client's training record, and for as long as your insurer and local law require. Avoid leaving forms in email threads or open shared folders. Clinical records such as physiotherapy notes belong in a clinical system.

Can Coachful store PAR-Q answers?

Yes. Intake answers and signed agreements are stored on the client record in Coachful, and you can export full client data including form responses. Coachful is GDPR-ready but not HIPAA-certified, so it suits trainer screening answers and clearance status, not clinical records.

What is Coachful's free white-glove service?

It is a build service included on every plan. You describe what you need, such as a screening form, worksheet, program or website, attach references, and the Coachful team builds it inside your account, usually within about 24 hours. It leaves gaps for details only you can supply, like certifications and prices.

Should a PAR-Q form ask about diet or goals?

Keep the PAR-Q form focused on readiness to exercise. Goals, nutrition habits and motivation belong in a separate intake form, which keeps the screening short and makes it more likely clients answer every question carefully. The guide to intake form software for nutrition coaches covers the nutrition side.