Should I get a Medical Checkup Before Starting Weight Training?

A Medical Clearance is Good Value

You’ve read all the introductory material and now it’s time to get going with a weight training program. If you hire a personal trainer, one of the first things he or she should do is ask you a reasonably extensive list of medical questions.

This is not meant to be overly intrusive, nor should it concern you unduly. Yet it’s good practice to have some assurance that you will be in good-enough shape to be able to do the workouts provided with an acceptable degree of safety. Even so, the better trainers will know from your response whether you need a more extensive check and clearance from your doctor.

Being unfit is not necessarily a reason for requiring a medical clearance either. Chronic disease conditions may be. A long period without exercise, particularly as we age, may also prompt a check-up.

Your trainer may ask you to complete a form with questions like this:

Have you ever had, do have, or are on medication for:

• Heart problems – heart attack, angina, palpitations, bypass, pacemaker, other heart conditions


• Discomfort in the chest at rest or on exertion


• Epilepsy (fits)


• Asthma, bronchitis or other lung problems


• Discomfort in the legs at rest or on exertion (possible artery disease)


• Arthritis or major injuries to joints or chronic joint conditions


• Vein disorders in the legs


• Liver condition


• Kidney condition


• Rheumatic fever (possible heart valve damage)


• Diabetes


• High cholesterol


• High blood pressure


• Stroke


• Hernia


• Osteoporosis (bone thinning)


• Swollen feet / ankles


• Glandular fever


• Eating disorder


• Dizziness / fainting

Drugs: Prescription or Other

A trainer may also ask you about your prescription medications and you should certainly tell him about any prescribed injectable drugs such as insulin.
If you or your trainer are unsure about the safety of any medication in a weights program it’s always best to get a clearance from your doctor.

Weight training does raise blood pressure briefly and some particular advanced techniques and weight loads raise it even more, although generally speaking concerns about blood pressure in weight lifting need not be overemphasized because there’s little evidence of a history of incidents. Some prescribed drugs, illegal drugs and social drugs like alcohol may also increase blood pressure.

Diabetes and Heart Disease

If you have diabetes, type 1 or 2, or various heart disease conditions you can probably still exercise but within certain limits. Again, your personal doctor and other attending health professionals such as dietitians may need to set limits, and they may order a stress test with an electrocardiogram (ECG) or echocardiogram, but not always.

Even so, this process should not concern you unduly if you are in reasonable health and just wish to get fit or do some body toning. However, if you are in doubt about any of the above conditions, the wisest course is to ask your doctor before you sign up for a gym membership or a personal training program. It makes sense doesn’t it?

References

Wingfield K, Matheson GO, Meeuwisse WH. Preparticipation evaluation: an evidence-based review. Clin J Sport Med. 2004 May;14(3):109-22.

Heart Foundation (Australia) Heartmoves Pre-Exercise and Referral Form, 2006.