1. In the following cases, identify the common medical emergency or injury and outline your response.
a) You are training a client, Tip Hoever, when 45 minutes into the session you begin to notice that he starting to act as if he is under the influence of alcohol. He is trembling and has slurred speech and poor coordination. Tip complains that he is tired and has a sever headache. As he attempts to sit down, Tip falls backward and is lying on the floor unconscious.
b) You are about to meet your client for a training session when you notice that he is stretching his calf muscle by placing one leg behind the other and pushing on a wall. On second glance, you notice that your client is actually pushing on a large window. As you walk over to warn him, the glass gives way and your client receives multiple cuts to his hands and wrists. As he turns, he holds up his wrists and appears panicked. He is bleeding profusely from his wrists and blood gets on your hands, face, and clothes.
2. Write out an action plan for the medical emergencies and injuries that you are likely to encounter in your daily work. You can use the information as a reference, to role play, or to review as needed.
3. Case Analysis: Analyze the following situation and describe (a) the argument the plaintiff would most likely pursue, (b) the argument the defendant would most likely pursue, (c) the rationale a judge might use to decide the case, and (d) what could have been done to reduce the risk of liability.
Weeble vs. ReallyFit Personal Training Services
Robert Weeble, who is a client of ReallyFit Personal Training Services, dislocated his shoulder during a personal-training session with
Doug Bunker as Mr. Weeble's home gym. Doug had asked Mr. Weeble to find two pieces of wood glued together in his garage. Doug examined the wood, placed it on the floor, and said "This will do!" During the squat exercise, the wood cam unglued and Mr. Weeble fell down and dislocated his shoulder.
4. For each of the following situations, describe how you could lower your risk of being found legally responsible if an injury occurred.
a) When a client complains that her new shoes hurt her feet, you say, "It takes a couple of workouts to break in a good pair of shoes.
b) While personal training at a health club, you notice that the clamps that keep the weights on the barbell are getting rusty and loose. You mention their condition to the fitness director, but continue to use them.
c) You are about to begin a 5-mile jog with a client when the client invites a neighbor to join you. The neighbor is not your client.
d) You receive new business cards stating that you are a certified personal trainer and that you provide exercise prescriptions.
5. Generally speaking, what is the best way to get started as a personal trainer and learn about the fitness industry? Provide reasons to support your choice.
6. Explain how doing each of the following can help a trainer attract new clients.
a) Spending extra time on the fitness floor
b) Offering small-group training sessions for three to five participants
c) Leading step-training and yoga classes as part of the facility's group fitness schedule
d) Creating an adherence program for current clients