Home » The KIPS Podcast » Essentials of Chronic Disease During the Fitness Consultation feat. Christine Conti

You quickly understand that there is no blueprint for a successful fitness consultation and that no two clients have the same health history. In most entry-level personal trainer certification courses, a special populations chapter covers the basics of working with clients with chronic diseases or illnesses. There is so much more that goes into working with clients who are going through or have gone through being diagnosed with a chronic disease or illness. Podcast guest Christine Conti, M.Ed., provides insight into fitness consultations with clients living with chronic disease and on determining whether to refer out or add this new potential client. Christine Conti shares her journey of being diagnosed with a chronic disease in her 30s, switching from investment banking to the fitness industry, and owning FITFITNOW, a continuing education company for health & fitness professionals.

Should You Be Referring Out?

An important question to ask yourself as a fitness professional is whether you’re ready to work with the client sitting in front of you during the fitness consultation. Referring a potential client to a colleague demonstrates professionalism and helps you avoid liability if you are unprepared to train an injured client. On the other hand, there’s no harm in working with a client who is unsure how their body is being affected and in opening a dialogue about what is happening to their body before and during a session, and what positive outcomes are possible. If you find yourself in this position, it’s essential to research and inform yourself to the best of your ability and ensure that you are well-suited to guide this potential client through an exercise program.

As Christine shares, it’s essential that a fitness trainer first have their primary certification. This provides a knowledge base and helps them understand how to guide clients through a structured program safely.

Communication During the Fitness Consultation

When working with a potential client with a chronic disease, it’s important to note the steps they took to reach out and schedule a fitness consultation. As mentioned in other KIPS Blogs, the fitness professional should listen during the consultation and try to break down any barriers to exercise with the client. If you plan to move forward with a potential client, communicating your comfort level and an action plan for delivering an exercise program can help build trust in the client-trainer relationship. 

Christine mentions that chronic disease or illness is more than cancer, and more common conditions, such as arthritis, anemia, or bulimia, all have different exercise conditions. This means the body reacts to exercise differently, so altering your program may be necessary. 

Is Exercise Appropriate?

There are many ways to conduct a fitness consultation, but not all require a portion in which the client performs various exercises on the gym floor. The decision to take your client onto the gym floor should be based on the fitness professional’s comfort level and the quality of the conversation during the initial portion of the consultation. If a potential client is opening up about their condition and why they are seeking a fitness trainer, you do not want to interrupt them by moving on to the gym floor. Getting your potential client to share is the best outcome, and continuing the conversation will only improve your chances of adding a new client.

If you feel comfortable adding an exercise portion, have a plan to improve your program design. If taking your potential client through a basic assessment helps you gather valuable knowledge, proceed however you feel fit.

Christine is an international fitness educator, chronic disease wellness specialist, and IDEA World 2023 Fitness Instructor of the Year recipient. She is the CEO of FITFIXNOW, founder of ContiFit, COO of Reinventing the Woman International, and Co-Host of the Two Fit Crazies and a Microphone Podcast. Christine is the best-selling author of SPLIT-SECOND COURAGE, a corporate wellness consultant, and a keynote speaker. When she is not traveling, you will find her running marathons, competing in IRONMAN, or guiding triathlons for Special Olympic athletes. After receiving a life-changing diagnosis at age thirty, this former investment banker/English teacher believes that ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE!