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 when working with a client with a chronic disease and how to determine 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 if you’re ready to work with the client sitting in front of you during the fitness consultation. Referring a potential client to a colleague shows professionalism and helps you avoid negligence if you are unprepared to train a client and they are injured. 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 line of dialogue about what is happening to their body before and during a session, and what positive outcomes are possible. What’s important, should you find yourself in this position, is that you 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 ConsultationWhen working with a potential client with a chronic disease, it’s important to remember the steps this client took to reach out and attend 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 the potential client, communicating your comfort level and an action plan for providing an exercise program can help build trust in this 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. FitFixNow - CLICK HERE. Facebook - CLICK HERE.Instagram - CLICK HERE.Fitness Builder Conference - ⁠⁠CLICK HERE. ⁠⁠Join our email list - ⁠CLICK HERE.⁠KIPS on Instagram -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CLICK HERE. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠KIPS Education Courses -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CLICK HERE. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Podcast Chapters

- KIPS Podcast Welcome

- Referring Out Clients

- Christine Conti's Background

- CEO of FitFixNow

- Journey with a Chronic Disease

- Fitness Consultation Tips

- Onboard or Refer Out?

- Goal Setting

- Education Resources