Is an intake summary sent to the client?

No. It is for your own file, read before the first program and whenever you need the full picture again.

What should happen with a yes on the health screen?

Mark it as needing medical clearance before starting or before raising intensity. When uncertain, err toward clearance.

Where does Fenlio keep injuries and allergies?

On the client's record, each in the client's own words with the note it came from, and each waits for you to confirm it.

Templates

Client intake summary template for fitness coaches

A client intake summary is the one page a coach reads before writing a new client's first program.

Have Fen write yours Or copy the outline

What goes in it

It records goals in the client's own words, the health and safety screen exactly as answered, where they are starting, the life around their training, what could get in the way and what already works. Anything the intake does not cover is written as not recorded, and any screening yes is marked for clearance.

One page, under 400 words.

1
Client
Their name as your notes give it, and how they came to you if stated.
2
Goals, in their words
Each goal as the client put it, and why it matters to them where they said so.
3
Health and safety
Conditions, injuries, medications, allergies and screening answers exactly as recorded. Mark each one that needs clearance before starting or raising intensity. Write 'Not recorded' for anything the intake does not cover.
4
Where they are starting
Current activity, training history and any baseline measurements, only as stated.
5
Life around the training
Schedule, sleep, work, who cooks, equipment access, what they enjoy and what they dislike.
6
What could get in the way
Barriers and past attempts, in their words.
7
Already working
Habits they already keep that the program can build on.
8
Ask before the first program
What the intake leaves open that the first program needs, starting with any screening question left unanswered.

When to send it

After a new client's intake form and consult, before the first program.
When a client returns after a long break and the old intake is out of date.
When a client is handed from one coach to another.

Common mistakes

Writing 'none' where the intake simply did not ask.
Calling a client cleared. Coaches screen and refer; physicians clear.
Paraphrasing goals until they stop sounding like the client.
Leaving out what already works, which the first program should build on.

Why it works

An intake session runs rapport, the PAR-Q and medical history, a lifestyle questionnaire, baseline measurements, then goals, and closes by recapping what you learned.
NFPT, How to do client intake sessions
A good intake covers goals, current eating, training and sleep, past attempts, measurements, support at home, health needs and allergies, pain, and readiness to change.
Precision Nutrition, Client intake form for health coaches
A YES on the PAR-Q+ means medical clearance or guidance before starting or before progressing intensity. When uncertain, err toward clearance.
NASM, The PAR-Q+, a trainer's guide to pre-participation screening
Pre-participation screening keys referral to current activity, signs or symptoms of cardiovascular, metabolic or renal disease, and the intensity the client wants.
Riebe et al. 2015, ACSM pre-participation screening (summary)

Copy the outline

Paste it into any document.

CLIENT INTAKE SUMMARY

Client
[Their name as your notes give it, and how they came to you if stated.]

Goals, in their words
[Each goal as the client put it, and why it matters to them where they said so.]
1. 
2. 
3. 

Health and safety
[Conditions, injuries, medications, allergies and screening answers exactly as recorded. Mark each one that needs clearance before starting or raising intensity. Write 'Not recorded' for anything the intake does not cover.]
1. 
2. 
3. 
4. 

Where they are starting
[Current activity, training history and any baseline measurements, only as stated.]
1. 
2. 
3. 
4. 

Life around the training
[Schedule, sleep, work, who cooks, equipment access, what they enjoy and what they dislike.]
1. 
2. 
3. 
4. 

What could get in the way
[Barriers and past attempts, in their words.]
1. 
2. 
3. 

Already working
[Habits they already keep that the program can build on.]
1. 
2. 
3. 

Ask before the first program
[What the intake leaves open that the first program needs, starting with any screening question left unanswered.]
1. 
2. 
3. 
4.

Let Fen write it

1
Bring the client's record
Their intake, check-ins and messages, pasted, dropped or imported into that client's record.
2
It can't make up a number
Every weight, date and figure Fen writes is checked against the client's own words, and a load or macro target is computed from your rules. One with no source is flagged, never guessed.
3
You decide what goes out
At default settings nothing reaches a client until you press. Email replies go out from your own Gmail when you press Approve and send.

Questions

Is an intake summary sent to the client?: No. It is for your own file, read before the first program and whenever you need the full picture again.
What should happen with a yes on the health screen?: Mark it as needing medical clearance before starting or before raising intensity. When uncertain, err toward clearance.
Where does Fenlio keep injuries and allergies?: On the client's record, each in the client's own words with the note it came from, and each waits for you to confirm it.