To bend the truth on a gym membership health questionnaire?

[ArendelleQueen]

(This isn't one of those posters who is going to demand she's right because I suspect I am BU.)

The consultant involved in my treatment advised a gym programme. I've spent many months having weekly sessions in the hospital gym with a physio who specialises in my condition. I have been actively encouraged to join a gym and exercise alone.

I finally got around to joining and health questionnaire says that if you tick 'yes' to a certain question, you need a doctor's note. The question asks if you have a joint condition that is exacerbated by exercise. Technically, I do, but my condition is exacerbated by just being alive. If I say 'yes', my membership is frozen until I get that note.

WIBU to tick 'no' and just accept responsibility for my own health?

Yes. It's for insurance purposes and if you ever need their insurance, God forbid, you'll be glad you were honest. It also means they will be aware of your condition for PT sessions or if you need to cancel membership.

I have to do it too and it's a pain, but just get your consultant to fax over a note.

Will the physio contact the gym for you as she suggested it?

No, I don't think that's unreasonable. You must check if what you are doing is ok for you though.

In situations like this, I always feel that the right thing to do is to follow the spirit of the rule (make sure the exercise is good for your condition) rather than the letter of the rule (waste the doctor's time getting a note saying you should do something he has already advised you to do).

If it's eds hypermobility I totally get why you'd tick no. But for insurance purposes you must tick yes

I wouldn't bother to tell them as getting a doctors note will be a pain. I can see why they need it for insurance purposes but I don't see how that benefit you as they will exclude any claims you make if there is any chance your medical condition could have contributed.

I lied about my blood pressure as I couldn't be arsed with it - after a couple of years of twice a week at the gym, it's much better :)

I don't think you are and/or are not BU. The questionnaires are there to protect the gym from litigation. If you lie and something happens resulting in you getting injured, well, the gym has a get out clause. I wouldn't be surprised if this included injury resulting from something that had nothing to do with your condition (material facts and all that).

As long as you know the risk then it's up to you what you do. Can you get a note to take in prior to joining? My GP does telephone calls for this sort of thing (considered minor requests) and then you pick the note up from reception.