Fitness trainer requires letter from GP; GP refuses to provide letter?

[iragluz]

Hello!
I decided to go to a personal fitness trainer and she asks for a letter from my GP that I am fit to do sports. I called my GP and she said that they don't provide such letters. What am I supposed to do?
Has anyone encountered with this problem?
Many thanks!

How bizarre. Why would they need such letter? Surely you can judge for yourself if you are fit to exercise

Find another fitness trainer.

I can't see any NHS GP providing that kind of letter. If the trainer is insisting, find another trainer.

I can't imagine any doctor would do a letter like that.

Find a different personal trainer.

Have you some sort of condition/ previous injury you've discussed that puts you at extra risk?

Oh, I see, thanks! I told her that I have a knee problem, indeed I had a surgery abroad some time ago...

In my native country when you register yourself to a gym it is obligatory to go to your GP for basic checks like blood pressure etc. and your GP must provide letter, otherwise no gym will receive you. (I think this is because they don't want you to have a heart attack during the exercise and then your relatives claim them responsible).

That's why I thought it is the case in UK as well.

No its not something that is done here.

Unless you paid privately maybe

Your GP had no obligation to provide this on the NHS. It is possible to pay for ‘health checks’ from private providers like BUPA. Most trainers/gyms will advise that clients check with their doctor that they are fit enough to exercise and accept your word that you have done that. Anyone over 40 can get a ‘health check’ on the NHS, usually involves a blood test and an appointment with the practice nurse, but these routine appointments are currently not available due the the pandemic situation.

thanks!