If a client's blood pressure reading is >145/94, what should the trainer advise?

When a client's blood pressure reading is greater than 145/94, it indicates that the client is likely experiencing hypertension, which may necessitate caution before engaging in physical activity. The recommended approach in this situation is to wait for a brief period—usually about five minutes—and then reassess the blood pressure. This allows time for any potential temporary increases in blood pressure due to stress or physical exertion to normalize, providing a more accurate reading for assessment.

Reassessing after a short wait can help determine if the reading was an anomaly or indicative of a more persistent hypertensive state. If the follow-up reading remains high, further evaluation and possibly deferral of exercise until the client consults with a healthcare professional might be warranted.

Proceeding with testing or exercise without reassessing might risk the client's safety if their hypertension is significant. Additionally, this approach avoids potentially unnecessary stress or effort on the client's part if their blood pressure does not normalize. Hence, the wait-and-reassess strategy promotes a measured and safe approach to personal training in the context of elevated blood pressure.