ACSM Personal Trainer Certification Practice Exam

In the Stages of Change model, at which stage is an individual not ready to exercise?

1. Pre-contemplation

2. Preparation

3. Action

4. Maintenance

The correct answer is: Pre-contemplation

In the Stages of Change model, the pre-contemplation stage is characterized by individuals who are not yet considering exercise or making any changes to their behavior. These individuals may be unaware of the benefits of physical activity, or they may acknowledge that exercise is beneficial but feel they are not ready to start. The key aspect of this stage is that there is no intention to take action in the foreseeable future, which distinguishes it from other stages where individuals are at least contemplating or preparing to change their habits. Individuals in the preparation stage are considering making a change and might even be taking initial steps towards incorporating exercise into their routine. In the action stage, individuals are actively engaging in exercise, and in the maintenance stage, they are working to sustain their exercise habits over the long term. So, pre-contemplation clearly represents the stage where a person is not ready to exercise, focusing instead on raising awareness and understanding of the benefits of exercise before making any commitment to change.