In which stage of change is a client if they acknowledge the need for a gym membership but express concerns about appearance and injury?

The client is in the contemplation stage of change. In this stage, individuals recognize that there is a need for change—in this case, the acknowledgment of needing a gym membership to support their health and wellness goals. However, they may still experience ambivalence or mixed feelings about taking action due to concerns, such as worries about their appearance and the risk of injury. This self-awareness and the acknowledgment of both the pros and cons of making a change is a hallmark of the contemplation stage.

In contrast to the contemplation stage, the precontemplation stage involves a lack of awareness or denial about the need for change. The preparation stage would involve taking concrete steps toward the change, such as signing up for the gym, while the maintenance stage would relate to sustaining the change over time after it has been established. Therefore, the contemplation stage best fits the scenario where the client is weighing their desire to change against personal concerns.