Personal trainer using local park to train clients inside actual playground near children

[lucindalovescats]

I was dumbfounded this morning when I took my children to a big local playground in surrey to find a personal trainer teaching an adult man (who was obviously a client) using the play equipment.

She had large heavy metal dumb bells on the floor next to the swings and stretch equipment and a harness attached to the climbing frame.

It was 0830 am (took the kids early today as it's so hot) but there were already atleast 6-8 children playing with their parents so not empty.

I approached them and calmly said that the equipment was unsafe and was preventing the children from using the swings so could they please leave.

They didnt look embarrassed at all and said they were almost finished anyway.
After 15 minutes the man had left but the personal trainer was still there slowly pacing away equipment without a care in the world.
I must admit I lost my temper at this point and raised my voice to say it was completely illegal and unsafe for her to use the playground in this way and that I would be sending a photo of her to the local council. Not to mention it's a pandemic.

She was very brazen and told me I needed to calm down and take a muscle relaxant.

All the while no other parents said a word to back me up.
Why is that people dont say anything? That upset me as much as the situation did.

Or am I just an uptight cranky mum who needs to keep quiet?

[m0use]

Just out of curiosity - what law had they broken?

[LoopyLaRue]

It's a public space, what was the issue exactly?

[JudyGemstone]

You do need the calm down and take a muscle relaxant.

This is a complete non issue.

[Elastins]

“Completely illegal” - according to which law? Unsafe? In whose determination? According to which assessment? Against which criteria?

It absolutely was rude of them and extremely inconsiderate. I’d probably have said something myself.

But I think your reaction was a bit over the top tbh.

[Stompythedinosaur]

I'd agree that it's not on, but I'm not sure it's illegal.

[Nacknick]

how was it dangerous?

[chipsandpeas]

what was illegal about it

[lastqueenofscotland]

Curious as to what law has been broken here.

[Redcrayons]

Inconsiderate, yes. Illegal, no.

[fluffiphlox]

What are you afraid of exactly? Are we meant to know?

[Crocky]

You may find the council are already aware. There is a pt in our town that uses the park and a playground with the councils permission.

[cologne4711]

I don't actually see the problem other than if as adults they were in an enclosed children's play area. That might be against some local bylaw.

But anyone can use a park. Local councils try to extract more funds by charging PTs as they are running a business, but good luck proving it as it could be two friends out.

And you were completely out of order to threaten to take a photo.

[Fatted]

Bloody hell OP, get a grip. I have been in my local park at 9.30am with kids to find two local piss heads drinking a crate of Stella. I couldn't complain about people exercising.

[Crocky]

And PTs are allowed to be back at work so not sure why the pandemic is particularly relevant.

[Chesneyhawkes1]

Boris want us to loose weight and get fit 🤷🏼‍♀️

@Fatted 😂😂

[iVampire]

It’s very rude and inconsiderate of them, but unlikely to be illegal

It might beach byelaws or-park regulations, and it would be worth reporting to the council’s parks and recreation department as it is their job to sort out fair use of open spaces

[Spikeyball]

"It's a public space, what was the issue exactly?"

Attaching things to the climbing frame would be unsafe. There were probably a few council rules broken here. If it was adult with learning difficulties using the equipment as it is meant to be used I don't think there would be an issue but the playground shouldn't have been used for training in this way.

[ememem84]

What laws been broken?

You do need to calm down. They said when you approached them that they were nearly done. She packed up equipment.

I believe that to train clients in a public space you have to have a licence. (At least here where I am you do) so the trainer probably had permission to do this anyway. My trainer uses a local playground because there is gym equipment within the playground itself and we use the open space within the playground too for weights etc.

[cologne4711]

And PTs are allowed to be back at work so not sure why the pandemic is particularly relevant

Probably because anyone doing sport is sweaty and shedding the virus. I'm not actually sure how people think sweat spreads the virus - I am not in the habit of licking other people's sweaty arms or legs or anything!

[rawlikesushi]

I expect they usually go to the park early and are long gone before any kids turn up.

I'd be a bit irritated if they were preventing children from using the play equipment for a prolonged period, but it wouldn't bother me that they were there as such.

The other parents didn't say anything because you hugely overreacted, lied about it being illegal and just generally made yourself look like a bit of a fool.

[Fishfingersandwichplease]

I would see this as adults setting a good example to the kids - rather see that than a load of teenagers smoking and swearing in a park.

[ememem84]

And PTs are allowed to be back at work so not sure why the pandemic is particularly relevant

Probably because if you’re doing anything too “normal” we need reminding about the virus.

[IncandescentSilver]

I generally find its better to let the police enforce the law, as they know whats illegal and whats not. Was there a sign up stating that only children are allowed to use the area?

This country is very poor for adult exercise equipment and areas in parks.

There always seems to be someone moaning about someone else being outdoors and enjoying themselves - people moaning about other people using parks, or being on holiday, or parking to visit scenic spots, etc.. I think we all need to be a little more tolerant.

[cologne4711]

Attaching things to the climbing frame would be unsafe

Only if the climbing frame isn't securely fixed itself.

I think if the equipment is out in the park it's ok, if it's in an enclosed area for small children they were arguably selfish. But at that time in the morning they probably didn't think it would be too much of a problem.

[iklboo]

Not remotely illegal but incorrect strain / torsion on the playground equipment if they're hauling weight around on it may be a no-no.