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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Family watching gym class

41 replies

FlowersandElephants · 25/05/2025 22:24

I am fully willing to accept that IABU here.

I am a regular at the gym, Sunday mornings I do 2 classes. The first one is circuit training, there are usually 8-10 people.
For the last few weeks a new woman has been coming. The problem is, her husband/partner either stands at the door (holding it open) with their 2 kids (2 and 3 years old I would guess) or comes in and sits on the windowsill where we all put our stuff.

It just makes me uncomfortable but I don’t even know why! I don’t think a gym class is a place for children, for me, the gym is adult time.

OP posts:
MalcolmMoo · 26/05/2025 07:10

I’d speak to the gym staff. I’m surprised they’ve been allowed so far.

A lady tried to bring her kid to a gym class once and said the kid would just sit at the side with her toys but the instructor said no and sent them away! I just assumed this was the norm.

WhingeInTheWillows · 26/05/2025 06:41

The kids wouldn’t bother me if they were quiet and out of the way .A guy at my gym regularly brings his daughter, she sits out of the way reading. I wouldn’t like having a man watching and would complain, probably leave the class if nothing was done.

Original poster
FlowersandElephants · 26/05/2025 06:40

Womblingmerrily · 25/05/2025 23:08

I don't think there is any gym that I have been to that would allow this.

No one wants people staring at them like that.

They need to be asked to leave by the instructor - complain to the gym.

I’ll definitely speak to the manager next time I’m there.
The class instructor looked so uncomfortable and kept looking over at them so she could have said something afterwards.

OP posts:
LoudSnoringDog · 26/05/2025 04:09

Really weird.

TatteredAndTorn · 26/05/2025 03:49

That’s really weird and completely unacceptable. I would hate to be watched while exercising like that. I imagine it makes other women uncomfortable. Definitely speak to the instructor.

hedgerunner · 25/05/2025 23:16

Speak to the instructor. Surely young kids shouldn’t be in a gym or near gym equipment.

fluffiphlox · 25/05/2025 23:13

I hate it when people bring their kids to the gym. I don’t think I’d want an adult spectator. Talk to the gym owner or manager.

IReallyLoveItHere · 25/05/2025 23:09

That is weird. Maybe he's the driver so has to bring the kids and hang around, but still he could take them to the park or watch a movie in the car or something.

YANBU. Mention it to staff.

Womblingmerrily · 25/05/2025 23:08

I don't think there is any gym that I have been to that would allow this.

No one wants people staring at them like that.

They need to be asked to leave by the instructor - complain to the gym.

YourOnMute · 25/05/2025 23:05

I agree with the above. He either doesn't want to mind the children or he has to "watch" her. Neither sounds very healthy.
But as a gym class goer I wouldn't like that. It's not a spectator sport.

healthybychristmas · 25/05/2025 22:52

It sounds as though he is absolutely bloody useless at looking after the children on his own and/or doesn't trust his wife an inch. I would like the staff deal with it.

Dinosweetpea · 25/05/2025 22:28

YANBU, v weird.

Original poster
FlowersandElephants · 25/05/2025 22:28

Linked · 25/05/2025 22:25

It doesn’t sound like she is in a healthy relationship.

This was actually my first thought but I wasn’t sure if I was being a bit presumptuous

OP posts:
Temporaryname158 · 25/05/2025 22:27

I would speak to the gym staff as I agree, a private gym class isn’t a spectator sport and particularly not appropriate having little kids in there (an sure their insurance wouldn’t cover if they got injured)

WhyamIinahandcartandwherearewegoing · 25/05/2025 22:26

I would be complaining - it’s not a spectator sport! Poor woman though - sounds a bit off?

Linked · 25/05/2025 22:25

It doesn’t sound like she is in a healthy relationship.