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Original poster

Would you worry if your child couldn't do the monkey bars?

60 replies

LimitedBrightSpots · 27/04/2025 21:31

Would you worry about your 7yo's fitness levels if they couldn't do the monkey bars in a playground? How would you go about building up their fitness to be able to do them? Child wants to.

OP posts:
Bonsaibaby · 27/04/2025 21:32

Have you tried them? They’re hard!! It takes practice and you can start by holding them up slightly to guide them.

PurpleThistle7 · 27/04/2025 21:35

my son couldn’t do them until after he was 8 and he’s super fit - lots of football and running around however so not a lot of arm strength. If they want to just encourage them to try and do it - hold on as long as possible, hold them up a bit and gradually let go, etc and they’ll get it eventually.

RosesAndHellebores · 27/04/2025 21:37

I couldn't do the monkey bars
DD can't do the monkey bars (26)
DS couldn't and was v v sporty.
No idea about DH but he was v v sporty.

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7 year olds Exercise & fitness Fitness
BlondiePortz · 27/04/2025 21:38

I couldn't do the monkey bars not sure why that is an issue

NeverDropYourMooncup · 27/04/2025 21:38

Same way as an adult would learn to do pull ups - first get them up there and able to hang for a few moments, then use their back muscles (it's not arm strength) to strengthen their hold. Over time, they get more secure and able to reach for the next bar and 'pull it to them'.

thistimelastweek · 27/04/2025 21:39

I wouldn't give a fig. (Just avoided the cheap joke there.)
Seriously. If the child really wants to do it, let them practise and figure it out for themselves.

Comedycook · 27/04/2025 21:39

I'm not sure it's just about fitness but also upper body strength...my ds could do them but my DD never was able to

TeenLifeMum · 27/04/2025 21:39

I have 3 DDs and only one could do them. She’s also the lightest and was always a climber.

SeriouslyStressed · 27/04/2025 21:41

My DS10 wanted to do the monkey bars and was very frustrated that he couldn’t. I fitted an indoor pull up bar in a doorway at home and he practiced dangling off it for longer and longer. Then he started letting go one hand at a time, briefly swapping hands.

A few months later and he makes monkey bars look easy and he’s so proud of himself

ByOliveViper · 27/04/2025 21:42

No, I wouldn't worry. My strongest children can't do them as they're quite solid (though not overweight) The youngest who is a total waif can. I think being lighter is more important that being muscular. You don't see many heavy muscular people doing calisthenics

Branleuse · 27/04/2025 21:43

Ive never been able to do them

intrepidpanda · 27/04/2025 21:44

I was very sporty as a child
Could never run or do monkey bars.

ManchesterLu · 27/04/2025 21:44

I've been at varying levels of fitness at different stages of my life (including very fit!), and I have never been able to do the monkey bars.

mindutopia · 27/04/2025 21:45

My 7 year old can only just about do them and it’s hard. I think that’s quite impressive. I sure as hell can’t do them.

LyingWitchInTheWardrobe · 27/04/2025 21:45

I thought the 'bleep test' was the gold standard of fitness?

MintTwirl · 27/04/2025 21:46

Nope, only one of my 3 has been able to master them. I’ve spent a lot of time idly watching kids at parks(while mien are playing) it seems pretty common for dc to not be able to do them,

Barrenfieldoffucks · 27/04/2025 21:46

All 3 of mine are very fit...the oldest can only do them now that she has been training for rowing for years (she's 14 now), the middle has been able to do it for years despite not being anywhere near as sporty because he is very long, lean and light. Youngest os very strong and fit, but can't do them yet.

ChompinCrocodiles · 27/04/2025 21:48

ByOliveViper · 27/04/2025 21:42

No, I wouldn't worry. My strongest children can't do them as they're quite solid (though not overweight) The youngest who is a total waif can. I think being lighter is more important that being muscular. You don't see many heavy muscular people doing calisthenics

Yes this.

Of my eldest two dc, ds1 was very tall and thick set (not overweight but always at the upper end of 'normal') and ds2 was a skinny slip of a thing at the other end of the spectrum, constantly bordering the underweight/normal line.

Ds1 couldn't do monkey bars at all, ds2 was an absolute whizz at them from 3 years old.

Ds3, body type wise is pretty much bang in the middle of ds1 and 2. And he can do monkey bars but not very well 😂

JackieDaytonaLuckyBrews · 27/04/2025 21:48

The monkey bars are a technique thing as well as strength. I could do them over and over as a child (had the blisters to show for it) and could do double and triple bar length swings. Tried to do them not long ago as a fit adult (gym and weightlifting) and was absolutely bloody useless 😑 😂 so no, I wouldn't be concerned.

Downbadatthegym · 27/04/2025 21:55

Contrary to all the sporty people who can’t do them, they are easy for me. I have a small frame and was always lighter than my peers as a child. I don’t think it’s anything to worry about if he can’t do them.
I was always picked last for sports teams so it’s definitely not a sign of sporting prowess!

YourSnugHazelTraybake · 27/04/2025 21:55

My 7 yr old grandson can, but he's been climbing and hanging off everything within reach since he was a toddler. He's always the one up a tree, or hanging off a fence, or walking along a wall. He's also very outdoorsy and we've been lucky enough to live near several parks with an excellent range of play equipment.its definitely a combination of technique as well as strength and grip, and as pp said being slight is a major advantage.

Tbrh · 27/04/2025 21:58

It's good you recognise this, work on their upper body strength and core and they should be able to do it eventually. It's shouldn't take too long. Playing and climbing at the playground is good practice

LoveBluey · 27/04/2025 22:03

2 kids at school have fallen off monkey bars and broken their arms in the last 6 months so I’m actually quite relieved mine can’t do them!

Don't think it’s indicative of general fitness really. Mine is very active in other ways.

Original poster
LimitedBrightSpots · 27/04/2025 22:03

BlondiePortz · 27/04/2025 21:38

I couldn't do the monkey bars not sure why that is an issue

DC wants to be able to do them. And I was musing over whether being able to do the monkey bars is a sign of a good level of fitness in a child.

OP posts:
Gogo509 · 27/04/2025 22:04

LimitedBrightSpots · 27/04/2025 21:31

Would you worry about your 7yo's fitness levels if they couldn't do the monkey bars in a playground? How would you go about building up their fitness to be able to do them? Child wants to.

No