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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To let almost 6year old DS use my treadmill?

31 replies

Shutupanddrive · 20/09/2011 17:47

Before you flame me, I would only let him walk on it and he would be supervised by me the whole time, which would probably only be a few mins. I know children shouldn't really use adult gym equipment but I can't see any harm in doing this. I haven't allowed him yet by the way, just wanted some opinions first!

OP posts:
freybean · 20/09/2011 17:49

really can't see what the problem is tbh

BluddyMoFo · 20/09/2011 17:51

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

A1980 · 20/09/2011 17:52

They're age limited for a reason. I personally wouldnt. I think moving platforms and children are a bad mix. What if he suddenly stops walking or trips? Children don't always listen or follow your instructions.

Why not just take him for a walk? He can add some running in with too if he wants.

MiseryBusiness · 20/09/2011 17:55

I'm not sure I would, with the platform moving - I used to work in a Gym and I've seen adults fall over on them.
Maybe take him down the local park to run around?

Original poster
Shutupanddrive · 20/09/2011 18:02

Thanks for replies, we do go to the park and for walks. I just thought with all this rain and dark nights drawing in, that maybe he could do 10 mins on treadmill if he wanted to. He is a bit on the chubby side (though he is the shortest in his class so probably not too overweight for his age iyswim). He does swimming and football after school, I just wanted to get a bit more exercise in!

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Sirzy · 20/09/2011 18:06

I wouldn't, I certainly wouldn't let him do it for "exercise" as that seems to grown up a form of exercise if that makes sense!

Children should get exercise from being children not from a gym!

Original poster
Shutupanddrive · 20/09/2011 18:13

He would be doing it for fun, and obviously only if he wanted to, not me telling him to do it for exercise. He just asked if he could have a go after seeing me on it

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Upwardandonward · 20/09/2011 18:16

YABU I think - I've seen an eight year old with massive grazes down the front of their legs from a treadmill.

heleninahandcart · 20/09/2011 19:17

YABU no way should a 6 yr old use a treadmill. First because of safety reasons and second because he should be getting enough exercise elsewhere.

Original poster
Shutupanddrive · 21/09/2011 11:37

Hmm looks like iabu then, not that I have let him on it yet, wanted to get some opinions first. Thanks for replies, I think he will have to wait until he is older then

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BettySwollocksandaCrustyRack · 21/09/2011 11:40

I cant see the harm in it to be honest as long as he is going quite slowly and you are supervising the whole time......my DS went on the treadmill in the gym when we were on holiday and he loved it. He was 8 at the time, I was right next to him and he went at a sensible speed....he actually walked/jogged a substantial distance and he didnt even have the decency to look puffed out.

However, I am quite liberal, I do a lot of pole fitness and have a pole at home....DS loves that too and it has done wonders for his strength!

squeakytoy · 21/09/2011 11:40

I think the advice about children and gym equipment is more for weight lifting machines, rather than just a treadmill. Obviously it should only be used under supervision by a child of 6 anyway.

He only wants a go.. he doesnt want to to five miles a day on it I assume! let him have a go..

Carrotsandcelery · 21/09/2011 11:43

I would be extremely cautious. My friend's dd made a terrible mess of her legs on her mum's one. She had huge flaps of skin hanging off her knees. It was horrific. She was older too and is a very sensible girl. She just lost her concentration and that was it.

Do you have an exercise bike? That might be safer for a little one.

Original poster
Shutupanddrive · 21/09/2011 11:43

Hi thanks yes he would only be walking slowly on it, so I thought it would be ok tbh

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TrinityRhino · 21/09/2011 11:44

all my 3 girls have a go on our treadmill and have done since last year so they were 3, 5 and 10

they dont think they are exercising

they just like to do it

they know I use it as jogging normally troubles my knackered knees but the treadmill is a different way of jogging that doesn't trouble my knees as much

I'm always there and they have the safety hook thing on and dont run, just jog or walk

BettySwollocksandaCrustyRack · 21/09/2011 11:46

Any exercise is good for kids at the end of the day....anything that gets them off the sofa, off their consoles is a winner in my eyes as long as they are safe!

Original poster
Shutupanddrive · 21/09/2011 11:46

carrots I assume she was running on it to do that much damage? My ds would only be walking. I don't have an exercise bike. He has his own bike to go outside on though too

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Original poster
Shutupanddrive · 21/09/2011 11:47

Thanks trinity yes it does have one of those safety clips, I had forgotten about that as I don't use it myself

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GwendolineMaryLacey · 21/09/2011 11:57

I can't see it's a problem tbh. As long as he's supervised so doesn't end up in some comedy sprawl and as long as you're not making him do an hour on full whack. If he's having a go every so often I can't see why not.

ViolaTricolor · 21/09/2011 12:00

Hmm, I went flying off a treadmill once because I dropped my iPod and instinctively looked over my shoulder, it was incredibly unpleasant. Your DS may have more focus and self control than I do though.

Carrotsandcelery · 21/09/2011 13:15

Shut I am not sure but I imagine she must have been jogging at least. She was in quite a mess and it took months to heal. Luckily her mum is a medic so could tend to it properly and she has no scars now.

I would supervise closely and keep it on a low speed. Can you make sure he can't reach the speed controls?

I do see your point about kids getting exercise when the weather is poor. Mine go out in cold and rain but when it is blowing a gale it is not a clever idea.

Do you have a wii? Many of the games on that are more physical (eg Dance ones, family trainer, wii fit) and they don't realise they are exercising - they are just having fun which is how it should be for a child.

HeidiKat · 21/09/2011 16:01

YANBU if he will be supervised, true there is a small chance he could get hurt but surely that's equally true of his after school football, plenty of footballers break bones, ligaments etc and nobody stops their kids from playing football because of the risk.

TandB · 21/09/2011 16:06

I wouldn't. I veered very slightly to the side on a treadmill in the gym and it sent me flat on my face and off the back. I took patches of skin off both knees and one of my arms.

Laquitar · 21/09/2011 16:17

I understand about the rain and dark evenings but what about afterschool clubs?

Apart from the safety issue my worry would be that the child might conclude that exercise is boring and chore-like. A sport activity will teach him that it is fun.

Original poster
Shutupanddrive · 21/09/2011 16:39

Hi laquitar he does have swimming after school on a wed and football on a fri already, and I'm only considering it as he asked if he could have a go on it really. Am quite shocked at the amount of people that said they have been injured though I assume they must have been running, and ds would only be walking

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