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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Personal trainer using the playground as a gym

171 replies

ArtichokeAardvark · 13/05/2019 13:02

I don't think I was bring unreasonable here, but happy to be told otherwise...

Took DS to the playground this morning. As I arrived, I spotted a personal trainer and his client working out in the soft sand area. I looked around and couldn't see a buggy nearby, so it wasn't a new mum trying to get back in shape. He had left a kettle bell lying around right by the entrance to the park where it could easily be tripped over.

I watched crossly for a while, until they got one of those plastic sports skipping ropes out - those things whip through the air and could have really hurt a child if it caught them. I figured enough's enough, so went over and asked them to leave. The trainer got very defensive, said he uses the playground a few times a week and no-one else has ever complained. He likes the soft rubber flooring and using some of the kids play equipment for his sessions. He then said he wasn't endangering any children (he shut up when I pointed out the kettle bell lying around) and that the other mums there at the time didn't mind. Eventually, they left.

Was I right, or being precious? The playground is in the middle of a big common, which even has another area with free outdoor gym equipment. Surely it's inappropriate to have heavy weights lying around where toddlers are running riot? However he's right that the other mums had just been ignoring him.

OP posts:

lisalocketlostherpocket · 13/05/2019 13:25

Do you know if he has a licence from the council? If so, he will be paying for it, and they've obviously decided that his cash is more important than parents' council tax.

It would only bother me if he and his client were hindering access to the playground for the kids. Dogs off lead are a much bigger issue in playgrounds. Especially when they poo.

Original poster

ArtichokeAardvark · 13/05/2019 13:26

@PamelaX why thank you.

OP posts:

myhamster · 13/05/2019 13:26

A playground is for children to play in, not for adults, and some do have age limits . He is BU to run his business in a childrens playpark. He could use the open park if he wants but not an enclosed childs play area.

I agree that the council would probably have issues with him over insurance etc.

Just because nobody else ever said anything doesn't mean that they didn't mind.

spursheaven · 13/05/2019 13:28

My PT makes me work out in children park but it has to be empty or after 6/7pm

Hopoindown31 · 13/05/2019 13:29

He shouldn't be there. These parks are designed for children often under 12s not for personal trainers looking for free real estate. He's a CF.

Blueeyesdarkhair · 13/05/2019 13:30

Completely agree, in my local park there a long straight path along the top. I was having a lunch time stroll and was tutted at for ‘getting in the way’ of people with a trainer doing a fucking relay sprint, along the flat. Yes a fucking relay sprint.
Go and use race track. Public parks are not for the exclusive use of exercising folk.

ukgift2016 · 13/05/2019 13:31

Well done OP!

There was a park gym a few meters away but instead he chose to train in the children play area? What a strange man.

Jaxhog · 13/05/2019 13:32

there is a sign up outside saying no adults unless accompanied by a child.

I would have done the same. These playgrounds are funded for use by children, not for adults to use! It does seem a bit cheeky for a PT to be using it. He could damage the equipment. Even if there weren't any children using it then, they might also be put off if they see the PT.

sirfredfredgeorge · 13/05/2019 13:32

I agree that the council would probably have issues with him over insurance etc.

Most councils do not have any problems with individual trainers, many do require a permit once numbers get above 5 or so.

ChardonnaysPrettySister · 13/05/2019 13:33

He shouldn't be using a council run amenity for profit.

Some councils are cracking down at this, private trainers, dog trainers. dog walkers and so on.

clairemcnam · 13/05/2019 13:33

principally to stop adults playing on it as long term their weight can damage things
Although I don't disagree with the OP, I suspect this is not true. There are plenty of 14 year olds and younger who weigh the same or more than a short slim woman. And plenty of 12 year old boys are taller than me.

Divebar · 13/05/2019 13:33

I expect the exercisers would have no problem with children playing all over the gym equipment when they wanted to use it.

justarandomtricycle · 13/05/2019 13:35

He's in the children's play area without any children, and leaving weights around.

I'd be surprised if he can afford to be insured to make money doing that, because if he could afford those premiums he wouldn't have to work.

Clear cut in my opinion, YANBU.

PineapplesandtheGovernment · 13/05/2019 13:35

Yanbu. He can go over to the adult outdoor gym equipment

Original poster

ArtichokeAardvark · 13/05/2019 13:37

@Divebar I 100% agree with your point. My son is only 1 so haven't come across this personally but when I see mums letting their kids play on the outdoor gym bikes etc I think they are in the wrong too.

OP posts:

RussianSpamBot · 13/05/2019 13:40

If there's a sign saying no adults without an accompanying child then he was taking the piss. Even if there hadn't been, the kettle bell is dangerous.

ButtonMoonLoon · 13/05/2019 13:40

I’m with you in thinking this totally inappropriate- he’s ignoring the safeguarding sign that states adults shouldn’t enter the area without children, and that equipment is not intended for use by adults.

I’d consider reporting him to the council.

Getoffamycloud · 13/05/2019 13:40

YABU. Precious even; for all the reasons previously stated

RedSkyLastNight · 13/05/2019 13:41

If the playground had a notice saying "no adults without children" then I think it's fine to ask him to move.
Otherwise I think you are being a bit precious! Would you object to a child skipping in the playground? And a scooter (often randomnly abandoned by a child) is as likely to be a trip hazard as a kettlebell - do you object to these as well?

edwinbear · 13/05/2019 13:42

If there is one of those outdoor gyms, with specific gym equipment for use by exercising adults then YADNBU. I'm an advocate of live and let live, but if he had a more suitable alternative, it's bizarre he'd use the children's area. It would be like choosing to run in the dog exercise part without a dog.

Jenny17 · 13/05/2019 13:46

Everybody pays for the playground so everyone should be able to use it with priority given to children.

Seriously would you have told children who use the gym area for play to go to the playground?

I also suspect the adults not accompanied by children is a child safety thing not wanting child molesters at the playground.

As long as he wasn't hogging the area or preventing play I don't see a problem. I also don't think the dumbbell was an issue, most kids won't be able to pick it up and the ones that could attempt know better. Trip hazards are abundant.

Original poster

ArtichokeAardvark · 13/05/2019 13:49

To all those thinking I'm being precious about the skipping rope - there is a world of difference between a child's rope and the thin plastic sports skipping ropes. An adult also skips a lot faster and with more force than a child.

OP posts:

HollowTalk · 13/05/2019 13:50

I think it sounds as though you were in a foul mood and over-reacted. How busy was the playground? I can't believe they were doing those exercises when there were lots of kids running around.

stucknoue · 13/05/2019 13:52

There's a sign outside ours saying area is reserved for children under 12 and their carers because of similar issues - there's an outdoor gym provided elsewhere in the park for 12+

wellballstoyou · 13/05/2019 13:52

If theres a proper gym area, he shouldn`t have been there (and knew it).

Report to the council. Trainers have to have specific insurance for teaching etc in specific places and relating to skills/ courses studied.

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