Personal trainer using the playground as a gym

[ArtichokeAardvark]

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.

He shouldn't have been in there really, but if it's quiet then I can't imagine getting wound up enough to get involved.

It would be reasonable to ask him to move equipment, but policing the park if he's not hindering children's play seems a bit much for me personally. But then I find that most people will do things that are technically against the rules some of the time and most people have the common sense to know if and when it's worth pointing out rule breaking.

The point of municipal facilities like these are so that the general public can enjoy them. They're not there to provide opportunities for individuals who want to make money, unless by prior agreement in cases where the council can assess and agree on what's happening and receive a fee to (hopefully) plough back into the facilities.

Parks and play areas should be the one few outdoor areas where kids can be prioritised over adults and left to do their own thing (within reason)- that's why the council have gated off the play area, put in soft ground covering, left adequate space between the play equipment and installed benches for parents to sit on whilst they supervise. It's designed with the safety of the people the council are inviting to use the facilities in mind, i.e., excited children, supervised to varying degrees. One you add x2 adults doing vigorous exercise with skipping ropes, resistance bands, kettlebells, weights, rope ladders laid on the ground etc it changes the risk completely. The only person this benefits is the PT who doesn't need to pay to use the facilities or expend effort thinking of an alternative location.

If PTs etc want to use the park for sessions it would be best for everyone involved that they pay a fee, provide proof of their PL insurances, submit annual risk assessments and confirm they'll stick to an agreed set of terms of use like staying away from children's play parks or off-leash dog areas. Then everyone knows where they stand/squat.

Brillo that’s disgusting! Report to the council? Or the parish council, who are busybodies more likely to take action on local issues.

@TheBrilloPad that is another level! I would be fuming.

Thanks for your thoughts everyone. Interesting how divided opinions are. I can see how some of you find me petty, I guess I was particularly irritated by them because they'd deliberately come into a gated children's area (ignoring sign on the gate that forbids unaccompanied adults) and then the trainer saying he prefers using the playground to the dedicated exercise area. Just seemed to be taking the piss really. I use a PT myself and there's no way I'd be happy if he took me to work out where my toddler plays!

After so many of you suggesting I report him to the council, I had a look at my council's park guidelines. He's completely breaking the council bylaws, which allow for PTs to train in certain areas and with a permit, but not to use any of the park furniture, structures, equipment or even trees! So working out in the playground is definitely a no-no. I'm not planning on reporting him, it's more that I feel vindicated by this...!

Yanbu op, our local playground also has a sign up for under 12s, no dogs, bikes etc. Obviously teens use it in the evening as a hang out. Unfortunately we dont have the gym aspect but your park does and I'm assuming he wouldnt be covered by insurance if anything happened him, client or a child.

Brillo, that trainer sounds like an utter dick. I would be mortified to be one of those ladies continuing on a piece of equipment for children while they wait. Dont think it would entice me to train with him at all. I'm not a confrontational person but I would have been tempted to tell him to fuck off and report him.

Right or wrong, you sound like an incredibly precious busybody OP.

Yeah women sticking up for children, how dare they!
But then I don’t even like PTs in the gym, they (some of them) lay out all the equipment they want to use meaning no one else can till their session finishes.

Complete over reaction. How many children were using the area? My guess is none, given it’s term time
Strangest post on the thread. Playgrounds popular from under a year up!

Yanbu op. He's a cf.

Until recently I lived in a very built up inner city part of London. We had no outside space of our own. On a nice summer evening, we'd sometimes make the most of the weather by having a picnic dinner in one of the few green spaces nearby. This was ruined by a pt using the small park for an evening boot camp every evening. The peace of the park was ruined by his loud music and shouting. Really pissed me off.

well if u see him again op just tell him what the council states

Paid for by public money therefore anyone can use it.

Like schools.

The point of municipal facilities like these are so that the general public can enjoy them. They're not there to provide opportunities for individuals who want to make money

Yup

If there was an incident all hell would break loose.

Paid for by public money therefore anyone can use it.
Bollocks. Men’s and women’s toilets are not supposed to be used by anyone. Councils run baby groups and play groups and they could ask random adults who want to come to leave. Primary schools are paid for by the public and you may not just use them. Etc etc etc etc etc etc.

Take a photo of him - that might get him rattled

Antihop - parks are for everyone. Maybe not playgrounds but people have as much right to exercise as you do to chill

Jesus, OP. Get a life! What a sado, going around policing other people's behaviour. Literally no harm was done. You'd be a lot happier if you changed your attitude - try it!

I thought you were going to complain he was using the outdoor gym equipment for his training sessions and was going to say YABU.

But actually I'm with you. He should have been using that - not the toddlers play park.

All our local parks say for children under 12. Perhaps if yours doesn't ask the council to put some rules up.

Paid for by public money therefore anyone can use it.

Absolutely, but they are not to be used for profit.

People have the right to exercise but the trainers shouldn't profit from using council amenities.

One personal trainer with a client might get away with it, but one training a group of people not.

@SaltSpoon why thank you for that helpful, insightful and intelligent comment.

But even if not for profit, adults without children are not supposed to be in the playground.