AIBU to think 14 & 15 year olds should be allowed in the gym

[chewable24]

Our local council run leisure centre has just decided that 14 & 15 years old can no longer use the gym after 5pm despite their having purchased annual membership for use in the evenings. DD is not at school locally so cannot get to the local gym by 5pm. She is really disappointed. They say it is for insurance/liability reasons. I cannot understand why it is more of a risk after 5pm. Just wondered what other councils do and if there are valid reasons for this.

I agree with you.

Absolutely agree.

My ds 15 goes to a gym every day. Costs me £19.99 a month!!
Sounds like a cop out op.

Is anyone able to name any councils who offer gyms for this age then I can quote them to our local council and ask them to speak to them to learn how to get the necessary insurance and liability cover? Any other suggestions welcome to help our campaign as they have taken no notice of our MP who has written in support. DD paid £20 a month too which she was happy with as could go several times a week but is not worth it now she cant use it on a school day.

I've been in a few gyms where they let them in, they hog machines whilst not really doing anything don't get them with mates it's photo central. For people who want to get it done and gone it's a nightmare.

I've been in a few gyms where they let them in, they hog machines whilst not really doing anything don't get them with mates it's photo central. For people who want to get it done and gone it's a nightmare.

Oh, bore off. I've been going to the gym since I was 14 and I've worked my arse off the whole time. I refuse to believe you are frequently plagued by hoardes of machine hogging teenagers.

Heresme - I am sure there are some annoying 14-15 year olds but there will be some annoying 16-18 year olds too and older and they are not blanket banned. It is still hard to explain to Dd why she should suffer because some are silly or taking photos.

Our council gym (where I am a member) allows over 16s at any time, and 14-16s during "juniors sessions" (which I assume are during the day) and at any time if supervised by an adult.

Tbh it's the older gym users who go for a gentle walk on the treadmill and have a chat in the weights area which drive me mad! We have cheap over 55 membership deals for off peak use, so when I sometimes go during the day there are often loads of older people using the gym.

Oh, bore off.

We don't agree with you and are boring.

I've been there, not all.are taking insta photos ect or it's a group of lads round a machine watching Thier mate whilst each one gets one rep in .

I would have understood the insurance reasons however they are allowed in prior to 5pm so it doesn’t wash with me!

“Insurance” is bullshit. That’s not the reason. I’ll bet you everything I have it’s because the adult Gym users clock off work at 5 and head straight to the gym and they’ve complained about teenagers being on the equipment. Just like heresme.

Don’t children get their exercise at school?

Don’t children get their exercise at school?

Yes, and on the walk to school and on the walk home, and when they’re out of school too. Doesn’t mean they can’t be fully paid up members of the gym too. Do you object to all exercise for children outside of school or just the gym?

Insurance and liability? Sounds dubious to me.

Is it basically a money thing? Do the 14 and 15 year olds pay less?

I pay for an expensive gym and they have a day of the week where teens are allowed in. There are never many and usually supervised by a pet leading a class for them. However at times there are some over 16s and they do hog certain machines and just chat. It's annoying but if they pay their membership I can't complain

I've been in a few gyms where they let them in, they hog machines whilst not really doing anything don't get them with mates it's photo central. For people who want to get it done and gone it's a nightmare.

YANBU

Cough - PureGym Banbury -

This is total nonsense. Get your council to contact Glasgow City Council. Junior membership is from 14-18 and is £15 a month ( a total bargain as DS1 uses it 4 times a week)- that gives them access to the gym, all classes, pool and leisure suite
( sauna/ steam/ jacuzzi etc).

Insurance my arse.

And to PP rubbushing young people at the gym- DS1 is a serious rugby player and he and his best friend are as serious about the gym and fitness as any adult I know. And as tall.

14/15 year olds pay £20 per month and adults maybe £45 so there is a price difference although adults also get car parking included. Anyone able to name a council run leisure centre gym who allow teens after 5pm to help our campaign or PM if you don't want to give your location?? No they don't get exercise at school - just one hour of PE a week at this age!! Those on school buses and trains cant cycle or walk instead. Of course they can get exercise elsewhere to the gym but so can adults. Thank you

Makes more sense to police the gym floor than blanket ban I guess.

But if they have huge problems with teens clogging up the gym floor, I can see why they've limited them.

Is it by any chance run by Better Leisure?

I took out a junior membership for DS when he turned 11 earlier this year and wasn't told about any restrictions.

Recently they've decided that under 16s can only use the gym "unaccompanied" during off peak hours, during peak time ie after 5pm they have to be accompanied.

They tried to say it's so that u16s can go after school and basically have over an hour before it fills up with adults from work.

Which is fine if you go to a local school, but DS goes to one 45 minutes away so if he wants to go on a week night after school he can't unless I go too. I generally use the gym before work and fitness classes like spinning after work but he's not even allowed in the gym in if I'm the spinning room which is right beside it

Insurance sounds like a cop out.

Are the junior memberships cheaper? Is the gym busy at peak time? I can see why they might decide the cheap membership needs to be off peak as they'll lose more custom from adult regulars if they can't get on machines etc.

Ignore my questions in my post. My page had sat buffering for ages and just gone through.

I think the price difference makes a difference OP.

That's a big price difference.

I think it's money then and they're fobbing you off with crappy excuses about insurance. Presumably the t&cs are all on their side and say something vague and waffles about changing access hours if required?

I believe south Staffordshire have certain time slots for teens after 5pm. Should be on their websites. Try Codsall Leisure Centre/Wombourne leisure centre

At my gym 11-15 years olds can use the gym unaccompanied between 3-5 during the week

I guess it's because after 5 the gym gets a whole lot busier