Personal trainer using local park to train clients inside actual playground near children

[lucindalovescats]

I was dumbfounded this morning when I took my children to a big local playground in surrey to find a personal trainer teaching an adult man (who was obviously a client) using the play equipment.

She had large heavy metal dumb bells on the floor next to the swings and stretch equipment and a harness attached to the climbing frame.

It was 0830 am (took the kids early today as it's so hot) but there were already atleast 6-8 children playing with their parents so not empty.

I approached them and calmly said that the equipment was unsafe and was preventing the children from using the swings so could they please leave.

They didnt look embarrassed at all and said they were almost finished anyway.
After 15 minutes the man had left but the personal trainer was still there slowly pacing away equipment without a care in the world.
I must admit I lost my temper at this point and raised my voice to say it was completely illegal and unsafe for her to use the playground in this way and that I would be sending a photo of her to the local council. Not to mention it's a pandemic.

She was very brazen and told me I needed to calm down and take a muscle relaxant.

All the while no other parents said a word to back me up.
Why is that people dont say anything? That upset me as much as the situation did.

Or am I just an uptight cranky mum who needs to keep quiet?

I wasn't swearing IN a playpark, just a MN thread I don't like swearing and I don't see any need for it on an online forum where you have time to think about what you type. It's a bit different if you drop a kettle bell on your foot .

She was very brazen and told me I needed to calm down and take a muscle relaxant.

She's right

*their sorry

And honestly who do you think you are losing your temper and shouting at other grown adults because they don't say "how high?!" when you say "jump".

I’m a PT. she needs a licence from the council to train clients in the park

Depends on the council I would think - but I imagine all of them have realised it's a revenue stream by now. Never mind the fact that PTs and clients already pay council tax.

I think you were unreasonably wound up and a bit OTT in your manner but sounds actually quite wankerish behaviour on part of PT

Kids have been stuck inside for months unable to play in the way that they need to - playgrounds are one of the few spaces that exist for children in the public realm.

As it was early under normal circs I bet there's no-one there, though.

Most parks say children's equipment can only be used by children. My mother used to shout at big teenage louts using it when they shouldn't back in the 1960s and good for her.....

So it will depend on the park. this is one reason we may need resident park keepers again who get accommodation provided by the park in the house in the grounds. They were pretty good at enforcing rules.

Never mind the fact that PTs and clients already pay council tax.

Supposedly so does OP...

My local council has its licence fees set out very clearly. A set fee for the number of people in the class, added to which are multiples of the price per class, number of sessions a week, number of weeks, etc. Could easily be a few thousand.

Most parks say children's equipment can only be used by children.

I think that must depend on where you live. There are no such signs round here.

We're in different times to normal. My teens are this summer spending a lot of time hanging round parks (and yes, that includes playgrounds) because there isn't a lot else for them to do. As long as they don't get in the way of other playground users, I can't actually see a problem with that. Sounds like the PT might usually use a gym, but currently can't. If the OP had asked them to move so her child could use the swing, I suspect she might have got a different answer.

Illegal? - possibly
I know that some central London parks require you to have a licence for personal training (assuming its a business).
Look up any restrictions your local council has on people running for-profit businesses in their parks, or discuss with the parks department and get advice from them. Also, are there any restrictions on the playground area - such as under 16s only - ask about that too.
I imagine every council is different, so they will give you more appropriate advice that you'll get here.

I must admit, for 1:1 training I'd be less bothered than someone running a large fitness class.

It is an issue

1. She needs to have the correct insurance, and permission from the owner of the playground, ie the local council normally, often there is a small fee payable

2 the council will need to see sight of her risk assessment and her mitigating factors in not spreading anything, being close to play equipment is a factor 3 the council are highly unlikely to allow her to tie anything to their equipment as this could cause damage, they equipment will be regularly inspected, and there is a risk involved if her equipment breaks whilst it is being used

1. SD rules apply, so whilst she is using the equipment kids can’t as they should be two meters away

Selfish person and I would be reporting to the council

I'm amazed at the responses OP. You didn't word it brilliant but it's selfish, unprofessional and pushy for adults to be using children's equipment and dedicated play area for this (and the financial gain of the PT). Children have had a rough enough ride of it recently and should have protected play areas where they can let off steam and exercise safely.

I think AIBU has become a bullying ground for piling in with the opposite opinion to the OP and phrasing it to undermine and ridicule the OP.

YANBU at all and I would definitely have backed you up, OP.

Illegal? The OP sounds unhinged, give your head a wobble and take a chill pill of your choice, Karen.

I wonder why no one backed you up?

I'd be really annoyed at adults taking over the swings and climbing frame in a children's playpark!

As for the person who said there's loads of things open for children - if it is where you live then lucky you!
Where I am all our usual holiday activities are closed - children's museums, library, holiday clubs. We only have the park.

@TeaStory

All the while no other parents said a word to back me up.

They were probably cringing with embarrassment.

Exactly what I was thinking. I’d have quietly slunk off in this situation while rolling my eyes.

@jessstan2

What a lot of fuss about nothing. I'm sure there was room for the two of them and a few children, as you say there weren't many there at that hour (I can't imagine mine being up that early never mind out :-) unless I was going to work).

Really, has OP PM'd you the dimensions of the park or something? Difficult to see how you could have any idea whether there was enough room or not.

This issue has come up before. Our area is... not really the sort of place where this would happen. But if it had, I'd have allowed my children to use the equipment regardless and would have been delighted to explain why in great detail. You don't get to stop people using equipment provided for and funded by the public so you can make a profit from it. Any lip from the PT and I'd have had a chat with his clients about my concern that his insurance might not cover any incidents or injuries sustained from using gym equipment in a playground with kids present.

I mean you weren't wrong, but you also sound like you really fancied having a go at someone.

the personal trainer was still there slowly pacing away equipment without a care in the world.

She was packing it away, not doing circuits on the climbing frame. Does it matter how slowly she was doing it?

YANBU but perhaps your approach was a bit OTT.

I know a couple of PTs and they pride themselves in being considerate and not getting in other park users ways. They gain clients by people watching what they do and wanting to join in.

I can't believe a properly licensed PT would be allowed to use children's equipment in this way. I would absolutely be taking photos and reporting it to the council, if they have a licensing requirement.

I'm not sure if you think they were bu as they're not meant to take adults weight and / or if they didn't sanitise afterwards due to covid 19.
Inconsiderate if children struggled to use equipment but not a crime

Many parks don’t allow PT using play equipment or require the PT to apply for approval.

Have you tried logging it with 101 OP? 🙄

Someone less worthy was playing on the swings and you didn't like it as you wanted your kid to have a shot without waiting on them.

You decided your kid should have priority, dont deal with conflict well, used made up legalities and safety concerns to justify this, making a twat of yourself in the process.

Honestly, I'd be miffed my child couldn't play on the swings too, but would have suspected the PT was trying to make a living during Covid where she couldn't get into her gym and let her get on with it.

I don’t think two adults using play equipment at an off peak time is particularly unreasonable. They aren’t stopping any child using the equipment any more than any other normal use would.