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Original poster

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

340 replies

lucindalovescats · 07/08/2020 11:25

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?

OP posts:
BestZebbie · 07/08/2020 13:15

I agree with the OP - the play equipment is provided a) for children, and b) so that they can use it as a free-of-charge exercise/play resource. It is not provided using council money so that adults can siphon off some of that availability to make private profit for themselves, whilst blocking children from using it. It sounds as if she wasn't even just blocking one item, but swings plus frame, which is likely to be about 40% of the whole provision for a typical playground.

iVampire · 07/08/2020 13:16

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

Quite a few posters seem to be overlooking this big of the opening post

Stellakent · 07/08/2020 13:18

I didn't ignore the early part of the post but the OP overreacted when she thought that the PT wasn't packing up quickly enough. Way OTT

FatCatThinCat · 07/08/2020 13:18

I can't imagine giving something so petty any head space. I wouldn't have backed you up either OP. I'd have been thinking you had a screw loose.

Haenow · 07/08/2020 13:20

Your attitude and reaction is way OTT but no, adults shouldn’t be using children’s play equipment.

Jellybeansincognito · 07/08/2020 13:21

Gosh op. It’s a public playground not your back garden or private property.

If you felt that unsafe you could’ve gone home.

PiataMaiNei · 07/08/2020 13:21

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

Read the OP again. They were blocking anyone from playing on the swings.

Spidey66 · 07/08/2020 13:23

Dunno about illegal but agree it was stupid and inconsiderate, and I'm not a parent.

Our local park has adult fitness equipment (not outdoor gym as such, no treadmills etc but has monkey bars etc) for this purpose.

A lot of trainers do carry out group exercise classes in our park (like military fitness type groups) but this does appear to be arranged in consultation with the council, as the trainer has a van and only emergency services and those with agreed access can drive in the park as the vehicle access is locked. This guy has a key to get in to drive his van in with equipment. But he doesn't use the kids playground! Especially during the school holidays and I agree 8.30 is perfectly acceptable to bring the kids during a heatwave.

Mooballs · 07/08/2020 13:24

With respect you sound rather unhinged.

LongAndWhiningRoad · 07/08/2020 13:24

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

I was with you up to this point. If it's a playground with slides and swings etc. then it's for kids. Adults using it to work out is inconsiderate.

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

This is the bit where you went totally overboard.

iklboo · 07/08/2020 13:24

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

That bit was fine. It's this but that's OTT.

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.

IceCreamSummer20 · 07/08/2020 13:24

She was very brazen and told me I needed to calm down and take a muscle relaxant. She is being a complete CF! It is her business and she is using the children’s area, completely not on, and really rude too. I’d have done the same OP. Especially if they had weights etc - report to the council and let them deal with it.

butterpuffed · 07/08/2020 13:25

@iVampire

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

Quite a few posters seem to be overlooking this big of the opening post

But may have read in the opening post that she also said she lost her temper, which wouldn't have helped her.
IceCreamSummer20 · 07/08/2020 13:25

But yes I wouldn’t have shouted at her! There is no need to be aggressive ever unless you are in danger.

PiataMaiNei · 07/08/2020 13:27

Gosh op. It’s a public playground not your back garden or private property.

It being a public playground is the reason why the PT was taking the piss in the first place...

Spidey66 · 07/08/2020 13:28

Actually it's not ''a lot.'' One trainer does regular large military fitness classes, and there's a few smaller ones, yoga/pilates type groups. There's also tennis/basketball courts and classes and football sessions (there was Aussie Rules and rugby but not seen that for a while, assume due to covid). But ''my'' park, ie the one I take the dog is technically speaking classed as a 'recreation ground'' as opposed to ''park'' and i think exercise groups and classes is one of the thinks that differentiates them.

ChibiTotoro · 07/08/2020 13:29

I'd report the facts to the Council. Some councils even charge personal trainers for use of the park itself. I doubt the council would permit adults to use the play equipment as they would likely be too heavy for it and thus cause damage.

Illuyanka · 07/08/2020 13:30

At our local playground, it clearly states that the play equipment areas are for use of under certain aged children. So, not sure about the law, but if it was in our playground, they are definitely breaking local rule.

daisypond · 07/08/2020 13:32

Sounds to me that the “PT” is untrained, unlicensed, doesn’t have the relevant qualifications or certification, couldn’t get a licence or didn’t want to pay for one - which could be thousands in my local council’s case, for using a park to run a business from - probably uninsured, as there is no way a council would agree to them using a playground (not a park). People like that are a danger to other people. Not illegal, though - that’s not the right term. There are many, many PTs working out of my local park. They never use the playground.

DontBeShelfish · 07/08/2020 13:32

I mean, if they weren't social distancing and sweating all over the joint I can imagine that would be a bit stressful, but I took DD out last week to find the bit next to the park (council haven't opened local parks yet) littered with used face masks and three blokes loudly undertaking a drug deal. So, I guess I'd take my chances with the fit people.

popcornlover · 07/08/2020 13:33

@lucindalovescats would you prefer the playground was littered with condoms and used needles over having to share the space with a PT? Because playgrounds get used for many, many things besides kids playing.... hate to break it to you.

I find you reporting someone to the council for trying to earn a living really distasteful and uncouth. I’m guessing you’re a SAHM whose never had to worry about earning money. I think it’s so shameful saying that to someone.

You could just buy your kids some play equipment to go in your garden? Then you don’t have to share with anyone.

IceCreamSummer20 · 07/08/2020 13:34

@DontBeShelfish

I mean, if they weren't social distancing and sweating all over the joint I can imagine that would be a bit stressful, but I took DD out last week to find the bit next to the park (council haven't opened local parks yet) littered with used face masks and three blokes loudly undertaking a drug deal. So, I guess I'd take my chances with the fit people.
True that!
popcornlover · 07/08/2020 13:35

Ha! Posted at the same time at the previous poster - totally proves my point about playgrounds and drugs!

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 07/08/2020 13:35

I agree that PTs shouldn't be using play equipment during daytime (8-8). Early mornings and late evenings different. Doing it away from equipment but within a closed area would likely be great for mother's/parents who don't get child free time though.

At the moment with children not allowed in a lot of places, preventing them using stuff they can use is wrong.

You might have been a bit OTT though.

LakieLady · 07/08/2020 13:35

My BIL carries out safety checks on playground equipment in parks and schools for a living. He reckons that the safety standards for public playground equipment are so stringent that they'll be the last structures standing after the apocalypse.

I think you may have overreacted OP, and the fact that none of the other parents backed you up would seem to suggest that they weren't bothered.

And how do dumbells on the ground next to the swings stop a child from using them?