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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
Goingdownto · 07/08/2020 13:35

@mysuperpowerisme

Calm down Karen
Go away, sexist.
PiataMaiNei · 07/08/2020 13:36

@lucindalovescats would you prefer the playground was littered with condoms and used needles over having to share the space with a PT?

When did the rule come in that it's one or the other?

GabsAlot · 07/08/2020 13:36

i wont even go on the swings with my niece incase i break it

i think people are being harsh here

PoppySeedSaid · 07/08/2020 13:36

*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. *

Why do you assume they were bothered by the trainer being there? You can't shout at someone and then be angry that no one else was bother by the situation.

Goingdownto · 07/08/2020 13:38

I don't think they should have been there at all, the playground (not the park) is for children of an appropriate age to use and not for people to use for business reasons. They were preventing children using the climbing frame and getting in the way of the swings.
I suspect if they went earlier and got out of the road if children came in it would be fine, though not from a council standpoint. If I used council picnic tables to run a business providing afternoon tea, do you think that would be allowed?

Dixiechickonhols · 07/08/2020 13:38

You could report to local council. The issue I’d have is the equipment which could be dangerous to children. Eg a child gets strangled by straps attached to swing or breaks foot picking up and dropping dumbbell. PT may be insured maybe not. Park next to my house is for age 8 plus and adults I know PT use it but never seen them bring their own equipment.

TheyThoughtItWasAllOver · 07/08/2020 13:46

From what you've said, some of the equipment was basically out of bounds to the children while they were there. That's not at all fair. I'm as confrontation avoidant as they come but even if other children were dominating a piece of equipment for 15 minutes I would be asking if my child could have a turn. Not sure why so many people think it's ok for adults to take it over when it isn't intended for that use... but I have a feeling it might have something to do with how you come across in your OP.

BlogTheBlogger · 07/08/2020 13:48

I was with you and believing it it until you said the "illegal" thing

lyralalala · 07/08/2020 13:48

That happened here and it was quickly nipped in the bud by the council. Play equipment is for the children, not commerical set ups to procure for their own use. Especially multiple pieces of equipment at the same time.

It's the height of bad manners. Children have been ignored in the openings of things enough without ill-mannered adults taking over their park.

Did they wipe down the equipment after the client sweated all over it?

LongAndWhiningRoad · 07/08/2020 13:50

What if one of the other parents had lost their temper and shouted at you for shouting? And threatened to call the authorities. And then another parent had lost it with that parent, and a chain reaction had been set off?

Very dangerous, OP.

Griselda1 · 07/08/2020 13:50

Report it to the parks department of your local council. I'm sure it is breaking local bye laws and I'd stress that they were adapting the equipment.

squashyhat · 07/08/2020 13:50

What with this and the 'plotting' Doberman thread I think the heat is getting to some people.

BadTattoosAndSmellLikeBooze · 07/08/2020 14:03

I’m just wondering why the OP needed to tell us the playground was in Surrey. 🤣 Is it more unacceptable and shocking that this could happen in Surrey? 🤔

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

Brazen. 🤣 I think she may be right.

Or am I just an uptight cranky mum

Yes.

OP, you were being ridiculous and this is why none of the other parents ‘backed you up’.

amijustparanoidorjuststoned · 07/08/2020 14:05

The name Karen springs to mind (sorry)

Shizzlestix · 07/08/2020 14:06

Illegal? You don’t know what you’re talking about.

I admit I though the local tennis coach was taking the mick using one of the 3 courts while people were queuing when they re opened. I think someone complained because there was suddenly a booking system in place.

BurtsBeesKnees · 07/08/2020 14:08

Illegal and unsafe bawhahahaha there's a reason no other parent said anything, because you sound a bit unhinged. Playgrounds can be used by anyone

Stannisbaratheonsboxofmatches · 07/08/2020 14:08

It’s not illegal but the playground will be intended for children of a certain age. So YANBU. Adults can’t have everything - isn’t it enough that children have had so much taken from them during this pandemic and adults prioritised?

But people on MN will often say children/ parents can have nothing and childfree adults can go wherever they like (are P and C spaces threads).

Stannisbaratheonsboxofmatches · 07/08/2020 14:09

And please don’t say “Karen” every time a woman had an opinion - it’s deeply misogynistic.

daisypond · 07/08/2020 14:11

Playgrounds can be used by anyone
No, they can’t!

famousforwrongreason · 07/08/2020 14:12

Bizarre insult 'you need to take a muscle relaxant'. Doesn't really trip off the tongue and not the first thing that springs to mind when publicly berated by a stranger.
Disappointed you didn't exercise your right to perform a citizen's arrest too OP. Next time...

JudyGemstone · 07/08/2020 14:13

I know the Karen meme is misogynistic bollocks, but this is textbook Karen behaviour.

jessstan2 · 07/08/2020 14:15

I think 'Karen' used in that way should be banned on Mumsnet. It's horrible to think it is seeping into UK culture.

minnieok · 07/08/2020 14:18

Most kids play equipment says for under 12's but nothing to stop adults being in the same enclosed section. I think you overstepped there

Nicknacky · 07/08/2020 14:19

GabsALot Why do you think you would break a swing?

Stannisbaratheonsboxofmatches · 07/08/2020 14:20

I didn’t mind Karen when it was first invented - I think it’s fine to describe the entitled behaviour of a white PERSON, particularly in relation to black sales people etc.

But it’s just become another way of gagging women, and telling us to shut up or be called a Karen. I would be at all surprised if I saw a black woman called it next week - I don’t think the OP has even said she is white.