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?

@JudyGemstone

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

Replace the Karen in your post with any stereotypical term used to describe black people or gay people (etc) and then see if yo could still post "but this is textbook x behaviour".

Playgrounds should be for kids tbh.

They are paid for from public funds for the children's benefit not as an outdoor gym base for private trainers. (It wouldn't be an issue if they were there at a proper tough training time of 6 am!)

She hasn't specified her ethnicity stannis, which is an interesting point. Whiteness as default assumption is rather problematic...

In our playground area of the parks, it clearly states "anyone over 14 must be accompanied by a child". Two adults should not be using the child area of the park especially when children there trying to use it.

I've often seen notices saying playgrounds are for under 12s, and that adults are only allowed in if accompanying children.

The equipment won't have been designed for adult weight and strength. Unless your playground has been specifically designed for adults....

I think you were reasonable to object if there were children in the area, and because they are using the playground to run their business.

I would personally be tolerant of adults using the playground if there are no children around, but they should have vacated as soon as children turned up. I enjoy a playground as much as anyone, and it would be lovely if there were more adult sized ones about but that is no reason to take over children's play areas.

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

Who’s going to pay for them? We all know what you think about paying tax @Xenia.

@minnieok

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

The notices usually say something like, “No adults unless accompanied by children.” For very obvious reasons.

I'm on your side, op. Parks are huge and many have workout equipment around them, why take over the small area dedicated to children? It may not be illegal, but it is selfish.

I agree with you OP, I think it’s selfish and inconsiderate and a bit weird for adults to use a playground in a way that stops children from using some of the equipment.

calm down and take a muscle relaxant 😂🤣

it was completely illegal

Doubt that. Why shouldn't people use the park and the playground? I'd imagine two adults - one being supervised by the other - were far safer users than small children, actually.

Or was it a man amongst children which shocked you so much that you shouted at a complete stranger?

Agree with you OP. Playground equipment is for kids. Our local park says, as others have pointed out, under 14 use only.

If two adults are tying stuff to it, that makes it unavailable to the kids.

If the personal trainer wanted to tie stuff on or use a static object she should have used a fence in another part of the park. Shame a few kids didn't climb all over the frame and make her and her client wait.

Their licences say their work should not interfere with the use of the park by the general public. So she needs to be careful if she thinks the park is hers to use as she wishes.

Let the council know.

Sounds annoying OP, I'm glad you said something. The facilities are for kids.

But why have you not come back to your thread?

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

Are you always so dismissive of yourself? This sentence is steeped in internalised misogyny.

I would’ve been a mum in the playground who stays quiet because I wouldn’t think it’s worth the fuss and I don’t know the rules around that

It would be interesting to see the correlation between people who think adults taking over children's spaces is perfectly fine and those who would be very annoyed should children be in adult's spaces.

I'd let the council know too tbh.

(I'd not get into an argument with anyone.

I don't mind telling people what I think however and if it's thought to be witty to label me a "Karen" so what.

I think "meh" might be the modern response?)

Sounds like you do need to calm down and take a muscle relaxant!

Classic mumsnet bashing the OP. I too would have been furious OP - one thing doing it in a park (where you usually need a license to carry out any kind of paid work, all you Mumsnet lawyers who apparently think 'no law has been broken' www.southwark.gov.uk/parks-and-open-spaces/hire-a-park-space-run-a-class/park-s-exercise-licence) but a lot of kids' playgrounds don't even allow adults to enter without a child in tow, let alone attach harnesses and things to the equipment, most of which isn't meant to take adult weight.

OP I would absolutely contact the local council.

Why shouldn't people use the park and the playground?
A children’s playground is for children and has age restrictions. A park is for everyone. The PT was happening in the playground.
Parks can be used for PT after the appropriate fees have been paid to the council, along with copies of insurance and certification, etc - and still not everyone wanting to be a PT will get a licence - as the council has to balance the use of the park for everyone.

It would be interesting to see the correlation between people who think adults taking over children's spaces is perfectly fine and those who would be very annoyed should children be in adult's spaces.

We have outside adult gym equipment round here. Signs clearly say "not to be used by children under 16". Every time I walk past any of it, there is always a child on it.

QuarantineDream

Thanks for the information.

But your tone is unnecessarily undermining.

I think you need to get yourself a hobby, OP, because you have too much time on your hands. Nothing that you described would have concerned me at all. I actually think it's a good thing for kids to see exercise as a life-long thing, and not is it a bad thing that children might have to wait to use the play equipment. Teaches a bit of patience.

The other parents present never said a word to back you up because you were wrong and going on like an idiot by the sounds of it! Embarrassed for you!

It was unsafe in that children could have tripped over the PT’s equipment - not sure where she would stand in terms of her insurance? If I had been there I most definitely would have backed you up, OP. I’d maybe drop an email to the council with any pictures you took.

Good grief? Really?