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AIBU?

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Original poster

To expect an outdoor gym to not be used as a playground by children?

668 replies

FrangipaniDeLaSqueegeeMop · 25/04/2021 08:56

Went for a run yesterday and afterwards went into an outdoor gym which is (unfortunately) next to a kids' play park. There are some weights attached to vertical beams, an exercise bike, ropes, cross trainer and markings on the ground for relay runs. Loads of signs saying age 13+ only and children weren't to use it as play equipment.

It was absolutely over run with small kids aged about 4-10 climbing all over it, using the equipment and just generally getting in the way while their parents sat in the play park in clear sight of them doing nothing. When I did manage to use some equipment kids were waiting as if we were taking turns. I'd been on the exercise bike for about 15 minutes with one little girl who was about 6 staring at me...she went to get her mum who actually came and asked if her DD could have a go as she'd been waiting for ages Shock I said no this bike is for adults and they she got all huffy and was all "Never mind darling, the lady won't get off so we'll have to just wait won't we". I was then doing relays on the markings and they were running in front of me nearly knocking into me. I gave up in the end!

Is it really so much to ask that parents tell their children to keep out of adult only areas and stay in the massive park built for children? Want to go again today as it's a great little gym, council spent a small fortune but CBA with all the unsupervised kids.

OP posts:
Batteriisincluded · 25/04/2021 17:25

Here's a novel idea. Parents take responsibility for reading signs, noting that it's an area for 13+ in age, and make sure their children stay out. Teaching children respect and doing their best to keep them safe - I thought that was what parenting was about. Reading some of the posts on here obviously not. Hmm

Hankunamatata · 25/04/2021 17:28

Only way they solved it around here was to put a tall fence around it with a latch gate that is quite far off the ground and gate shuts autimatically. Big sign on gate saying no children.

Sleepyblueocean · 25/04/2021 17:34

Adults using children's equipment as it is meant to be used won't damage it. A playground we go to is used by a few adults with learning disabilities with their carers and they are not causing any problems or damaging anything. Groups of teenagers behaving in an anti social way is a different issue.

Lancrelady80 · 25/04/2021 17:36

RoseandRose...adults broke the zip wire in our local play area. And we have two bars missing from the monkey bars courtesy of the same "gentlemen." (School caretaker lives opposite and saw it happen.) Depends on the equipment.

Lancrelady80 · 25/04/2021 17:36

as it is meant to be used yes, this is the key point here.

InFiveMins · 25/04/2021 17:47

YANBU. Children and their parents are extremely annoying when kids do stuff like this and parents allow it Hmm.

The parents should be telling them to leave the gym area and go back to their own play area. I don't know why it's so difficult for some people to do.

BuffyFanForever · 25/04/2021 17:54

I would suggest getting a gym membership, but even then you will unfortunately need to share the equipment with others! Doesn’t matter what age they are.

eatsleepread · 25/04/2021 17:56

YANBU, but unfortunately the experience you had is a sign of the times. Entitlement, eh?!

Goldenbear · 25/04/2021 18:41

Wow, people are so judgemental on this thread. Cursing parents for being neglectful, referring to young children as 'little shits' because they show an interest in an exercise bike.

osbertthesyrianhamster · 25/04/2021 18:43

@BuffyFanForever

I would suggest getting a gym membership, but even then you will unfortunately need to share the equipment with others! Doesn’t matter what age they are.
What if you can't afford it or there's not one round you? Ours is 3 miles away. The weights room and cardio equipment are age 13+ unless accompanied by an adult. My 15-year-old daughter's actually been approached about this more than my 13-year-old son because she's tiny and 5ft. tall and he's 5ft., 7in already.
cookiecreampie · 25/04/2021 18:54

My kids will spend a few minutes playing on the exercise equipment when we go to the park because there's never anyone on it. If someone was using it for exercising then I wouldn't let them on it. To be honest I don't think I've ever seen anyone other than kids go near it.

Hardbackwriter · 25/04/2021 19:03

@lunar1

I wonder if the people who don't agree with the age limit are happy when teenagers are all gathered on the swings meant for younger children.
I suspect these people become fine with it around the time of their own child's 13th birthday
Original poster
FrangipaniDeLaSqueegeeMop · 25/04/2021 19:07

*because its a public park dear on a sunny saturday and youre not the slightest bit concerned for their safety, you are just impatient

Correct @Branleuse - but what's wrong with that? Why should I care for the safety of random children? Isn't that the parents' job?

Don't 'dear' me it's so condescending

I dont see the outdoor gyms as serious workout kit

Good for you - I do. It's hardly jokey workout kit.

They arent adjustable, they arent heavy, theyre designed so that teens who are too big for the park can still play

They're for adults too and I'd say 24kg weights that go up and down a pole are heavy

Not so big adults can come and try and dominate and throw their weight around

😂😂😂😂 me using the equipment for its actual purpose is not throwing my weight around

I dont expect adults to go on the childrens equipment either. I think its cheeky and a pisstake, as is it for you to try and stop kids playing.

Hang on...it's cheeky and a piss take for adults to go on children's equipment. But when it comes to adult equipment it's a puss take to expect children NOT to go on it

You've GOT to be on the wind up??!

OP posts:
Sparklingbrook · 25/04/2021 19:08

I would suggest getting a gym membership, but even then you will unfortunately need to share the equipment with others! Doesn’t matter what age they are

Why would you join a gym when there's perfectly good gym equipment in the park for free?

BuffyFanForever · 25/04/2021 20:18

Completely agree that it’s is sometimes unnecessary/out of budget to join a gym, I was suggesting that wherever the op chose to exercise she would need to share the equipment with others! Just as she has to share this outdoor provision in the park. It is there for everyone.

Lancrelady80 · 25/04/2021 20:23

But it's NOT there for under 13s. Signage makes that abundantly clear, according to op.

Play park for under 13s, outdoor gym for 13s and over.

trixies · 25/04/2021 20:23

@BuffyFanForever

Completely agree that it’s is sometimes unnecessary/out of budget to join a gym, I was suggesting that wherever the op chose to exercise she would need to share the equipment with others! Just as she has to share this outdoor provision in the park. It is there for everyone.
But it isn’t open to everyone, it’s 13+ only. GAHHHHH
Goldenbear · 25/04/2021 20:27

The point is unless you own a private gym you will have to share gym equipmemt.

WorriedMillie · 25/04/2021 20:33

YANBU. I’m sick of entitled parents raising entitled kids (and I speak as the mother of an 8yo)

Original poster
FrangipaniDeLaSqueegeeMop · 25/04/2021 20:34

@BuffyFanForever

Completely agree that it’s is sometimes unnecessary/out of budget to join a gym, I was suggesting that wherever the op chose to exercise she would need to share the equipment with others! Just as she has to share this outdoor provision in the park. It is there for everyone.
Not for children it isn't!
OP posts:
bakingdemon · 25/04/2021 20:34

I had the flip side of this - a personal trainer using the playground with one of his clients and blocking the way onto the big climbing frame. There is outdoor gym stuff all over the park. I told him he was a selfish twat and a safeguarding risk being in the playground without children. Haven't seen him again.

Original poster
FrangipaniDeLaSqueegeeMop · 25/04/2021 20:35

@Goldenbear

The point is unless you own a private gym you will have to share gym equipmemt.
I shouldn't have to share it with people who shouldn't be using it. The same way children shouldn't have to share their park (you know, the one built for children) with me
OP posts:
Original poster
FrangipaniDeLaSqueegeeMop · 25/04/2021 20:36

Serious question to those saying IABU - what is so very horrific about saying no to your children? About telling them they need to follow the rules? What are you afraid of?

OP posts:
Sparklingbrook · 25/04/2021 20:38

@Goldenbear

The point is unless you own a private gym you will have to share gym equipmemt.
Yes, with other people who also pay to use the gym equipment and are therefore meant to be using it. This isn't about having to share. If other adults were using the park equipment then fair enough. Children who were not meant to be using it were.
Thirtyrock39 · 25/04/2021 20:47

I'll be honest l that I've let my kids use these outdoor gyms and it's only now I've realised it is a bit out of order, tbf the one we have been to the most is on the edge of a very small village in a usually deserted park and I genuinely don't think adults are waiting to use it but it has now made me feel a bit guilty. It says 8+ and mine are older than this now but I did used to let them on it when they were younger... In the big park in Our local city there is a big outdoor gym and I've just remembered that is one where adults do have to work around toddlers etc clambering on it. I don't always think parents are purposefully being selfish but I do feel quite guilty now that I've never thought how annoying it would be for an adult wanting to train. It drives me mad when toddlers are sliding down skate ramps meaning other older kids are having to wait till they've moved which is the same really but it's only occurred to me reading this thread .

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