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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
Sillyduckseverywhere · 26/04/2021 00:30

Vaguely reminds me of people trying to push their children in front of me at the zoo.
I adore a particular animal, I go maybe once every couple of years, I'll arrive 20-30 minutes early to get a good spot for feeding time/the talk.
Because I'm an adult, I am tutted at and elbowed because I refuse to move for other people's children to stand in my prime spot.
Why the fuck can't people teach their kids that just because you're a child, you have priority over adults?
Same with asking for "her turn" on equipment designed for adults that is in use by an adult. Life isn't all taking turns, at some point these kids have to learn that the world doesn't revolve around them.

Sillyduckseverywhere · 26/04/2021 00:32

You don't have priority...
I meant.
Obviously.
Oh for an edit button Hmm

Goldenbear · 26/04/2021 00:46

Well no, I wouldn't 'scold' my children as we are no longer living in the 1970s!

Goldenbear · 26/04/2021 00:49

Actually, this happened to my DD, she was being hit by a younger boy with a huge stick. She grabbed it and chucked it in to the bush, she can certainly stick up for herself.

tortoiselover100 · 26/04/2021 01:41

Yanbu but to children these outside gyms look like play equipment and councils should expect kids to use them. It encourages kids to get healthy if they have a go on something to 'build their muscles'.

Sparklingbrook · 26/04/2021 06:37

but to children these outside gyms look like play equipment

Which is why it’s the responsibility of sensible parents to explain why it isn’t but when they are old enough they can give it a go.

RoseAndRose · 26/04/2021 06:47

but to children these outside gyms look like play equipment

and drugs look like tic tacs.

Parents need to parent their DC and keep them in the age apppropriate places. So others get their fair share of facilities. Too

Nanny0gg · 26/04/2021 06:51

@OhShitShit

I’m torn. Prepared to be flamed too....

Normally I’d say YANBU, and I certainly don’t let my DS play on the adult gym equipment BUT for over a year now- until last week- parents have had nowhere to take their kids except the local park. (Where we live we’ve only had a break from lockdown / additional measures for a few weeks all year)

Even the most avid swings and slides enthusiast will be bored of them by now.

Kids have given up an awful lot this year. There have been no classes, no soft play, school closures, no swimming, no travelling, no grandparents, no days out for such a long time...

I understand why you were annoyed, I really do. To be honest though, I’d find it hard to get upset on my own account in the current context.

Consider yourself flamed.

The have their own park. Keep them off the adults' one

Nanny0gg · 26/04/2021 06:53

@tortoiselover100

Yanbu but to children these outside gyms look like play equipment and councils should expect kids to use them. It encourages kids to get healthy if they have a go on something to 'build their muscles'.
They're not exactly child-sized and shouldn't be used unsupervised
BuffyFanForever · 26/04/2021 07:02

I can’t believe the amount of people who think that young people using the public exercise equipment are “of course brats” or “entitled”. Should everyone perhaps follow the rules to ensure safety ie a 3 year old could get hurt using heavy weights, of course. But it seems the only people who are being particularly entitled are those expecting to use public spaces without regard for any others. The op and some other just sound jealous that they aren’t allowed on the swings...

lollipoprainbow · 26/04/2021 07:07

We have the same bang next to the kids play park seems odd that they all seem to be there rather than a bit further away which would maybe stop the kids playing on all the equipment !! Not great planning, have to say I've never seen adults on ours either !

Sparklingbrook · 26/04/2021 07:09

@BuffyFanForever

I can’t believe the amount of people who think that young people using the public exercise equipment are “of course brats” or “entitled”. Should everyone perhaps follow the rules to ensure safety ie a 3 year old could get hurt using heavy weights, of course. But it seems the only people who are being particularly entitled are those expecting to use public spaces without regard for any others. The op and some other just sound jealous that they aren’t allowed on the swings...
All the OP wants to do is use the exercise equipment that is intended for them without having to have altercations with children and parents that don't understand that it isn't.

I don't think they feel jealous about the swings. Although if everyone is allowed on everything she can absolutely use them presumably. Confused

Goldenbear · 26/04/2021 07:16

This is where I find Mumsnet unrealistic and not a reflection of reality. Where I live we have quite a few parks, it is a common occurrence to go to them after school pick up, particularly as the weather has been good, the children can play with their friends in a bubble and they have been unable to do that for a long time. My youngest is 9, in reality the parents are not trailing behind their children, telling them, 'no' as you are hurting and adult's feelings. They are confident children that would ask politely, that would try their luck and would leave said adult alone, especially if they hissed, 'no' at them. Parents have always left their children to play in the past, I know that climbing trees, cycling to woodland areas I was told not to etc, was a curiosity I had to satisfy. Surely it's the same! In fact an exercise bike at 8, 9 is not as dangerous as the tree climbing I see and took part in as a child!!

RoseAndRose · 26/04/2021 07:22

Employing woodland, even with dangers, sounds way preferable to me than occupying exercise space specifically set up for other groups

Sparklingbrook · 26/04/2021 07:28

@RoseAndRose

Employing woodland, even with dangers, sounds way preferable to me than occupying exercise space specifically set up for other groups
Exactly. Get cycling to that woodland instead and climb some trees. No she limits there.
Sparklingbrook · 26/04/2021 07:28

*age

Goldenbear · 26/04/2021 07:29

And before anyone says it, yes, I know the Mum of the perceived 6 year old asked on her behalf but so what. It is hardly an 'altercation'. The Mum was hardly being passive aggressive, she was just explaining in young child language that the OP didn't want to get off. What is she supposed to say instead, 'oh, the woman is not going to get off'. Maybe the mum was feeling overwhelmed, stressed that day and just thought there is no harm in asking, even if it says 13 as an exercise bike is not that hard to use. Maybe, she was going to show her how to use it, which some on here have said is 'acceptable'.

Sparklingbrook · 26/04/2021 07:38

"Never mind darling, the lady won't get off so we'll have to just wait won't we"

No, not passive aggressive at all having a pop at someone through your child. Grin

Goldenbear · 26/04/2021 07:38

So it's disingenuous to say it is about safety.

I think the rigid thought process about park space being 'off limits' to some, when it is seemingly a free flowing area so not fenced in, not a private concern is never going to happen, why get so cross about it, you are just ruining your own well being by getting worked up about it.

Goldenbear · 26/04/2021 07:40

Oh yeah, oh well, it sounds like the OP will cope.

Sparklingbrook · 26/04/2021 07:41

@Goldenbear

So it's disingenuous to say it is about safety.

I think the rigid thought process about park space being 'off limits' to some, when it is seemingly a free flowing area so not fenced in, not a private concern is never going to happen, why get so cross about it, you are just ruining your own well being by getting worked up about it.

There's a sign with an age limit, so any intelligent person would realise straight away that it's 'off limits' to anyone under that age. They don't have to like it but that's the facts. Maybe they could go down in the dead of night and cross out the '1' from 13. Hmm
SD1978 · 26/04/2021 07:42

There's a (suggested) age for a reason. If a horde of adults descended on the local play park and demanded to use the equipment there would screeches of outrage. There are parks for children and equipment for adults. I don't see how it's so hard to parent and seperate the two. Sports equipment is not play equipment. Not sure where the concept is difficult to comprehend for some people. Having seen a horrible tub fib fracture on a kid playing on this equipment, there's a reason that the recommendations are there.

RoseAndRose · 26/04/2021 07:46

So it's disingenuous to say it is about safety

Correct. It's about sharing nicely and respect for others in the community.

It's not diffucu,t to refrain from using areas/kit marked for other groups.

Nesbo · 26/04/2021 07:49

Of the various parks which have gym equipment near me the one which I see getting most used by adults (and this is sometimes all equipment being used at the same time) is no where near a playground.

That makes me wonder if putting them near playgrounds might put some adults off.

KatherineJaneway · 26/04/2021 07:49

15 minutes on the exercise bike is greedy. YABU.

Confused It's really not

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