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

[FrangipaniDeLaSqueegeeMop]

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 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.

well then you have to take your chances with selfish equipment hogging kids in the public park on a busy saturday instead then, or keep up with your running. There are also PAYG exercise classes and there are loads of youtube workouts.

@Branleuse the difference with the selfish equipment hogging men is that they have a right to be there. doesn't make it less annoying.

I don't want to do a YouTube workout, I want to use faculties designed for people like me without little Jimmy being on it when there's the perfect alternative right next to him.

entitled brat central, I'm afraid - that's the UK for you where ickle precious is exempt from the rules. And so are its parents in many cases.

you'd be justifiably in trouble if you went in the kids playground. Why can't parents keep their kids under control and say 'no' occasionally?

@Tallybeebloom

Surely the kids would have more fun climbing trees anyway. The parents thinking that their children are entitled to using equipment designed for adults should be encouraging them to create their own games and stimulate their imagination. I have actually had to do lessons in schools that have involved teaching children how to play and create their own games and stories because more and more children have everything designed for them in a way that means they have no need to use their imaginations and develop any true sense of adventure. They are constantly kept busy by adults and adult-created classes or games instead of being allowed to become a bit bored so that they come up with their own. The first message saying that some parents might be letting their children do things like this because playparks and swimming pools and classes have been shut just highlights that. It's really sad actually.

Well said @Tallybeebloom - my kids are forever moaning because I tell them that being bored is not a bad thing. This constant need to account for every nanosecond of a child's time is really quite damaging IMO

Yanbu. The parents should have taken the kids out of the gym park as soon as you came. And they should only be allowed in there if they will be strictly supervised, just to have a look at the equipment. I can understand that the children get curious and want to see it and interact with the equipment, with it being right next to the play park.

@murbblurb

entitled brat central, I'm afraid - that's the UK for you where ickle precious is exempt from the rules. And so are its parents in many cases.

you'd be justifiably in trouble if you went in the kids playground. Why can't parents keep their kids under control and say 'no' occasionally?

Because these types of people are scared of their own children. Or just can't be bothered to parent them properly. It's endemic in this country it seems.

YANBU at all.

We have the same at a nearby park: brand new exercise equipment for OVER 13s and ADULTS for EXERCISE, and it's frequently being played on by children while their ridiculous parents smile indulgently. It's infuriating and an accident waiting to happen, frankly.

I'm waiting for one to get hurt and then they'll probably remove the equipment meaning none of us get to benefit from it.

@Onlinedilema

I agree with the poster who said your children would have died growing up in the 70s. I watch a garden rescue programme where a child had moaned about her aunties garden being boring. It had a trampoline and a playhouse! Plus a very big lawn. I asked dh and when we were kids our garden had absolutely nothing in to play with. Children were encouraged to use their imagination.

I think social services would be round if I let my kids have a seventies childhood tbh. As lovely as that sounds.

People complain if kids make their own fun, and they complain if they use park equipment based on arbitrary ages

One minute people are saying that kids should find things to do and their own parents didnt take them out or find ways to entertain them, and the next minute, its because parents arent supervising or telling them off enough

And upset little Timmy? Good grief, what are you thinking?

True @OrchidLass, I think I took leave of my senses there. Thanks for bringing me back to earth

I expect little Timmy is composing his rallying speech to all hard done by toddlers everywhere.

"You have stolen my dreams and my childhood with your age restricted gym equipment" 🤣🤣

@TheKeatingFive

Blimey, how often are you there?

Everyday, often more than once.

Maybe that's why people aren't going..."There's a strange woman who stalks the outdoor gyms on a daily basis"

I don't blame children for wanting to use the outdoor gym.
Over the last 10 years the health and safety zealots have completely ruined children's playgrounds and made them too safe and boring
There are no longer any decent proper sized swings, like the ones we had growing up.
All you see now are those little stunted swings with short chains that are only suitable for toddlers.
Same with slides. Gone are the thrilling tall ones. Just midget slides tagged onto some.
boring climbing frame.
All the seesaws have been replaced by those sit on springy things that don't do much.
No witches hats
Roundabuts.

Everything even remotely exciting has gone.

Yes it's all very safe but it is also probably beyond boring for any child over 5.
No wonder they look longingly at the adult section.
Still, it's shit for you OP.

Maybe that's why people aren't going..."There's a strange woman who stalks the outdoor gyms on a daily basis"

You’ve cracked it

@Tallybeebloom i found your post very interesting and it rings true. I've tried to implement this kind of imaginative play at home with my children. May I ask, are you a teacher or what are you trained to do?

@starfishmummy

I would have told the mother the child could have her turn when she was 13 as stated on the the signage.

Perfect 👌

People complain if kids make their own fun, and they complain if they use park equipment based on arbitrary ages

An arbitrary age 😂😂 OR you know, the age of which it's actually safe to use the equipment?

Over the last 10 years the health and safety zealots have completely ruined children's playgrounds and made them too safe and boring

Not where I live - there's huge drops, some sort of enormous roped climbing frame with huge gaps, death slides, climbing walls...I actually worry for half the kids larking about of these things

For those suggesting adults use actual gyms or PAYG exercise classes, don't you understand that these outdoor gyms have been established to encourage people who can't afford that? I would imagine they're also designed (whether it's working or not) to encourage people who don't normally exercise to have a go, and to be a place where the community can meet and train together in the fresh air. Adults should have a right to use the public facilities specifically designed for them and shouldn't be told they should pay to exercise elsewhere because some parents have a sense of over-entitlement.

YANBU but you're never going to win this (in real life).

There's a similar set-up at a park near us and I would say that during normal children's play hours, all equipment is monopolised by children. Adults wanting to use the exercise equipment would go early in the morning or later evening.

YANBU! I'd not have heard any of the snidey comments from the parents because I'd have been blasting music in my ear buds.

Entitled CFers will tell you to go work out inside on a beautiful day with YouTube so the next generation can be trained up to be just as entitled.

YANBU. I'm actually terrified of kids like this.

Imagine what they're going to be like as adults... 🙃

@Alcemeg

YANBU. I'm actually terrified of kids like this.

Imagine what they're going to be like as adults... 🙃

If you really want to be terrified, consider that this is the generation who will look after us in our old age

I think yabu to expect people to stick to a random age limit on a sign.

However, yanbu to tell the ridiculous mother whose daughter wanted a turn to jog on. Kids definitely shouldn’t be stopping adults who want to use the equipment.

An arbitrary age 😂😂 OR you know, the age of which it's actually safe to use the equipment?

Yes an arbitrary age is exactly what it is 😂😂🤣😂

OP you were very naughty for not taking your turn and playing nicely 😉 We've got a couple of these gyms nearby, they're right next to the children's playground so if it's busy they spill on to the adults gyms. Biffa Bacon's mum would probably slap me if i didn't let their child on when asked. It's not worth the drama.

See also playgrounds for the over-8s being colonised by toddlers 'because they love it', leaving the older DC with nowhere to play on equipment with their natural speed and strength.
I've never seen a playground signposted for over eight only. DS was climbing to the top of those huge net climbing frames independently and confidently at three. I don't see the problem as long as they don't need parents all over it with them.

We have a similar set up at our local park - adult gym 13+ next to a very nice children's playground. Two weekends ago my husband and I were using it. A small child came over and started using the cross trainer (more like the old style Nordic machine). My husband said, nicely, to the mother, "oh he's not supposed to be on that" at which point she replied "oh he's fine" and actually showed him how to reach to move the bottom part of the arms pole.

After a few seconds of attempting to do the arms and legs, the boy lost his balance, fell off, and bashed his head on the side of the machine. As the mother cuddled the boy, she had the audacity to give my husband a dirty look!

The gym equipment is simply not meant for small bodies - it can be very dangerous for children. That's why the rule is there. Not because the council wants to be big meanies and take away all the fun for the precious children who live nearby.