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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:
Novelusername · 25/04/2021 12:56

Goldenbear it's not for kids! They're not allowed in there, it's dangerous for them and they have a perfectly good play area especially for them already! Your attitude goes to show how lowly the needs of women are considered in our society. I've come to expect men hogging the equipment and being given priority in the gym even though I pay the same fee as them, but now women are even expected to put their needs last for other people's kids to take priority, when they shouldn't even be in there.

WorraLiberty · 25/04/2021 12:58

While children who can't use the equipment safely shouldn't be allowed to swarm all over it, there are bigger children who are able to use some items safely under the age 13 guide.

I'm sorry, what 'guide' is that?

Children under the age of 14 are prohibited from using the gym equipment.

It's a rule, not a guide.

SmallPrawnEnergy · 25/04/2021 12:59

@FrangipaniDeLaSqueegeeMop

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?

Exactly! And these entitled parents would be the first fuckers to complain when their little shits darlings injured themselves on equipment not designed for bodies that age / height! People forget indoor gyms have age limits for good reasons, if they’re letting a 10 year old use equipment “correctly” (for exercise not just climbing on it) it can damage muscle groups etc. Terrible parenting tbh.
BottleFlipper · 25/04/2021 12:59

@BogRollBOGOF

YABU

While children who can't use the equipment safely shouldn't be allowed to swarm all over it, there are bigger children who are able to use some items safely under the age 13 guide. Likewise, I often find that some items are designed for 6ft men and are unsuitable for short women to use safely too. A lot often just isn't a good workout, so there's only a few items that are worthwhile to use.

No one should hog the equipment for prolonged periods (outdoor gym, playground or proper gyms). While I do let my children use the equipment, they use it briefly and I wouldn't let them interfere with more serious users.

Most outdoor gyms are scarcely used by adults because most adults wanting a serious work out will use indoor gyms. Better that children use them sensibly than be disused and be removed through lack of demand. It's not often that there is a latant demand of adults not using them because of hoardes of marauding children.

I'll admit to street drunks putting me off one new one in my area. Children are far preferable.

In many areas there is insufficient and dull play equipment not presenting much challenge or development opportunities for older children.

15 minutes is not hogging an exercise bike.
Goldenbear · 25/04/2021 13:01

That's a spectacular spin on my posts you have there.

My point is that adults should have more understanding of the world than children and appreciate more readily that loads of stuff happens that you can't control, especially in a public space.

shouldistop · 25/04/2021 13:02

That is annoying. We have the opposite problem, a couple of local personal trainers taking their clients into the kids playpark and using the equipment with resistance bands etc and they're in the way of the swings.

Goldenbear · 25/04/2021 13:04

How does an exercise bike damage muscles? Genuinely interested.

Why is a child a 'little shit' for asking to use an exercise bike- bizarre rational you have there.

WorraLiberty · 25/04/2021 13:05

@Goldenbear

That's a spectacular spin on my posts you have there.

My point is that adults should have more understanding of the world than children and appreciate more readily that loads of stuff happens that you can't control, especially in a public space.

Parents should be able to control their kids, especially in a public space.

Toddlers are way too small to use the gym equipment safely and for the purpose it was built.

Januaryissodull · 25/04/2021 13:06

Yanbu. That woman in particular was being idiotic.

But, round here I rarely ever see an adult using the gym equipment in the parks and children do like to have a go which I can't really see a problem with. Everyone needs to be able to exercise.

A lot of children's park play equipment can be rubbish for children over the age of about 6.

But adults should take priority on gym equipment if they are actually doing a workout.

Goldenbear · 25/04/2021 13:10

Well maybe some parents don't view bringing up children as an exercise in control. You won't be able to control whether parents choose to control their children so it may be best to come to terms with that as you will be very frustrated in life!

Novelusername · 25/04/2021 13:10

Golden Bear But their parents CAN control this. They should be teaching their children that some things are for adults and not letting them use dangerous equipment. I can't believe you're serious, got to be trolling.
OP, I recommend making really loud sex noises when you're working out and blasting some Cardi B, might help to give you a bit more space.

LilMidge01 · 25/04/2021 13:13

@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.

Kids that are bored of going to the park to the point that they just have to play on the exercise equipment probably have unimaginative parents who dont actually want to play/interact with their child and make things fun...why should other people have to put up with someone else's child in their way because their own parents cant be bothered to play with them? Children are pretty creative and can find all sorts of ways to amuse themselves outdoors if they're not with potato adults
NatalieLollipop · 25/04/2021 13:13

Yanbu. Have exactly the same here, it's very annoying. And also groups of teenagers use it in the evening to hang out and leave takeaway containers on the equipment. Grrrr.

Original poster
FrangipaniDeLaSqueegeeMop · 25/04/2021 13:14

@Teateaandmoretea

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 😂😂🤣😂

Definition of arbitrary:

based on random choice or personal whim, rather than any reason or system

So doesn't apply in this case where there's a very clear safety reason for having no children on gym equipment

OP posts:
WorraLiberty · 25/04/2021 13:15

@Goldenbear

Well maybe some parents don't view bringing up children as an exercise in control. You won't be able to control whether parents choose to control their children so it may be best to come to terms with that as you will be very frustrated in life!
Well maybe some parents don't view bringing up children as an exercise in control.

Aint that the truth, sadly.

They simply can't say no and then wonder why they're out of control.

Goldenbear · 25/04/2021 13:16

What because I think differently to you, I'm trolling. How is an exercise bike dangerous? Many people don't have children to control them, it is not the 1950s. Even then my Mum was not controlled. I would not want my children to be unsafe but that risk assessment varies between parents. My DH would think it is fine to do most of this, I would be hesitant on some things like tree climbing.

Original poster
FrangipaniDeLaSqueegeeMop · 25/04/2021 13:17

My parents would not have asked me to move from a bit of equipment that is in a public park in the 80/90s but then again they would have been embarrassed to go on such equipment as they would deem such things to be for children, teenagers!

Well I'm not an insecure weirdo who thinks an adult gym is for kids so no embarrassment here. I'm also trying increasingly to not be self deprecating and thinking "that's not for me". Tell your parents to try it, it's very liberating.

OP posts:
Original poster
FrangipaniDeLaSqueegeeMop · 25/04/2021 13:18

If you are a parent surely you should be more supportive and understanding.

Supportive of what @Goldenbear? Why do parents need support in helping their kids be in a place that's dangerous for them when there an play park designed for their age right next to it? Why on Earth would I ever support that??!

How about telling your kid 'no' now and again? I'll support you in doing that if you like.

OP posts:
Lancrelady80 · 25/04/2021 13:19

Simply cannot believe anyone thinks yabu!

Outdoor gyms were provided to enable adults who cannot afford exercise classes or gyms to exercise easily. Part of an effort to tackle obesity and unfit lifestyles. They were positioned by some next to playgrounds to make it easier for adults, particularly time poor parents, to build exercise into their lifestyles- to enable adults to multitask by supervising their children in play areas designed for children to play safely, whilst exercising.

Age limits in those areas are because it is dangerous for children to be there. They might obstruct adult users, causing injuries to themselves. They might attempt to use equipment that is too heavy for them, thereby overtraining their muscles. They might get fingers etc trapped (or removed) by the moving parts on those heavy pieces of equipment they shouldn't be playing on. For all these reasons, insurance is only for the appropriate age groups.

Anyone saying it's okay for ch to be in an area clearly marked for only those over a certain age are being inconsiderate, selfish, greedy, dangerous, entitled and vvvvvvu. And are also bringing up their children to be exactly the same, thinking boundaries don't apply to them when clearly they do.
Children have safe areas specifically designed for them, why can't they just use them?

HumunaHey · 25/04/2021 13:20

@Goldenbear

Well maybe some parents don't view bringing up children as an exercise in control. You won't be able to control whether parents choose to control their children so it may be best to come to terms with that as you will be very frustrated in life!
It's not an excercise in control.

But taking control of your child/children in some situations is a part of parenting. I don't see how you don't understand this. Yes, a child might wander over and attempt to use the equipment. But, as a parent, you should point out it is not for children, explain that they could get hurt, the equipment is for bigger people, and move them on.

osbertthesyrianhamster · 25/04/2021 13:20

@Goldenbear

How does an exercise bike damage muscles? Genuinely interested.

Why is a child a 'little shit' for asking to use an exercise bike- bizarre rational you have there.

It's too big for kids. The gym is for ages 13+ so that's why the child should not be asking to use it or using it. And that's a bizarre rational? It's for ages 13+!
Goldenbear · 25/04/2021 13:20

All these out of control children, getting fresh air, exercising and using equipment - terrible situation.

osbertthesyrianhamster · 25/04/2021 13:21

@Goldenbear

All these out of control children, getting fresh air, exercising and using equipment - terrible situation.
Yep, using equipment that's unfit for their size and age. Hmm
Lancrelady80 · 25/04/2021 13:24

And that will overStrain muscles, trap fingers etc

HumunaHey · 25/04/2021 13:27

@Goldenbear

All these out of control children, getting fresh air, exercising and using equipment - terrible situation.
Good lord, you just don't get it! The equipment is not for young children because it is not safe for them to use.

Children can get fresh air and exercise without using equipment that isn't for them.

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