To think no-one uses park fitness equipment (other than daft kids)?

[Peasepottage]

Is park gym equipment ever used by anyone other than kids messing around?

Quite a few of our local parks have fixed adult gym and fitness equipment. I never, ever, see anyone using it. I do see kids messing around on it.

Does anyone use this stuff? AIBU?

Our garden overlooks one I and have hardly ever seen anyone use it at any time of day on the 10 years it’s been there. I’m amazed at all these tales of people using them. Ours is just for teenagers to vape round in the evenings mostly.

You know people can be black or a different race and still be British?

Irrespective, I find your comment offensive. You've taken the original poster's question and from that seemingly established a narrative about immigration, a totally unrelated issue, which has no basis in fact.

As an aside, I've seen people of all races use it. But my example only proves what I've seen so I don't think it should be used to paint a general picture.

You know people can be black or a different race and still be British?

Irrespective, I find your comment offensive. You've taken the original poster's question and from that seemingly established a narrative about immigration, a totally unrelated issue, which has no basis in fact.

As an aside, I've seen people of all races use it. But my example only proves what I've seen so I don't think it should be used to paint a general picture.

How do you know they’re foreign? Did you stop to ask?

I have seen people use it, but in one park more so, in another it’s split between ages

I can hear them talking?

I think you're seeing something that isn't there. It was an entirely positive comment about how some groups do use the fitness equipment. If it was critical of anyone it was the Brits who don't.

And they are definitely foreign, unless you think all they're using training time to practise a second language, but it was you not me who lept to that being a negative thing.

I appreciate you meant it positively. However, I don't think making someone's supposed nationality/ethnicity the feature of an otherwise completely ordinary observation, and then drawing a wider conclusion from it is helpful. All the best.

It's relevant. In areas where the equipment isn't used there may be fewer immigrants - other cultures are more likely to make use of it.

I like the fact it's not usually in use when I want to use it.

I think it's because you have to go on the x trainer for about 10x longer than you would on a gym one as the resistance is so low. Same with the weight machines. You can't change the weight. So I guess people can't be arsed.

I am very grateful to have one locally though.

You've used a sample size of one, it detracts from the question and you originally referenced all PoC as being "foreigners" and suggested they could potentially be immigrants (I accept this was a suggestion, not a stated fact). When queried how you knew they weren't British, you said you'd "heard them talk". This doesn't mean anything. They could still be British or equivalently on VISAs, tourists or any number of things. If you were carrying out a comprehensive study into the demographics of outdoor gym equipment and areas, then I would take into account factors like proximity to immigration centres. One person saying they heard non-white people speaking a language that wasn't English and so from that they've inferred perhaps usage is higher near immigration centres is, in my mind, relatively meaningless. Thanks.

They are always in use at my local park. Sometimes by children and teenagers or young adults.
What does it matter who uses them though as long as they are used?

I use them i must be the same as the daft kids.

The equipment near us is well used. Range of ages.

France - there’s equipment in the park opposite our house, and it’s very well used. We do have the weather for it though. A little further away there’s a much bigger one and it is heaving with bodybuilding types. 99% men, in both.

No I haven't I gave three different examples of equipment being used by non British people of various ages and both sexes, in three different geographical locations (and two countries).

I use them when they are in working order. The ones in the park near me have mostly been vandalised and are non-functional but the ones near where my sister lives all work and we do use them when we can.

I actually tried with my kids yesterday and I couldn't use it as needed more arm strength. And I am reasonably fit.

I see them used by a variety of groups.

Some organised groups too which is a lovely community activity.

and even those teens I see doing pull ups or on the side swinger are at least getting some exercise even if they are just “playing” on it!

I’ve been going on long walks recently, and have been eying them in new light (usually it’s the kids wanting a go when we’re in the park). The ones I’ve tried are kinda clunky though…

i have been using my local one for about a year and i’ve been at various times and people are constantly using it - maybe 5-7 people every hour, but coming and going for 15-30 minutes at a time.

i think it’s great that these facilities are provided for free, as not everyone can access a gym. In my local gym, it’s often men using the callisthenic bars, elderly people often have a little 10-15 minute go on the equipment, or runners who are in the park anyway.

I see the equipment near us being used by different ages throughout the day.

Frequently see people (usually men) using them when I walk the dog.

I use it myself and have often seen it in use - multiple parks and in my current and previous address (East Anglia and North West).

I used to use it mid-run to do a bit of resistance work. But I rarely see it being used by others.