DS going to the gym - can I go as his carer?

[fairgame84]

DS is 12 and has ASD, he goes to a special school. He really wants to join a gym. I am fully supportive of this because he is very inactive and anything that encourages him to do some exercise and get him off the Ipad is great.

I have got him a free trial at the youth gym session at the council gym. DS is full verbal but functions similar to a 7 year old. He will be sensible with the gym equipment and has used treadmills and exercise bikes before.
I asked the gym if I was able to stay and supervise him as a carer. Not because he will mess about but because his social skills are very poor, his comprehension isn't great and he struggles to retain information. I do not expect the gym staff to be able to properly supervise him, it isn't their responsibility. The person I spoke to wasn't sure what the rules are and thinks that I might have to get a membership of my own to be able to supervise DS in the gym.

I don't need or want to join the gym. I purely want to supervise DS, I have no interest in using any of the equipment as I already have a workout schedule at home.
If I have to get a membership of my own then I won't be able to afford for DS to go to the gym.
Do they have to allow DS to have a carer or can they insist that I get a membership to accompany him?

The other option would be to ask his school to take him to the gym (they already do this for another pupil) but I don't want him to have any more time away from learning as he is making little academic progress already.

They don't. The gym that the school use are really good. It's just around the corner from the school and the school also use it for swimming lessons.
I can't take DS to the same gym as school because it's an hours drive away as DS is at an out of area SS.

I think you need to walk in with dla/ diagnosis or school report and ask to speak to a manager. I find over the phone is quite useless

That's a good idea. I never considered taking his dla and school stuff. I'll take diagnosis letter, dla and EHCP.
DP thinks I just need to mention disability discrimination act and they will do whatever I ask.

For me it's email! I can formulate what want to say and then press end! I have time then to think about my reply which gave to gave I don't have!

So personally I'd email and say you'd like to know if that gym, like other local ones, allow a non equipment using carer for disabled clients.

As a professional my experience is emails can be closed and forgotten, phones put down but faces get answers! Not me personally, but it was common