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Teenagers

Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

Original poster

Do your teenagers go to the Gym/workout/other exercise.

31 replies

ILoveCokeZero · 08/08/2015 16:38

Ds aged 15, wants to join the local gym to lift weights and bulk up. His group of friends have started to do this at the gym.

I just wondered how common for teens this is.

OP posts:
NeedAScarfForMyGiraffe · 08/08/2015 16:42

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

NickiFury · 08/08/2015 16:43

My 12 year old does small weights at home and goes on our cross trainer. I'm going to get him gym membership to our local council gym (very reasonable rates) from September.

NickiFury · 08/08/2015 16:44

Oh and when I run, he often cycles or scoots with me.

BackforGood · 08/08/2015 16:45

My ds started when at University, so a bit older.
Around here, they have a special gym for those from 14 yrs, so it must be a 'thing'.
Fairly normal to want to improve your physique I'd have thought - just that only a small % of the population actually stick to it and work hard enough to achieve it.

Takver · 08/08/2015 17:00

I help out at one of dd's clubs, and plenty of the teens from there use the gym, esp in winter when they can't do so much outdoors sport.

There's specific gym sessions for under 16s in our leisure centre too, though they can also go to the regular sessions if they prefer once they've been inducted (or whatever its called).

CheeseBaguette · 08/08/2015 17:02

I wish! I cannot get mine to do anything not for 3 years now since some bitch made fun of the way she ran.

tbtc · 08/08/2015 17:11

My 16 year old has just this summer (post GCSEs) got full membership to sports centre and has been going to the gym a few times a week. He's fully grown now and I'm happy for him to do weights and stuff. I think so would have been a bit more cautious last year.
He has also come to the running club with me for over a year and also cycles a great deal. He's in good shape.

tbtc · 08/08/2015 17:12

nb membership is just for the summer, he won't be able to keep it up once he starts 6th form, not at the sports centre anyway.

IvanOsokin · 08/08/2015 18:03

One of mine did very little exercise as a teen and certainly wouldn't have gone to a gym.

The other one does a sport at performance level and had a comprehensive fitness programme from a young age. He wasn't allowed to lift weights until his late teens as he hadn't finished growing. They were really strict about that because of potential injuries, although I know that different coaches approach this differently and some quite young teens do have fitness programmes that include weights.

I'd suggest getting professional advice about what exercises are safe for your son and checks on his technique to minimise the risk of injury.

bigbluebus · 08/08/2015 20:10

My DS (18) joined the gym at 14. Did some running and rowing and resistance weights - not allowed on free weights until 16 at our gym. He still goes to the gym when the mood takes him (but not as often as I'd like) but after a brief stint on free weights he has gone back to resistance weights and running. A number of his peer group have flitted in and out of the gym over the years but none of them seem to have stuck at it.

sillygiraffe · 08/08/2015 21:37

My two 16 and 18 do absolutely nothing. I'm hoping they will spring into action one day!

BestIsWest · 08/08/2015 21:42

DS (17) goes to the gym about 4 times a week. He does resistance weights, treadmill, etc. He doesn't do free weights and says he finds that section of the gym a bit scary.

bruffin · 08/08/2015 21:50

Both dcs go but thats because they get free use from year 10. Its also an option they can take in pe

YeOldeTrout · 08/08/2015 21:51

My 15yo is interested in gym membership. His older friend (age 17) wants him to come along & they would go together on a regular basis. But it's very difficult for under 16s (have looked into this a lot). Very restricted hours available for under 16s to attend. Gets hugely easier from age 16+ when they can get an almost adult-membership.

Around here some gyms insist on an induction which may be ridiculously pricey or may be free, where they show the equipment and go over the person's aims. The best deals we've found are gyms that charge £9-£12 for a day membership & don't insist on an expensive induction session. If DS is still keen after he turns 16 I will encourage him to try a few day memberships and then see if he can get a taster or short-term membership (like 6-12 weeks?) to see if he really would get value out of it.

BareGrylls · 09/08/2015 18:46

Both DS's started going to the gym at 17 which is the minimum age. I was not happy about them lifting weights before that age while they were still growing.
Also there is a trend for disgusting "protein" bars and shakes. I've persuaded them that a fruity milk shake is healthier.
Both 17 and 19 year old go 2 or 3 times a week for about 45 minutes and do a mix of weight machines, cross trainer, rowing and treadmill.
I go with them sometimes.

wheelycote · 10/08/2015 07:50

Interesting thread..my ds 14 is asking for weights for birthday..wanting to do gym. he does taekwando 2xweek and wanting to start boxing.

bruffin · 10/08/2015 08:50

Our local council run leisure centre has a "youth gym" for 14yrs upwards. The induction is £16.70 and is £4.20 for a session. There is a memborship available as well but not sure of the cost. Membership prices are a big secret at the centre as they dont publish them anywhere!

tbtc · 10/08/2015 10:55

bare I was shocked when my DS told me one of friends is taking protein shakes. He's 15 and still growing. I can't believe his parents allow it - unless I am being hugely judgey and they've got it all monitored.

chrome100 · 10/08/2015 11:25

As a teen I used to go jogging by myself and occasionally swimming if my mum was going too.

Claybury · 10/08/2015 17:45

Very common. DS has weights in his room and has been using them since he was about 15 with the motivation of wanting to be in good shape when he takes his top off at raves . He does no other sport even though we have tried to persuade him to do something structured like rowing or swimming which would have the desired effect plus some team work and social life.

I'm amazed that he has persisted with his home routine for a couple of years now , I'd find it very boring. I am way past worrying about whether he's doing things properly because he is not a teen that would listen to me. I think he uses the Internet for information.
As for protein shakes, I also don't agree with them at this age but it's hard to stop teens doing anything if they are determined. I was impressed that my local store would not allow a 17 year old to buy protein powder. They said it's not suitable for someone who isn't fully grown.

amarmai · 10/08/2015 18:18

there's a lot of info on google rating gyms for cleanliness, upkeep of machines, availability of machines, pressure to pay for extras, sex activity, age brackets re who use what gyms for what purposes,difficulty in cancelling membership etc

NeuNewNouveau · 10/08/2015 21:40

DS 14 has recently joined the local council gym. A lot of his mates have all done it together and are starting to go. I am happy to encourage it as he doesn't do anything else physical except play football in the park with mates.

Nightboattocairo · 10/08/2015 21:45

Yes, he goes at least twice a week and often runs 6-7 miles every other day too. He's 15.

Minifingers · 11/08/2015 15:51

Christ, no!

She's been about three times - mainly to ogle fit men.

She's her mother's daughter. Grin

SelfRaisingFlour · 13/08/2015 21:43

Our local YMCA does a youth gym membership for 13-16 year olds.