Kids At The Gym

Problem at gym. Do you find it acceptable for children under 11 to be running through the gym???

I go to the gym for peace of mind, for solace, to obtain power and strength thru exercise.  I dont go there to watch kids.  I dont go there to listen to kids screaming and running thru the equipment.

Yesterday the owner and his wife and their five or six LITTLE kids were there.  They apparently are trying to save money and layed off some of the counter girls.  The wife will fill in for them.  That wouldnt be a problem EXCEPT she brings her rugrats with her ... which still would have been ok if she had put them in the nursery to watch tv or something. 

Those kids were on the treadmill, she set it for them and then left them there.  They ran up and down the halls, they played with the weights.  I would think it would be an insurance problem as well.  Youngest maybe 3 yrs old....oldest maybe 11 at the most.  Totally threw off my rhythm, my peace of mind and my motivation.  The more they ran around and screamed the more upset I got.  I talked to another worker and asked whose kids they were...that's when I found out they were the owner's kids.  OMG if they think they are saving money by bringing themselves into work...big mistake.  They will lose members if those kids are there.

Rant over.

Original Post by devilish_patsy:

Problem at gym. Do you find it acceptable for children under 11 to be running through the gym???

 

Absolutely not, if for no other reason than the safety of the children.  Exercise equipment is not meant to be used as a toy, as children would inevitably do, and there would be the risk for serious injury.  As you stated, it should also be an insurance issue.

Those owners are not only making poor business decisions, but are being blatantly irresponsible.  Have you spoken with them or submitted a written complaint?

I'd quit the gym if it became that big an issue.  I would also read through your membership agreement (if you have one) and read anything in there about bringing "your own" children to the gym, and the "rules" for that.  I'd bet somewhere it's indicated they are not to be playing on the equipment.  If need be, you might be able to get out of your contract (again, if you have one) if they've broken their own agreement.

As someone who has worked in Child Welfare, I find it highly concerning that these kids are left to their own devices, around equipment that can be dangerous to ADULTS, let alone little ones who don't know to keep their fingers out of places, and not try and pick up 30lb weights etc...

I was literally too steamed to speak rationally last night.  I plan on phoning today and speaking with either the wife or the husband.  If they arent available I will speak with them this evening when I work out. 

Bad Business practice.........bad public relations.......bad for my motivation.

Usually I vote on the side of the struggling family - but in this case I can see how that would be distracting and a nuisance.

I know how important it is to find the gym that's right for you - when you do, you feel protective of the environment. Good luck with the management.

Instead of leaving the gym - buy it from them. ;D

LOL funny you should mention that.  Dont think it hasnt crossed my mind.  I have the staff lined up in my head and a few potential backers....yeah it has crossed my mind.

Wow that's nuts.  If I read that right there's a nursery?  Why they weren't in there escapes me since otherwise there's some serious liability if the kids get hurt.  Seriously, what would they do if a member was using equipment and little ones got too close?  Had it happen to me at home with my elliptical and someone walking behind me so it's not something too far fetched.

If there's a child present (and it's within gym rules) and they're well behaved and quiet....no problems.  I blare my ipod when I workout but there's a lot of folks that talk to a friend/buddy or watch the tv's so for their sake.  If they're all over the place and making a lot of noise....I'd be pretty pissed.  Sorry you have to deal with this.

Perfect environment, right now, for small business loans for women - I say go for it. You're a walking prospectus. :)

 

The only downside is that when people want to watch expenses - one of the first things they drop is their gym membership.

To combat that, you could offer 'drive-by' workouts in addition to membership packages. Where anyone can come in and pay 10 or 15.00 for three hours in the gym.

I would pay 10.00 for some supervised weight training. :)

Man my gym membership is one of the last things I'd drop when watching expenses! I paid so much in start up, I don't want it to go to waste!!! (cost a ton to join, but only 10 bucks a month!!!)

 

I don't approve of kids at gyms. If they are exercising, being civil, and being SUPERVISED, that is ok. No children should be un supervised, running around and playing on equipment. I've seen it once at my gym... not cool. If it was the owner, I'd complain.

Especially because I already think the owner's a douche hehehe.

Even better. :)

You can't lose, Patsy. :D

Not at all appropriate.  Children at the gym are a nuisance and a distraction usually.  When I used to go the gym, occassionally there would be a couple of children in there between the ages of 3-6.  They were running all around and playing on all the equipment while their mother just ignored them to workout.  Not only is this dangerous for the kids, but it really is an annoying distraction for the clientele.

Original Post by meima:

I would also read through your membership agreement (if you have one) and read anything in there about bringing "your own" children to the gym, and the "rules" for that.  I'd bet somewhere it's indicated they are not to be playing on the equipment.  If need be, you might be able to get out of your contract (again, if you have one) if they've broken their own agreement.

As someone who has worked in Child Welfare, I find it highly concerning that these kids are left to their own devices, around equipment that can be dangerous to ADULTS, let alone little ones who don't know to keep their fingers out of places, and not try and pick up 30lb weights etc...

 As meima said - there is probably a contract or rules that specifically address children in the weight/workout rooms. I belong to the Y and so there are definitely going to be kids there, but NO ONE under the age of either 15 or 13 (I don't really remember...) is allowed in the workout and weight room unless they are being supervised.

That's totally BS that they think they can get away with it just because they are the owners. When you do talk to them, mention that you have spoken with others and they are not happy with the situation either and this could lead to members quitting. You could also possibly mention calling CPS (child protection services) as like meima said, this is a very unsafe condition for children 3-11 to be in!! Shoot, I've pinched my fingers in weights and I'm an adult!! Plus if they get on a treadmill and think it's fun to try and speed it up super quick and they fly off the back... Oh the things that could happen!

Not only is this a bad business practice, this is also bad parenting on their part. If they have a child supervision area, this is where their children should be - in a place where they have appropriate equipment and actual fun stuff for the kids to play with!

You know, I wouldn't mind it if the older ones were doing something productive or quietly watching tv.  But when you start talking about 3 year olds (and I'm assuming there's no exaggeration here) playing around weight equipment--that becomes a liability.  It's just dangerous. 

the gym i've belonged to had signs all over the workout rooms that said no one under 15 permitted in there at all, and i'm sure it was for safety/insurance reasons

i wish you well in your hostile takeover of this gym 

You might consider taking the gentle approach first and mentioning the problem and letting them volunteer the information first.  You might learn something that eases your frustration a bit or gives you better information for dealing with them.  If you immediately mention CPS I would cancel your membership and refund your money if I were the owner.

I can't think of a set of circumstances where this would be acceptable, but perhaps the parent thought the oldest was babysitting and was unaware of the situation.  Still not good, but not deliberate and not going to be continued once they're aware.

I like my gym where children simply aren't allowed and they've got a super cool supervised play area for about $2/hour.

Hmmm, I never thought about it, since I haven't seen kids there. I wouldn't object to them being there to exercise (though none of the machines at my gym are built to a child's scale, I don't know how safe it would be.) I definitely would NOT want them running around and screaming, not only would that be annoying, but if I was using heavy wweights or balancing on the pilate ball or something like that it would make nervous about dropping something or falling over on a free-range toddler as well. Again, I'm not sure this is safe.

I definitely wouldn't want them in the pool, I've seen what really small children do in a public pool, and I'm not paying gym prices for green water. :p

Thanks all for your support, letting me vent, your ideas and your sanity.  I am much calmer.  I will observe today when I workout.  If it happens again today, then I will speak w/ the husband (owner) tomorrow when I am calm and collected.  I will gently make suggestions.  I will refrain from mentioning CPS because I dont want to get kickedout of the one place I feel wonderful!

Thanks again CC'ers.  Hugs to all.

HEY!!

maybe the 3yr old is tryin'to buff up!!  ya know.... maybe he's tryin' to make his diaper ROCK?!!

why all the discrimination?!  ;)

 

That's why my gym is 18 +

I have to admit.  I have taken my boys to the gym (7 & 9).  What am I supposed to do, leave them at home?  Besides, they love it.  They want to be like dad...do what dad does.  I think it's awesome.  I make sure that they respect the equipment and the others on the gym.  They do the same workout that I do (with less weight obviously).  I've made a workout sheet for them to fill out as they go.  I get a kick out of the way they flex after every exercise.  Hey, I look at it this way...if they get into the habit of exercising at their age, it will only benefit them later on in life.

Okay, I have to explain "my situation" a little better.  The gym I go to is my local high school gym where I am an alumni...so it's free...and it's only 2 years old!  It's perfect.  The rules are simple there.  If there is a team in there (football, basketball ,track, etc...)you're not allowed in.  I go up around 7 each night and there are 6 people in there at the most.  There are a ton of nights that I'm the ONLY one there.  It's great.  So, if my boys go with me, they don't bother anyone...well, maybe me sometimes :)  If there are others in there, they know the rules.  No running around, no slammin weights, put the weights away after every exercise, no running on the treadmills and always use manners.  The others at the gym even help them.  I've received nothing but positive feedback from everyone.