What are recommendations for kids to be unsupervised in a gym area?
Hi Pam,
Good question but I don’t think you can attach an age to that. It all depends on one’s level of experience with training. I’d be more comfortable with a 15 year old kid who’s been training for 2 years while well-supervised versus a 40 year old novice on their own. But to answer your question I’ll go with 15 – but check with the gym. I started training my daughter at age 12 & she just turned 14 recently. I’m still not comfortable with just dropping her off at the gym – probably next year! There’s no science to that answer Pam – just my gut feeling as a dad.
Paul Thomas
www.homeworkoutguy.com
Most of the gyms I have done consulting work for set the age at 16 for being unsupervised. 12 to 15 can come in if supervised. And under 12 not allowed in the exercise area. I advise the gyms to have a course for the 12 to 15 age group that must be passed to use the facilities with supervision. Things like gym etiquette, safety, how to use machines, free weights, etc.
Logistically it is convenient for people to walk through the gym to the back doors which lead to the tennis courts and pool areas. They must walk through the cardio room full of equipment. We have a rule that no one under 12 is allowed in the gym supervised or unsupervised. Several are questioning enforcement of it for walk through traffic. So I am looking for regulations about under 12 walking through gym. No matter how supervised they are a family walking through might have a small child touch or get near a treadmill for example. Does anyone know any guidelines or regulations about under age 12? Pam Owens
