Question for Gym Owners / Managers etc.

  Following a discussion at work , we are considering reducing our minimum admission age from 16 to something like 14 , perhaps running "teen gym" slots throughout the week.  We are not sure of the implications though ? would we incur any extra responsibility in doing so ?  i.e. would staff need to be "registered" as childminders (or something) and CRB checked etc ?  
       Anyone got any experience of this ? 
 
    ....I'll just add I am thrilled by the idea of having the little cherubs around the gym   .... But business is business I suppose !  
 

This is bound to end in tears. If you find the over 16s with their mobile phones and textspeak grating can you imagine what the over14sUnder16s will be like?

Yep  - I'm just going along with it , I know my place !

Not a gym owner myself but will chip in if its allowed. I would think a major consideration will be the insurance factor. Increased risk due to age restriction being lowered may well mean increased premiums

They do it in my gym Dr Z. although they are only allowed in between certain time slots and so far I have to say they have been very respectful and probably better behaved than the regulars.  If a little intimidated, which I hope they will overcome.  A few have chatted to me and realise I'm not the miserable person I look like when I'm training. 
 
Good luck to them if they have the heart to start early.  It seems so far, that the ones trying to gain weight tend to be more focused on Rugby, or at least the ones I have chatted with.
 
I don't see why Insurance would be different if you already have staff on call and they have been through the proper inductions, like any other member.  CRB - I can't comment about that because surely you'd have to CRB everyone that would come into contact with them, its not like they are PTs to them is it?

I'd speak to CAB mate - though I wouldn't have thought it would be an issue, as no-one at a cinema/bowling alley/pub/etc/etc is CRB checked.
 
Insurance will likely be big problem. Oh, and driving away other members...

an old gym of mine allowed teens in there up until 5pm and then it was GTFO!!!
Allowed them a workout after school without pissing off the regulars

Dr Z – both the gyms that I managed had a 'teen-fit' session each day whereby kids aged 11-15 could use the facilities. The entry requirement was to complete a Par-Q and have it signed by their parent and have a fairly basic induction which showed them the CV equipment and how it all worked. Since leaving the job though, kids have been allowed to use the weights. Such a bad decision [: (]
 
In terms of relevant certification, my staff and I didn't need anything additional. So no CRB, no working with children, nothing like that. I did go on a course which enabled me to train kids rather than just supervise them during sessions, but it wasn't necessary for normal fitness instructor purposes so providing the instructor was at least Reps Level 2 they were fine to work in the gym during teen sessions.
The only extra requirement I suppose was that there had to be at least 2 instructors on and always one in the gym at all times during the session.
 
The gyms I worked for were the same chain and both council funded so if there was any red tape to supervise sessions, I never saw any of it.
 
If your gym goes ahead with letting the little munchkins in, beware of the following.
 
1) Every teenage boy will try and use the entire stack on every resistance machine and if they manage to move the weight will drop the weight soon after resulting in a loud clang as the weight plates crash down.
2) Every teenage boy will get on a treadmill and put it at its highest speed. Some will fall off (very funny). Some will jump off and an unsuspecting member will climb onto the treadmill without realising it's turned on and fall over (not funny)
3) The X-Trainers will be used by two kids at the same time, one standing on each of the foot hold things and try and 'bounce' the other off.
4) Fitballs will be used as football.
5) Medicine balls will be used as footballs.
6) No CV machine will be used for longer than 5 minutes at a time.
7) The stretching area will become the chill-out zone.
8) Standing on a fitball will become the second most popular exercise in the gym. Kicking the ball whilst someone is stood on it will be the first (see #4 above)

Lol at LMC's 8 commandments, had me in a fit of laughter

a couple of the gyms  i have been in have sessions where kids over 11 can be brought in by their parent. think one does a discounted fee for both of them, seems to work well and can say i've never witnessed any trouble.
 
Although with things like this i always think it's best to ask the members their views, makes them feel their opinion is valued too (even though its probably not!)

LMC


Dr Z – both the gyms that I managed had a 'teen-fit' session each day whereby kids aged 11-15 could use the facilities. The entry requirement was to complete a Par-Q and have it signed by their parent and have a fairly basic induction which showed them the CV equipment and how it all worked. Since leaving the job though, kids have been allowed to use the weights. Such a bad decision [: (]

In terms of relevant certification, my staff and I didn't need anything additional. So no CRB, no working with children, nothing like that. I did go on a course which enabled me to train kids rather than just supervise them during sessions, but it wasn't necessary for normal fitness instructor purposes so providing the instructor was at least Reps Level 2 they were fine to work in the gym during teen sessions.
The only extra requirement I suppose was that there had to be at least 2 instructors on and always one in the gym at all times during the session.

The gyms I worked for were the same chain and both council funded so if there was any red tape to supervise sessions, I never saw any of it.

If your gym goes ahead with letting the little munchkins in, beware of the following.

1) Every teenage boy will try and use the entire stack on every resistance machine and if they manage to move the weight will drop the weight soon after resulting in a loud clang as the weight plates crash down.
2) Every teenage boy will get on a treadmill and put it at its highest speed. Some will fall off (very funny). Some will jump off and an unsuspecting member will climb onto the treadmill without realising it's turned on and fall over (not funny)
3) The X-Trainers will be used by two kids at the same time, one standing on each of the foot hold things and try and 'bounce' the other off.
4) Fitballs will be used as football.
5) Medicine balls will be used as footballs.
6) No CV machine will be used for longer than 5 minutes at a time.
7) The stretching area will become the chill-out zone.
8) Standing on a fitball will become the second most popular exercise in the gym. Kicking the ball whilst someone is stood on it will be the first (see #4 above)

 
I have spent eleven years in youth work and i can say with confidence that points 1,2,3 and 6 will be a regular occurence.
 
Another one is, young lads will go on the treadmill two at a time and set it ats highest speed, and highest incline if it has it.
 
Young girls are very different however,much more manageable as they usually dont want to get sweaty and ruin thier make up.

LMC



If your gym goes ahead with letting the little munchkins in, beware of the following.

1) Every teenage boy will try and use the entire stack on every resistance machine and if they manage to move the weight will drop the weight soon after resulting in a loud clang as the weight plates crash down.
2) Every teenage boy will get on a treadmill and put it at its highest speed. Some will fall off (very funny). Some will jump off and an unsuspecting member will climb onto the treadmill without realising it's turned on and fall over (not funny)
3) The X-Trainers will be used by two kids at the same time, one standing on each of the foot hold things and try and 'bounce' the other off.
4) Fitballs will be used as football.
5) Medicine balls will be used as footballs.
6) No CV machine will be used for longer than 5 minutes at a time.
7) The stretching area will become the chill-out zone.
8) Standing on a fitball will become the second most popular exercise in the gym. Kicking the ball whilst someone is stood on it will be the first (see #4 above)

 
     ...So pretty much no different to most 16-25's then ?   
 
       Thanks for the the replies folks , sounds like the stumbling blocks I was hoping for simply don't exist 

Look on the bright side Dr Z. At least you'll have some new funny tales for us when the the kids decend on your gym

Serious lol at LMCs post! Funny guy! 

LMC
 

If your gym goes ahead with letting the little munchkins in, beware of the following.

1) Every teenage boy will try and use the entire stack on every resistance machine and if they manage to move the weight will drop the weight soon after resulting in a loud clang as the weight plates crash down.
2) Every teenage boy will get on a treadmill and put it at its highest speed. Some will fall off (very funny). Some will jump off and an unsuspecting member will climb onto the treadmill without realising it's turned on and fall over (not funny)
3) The X-Trainers will be used by two kids at the same time, one standing on each of the foot hold things and try and 'bounce' the other off.
4) Fitballs will be used as football.
5) Medicine balls will be used as footballs.
6) No CV machine will be used for longer than 5 minutes at a time.
7) The stretching area will become the chill-out zone.
8) Standing on a fitball will become the second most popular exercise in the gym. Kicking the ball whilst someone is stood on it will be the first (see #4 above)

lol, excellent.

Dr Z

LMC

   ...So pretty much no different to most 16-25's then ?   

     Thanks for the the replies folks , sounds like the stumbling blocks I was hoping for simply don't exist 

Is the insurance not a stumbling block Z, or are they happy for you to lower the age range?

My place started this after Xmas for 13-16 year olds. I was asked to cover the 2nd weeks session and was dreading it. After finishing 2hours later I asked to do the next week and now I'll do every session I can.
The session is on a Saturday 2-4 which is a pretty quiet time 2-3 I have 6 14 year old boys and 2 girls - quite sporty. 3-4 I have 2 13 year old boys lacking in confidence and probably set for a poor exercise future.

I went in with the wrong attitude but as I met them put on a brave face and was welcoming. I think/hope I gained their respect by talking to them as adults and underlining what a privilege it was to be allowed in. I asked them questions on what they had learnt the previous week and got them to demonstrate the cv machines they had used. As there are only 4 of each cv machines I explained what the group was to members in there and told them if we were taking up machines they wanted to use then to let me know and I can move them. The members were impressed that the kids wanted to use it. The 2nd week we went into an empty studio and I taught them correct squat, press up etc technique and assisted pull ups.
The other smaller group are growing in confidence and one is now doing a 10 minute basic body weight programme in his own time.

I've realised I've rambled and paragraphing is hard from phone but by constantly supervising them every week for a year or two before they turn 16 and could just turn up and be left to it after an hours induction has huge advantages. Educate and supervise now, build a rapport and then they will have a lot more respect and knowledge later

Would it be feasible to say the kids can train between certain hours with a responsible parent/guardian with them.
More likely to actually exercise with dad or uncle in attendance and you would pick up 2 new gym memberships.
I bet a few dads would go down the gym with their lad and without feeling quite so self conscious about being a new middle age trainer at the gym, might give them the incentive to get started.

Forgot to say their behaviour was excellent. No messing about bar a little joking around which made the session more enjoyable for them and me

SWM - that sounds great. That was one aspect of the gym that I really enjoyed, engaging with members that actually wanted to be there and put in some effort. I hope they stick at it.

I started training a couple of 14/15 year old lads. One got bored, the other listened, took on board what I told him, stuck with it and kept improving. He ended up winning PLing comps as a junior and made me quite proud.

But for every 1 trainer that takes it seriously you have 50 that don't. Shame.