Kids at the Gym

Alexstrasza

What are your thoughts on this?

I have a 2 year old and a 9 month old. The only person I have that can babysit is my Mom and sister. However my son is in a very jealous phase and is constantly beating up on his little sister. So my Mom suggested I leave my son with her and take my 9 month old with me to the gym.

She'd be in her carseat carrier so it's not like she could get in anyone's way. I don't know how I feel about this. Would you find it awkward? I just don't know how I feel about the idea of little ones in the gym.

suejonestx

Check with your gym to see if this is allowed. My thought is that a gym is not a safe environment for a baby, even in a car seat. An alternative would be to walk/run outside with the baby in a stroller.

vim_n_vigor

I would not feel safe with my little one there, even if it was allowed. It just isn't the right place for kids. Are there any gyms by you that offer daycare?

jenngi620

Does your gym have kid care? You can probably find one that does. I used to work as a daycare attendant at my local Y. There were lots of things for various ages to keep busy for an hour or so. All of my kids were happy with me after the parents were out of earshot, although some played the crying game at drop off. Trust me, it turns off like a switch when you're gone and the sitter will tell you if thats not the case.

I would not suggest having a carrier laying around other people exercising. It will be too stressful for you and everyone else if he starts crying, and could be a tripping hazard which would be dangerous for everyone. Also, when my daughter was little, my hour at the gym was my only ME time, you need and deserve that.

1969ned

I wouldn't have taken mine to the gym when they were little, as you can't focus on yourself and it would distract other people, especially if the child started crying. I agree with the last post, take the baby out and walk or run with her in the pram.

josavage

Two things - I don't think it's safe for your baby and I would be surprised if your gym would even allow it. A lot of gyms have daycare.

LelliAmi

Your kid is hitting a baby?! Oh my goodness. :O I think it would be very difficult to have a baby there at the gym, and frankly just awkward if they were to start crying or something like that.. I think whoever's babysitting your son needs to utilize the "time out" manoeuvre. The issue should be addressed, not avoided. Good luck!

Fit4Evolution

there are too many moving part on machines , too many careless people ,and even if your kids are well behaved ,if you do it everyone will do it, kids do not belong in the gym unless they can work out , min 12 or 13 yrs old

mama2shi

In my gym, you have to be 13 or older to even go upstairs to the weights and cardio machines. I would imagine due to insurance purposes, this is going to be a no-no in a lot of gyms.

I don't feel it would be safe, nor do I think I would get a proper workout with my daughter there. I need to concentrate on me and what I am doing. I am lucky though, my gym comes with a fantastic child care center that I can take her to for up to two hours. She loves it and has so much fun.

MissFit0101

Check with your gym to see if this is allowed. My thought is that a gym is not a safe environment for a baby, even in a car seat. An alternative would be to walk/run outside with the baby in a stroller.

Def agree with this. The gym is no place for a child. I hope your gym has daycare, or you find another option to get your workouts in. Good luck!

dad106

Why don't you leave your son with Mom and your Daughter with your sister?

I don't have children, but I would not take my baby out into an open gym floor.. esp if you plan on doing weights! Someone could trip over her carrier, knock it over, drop something on her or a whole host of other problems.

Or try to find a gym that has child care.. I know my gym(X Sport Fitness) has free child care.. and I believe local Y's do too.

hongruss

Your kid is hitting a baby?! Oh my goodness. :O I think it would be very difficult to have a baby there at the gym, and frankly just awkward if they were to start crying or something like that.. I think whoever's babysitting your son needs to utilize the "time out" manoeuvre. The issue should be addressed, not avoided. Good luck!

YAY A SUPER PARENT that possesses the knowledge to address your families issues without anymore than a perfunctory statement to go by, boy oh boy I'm glad you showed up

Russ

ninerbuff

What are your thoughts on this?

I have a 2 year old and a 9 month old. The only person I have that can babysit is my Mom and sister. However my son is in a very jealous phase and is constantly beating up on his little sister. So my Mom suggested I leave my son with her and take my 9 month old with me to the gym.

She'd be in her carseat carrier so it's not like she could get in anyone's way. I don't know how I feel about this. Would you find it awkward? I just don't know how I feel about the idea of little ones in the gym.

I started bringing my DD to the gym at 6 months old for about 2 hours a day. She's 7 now. She LEARNED how to play with other kids and learned how to socialize. You should bring your 2 year old too.
It will be MUCH EASIER to have them learn how to be without you and be with others now, then trying to leave them for the first time with others when they start school. Trust me when I say that having a kid that cries bloody murder when you try to leave them is VERY STRESSFUL on a parent. You probably don't want to go through this when they start school for the first time.
DO IT.


EDIT: Okay so I was under the assumption that there is daycare at the gym. If not, DON'T bring the child.

A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

Cwilbanks12105

Definitely would not take a baby to the gym. IMO, the issue with your son is not going to be resolved by seperating them, in fact it may only worsen the situation because you're giving him what he wants, 100% attention from the caregiver. Instead you and whoever watches them need to implement disciplinary action for his behavior. Make sure you are both using the same method of discipline because consistency is the key with kids.

tomomatic

Your kids are much younger than mine so this might not apply. I built a gym at home where I can keep an eye on the kids while they're in their play area that I built for them. It sounded like a great idea. Here's what really happens:

1. My 4 and 6 year old keep fighting over toys when they have about a 2 gazillion toys to choose from. I end up playing referee more than I work out and I end up angry.

2. One girl will sometimes want to sit in the room with me while I exercise and watch TV. I hate watching Elmo episodes while I'm on a stationary bike. Action, or sports shows tend to keep me going... Not the Wonder Pets or Ni Hao Kai Lun. Not to mention, they keep climbing the equipment and falling off. I'm thinking about getting rid of my free weights now.

Here's what I've found that works:
- Setting the kids in front of the TV upstairs while I exercise (I hate doing this but it shuts them up)
- Setting the kids up in front of the computer to play StarFall.com (better... educational)
- Exercising with the kids. I found some Android Tablet exercise coach apps for Pushups, Abs and Squats. These are simple enough that we can get the whole family involved and my kids love to SHOUT OUT THE NUMBERS. And there's a possibility that my daughter is going to be the only kid with a six pack in second grade. This is not my first option because exercise time is Daddy's quiet time.

For your 9 month old, does she sleep through everything? Can you set up a stationary bike at home in front of a TV?

tomomatic

Your kid is hitting a baby?! Oh my goodness. :O I think it would be very difficult to have a baby there at the gym, and frankly just awkward if they were to start crying or something like that.. I think whoever's babysitting your son needs to utilize the "time out" manoeuvre. The issue should be addressed, not avoided. Good luck!

I've seen this kind of behavior before. My oldest was very jealous of the attention that the baby was getting. She got extra clingy with her mommy and when they got a little older, I witnessed her hitting her sister a couple times and shouting "SHE STARTED IT!" I've more or less told my kids that if they hit each other, they will answer to me and I'll have a pretty strong response. It seems to work but I've seen my oldest throw a couple shoves in when she thinks I'm not looking.

Alexstrasza

Thanks for the opinions. I didn't like the idea of bringing her in there either.

As for the advice on my parenting skills, well I didn't exactly ask for that. I discipline my son appropriately for the way he treats his sister. He's 2, it's totally normal for him to be going through a jealous phase.

However my Mother does not discipline. She lets him do whatever he wants.

Again though, this thread was about whether taking a baby to the gym was safe or not. Not about my methods of discipline with my child.


Not trying to be snippy for those that offered sound advice. I just don't like having my childrens behavior judged based on one tiny insight into our lives.

italiankid96

Dont do it please dont, there are douche bag guys who walk around with weights in their hands, and GOD FORBID someone drops it, u never know. The gym has alot of heavy, metal equipment, i dont know what else you can do but i HIGHLY suggest you do not bring your 9 month old there.
Think about the consequences =/

herownkindofwonderfull

Check with your gym to see if this is allowed. My thought is that a gym is not a safe environment for a baby, even in a car seat. An alternative would be to walk/run outside with the baby in a stroller.

^^this. it's a SUPER unsafe enviornment for a child.

rmhand

I saw someone at my gym with her baby at the gym and thought she was a champ! Awesome that she doesn't use it as an excuse to not go. The baby just hung out in the carseat sitting on the floor next to the treadmill. Mom got to make faces and wave at the baby.

I think the concerns here are from people that might be lifting weights or something. Babys in the free weight area sounds dangerous but depending on your gym set up I think your ok.