Would you bring your 13 year old to the gym?

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Replies

  • KiltFuPanda
    KiltFuPanda Posts: 574 Member
    My 3 year old has attended my highland games competitions since he was 6 months old. And I think he's been paying attention - he doesn't throw things like a baseball or how you expect toddlers to throw. He's throwing with a wide swing like the weights for distance, or launching them up in the air like a caber. There's a kid's highland games (for 3 and up) being held later this year at one of the ones that I like to compete at - I bet he's going to have fun!

    Kids DO want to do what you do - if they're old enough, take them to the gym. Screw what the grumpus says - he's being bitter.
  • hnuzzolilo
    hnuzzolilo Posts: 34 Member
    Your a great mama for showing your beautiful daughter these wonderful habbits. Even tho she cant keep up ;)

    (added the poster to this topic is my bff, and our daughters are bff's too.)
  • marathon_mama
    marathon_mama Posts: 150 Member
    My son ran his first 5k when he was 6. yes 6. I ran slower to stick with him and he finished in 31 minutes. He's now in middle school cross country and loves it. My daughter prefers gymnastics and has never expressed an interest in running with me. It's all great!
  • elaine_des
    elaine_des Posts: 189 Member
    If she's just sitting there, then its a waste of her time.

    I'd be in favor of my (non existent) kids playing sports or other fun / physical activities (martial arts, dance, swimming, hiking) than running on a treadmill / lifting weights. Difference being that in sports the fitness is a byproduct of a fun activity.

    I'd probably be against lifting (for my non existent kids) until they were 16+

    Most of the kids that play sport at school or outside of school will stop doing so when they leave school or college. it is a really good think to show them a way of being active that they will be able to continue once they reach adulthood.
  • ryry_
    ryry_ Posts: 4,966 Member
    I don't see any downside...Unless it was peppered with negative comments about being overweight and things like that.
  • serenapitala
    serenapitala Posts: 441 Member
    Absolutely! Here in SC there is no gym class and no recess. None of the neighborhood kids play outside.

    That is craziness! Good thing you are encouraging activity. I can't believe the schools don't have to have gym class. And who doesn't want to play outside? I still do!
  • WhoIsAmber
    WhoIsAmber Posts: 161 Member
    Is her father overweight? He might be insecure and want his daughter to be unhealthy with him so he won't be alone or left behind.

    He might also be concerned that she'll hurt herself or someone will say something negative to her in the gym. Overprotective Dad~

    Or as others have said, he's worried that this will lead to an unhealthy obsession with her weight/forming an eating disorder.
  • Jaulen
    Jaulen Posts: 468 Member
    My father brought us to the gym (the YMCA) when I was 12....

    We were also in swimming lessons there.

    I started lifting weights when I was 12 at the Y......didn't seem to harm my at all in my teen years.
  • lucasriggs
    lucasriggs Posts: 131
    Yes. Only if they wanted to though, otherwise they would probably be made to do some other sort of curricular activity.
  • kelly101386
    kelly101386 Posts: 389 Member
    If he enjoys it, then yes!

    My nephew is 13 and does P90X with his mother :D
  • JustANumber85
    JustANumber85 Posts: 644 Member
    I bring my children with me but they are in child care. I would not make them workout if they were old enough-- it should be THEIR choice.
  • iLoveMyPitbull1225
    iLoveMyPitbull1225 Posts: 1,690 Member
    What is his objection specifically? Seems odd to me, as long as you're not pushing her to do excessive exercise or giving her body image issues or something, what's the problem?
    my thoughts exactly. I went to the gym at this age.
  • Angecus
    Angecus Posts: 19 Member
    My son will be 12 in March and one of the things he's most excited about is he will be able to be on the exercise floor with me at our gym! I think its a great way to instill healthy habits in them!

    My son also will be 12 in March. He goes to the gym with me already - 3x a week. My 19 y/o dd had a membership with me but our schedules hardly ever allowed us to go together. I went to cancel altogether when I was told I could change the other person I come with (I get a corporate membership discount for 2). Since i homeschool and hated leaving ds home alone while I was at the gym, I asked if I could put him on. Thankfully ds looks older and happened to be with me. The guy brought ds into the office, told the owner he was 12, and we got the OK.

    He's an awesome workout partner. We do plenty of stretching, then cardio, then strength training. He loves the machines and gets plenty of help and encouragement from all the guys there. I think it's a great way for him to get more exercise in - and he's learning a ton!
  • mcshoelovin22
    mcshoelovin22 Posts: 263 Member
    I actually can't wait to bring my son to the gym. It beats paying a sitter, he's 6. Waiting for LA Fitness to finish construction by my house then IT'S ON...to the fun center lol.
  • TubbsMcGee
    TubbsMcGee Posts: 1,058 Member
    When I was 13-18, our school had a "livefit" program for PE that ensured all students would walk over to the YMCA and get 60 minutes of exercise there every day.
    From what I remember, everyone loved it.
    It encouraged us to have gym buddies and enjoy physical activity.
    When I was 14, my mom started taking me to Aquafit classes. That was THE BEST.
    Mother-daughter bonding time, lots of laughs, and a decent burn. It was something to look forward to every week.
    My dad is kind of kooky in the sense that he didn't want my sister or I to date until we were 40, but he always encouraged us to go to the gym as well. I remember him even buying us memberships.

    try and figure out WHY her dad wouldn't want his daughter getting exercise.
    Working out with my mom is what brought us closer together.
  • BeingAwesome247
    BeingAwesome247 Posts: 1,171 Member
    If I had a gym membership and my daughter was old enough, I'd bring her along

    My best friend started going to the gym with her mom at that age
  • chubbygirl253
    chubbygirl253 Posts: 1,309 Member
    Yes I would if the kid wants to be there and acts apropriately. It's bad enough when adults don't know gym etiquette but with kids that aren't behaving it kinda feels like other gym patrons become unwilling babysitters and it's frustrating. I agree you should discontinue gym time with a teen if it negatively affects her self esteem or body issues. And you should monitor to make sure she isnt overdoing it. I go to the y and see plenty of kids and teens that know how to behave and seem to benefit from the facility and programs. Another thing to watch for, is she attending a class with you like zumba because YOU love it? If she isnt as into it as you but going along it isn't ideal. And I can understand if your ex is unhappy you work out for 2 hrs and your daughter is bored and waiting on you. Maybe leave her home if that is the case. I have a friend that brings her 10 year old to a class we love. It's hard but he can do it but you can tell he isn't into it and doing it half-@ssed. I'm sure there are people in the class who dont think it's right because space in the class is limited.

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