Are there any rules and regulations about what age children should be before they can start using gym equipment? If so what are they and who is the regulating body?
Parents should also encourage all-round fitness by engaging in activities with their children, for example by cycling together, playing racket sports with older children, or simply kicking a football or rugby ball around the local park. Not only will such activities provide all generations with improved fitness, but also promote closer bonds and mutual understanding and interests.
Cardiovascular efficiency
Exercise involving gym equipment should not be necessary as muscle development and cardiovascular efficiency will follow naturally over time as long as a sedentary lifestyle is avoided. Should children entering their teens require work in the gym involving weights or specific machines to aid performance, then this work must be carried out under the supervision of a suitable qualified instructor to ensure that any routine is executed in complete safety. The aforementioned instructor should also be thoroughly versed in first aid as well as being able to effectively communicate with both children, coaches and parents to ensure an intelligent and safe programme is followed.
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Register of Exercise Professionals
On the net, a good source of information regarding trainers can be found at the site of the Register of Exercise Professionals www.exerciseregister.org.
Parents who already hold a gym membership should enquire about family rates, and ask as many questions as they feel necessary regarding their children’s suitability to use machines in the gym. Only when a parent is thoroughly satisfied that their child will benefit from using machines, and that they will be completely safe when doing so, should they give the green light. However it is worth bearing in mind that generations of children grew up fit and healthy long before the bright and shiny outlets of the fitness industry began sprouting up in the suburbs.
Is it my responsibility to tell the staff they must do a better job of supervising the children they claim to be “babysitting”?
the hall is hired out by local football and basketball teams. we also have badminton two nights a takes place week. the responsibility for over seeking the young people involved in these activities are the people that coach or run the teams. in other words the safeguarding of the young people involved is the coach/team leader.
the gym...and this is where a quandary lies with regard to safeguarding and overseeing young people in the gym. we have just increase the age limit to 18 years. up to now we have allowed 16 yr olds in without parental consent. below 16 only with parents present.
does anybody know what the rules with regard to young people using the gym. obviously we advise our young people not to use heavy weights.
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