How do I feel about it? About the same way that I feel about women brining babies to class, which is to say, no thanks. If this were the case at my gym, I think I'd find a new one, as I go there to relax and get some me time in.

well I know at my gym they have a few "classes" for kids which they take the kids outside (on sunny days) and just let them run around and get all their energy out. A lot of the women in my Pilates class take their kids to that class as it's the same day/time. So for me, as long as the kids aren't on the treadmill next to me or trying to use the weight machines but are in some designated kid area I wouldn't mind, in fact, it might actually be nice to get kids interested in fitness instead of the computer.

I agree with tlsgirl. I don't know how you could regulate it. What if kids just started running around in the weight room? Most people understand proper gym etiquette, and I don't think most children can learn that.

I read an article and wrote a little blog entry on teen gyms... some gyms are actually teen-only which is pretty crazy http://inshapewoman.blog.com/1977551/

The thing is that a lot of these kids don't have 'yard' to play in, or riding bikes may be inherently dangerous.

I don't want them in my gym either, simply because that's another area of danger, but I'd rather the kids do something than have them sitting in front of the boob toob.

the only place kids have in a gym is in the babysitting room.

there's enough annoying people at the gyms as it is.

I saw some young teens in the gym recently. At first I was shocked, like what are they doing h ere? You could tell they didn't know what they were doing, had bad form and I was worried they were going to hurt themselves. I wish kids had other alternatives. I doubt a lot of gyms will do this, just because I'm sure insurance and such would change. Who knows

Kids should be getting their exercise outside with other kids not at a gym. Parents should be outside with them! I think the gym is a place for adults.

kids should be in their own designated area and away from the adults. even over my headphones and noise of machines and people breathing i seriously don't want to hear some kid screaming, wailing or whatever else they do. -shudder-

Uh gag me! I'm so glad I go to a gym at a University...if a child walked in, they'd be stared out of there lol. I don't want to work out with lil brats just like I don't want them in the workplace.

I wouldn't mind as long as the kids were following the gym rules and had instructions on how to use the equipment correctly. As long as they aren't bothering me or getting in the way of my workout, I could care less if a teenager is working out next to me. If kids are being responsible, they deserve to use the equipment just like anyone else. Of course, I think the best solution would be to have a separate area for the kids so they stay away from the adults.

I guess I'd be kind of worried too that the kids might be less than tactful if they see someone who's overweight working out: "EWW! Look at that guy's BIG BEER GUT!" or "YUCK! Look at that fat lady's boobs bouncing around!" Not exactly the kind of motivation most people need at the gym.

I'm all for kids being active, rather than sitting in front of a video game all day, but I agree that it is nice to have gym time as adult time.

I work out at a community center because it's WAY cheaper than any actual gyms around here. They have a lot of activities for kids and for the most part I don't mind having the kids around. But there are always those parents who bring their kids into the workout area and don't supervise them. You end up with kids running and screaming everywhere. I would never pay for a gym membership somewhere that allowed kids for that reason.

I would be so unhappy if my gym started allowing kids...on a side note, weight-lifting in children under about freshman age can have a damaging effect.

teh gym by me has swimming classes for toddlers/kids as well as an exercising room for a pre-teen fitness program. so far in my going I have not seen any kids, except for the ones that go to the babysitting area.

I'm not a big fan of this idea. It weirds me out a little. Okay, a lot. I agree that kids should be exercising outside doing kid stuff. If they don't have a yard, there are lots of parks!