Starting your journey toward a healthier lifestyle with a trip to the gym can sometimes be overwhelming, particularly if you are new and have many questions. One of the most common questions is about the right age to join a gym. You could be a parent looking for an affordable gym for your child, but age requirements at gyms can be confusing.
Although gyms are typically reserved for adults, younger members (as young as 13 or 14) are increasingly growing. Several fitness facilities and gyms take precautions and set age limits and guidelines for members before they allow anyone to access the facility without a parent or guardian.
Consider the guidelines before you join or sign up your child. After that, you won’t have to worry about spending your time and money.
Maybe you’re a current Planet Fitness member wondering about an age restriction because your child or a friend’s child wants to join you at the gym. What is Planet Fitness’s minimum age requirement for membership?
Let’s look into the age requirement for membership at Planet Fitness…
What Age Can You Go to Planet Fitness?
Although the minimum age to join Planet Fitness is 18, Planet Fitness welcomes members as young as 13. However, parental or guardian consent is required for youngsters. In addition, the legal guardian must be present throughout the initial registration process and at all subsequent club trips for anyone 13 or older.
Members between the ages of 15 and 17 can attend without being accompanied by an adult. However, parents should sign the consent to be kept on file. Many fitness centers have posted age restrictions, but you should know that it’s for your safety.
When you join Planet Fitness, you’ll need to show identification. That will verify that you are over 18 and can join without a legal guardian present.
To learn more about the reasons for this age restriction, keep reading…
Why Can’t Young Children Go To Planet Fitness?
Planet Fitness is not a suitable place for young children to go for several reasons. To begin with, unlike some other gyms, Planet Fitness does not have a specific childcare area. It can also be one of the reasons for low-cost membership.
Unfortunately, this also indicates that there is no place for your children to play while you do exercise. You will either need to leave the children at home or have a responsible adult like your spouse or friend supervise them in the car or nearby.
Planet Fitness also isn’t kid-friendly because of all the machines. Many young people lack the knowledge and experience necessary to operate machinery safely. A child 12 years old is not capable of handling heavy machinery, which is why it’s not a suitable place for a child to be there without being accompanied.
Also, it’s most likely your child might be injured in the gym due to the heavy equipment.
Young children cannot withstand the gym workouts that the fitness equipment requires. This is mainly because children’s bodies are not fully developed yet. So it can result in a serious injury or severe muscle damage.
Planet Fitness is unwilling to take any risk regarding your loved ones. Moreover, having a kid can sometimes make it harder to focus on your workout. You’d have to pause every time your child tries to meddle with something.
Read: Can You Deadlift at Planet Fitness?
Can a 12 Year Old Go Planet Fitness?
No, a 12 year old cannot go to Planet Fitness. Children under 13 are not permitted to have a membership or enter Planet Fitness without adult supervision. However, if you want your child to stay healthy, there are some other options available.
Here are some ways to get your kid to benefit from Planet Fitness.
Accompanied by a Parent
An adult can sign up for a Planet Fitness black card membership which allows a guest. Check your local Planet Fitness to see if they accept guests as young as 12.
While your child is working out, you must keep an eye on them. The gym equipment can harm a child who doesn’t know how to use it, so ensure you’re always around.
Read: How to Use Tanning Bed at Planet Fitness
Get the App
You can use the Planet Fitness app and perhaps make it a habit to exercise with your kids every day. The Planet Fitness app is a great option for your child to get ready to use gym facilities.
You can sign up as an adult, and the app is available for download. Check out some workout videos together using this app, which can help your kid become familiar with exercising regularly.
They will be conditioned to exercise, and when they are old enough to have their member status, they may find that they enjoy going to the gym more frequently.
Conclusion…
Planet Fitness allows members as young as 13 years old to join their facility.
Young children can’t go to Planet Fitness as they don’t have a childcare area like most gyms.
Black Card members can bring a guest and, depending on the Planet Fitness you may be able to bring a child as young as 12 years old inside. However, parents should watch their children closely in a gym as it can be dangerous.