For those parents or guardians who are still unsure whether their twelve-year-old child can join Planet Fitness, you should not worry at all; you are among the many.
Families are becoming much more conscious and managing their calorie intake, and at the same time, many are putting their children in gym memberships.
One of the most recommended gyms is Planet Fitness due to its relatively cheaper services and open attitude toward users.
However, what about rules and policies for the young members of the institution? Now it is time to uncover all the information you need regarding this matter, including how to bring a 12-year-old to Planet Fitness.
Planet Fitness membership has an age limit.
Perhaps you are familiar with Planet Fitness, the gym that has what is known as the ‘judgment-free zone,’ which should make it simple for anyone to join.
However, the gym does provide clear expectations regarding the situation with age.
As per Planet Fitness policies
- Membership can even be obtained at the age of thirteen.
- Participants ages 13-15 must exercise under the supervision of a parent or guardian.
- While some members are allowed to work out alone and be in the gym naked at 16-17 years, they must provide signed parental consent.
Thus the answer to the question, can a 12-year-old have a Planet Fitness membership or even get to use the facilities?
The answer is NO. But at 13, or rather when they begin having Junior Black Cards, they can have a Planet Fitness membership under supervision.
Why Planet Fitness Has Age Restrictions?
Age restrictions at gyms like Planet Fitness are put in place for several reasons
Safety Concerns - Now and then we see gym equipment being used improperly in a way that can cause harm to the user. Babies and toddlers especially will be unable to operate the machines as they may require strength, coordination, or even comprehension.
Legal Liability - Lack of supervision of the gym by qualified personnel, letting minor users below a given age access gym facilities may put the gym at more legal risk in any event of an incident involving injuries.
Appropriate Equipment Use - Many of the pieces of equipment used in the gymnasiums are meant for adults or older teenagers. Some of the equipment may not be quite suitable for the young ones and the calisthenic abilities of the younger children.
These policies help to make those who will be using the gym have the best time as they are free from any danger.
Gym Exercising Substitutes for 12-Year-Olds
But if your 12-year-old is pumped up to get fit, then you don’t have to trouble yourself. Planet Fitness has nothing to do with health and exercise; in this context, one can opt for them or find many other ways to be healthy.
Here are some great alternatives
1. Youth Fitness Programs
Personal training as well as inspiring exercise programs for children of such age can be found in many community centers, some local gyms, or recreational facilities. These programs usually include aerobics that are appropriate to the age and are accompanied by certified trainers.
2. Sports Teams
Participating in school or community sports teams is one of the most incredible ways in which children can help build up their energy and etiquette. Soccer, basketball, swimming, and gymnastics seem to be good for kids 12 years of age and would be recommended.
3. Outdoor Activities
As much as possible, encourage your child to engage in some form of exercise by suggesting that you both go biking, jogging, or even take a morning or evening walk around the neighborhood. They assist him/her/them in exercising the body as well as getting fresh air to admire the natural environmental beauty.
4. At-Home Workouts
The same applies to exercise instructions for children; there are hundreds, if not thousands, of YouTube channels and dedicated fitness apps with workouts for kids. These can be rather entertaining and handy to do at home to start with moving your body.
5. Family Workouts
Exercise should be part of the family routines! Ride bicycles, go outside and shoot some hoops in the driveway, or take a yoga class or practice together. This way everyone is occupied, and besides that, it creates together time for the family.
Planet Fitness for Teens—When Can a Teen Join?
However, when your child attains thirteen years of age or even older, they are considered an adult and can sign for the Planet Fitness membership without your assistance.
Here’s what you can expect
Supervised workouts Age (13-15)
The gym is available for the 13-15-year-old user, but the young people must be with a parent or a guardian. This means that you have to take your workout alongside them or stay in the gym during their visit. It is time to allow your teen to learn proper gym etiquette and also how to handle some of the equipment properly.
Green X Batch (Ages 16-17)
At 16, teens can work out on their own at Planet Fitness. But before they begin, they require the participant’s parent or guardian’s signed consent. This gives them more independence while at the same time, they are safe.
Free Summer Pass for Teens
Currently, Planet Fitness usually has the ‘High School Summer Pass’ promotion where teens between the ages of 14-19 years can access the gym for free during summer. Although this doesn’t cover 12-year-olds, it is good to bear in mind for the next accommodating cycles.
Advice on How to Take Your Teen to the Gym
As much as it is appropriate for your child to join Planet Fitness at this age, it’s important to introduce him or her gradually to a workout regime.
Here are some tipextent.
Start Slow - Remind your teen to start by taking simple exercises and then build themselves up to the higher levels. Excessive work put in can cause complications and stress a worker out to the extent
Teach Proper Form - Teach them how to correctly use gym equipment, or, in case little time is available, seek the services of a trainer for a few basic lessons.
Set Realistic Goals - Encourage your teen to have reasonable fitness objectives that include a chance to enhance the endurance level, muscle mass, or general fitness.
Promote Consistency - Move towards the highly frequent gym-going rather than the low frequency. For such a habit to form and be sustainable, it has to be consistent to a large extent.
Make It Fun - Reassure your teen that health exercises are enjoyable, not a burden. Users can listen to music, experiment with the exercises, or use workout routines together with buddies to make the process fascinating.
Importance of Pre-Teens and Teens Fitness
Early adolescence and adolescence are vital years as regards physical development. Encouraging regular exercise during this stage offers numerous benefits, including.
Improved Physical Health - Exercise helps build bones, muscles, and even the heart and erases diseases such as the tendency to be overweight or diabetic.
Mental Well-Being - It also helps the body produce endorphins, which are used in the improvement of the moods since they wipe out stress or anxiety.
Better Sleep - People should engage in exercises that see them take workouts that would help boost the body hormones responsible for growth and developmental patterns that include good sleep.
Increased Confidence - Realization of fitness objectives reduces cases of low self-esteem and consequently results in a positive body image.
Therefore, if you adopt these habits at this age, the goal of a healthy lifestyle is sealed for a lifetime.
Final Thoughts
Though they do not allow a 12-year-old to join them due to their policy, there are so many other options through which a child can keep fit and healthy.
Starting from the probability of children’s fitness to complex organized physical training, from outdoor games to family workouts, all are available at this age.
When your child is 13 years and above, they get a membership under your supervision at Planet Fitness. For now, just ensure that they put sound health practices in place that they can practice as they grow up.
Fitness is not something that is achieved in one day; it’s a lifestyle, and introducing fitness at this age means they are on the right track of healthy living.
However, it must be kept in mind that all that now matters is that the fitness regime must be fun and appropriate to the age of the person.
But no worries—your 12-year-old is not so young anymore to have no fun while exercising! Whether your child is into sports or outdoor activities or just encourages the whole family to exercise more, there are plenty of fun ways to go through it!