Minimum Ages for Children to Go to the Gym (And Where They Can Work Out)

This article was co-authored by Laila Ajani and by wikiHow staff writer, Hunter Rising. Laila Ajani is a Fitness Trainer and founder of Push Personal Fitness, a personal training organization based in the San Francisco Bay Area. With over 13 years as a trainer and exercise specialist, Laila has expertise in competitive athletics (gymnastics, powerlifting, and tennis), personal training, distance running, and Olympic lifting. Laila is certified by the National Strength & Conditioning Association (NSCA), and USA Powerlifting (USAPL), and she is a Corrective Exercise Specialist (CES).

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Is your child interested in working out but you aren’t sure if they can come to the gym with you? Or maybe you’re a teen but don’t know if you can go by yourself. While some gyms are for adults only, there are plenty of places where minors can work out too. It’s so important to start getting active at a young age, and we’re here to help you or one of your kids get started with their workout routine. Keep reading for our list of the best gyms for kids and teens so you’re able to start getting fit now!

• Start working out at the gym between the ages of 12–16. The minimum age may vary on the location.
• Children need permission from a parent or guardian to sign up for a gym membership.
• Some gyms may require supervision for children under 18 to use gym equipment.

What’s the minimum age to go to a gym?

• Ask about discounts for children and family memberships at the gym to see if you can save some money.
• Most gyms don’t allow access for kids under 12, but they may offer childcare so parents can work out without distractions.

Age Policies for Gyms

• The YMCA usually offers special discounts for children under 18 and families.
• Children ages 6 and under are not allowed in the YMCA fitness center.

• 24 Hour Fitness allows you to add family members to your membership to avoid multiple initiation fees.

• Life Time Fitness lets you add children to a membership for a discounted rate.

Crunch Fitness: 12 with supervision; 15 alone If you’re a child between 12–14, a parent or guardian has to be with you at all times if you want to use any of the workout equipment at Crunch Fitness. After you turn 15, a parent or guardian just needs to fill out a consent form for you to work out by yourself. [5] X Research source

• No one under 12 can go to Gold’s Gym or use the equipment unless there’s a special youth event.

• Planet Fitness doesn’t offer childcare services, but you’re allowed to bring underage kids as a parent as long as you don’t leave them unattended.

Anytime Fitness: 15 without supervision Anytime Fitness offers an underage memberships to teens starting at 15 as long as a parent or guardian is there when you sign up. After paying for membership fees and signing a waiver, you can use any of the workout equipment in the gym without parental supervision. [8] X Research source

• Children under 15 aren’t allowed to use equipment at Equinox unless it’s part of a youth program.

Laila Ajani is a Fitness Trainer and founder of Push Personal Fitness, a personal training organization based in the San Francisco Bay Area. With over 13 years as a trainer and exercise specialist, Laila has expertise in competitive athletics (gymnastics, powerlifting, and tennis), personal training, distance running, and Olympic lifting. Laila is certified by the National Strength & Conditioning Association (NSCA), and USA Powerlifting (USAPL), and she is a Corrective Exercise Specialist (CES).

The youngest age a kid should visit a gym is seven years old. Even so, they must use extremely lightweight equipment. Prepubescent children aged 12 and under should stick to bodyweight exercises. Once your kids pass puberty, you can slowly start introducing weights into their exercise routines with proper guidance and instructions.

Doing Safe & Effective Workouts

• If you’re a kid, ask a friend to workout with you so you can learn to use the equipment together.

• Start working out with low weights at first to ensure you maintain proper form and control.
• Doing exercises that you enjoy help you stay motivated to keep working out.
• As a kid, try to plan at least 60-minutes of physical activity every day.
• As a parent, avoid forcing your children to do exercises they don’t like since it may make them develop negative feelings about working out.

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• Warming up and cooling down helps you prevent injuries and helps improve your flexibility.

• Working out makes you sweat and easily get dehydrated, so drinking water helps replenish your body.
• If you’re exercising for longer than 1 hour, then drink a sports drink instead to replenish electrolytes and feel energized.

• Alternate what muscle groups you work out each day. For example, work your arms one day and then target your legs the next day.
• Work out in a gym at least 3 days a week to help build strong muscles and bones. [15] X Research source

• As a kid, try to limit your time on social media so you’re not as exposed to unrealistic body images.

Exercise Benefits for Kids

Easier weight management It’s normal for bodies to change and grow during puberty, but staying active can help you manage a healthy weight as a kid. Getting into the habit of exercising when you’re younger makes it more likely that you’ll stick with it so you’ll continue to burn calories and fat. [17] X Research source

Lower chances of chronic disease Since exercise helps your body burn fat and regulate itself, you’re less likely to develop conditions like heart disease, hypertension (high blood pressure), type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, and much more as you grow up. Try to get about 60 minutes of physical activity every day to help you stay healthy. [18] X Trustworthy Source Health.gov Online collection of health and fitness standards set by the U.S. Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Go to source

Stronger bone development Any weight-bearing activity, like walking, running, lifting weights, and aerobics, help strengthen your bones when you’re growing. That means you’re less likely to fracture or break bones since they’re more dense. [19] X Research source

Laila Ajani is a Fitness Trainer and founder of Push Personal Fitness, a personal training organization based in the San Francisco Bay Area. With over 13 years as a trainer and exercise specialist, Laila has expertise in competitive athletics (gymnastics, powerlifting, and tennis), personal training, distance running, and Olympic lifting. Laila is certified by the National Strength & Conditioning Association (NSCA), and USA Powerlifting (USAPL), and she is a Corrective Exercise Specialist (CES).

Children should not focus excessively on muscle building before they reach puberty. When exercising with kids, parents should not worry about doing a set amount of exercise or reps in a workout session. Instead, they should focus on introducing fun activities that make kids excited about fitness and about starting this healthy habit at an early age.

Improved confidence & self-esteem When you exercise, your brain releases endorphins and dopamine that help boost your mood and make you feel amazing. Since working out also helps your body look and feel better, it makes you more confident in your appearance so you’re not as likely to feel depressed or ashamed. [20] X Trustworthy Source HelpGuide Nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free, evidence-based mental health and wellness resources. Go to source

Better academic performance Working out helps improve your alertness and attentiveness, plus it helps promote nerve cell growth so it’s easier to remember information. Since exercise also reduces stress and makes you more motivated, it’s the perfect addition to your routine if you have a hard time focusing in class and want to improve your grades. [21] X Trustworthy Source Mental Health Foundation UK charity working towards good mental health for all. Go to source

Expert Q&A

Laila Ajani is a Fitness Trainer and founder of Push Personal Fitness, a personal training organization based in the San Francisco Bay Area. With over 13 years as a trainer and exercise specialist, Laila has expertise in competitive athletics (gymnastics, powerlifting, and tennis), personal training, distance running, and Olympic lifting. Laila is certified by the National Strength & Conditioning Association (NSCA), and USA Powerlifting (USAPL), and she is a Corrective Exercise Specialist (CES).

We can instill the concepts of fitness and physical activity in children from a very early age, essentially as soon as they begin moving. This can involve activities such as yoga, engaging in sports, or exploring various ways to move their bodies. As children grow older, it's beneficial to encourage participation in sports and enjoyable activities. Starting at the playground is a great idea—observing what they naturally gravitate toward, whether it's the monkey bars or playing soccer with friends. Identifying their preferences and interests allows us to incorporate fitness into their lives in a way that aligns with their passions. Introducing sports is a particularly enjoyable method of integrating physical activity into a child's routine.

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