I talked our gym into allowing our kids to work out as young teens. They had been to a small private gym and had done light weight training and we wanted to continue. There is a Gold's Gym near us that refused.

Our Golds gym is by height - 4'11". But I asked about my daughter, who is 8 and rock climbs and does kids triathlons, and they are allowing her to join. I train her with mostly body weight exercises, the bosu and medicine bals, etc.

Other than maybe free weights, I think it's a good idea. Exercise should be a family affair.

No. And I am really pissed about it. When we joined we were told that our daughter could use the cardio machines and limited other equipment (like medicine balls and incline ramps). Now that she is 12 suddenly the rules are different. If I could find a gym where we could go together, I would quit this place in a heartbeat.

Tae Bo seems pretty harmless for a child. I'm not familiar with bodyshred.

Lifetime allows kids 12+ to use the gym.

OP here, I totally agree it's a liability.

I've seen gyms that allow 16+, or even 13+ (with parental supervision) to use things like the treadmill or elliptical. I can kind of understand that.

But I don't understand what prompts a parent to bring their 10 year old to a tae bo class (not a kids or promotional class).

Hell no. Totally inappropriate and a huge liability. I do not expect kids to be able to handle the equipment and weights in the same way. I don't expect them to understand their body limits and respond appropriately.

Recently I've noticed some parents bringing their kids to classes (like Tae Bo, Bodyshred, etc) at my gym. I know kids need exercise, but think this is a terrible idea for a number of reasons. Kids as young as 8-10. I didn't even know my gym allowed younger kids!

Does your gym allow kids to workout with adults??