Home Exercise Equipment

While exercising at home is a great alternative to expensive gym memberships, home exercise equipment can be a danger to young children. On average, over 12,000 children a year are treated in U.S. emergency departments for injuries related to home exercise equipment.

Many families have exercise equipment in their home for adults to use. But when younger children “play” with exercise equipment and older children jump in without knowing how to properly use it, injuries occur.

Half of all injuries were sustained when using the equipment, while other injuries occurred when people fell into the equipment or when they came in contact with moving parts of the equipment. Children 10 to 18 years of age were most commonly injured as a result of improperly using the exercise equipment. Younger children, especially those 4 years and younger, sustained injuries when they touched moving parts of the equipment or when they fell into the equipment. Researchers recommend a two-pronged injury prevention campaign that both focuses on reducing injuries among young children who are getting hurt “playing” with equipment, and also targets older children who are improperly using the equipment.

Home Exercise Equipment Injury Facts

  • Younger children, especially those 4 years and younger, get hurt when they touch moving parts of equipment or when they fall into or onto the equipment. 
  • Older children and teens (age 10 to 18 years) are most commonly injured as a result of improperly using equipment. 
  • Exercise equipment most frequently associated with injuries are stationary bicycles, treadmills and jump ropes.
  • Half of all injuries occur when using the equipment, while other injuries occur when people fall into the equipment or when they come in contact with moving parts of the equipment.

Parents and child caregivers can help children stay safer by following these tips:

  • Parents can tell young children that exercise equipment is not a toy and should not be played with.
  • Parents can also teach older children the correct way to use home exercise equipment.

Additional Home Exercise Equipment Resources

  • Home exercise equipment-related injuries among children in the United States