MEMBER GUIDE
REV. 07/18/2023
We are committed to providing a safe and welcoming environment for all members and guests. To promote safety and comfort for all, we ask individuals to act appropriately at all times when in our facility or participating in our programs.
We expect persons using our facilities to act maturely, to behave responsibly and to respect the rights and dignity of others. Our Member Code of Conduct outlines prohibited action, but the actions listed below are not an all-inclusive list of behaviors considered inappropriate in our facilities or programs.
Using or possessing illegal chemicals or alcohol on our property, vehicles or at sponsored programs.
Our property is a smoke-free, tobacco product-free environment. This includes electronic cigarette/smoke devices and chewing tobacco.
Carrying or concealing a weapon or any device or object which may be used as a weapon.
Harassment or intimidation by words, gestures, body language, or any type of menacing behavior.
Physical contact with another person in an angry, aggressive or threatening way.
Verbally abusive behavior, including angry or vulgar language, swearing, name calling or shouting.
Sexually explicit conversation or behavior; any sexual contact with another person.
Theft or behavior that results in the destruction or loss of property.
Loitering within or on the grounds.
No cellular phone usage is allowed in the locker rooms, bathrooms, sauna and steam room.
The protection of our members and guests participating in our programs and/or using our facilities is a paramount interest. We reserve the right to deny access or membership to any person who has been convicted of any crime involving sexual abuse, is or has been a registered sex offender or predator.
Members and guests are encouraged to take responsibility for their personal comfort and safety by asking any person whose behavior threatens their comfort to refrain from such behavior. Anyone who feels uncomfortable in confronting a person directly should report the behavior to a staff person or the building supervisor on duty. Staff members are eager to be of assistance. Members and guests should not hesitate to notify a staff member if assistance is needed.
In order to carry out these policies, we ask that members and guests identify themselves when asked.
The Branch Executive (or designee) will investigate all reported incidents. Suspension or termination of membership privileges may result from a determination by the Branch Executive if, in his or her discretion, a violation of the Code of Conduct has occurred.
The hours of operation vary from branch to branch and may change without prior notice. Always check for details. We make every effort to give 24 hours advanced notice whenever we must change our hours of operation, however there may be situations outside our control where advanced notification will not be possible.
JUST THE BASICS...
We are more than a gym. We are a membership based organization and our members support our mission and are our public face. That said, we recognize that individual members may not be happy with certain aspects of the organization. The forum to address those concerns is with Management. Members shall not engage in behavior which systematically disparages us or portrays it in a bad light, and shall not engage in activities, externally or internally, that are designed to disrupt operations or intimidate membership.
Members shall not conduct personal business on premises.
Members shall not engage in political activities or activism on premises.
Members shall not engage in personal campaigning for office on premises for any position within our organization, or for external offices, whether public or private.
Our country's political climate is highly charged. Our branches are a haven from stress where members of various political affiliations and views are welcome to come to relax and take care of their bodies. While we recognize the fundamental right to free speech, we would like our Branches to remain politics-free. Members shall refrain from engaging in political discussions or in fomenting strife on political grounds. Any such incidents will be treated as purposely disruptive and will be dispositioned accordingly.
Medical Checkup
A pre-participation medical checkup and an annual medical evaluation by your physician are strongly recommended for participation in physical fitness activities.
Special Needs
We provide opportunities for people with physical and mental disabilities to participate in our programs. So that we may provide a positive experience, please contact us about any accommodations needed for participation.
Special Events
Our facilities may be reserved for private parties (birthday parties, meetings, etc.). Reservations should be made at your Branch.
Fitness Orientation & Wellness Advisor Consultation
The free orientation and consultation are educational tools that assist our members in implementing safe and effective exercise guidelines. We highly recommend that new members make an appointment for their fitness orientation and wellness advisor consultation that will explain the general components of exercise, proper use of equipment, fitness area procedures, and get them started on their fitness journey with the right first step.
Personal Training Safety
Our certified Personal trainers will instruct you on how to safely and effectively perform exercises suitable for your age, fitness level, physical limitations and desired fitness goals. Recommendations – Our Certified Personal Trainers will develop a program that suits your individual goals and schedule. The trainers will recommend exercises and stretches that may help improve your game in golf, tennis, basketball, baseball or help with any other conditioning needed.
Personal Training Policy
Only certified personal training staff members will be allowed to utilize our facilities for personal training services. Personal Training services are available to members only.
Attire
As a family oriented organization, the YMCA encourages members and their guests to maintain an appearance that is not disruptive, distracting, nor offensive in any regard.
Parameters: Appropriate workout attire is required.
No swimsuits or clothing that may be inappropriate in a family environment allowed.
Members may exercise in a wide variety of active wear. Crop tops, sports bras, long pants, collared shirts are all welcome!
Athletic shorts must be at least 3 inches in length.
Sleep attire, bathing suits and bathrobes are not permitted on the fitness floor and while using cardio equipment.
Inappropriate or sexually revealing attire is not permitted, including attire that carries sexual, vulgar, or offensive messages.
Proper athletic footwear (closed-toe, closed-heel) should be worn. Only non-marking shoes are permitted on wood floors.
Swimsuits are required in the swimming pool and spa. Thong type bathing suits, cut-offs and gym shorts are not permitted in the pool.
For your safety, it is strongly recommended that eye guards be worn in the racquetball courts.
Lockers
Lockers are available for daily use during your visit. We strongly advise the use of locks to protect your personal items. Please use your own lock to secure your clothes and valuables in your “daily use” lockers while you are working out. Locks left on overnight are subject to removal without notification due to safety and health concerns. Valuables are best left at home.
Lost and Found
We are not responsible for lost or stolen property, however, we do keep lost and found items whenever possible. Please check at your branch for the location of the lost and found.
Accidents
Contact a staff person immediately if there is an accident, injury or unusual incident. We are here to assist you. However, please be advised that you are participating in all activities at your own risk and are fully responsible for yourself, your children and your guest. We do not carry accident insurance on its members or participants. All expenses or through involvement in our programs and activities are the responsibility of the member/participant and his/her own insurance carrier.
Service Animals
Service animals are allowed to accompany people with disabilities in all areas of the facility where the public is normally allowed to go. (For example, service animals may go into the locker room, but NOT in the shower area.) Service animals must be harnessed, leashed, or tethered, unless these devices interfere with the service animal’s work or the individual’s disability prevents using these devices.
FACILITY USE GUIDELINES
Members MUST wipe down equipment before and after use.
For your safety, glass containers, open containers and food are not permitted.
Water bottles are recommended.
For our members’ safety, no bags should be on the fitness floor.
There is a time limit on each piece of cardiovascular equipment of 30 minutes.
Please wipe off perspiration from equipment when finished and return weights to racks.
Please do not drop or slam weights, nor do curls in the squat rack.
In respect for the workout time of all our members, please refrain from talking on your cell phone while on the fitness floor.
For safety reasons, no strollers are permitted on the indoor track.
For the health of all our members, no person having skin lesions, sores, inflamed eyes or mouth, nose or ear discharge, or who is known to the local health office as a carrier of microorganisms for any communicable disease, shall participate in group contact activities.
YOUTH POLICIES
Youth ages 14 and up are allowed on the fitness floor.
Youth ages 10-13 may be permitted to use the fitness floor and cardio equipment once they have successfully completed the Youth Equipment Orientation, subject to some restrictions. A complimentary Youth Equipment Orientation is offered with a fitness instructor or a personal trainer. Members can sign up at the front desk.
Children ages 10+ may attend family friendly group exercise classes with adult supervision. See group exercise schedule for more details about our family friendly group classes.
Youth ages 10-13, at the parents’ discretion, can utilize facilities for up to 3 hours at a time, in youth approved program areas limited to: indoor/outdoor track, basketball and racquetball courts.
Children ages 9 and under in the building or on the campus are required to be registered and participating in a program or accompanied by parent/adult to utilize youth approved program areas limited to: indoor track, basketball and racquetball courts. Youth must be supervised while using these areas and following all policies.
Children age 5 years and younger may use the same locker room with their parent/guardian. Children age 6 years and older must use gender appropriate locker rooms. Please note we also have Family Locker Rooms available.
Child Watch is available for children of members while parent(s) is/are on the premises using the facilities. We provide this as a free service to our Members. Child Watch is open to children 6 weeks to 9 years old with a daily cumulative two-hour maximum. Additional rules and restrictions apply. For more information, please visit our member services desk.
Pool Use Rules
Shower before using the pools.
Children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult (over 18) fully in the water and must remain within arms reach of children at all times.
ALL non-swimmers must be accompanied by an adult in the water and must never be left unattended.
Guests who require full-time assistance or a caretaker will not be left unattended in the aquatics facility or in the water.
Children ages 8 to 10 will be swim tested If a child does not pass the swim test, an adult must stay in the water with him/her. An adult must be in the aquatics area with children under 10.
Infants and non-toilet trained children are required to wear waterproof swim diapers with plastic over pants.
Playing on ropes, rails, & ladders is prohibited.
Urinating, spitting, or nose blowing in the pool or on the deck is prohibited.
Smoking, vaping, alcoholic beverages, glass containers, gum , food, drinks or animals other than service animals are not permitted in the pool area.
More than 2 swimmers per lap lane must circle swim. To avoid collisions when sharing lanes, always make sure that the other swimmers know that new swimmers are getting in the lane.
No person having skin lesions, sores, inflamed eyes or mouth, nose or ear discharge, or who is known to the local health office as a carrier of microorganisms for any communicable disease, shall use the swimming pools.
All flotation devices must be U.S. Coast guard approved.
No running on the pool deck or throwing projectiles.
No horseplay (grabbing or pushing) allowed in the pools or on the deck.
No prolonged breath holding in the pools. No more than one pool length (25 yards) at a time can be underwater.
Pool will close due to fecal contamination and maintenance procedures, inclement weather when lightning strikes are detected within 8 miles (30 minute delay from last strike)
Appropriate swim attire must be worn in pools. No cotton clothing
Do not swallow the pool water
NO DIVING UNLESS TAKING LESSONS. NO JUMPING INTO INSTRUCTIONAL POOL
Lifeguard has final interpretation of all rules
If rules are not obeyed you will be asked to leave, for your safety and the safety of our patrons. If you do not leave when asked, the police will be called.
Lightning Policy
In order to comply with the requirements of YMCA’s liability insurance policy, all pools located in the Aquatics Center will close down when lightning is detected within eight miles of the facility. All members and guests will be asked to exit the pool area, leaving access to the sauna and steam room open. The weather tracking program, WeatherBug, is used to track lightening strikes, which automatically updates after each lightning strike. In order to reopen the pool, YMCA is required to wait 30 minutes after lightning has moved to eight miles or greater.
You are welcome to monitor the lightning on your own device, however, if your device shows a different lightning strike, YMCA will use the data from WeatherBug.
The lightning policy is for the safety of our swimmers. Thank you for your understanding.
Sauna, Steam Room and Jacuzzi Rules
Shower before entering and after leaving before getting in another pool!!
Patrons must be at least 16 years old .
Sauna, use a towel to sit on, and one under your feet if they are on a bench
Appropriate swim attire must be worn.
No long sleeved shirts, or pants.
No street shoes. Please use flip flops or water shoes.
No lying down.
No Exercising
No food or drinks
No reading materials, or digital devices that others can hear
Do not leave clothing in the sauna.
No eucalyptus in the sauna.
No shaving or exfoliating.
If you feel dizzy or light headed, leave the room immediately and report your condition to the Lifeguard.
Do not exceed a maximum of 15 minutes.
The sauna, steam room and Jacuzzi are not recommended for people with the following conditions: Pregnancy, high blood pressure, heart conditions and circulatory conditions.
YMCA is not responsible for the theft of personal belongings. Please bring a lock and use a day locker in the locker room to store your valuables.
Lifeguard has final interpretation of all rules
If rules are not obeyed you will be asked to leave, for your safety and the safety of our patrons. If you do not leave when asked, the police will be called.
LIFEGUARDS HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO ENFORCE ALL POOL RULES AND SAFETY SITUATIONS.