Info to Know for Your Y Visit

To help us comply with state-mandated capacity limits, reservations are now available for Lap Lane Swimming, Recreational Swim, Water Exercise and Group Exercise Classes.

Members can make reservations starting at 5:00 am two days prior to the class by using our new platform, MotionVibe. Create your free account and begin today! Reservations can also be made over the phone with any YMCA of Austin location.

Reservations are per member, per class, per week, per branch. Please check the MotionVibe schedule for shared lane times, recreational swim group limits and more.

Questions? Email MVSupport.

• Facility Capacity Limits
• Reservation system for Group Exercise Classes and Lap Lane Swimming
• Members should arrive 15 minutes before classes/pool usage for health screen and check-in
• Member access will be limited to one (1) hour to accommodate additional members while adhering to capacity limits
• Reconfigured YMCA branches to ensure Social Distancing 
• Demarcation System to ensure safe member spacing for waiting areas
• Masks required
• Gloves covering from wrist to fingertip recommended but not required while exercising 
• Sneeze shields installed at Welcome Center desks
• Limited points of entry and exit
• One-way traffic throughout facility wherever possible
• Lockers and showers temporarily closed
• Water fountains temporarily closed but bottle-filling stations are open, so please bring your own bottle
• Hot tubs, saunas and steam rooms temporarily closed
• Common seating areas temporarily closed
• Coffee service suspended

To ensure the best experience for everyone, please adhere to the following guidelines when you participate in YMCA programs:

• Gloves that cover from wrist to fingertip are recommended but not required during exercise
• Reconfigured Group Exercise spaces to allow social distancing
• Pre-registration required to ensure spot in Group Exercise class
• Use of floor markers in classes to designate participant positions 
• Members are asked to bring their own yoga mats, resistance bands, and props 
• Cardio machines will be spaced to allow distancing and must be cleaned before and after use.
• Strength training equipment must be cleaned before and after use
• Personal training will resume at select locations with a new delivery protocol
• Senior programs will remain suspended
• Virtual Y Live and On-Demand programs will continue 

We have put careful thought and planning into our reopening. 

We have followed guidance from the CDC, local health agencies and public officials to update our policies, practices and procedures to ensure the highest standards of cleanliness and hygiene and make appropriate accommodations for physical/social distancing. Key measures include:

• Branch Capacity Limits
• Health Screenings for Members and Staff
• Increased Cleaning & Disinfecting Protocols
• Personal Protection Equipment for all Staff
• Sneeze Shields Installed at Front Desks
• Newly Configured Ys to Ensure Social Distancing 
• Limited Points of Entry & Exits

All YMCA of Austin locations have been thoroughly cleaned and disinfected according to CDC guidelines.

We have reconfigured our locations to ensure proper spacing in all areas and have established our capacity limits. During times when we are at capacity, Y members may be asked to wait in line similar to their experience at retail stores.

We have implemented a new reservation system for Group Exercise classes and Swimming Pool Lap Lanes. Members are encouraged to register in advance to ensure a spot during their desired class or timeframe. They will be able to do so online, via mobile app or by phone.

Member access will be limited to 1 hour to accommodate additional members while adhering to capacity limits.

We have implemented a new reservation system for Group Exercise classes and Swimming Pool Lap Lanes. 

Members are encouraged to register in advance to ensure a spot during their desired class or timeframe. They will be able to do so online, via mobile app or by phone.

No advance registration is required to access the Fitness Center. However, note that during times when we are at capacity, Y members may be asked to wait in line similar to their experience at retail stores.

Members can still visit the Y without registering in advance. However, during times when we are at capacity, Y members may be asked to wait in line similar to their experience at retail stores.

We have implemented a new reservation system for Group Exercise classes and Swimming Pool Lap Lanes. Members are encouraged to register in advance to ensure a spot during their desired class or timeframe. They will be able to do so online, via mobile app or by phone.

Member access will be limited to 1 hour to accommodate additional members while adhering to capacity limits.

To ensure safety, a number of areas will be temporarily closed, including:

• Community seating areas
• Coffee stations
• Locker Rooms and Indoor Showers
• Water fountains
• Hot tubs, saunas and steam rooms
• Gymnasium for open play

experience. But we also have to balance that with our need to be safe. 

That’s why we’ve removed community seating areas and are asking members to limit their workout time to one hour to allow other members to access the facility. 

Members are more than welcome to continue visiting outside of the Y at a safe distance.  

Why do I have to wear a mask?

In compliance with Austin Mayor Adler’s order of June 17, and Hays County Judge Becerra’s order of June 18, the YMCA of Austin will now require all members age 7 and up to wear a face mask or covering while inside a YMCA facility. This policy applies to all YMCA of Austin facilities in Travis, Hays and Bastrop Counties.

If a member feels that wearing a face covering while engaging in physical activity could pose a health risk, they may choose to remove it during that time. But face coverings are now required not only at entry but in all common indoor areas of our Y facilities.

Members exercising outdoors or using outdoor pool areas are not required to wear face coverings if they are able to maintain 6 feet distance from others or in the same household. Masks are not required while swimming.

Why don’t you require members to wear a mask all the time?

If a member feels that wearing a face covering while engaging in physical activity could pose a health risk, they may choose to remove it during that time. But face coverings are now required not only at entry but in all common indoor areas of our Y facilities.

Members exercising outdoors or using outdoor pool areas are not required to wear face coverings if they are able to maintain 6 feet distance from others, unless in the same household. Masks are not required while swimming.

If I remove my mask while I’m exercising, do I need to put it back on to go to a different area of the facility or to exit the building?

Yes, the order mandates that patrons wear masks at all times in all common indoor areas of our Y facilities unless doing so would pose a health risk. This includes transitions between facility areas as well as exiting.

Do I need to wear gloves? 

Gloves that cover from wrist to fingertip are recommended but not required while exercising.

Do I need to provide my own gloves? 

Yes, we are asking members to provide their own gloves that cover from wrist to fingertip.

What kind of gloves do I need to wear?

We have received no specific guidance on the type of gloves required other than that they should cover from wrist to fingertip. We’d recommend a lightweight glove that is suitable for wear during exercise. 

What if I forget gloves. Will the Y provide some? 

We will have disposable gloves to pass out if someone forgets.

Do I need to wear gloves when I’m swimming? 

No, you do not need to wear gloves while swimming. We are asking members to bring their own swim paddles, buoys and kickboards. Shared equipment will not be available. 

Do I need to wear gloves in a Group Exercise class? 

No, you do not need to wear gloves in a Group Exercise class. We are asking members to bring their own mats, blocks and resistance bands. Shared equipment will not be available. 

For BodyPump exclusively, we will put a special cleaning protocol in place to sanitize shared equipment.

Members will need to bring their own exercise mats, blocks, exercise bands, pool paddles and swim buoys. 

Our gymnasium will not be open for free play or organized games such as basketball, volleyball or pickleball. Gyms may be reserved for exercise classes to provide adequate spacing between participants.

As we resume operations, we will assess options for allowing use of the gym.

We are compelled by state law to maintain capacity limits in our facilities, and further guidelines call for social distancing in all shared spaces.

We have many Y members each day who are placed on wait-lists in hopes of gaining access to a lap lane, rec swim area or exercise class. We are limiting the  number of reservations in order to provide access to the greatest number of members. We recognize the inconvenience this creates for members like you.

Yes, we are asking members like you to sacrifice a portion of your time so that other members can participate. Fortunately, at the Y, we have many facilities and activities to choose from, and you can make up to three reservations per week at other branches or in other activities.

We hope you can find a variety of options that work for you.

YMCA membership dues support the operation of the entire facility rather than providing access for a specific program or area.

Fortunately, at the Y, we have many facilities and activities to choose from, and you can make up to three reservations per week at other branches or in other activities.

We hope you can find a variety of options that work for you.

As COVID-19 continues to impact communities around Central Texas, our YMCA of Austin family of more than 750 staff members has not gone unaffected.

The following is a list of all YMCA of Austin staff members who have tested positive for COVID-19. All directly affected staff members at the location have been notified, and the facility has been deep cleaned and sanitized multiple times since then.

In compliance with local Health and Safety Plan orders, the YMCA of Austin requires everyone in our facilities to wear masks or facial coverings. At our YMCA branches, we also continue to conduct health screenings at check-in, enforce proper social distancing and maintain strict sanitation practices.

We ask that all members of our Y community take necessary precautions, review symptoms, and review the CDC’s guidelines for what to do if you have had close contact with someone who has COVID-19.

 The Y is committed to creating a safe environment for members to practice healthy habits that improve their spiritual, mental and physical wellbeing.