Welcome Y Members
(Spanish) Austin Public Health has moved the area to Stage 3 of its COVID-19 risk levels. The YMCA of Austin has implementing the following policy effective now:
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Full mask enforcement – At YMCA of Austin branches, asks must be worn at all times unless in the pool or in outdoor classes where social distancing can be maintained. Persons with medical conditions or disabilities that prevent them from wearing masks while exercising and children under 4 years old are exempt.
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The Hot Tub may remain open for one person/household per reservation.
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The Sauna may remain open for one person per reservation.
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Group Exercise Class capacities remain the same, given that we are able to maintain six feet of social distancing within indoor spaces.
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Expanded outdoor activities as weather permits.
Staff and visitors are also required to complete a temperature check prior to entry. These policies apply to all YMCA of Austin facilities in Travis & Hays Counties.
Members should remember to bring their own mask when visiting any YMCA location. The YMCA of Austin does not provide complimentary masks.
Masks are not required while swimming.
The Extend-A-Care YMCA will maintain all previously published policies for afterschool child care, infant/preschool care and summer day camp.
To guarantee a spot in class or the pool, Y members should make reservations for Lap Lane Swimming, Recreational Swim, Gymnasium, Water Exercise and Group Exercise Classes.
Members can make reservations starting at 6:00 am two days prior to class / swim time by using the MotionVibe platform. Create your free account and begin today! Reservations can also be made using the MotionVibe app for Android and Apple, or over the phone with any YMCA of Austin location.
Reservations limits are per member, per week, per branch. Please check the schedule for lane times, recreational swim, group limits and more.
Questions? Email MVSupport.
- 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
- Reconfigured YMCA branches to ensure Social Distancing
- Demarcation System to ensure safe member spacing for waiting areas
- Masks required at all times in Y facilities*
- 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
- Water fountains closed but bottle-filling stations are open, so please bring your own bottle
- Hot tub, sauna and steam room capacity reduced
- Common seating areas temporarily closed
- Coffee service suspended
*Persons with a medical condition or disability that prevents them from wearing a mask while exercising and children under 4 years old are exempt.
Facility Guidelines
Updated Membership Agreement
You’ll need to sign our updated membership agreement to access YMCA of Austin facilities.
Facility Hours
Most locations are open M-Th 6am-8pm, Friday 6am-6pm and Saturday 8am-3pm; Closed Sunday. Check your location’s hours here.
Pre-Registration
Reserve your Lap Lane, Recreational Swim session, Water Exercise or Group Exercise class via our reservation platform, MotionVibe. Create your free account or download the app for Apple or Android.
Facility Time Limits
Members are asked to observe time limits to allow others to access the facilities and equipment. Family recreational swim sessions vary by location and are 45-90 minutes.
Facility Capacity Limits
Expect reduced capacity so that we may continue to observe recommendations to stay distant from others.
Bring Your Own
If your class requires a mat, blocks, towel, pool buoy, paddles or other specialty equipment, please bring your own. An exception is made only for BodyPump only, with a specific cleaning protocol in place.
Clean Your Equipment
Please wipe down equipment before and after you use it. Cleaning supplies are provided.
Water Fountains Closed
Water fountains will not be available, but water bottle filling stations will remain open, so be sure to bring your bottle.
Water Exercise Classes
The YMCA of Austin is pleased to offer expanded Water Exercise classes. Check AustinYMCA.org/Schedules for the latest updates. Equipment is not provided, so if your Water Exercise class utilizes aqua bells or other gear, you should bring your own.
Lap Lane Swimming
How Do Shared Lap Lanes Work?
- Start at opposite sides of the pool.
- Swim up and back on the same side of the lane.
- If you need to stop and rest, do so only at your starting end of the pool.
For shared lanes, 1 reservation = 1 swimmer. If family members wish to share a lane during shared lap swimming hours, they should make two separate reservations.
Waiting List Courtesy
Swimming is in high demand, and we often have waiting lists for lap lanes. If you have registered for a spot and cannot be there, please be diligent about canceling your reservation - either online or by calling your YMCA location. Another Y member will be overjoyed to have your spot!
Frequently Asked Questions
Facilities
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:
- Health Screenings for Members and Staff
- Masks Required*
- Increased Cleaning & Disinfecting Protocols
- Personal Protection Equipment for all Staff
- Sneeze Shields at Welcome Centers
- Reconfigured Ys to Ensure Social Distancing
- Limited Points of Entry & Exits
*Persons with a medical condition or disability that prevents them from wearing masks while exercising and children under 4 years old are exempt.
We have reconfigured our locations to ensure adequate spacing in all areas.
We have implemented a 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.
We have implemented a 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 (weights, machines & cardio). 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, to ensure your spot in a Group Exercise class or a Lap Lane, we have implemented a reservation system. Members are encouraged to register in advance to ensure a spot during their desired class or swim timeframe.
Water fountains will remain closed, although bottle filling stations will be open.
Additionally, as conditions improve in the community, we will reopen limited community seating areas and provide coffee service during limited times.
We are reopening a limited number of community seating options and will be providing limited coffee service. We continue to ask members to limit indoor socializing. You are more than welcome to continue visiting outside of the Y at a safe distance.
The YMCA of Austin is implementing a full mask enforcement policy. Masks must be worn at all times unless in the pool. Only persons with a medical condition or disability that prevents them from wearing a mask while exercising or children under 4 years old are exempt from mask requirements when indoors at 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.
This policy applies to all YMCA of Austin facilities in Travis and Hays Counties.
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.
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 have put a special cleaning protocol in place to sanitize shared equipment.
Effective April 1, 2021, equipment will be available for use by members.
Some of our gymnasiums are available to reserve pickleball or basketball games. Check the MotionVibe schedule to reserve a spot at your favorite location.
We continue to follow guidelines that 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. While reservation limits have been removed for Group Exercise classes, due to high demand we still limit the number of reservations you can make for Lap Swim times.
This policy allows us to extend access to the greatest number of members. We recognize the inconvenience this creates for members like you.
Fortunately, at the Y, we have many facilities and activities to choose from, and you can make up to three reservations per week at each Y branch.
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. As time goes on, we are able to offer expanded classes and shared lap swim times.
We hope you can find a variety of options that work for you.
We will follow guidance from Austin Public Health. At present, our plans include the following revisions:
Stages 1 & 2
- Staff
- Mask required
- Safety screening required
- Members
- Masks required upon entry and in common areas
- Do not have to wear masks during exercise if social distancing is being practiced.
- Child Watch would still require children 4 and up to wear masks
- Social distancing required
- Masks required upon entry and in common areas
- Capacity Limits expanded
Herd Immunity Reached – determined upon Austin Public Health (add link to reference)
- All Covid Policies eliminated
- Masks Optional
- Social Sitting Areas and Events fully reinstated
- Member Coffee Stations fully reinstated
- Capacity Limits eliminated
Health & Wellness
Yes, we will offer a limited daily schedule of group exercise classes, plus more on-demand and YMCA Live programs.
Class spaces will be reconfigured with floor markers for participants to stand on in order to ensure proper distancing.
We will also schedule additional time between classes to allow for disinfecting rooms.
Effective April 1, 2021, equipment will be available for use by members. We encourage members to clean the equipment after each use. Y staff will also sanitize equipment after each use.
Will the cardio equipment be available?
Yes, members can use the cardio equipment for up to one hour.
What are you doing to ensure social distancing in the cardio area?
We are employing a combination of strategies: alternating equipment in use, putting more space between machines or moving equipment to new areas with greater open space.
Will free weights, weight machines and other strength training apparatus be available?
Yes, members can use strength training equipment for up to one hour.
What are you doing to ensure social distancing in the strength training area?
We are employing a combination of strategies: alternating equipment in use, putting more space between equipment or moving equipment to new areas with greater open space.
What are you doing to clean the strength training and cardio equipment?
We will position staff in the Fitness Center at all times to circulate and sanitize machines and equipment after use by members.
We are also asking members to wipe down equipment before and after they use it.
Cleaning supplies will be available throughout the Fitness Center.
We have developed personal training protocols to ensure safe delivery of the service and offer it at select locations. Learn more about personal training here.
Many of our most popular senior fitness programs are available in Y facilities and on-demand.
Will you offer Senior hours?
No, we will not offer Senior hours. Given our capacity limits as well as social distancing and cleaning efforts, we believe we can provide a safe experience for our members regardless of age.
Yes! We offer outdoor classes as weather permits. Outdoor classes are clearly marked on our schedule.
Aquatics
Our swimming pools are open for lap swimming and limited open swimming. We ask members to register in advance for pool time to ensure they reserve a space.
Members must shower on the pool deck prior to entering the water.
Will I be able to shower before or after I swim?
Yes, showers are located on or adjacent to the pool deck.
Swim lessons are available now.
We offer Water Exercise classes at many of our Austin-area locations. Check the schedule and make a reservation for your favorite class.
Please remember that at this time we are unable to provide equipment, so if your Water Exercise class utilizes aqua bells or other equipment, you’ll need to bring your own.
Do I need to wear a mask in Water Exercise Class?
No, class participants do not need to wear a mask while in the water.
Check the swim schedule to reserve a single-lane swim time.
Lap reservations are set at 45 minutes in order to allow members time to get in and out of the pool comfortably while still ensuring enough time for a substantial workout and for proper cleaning of frequently touched surfaces by Y staff between reservations.
By setting the schedule on the hour, we are enabling access to the largest number of swimmers while giving them enough time for a good workout.
