Embarcadero YMCA

Mask Policy

Masks are no longer required in most public indoor settings. Masks are strongly recommended, especially for unvaccinated people.

Proof of Vaccination

Proof of vaccination is no longer required at any of the YMCA membership facilities in San Francisco, Marin and San Mateo. Members who are unvaccinated are allowed to be indoors during workouts.

Locker Rooms

General

• Respect our community by sharing the space.
• Lock and secure all belongings. Refrain from bringing valuables to the facility. Free lockers are available in the second-floor lobby.
• Refrain from using scented lotions and colognes.
• Do not bring food or drinks other than water.
• No cell phone or computer use is allowed in locker rooms.
• Help us save water by turning off the sinks and showers when not in use.
• Use hair dryers for drying head hair only.
• Take a full soap shower before entering the pool or hot tub.
• Dry off from the pool and shower in the shower area before entering the locker room.
• Use of the swimsuit spinner is for swimsuits only.
• Girls (in Men’s) Boys (in Women’s) older than age 5 must use the Family Changing Room with the supervision of their parent or guardian.
• Members and guests may use the locker of their gender identity.

Group Exercise

• Reserve classes starting 2 days in advance for all group exercise classes requiring a reservation.
• Are you new to class? Not sure what equipment to use? Introduce yourself to the instructor at the beginning of class.
• Be on time to class. Observe the YMCA’s 10-minute rule, instructors may decline participation if the class is too full and/or too far along for your safety.
• Be respectful of others’ personal space; classes are group activities.
• Please wait for participants to finish class, clean up and exit the studio before entering for the next class.
• Wipe down and return equipment to its proper place.

Wellness Floor

• Wear appropriate workout clothing. Jeans are not allowed.
• Wear closed-toe athletic shoes.
• Cell phone/tablet use: Please limit conversations to the lobby. Photo/videography is not allowed.
• Wipe down equipment after each use. Disinfectant wipes are available from dispensers.
• Bring water in closed containers. Food is limited to the lobby.
• Replace/Rack weights and other fitness equipment after use.
• Allow others to work-in/ share strength equipment between sets.
• Indoor Cardio and Strength Equipment usage is reservation-free (walk-up only), and must occur during scheduled operating hours.
• We request that you limit your time to 30 minutes on cardio equipment to allow access all members seeking to use it.

Lap Swimming and Pool Activities

• No towels will be available. You are encouraged to bring your own.
• Please check with your branch regarding lap swim rules & etiquette.
• Saunas and steam rooms are now accessible.
• Hot tub/Spa is currently unavailable until further notice.
• State Health Laws:
  • Every person must shower before entering the pool, sauna, steam room, or spa. Limit to 2 minutes.
  • No person with open wounds or communicable diseases are allowed in the pool or spa.
• For your safety, please:
  • Obey rules set by lifeguard. Walk, don’t run.
  • Refrain from pushing or rough play.
  • Wear bathing suits and shower shoes only.
  • Please no undergarments, thongs or street clothes.
  • Do not eat, drink, or chew gum in the aquatic environment.
  • Do not spit in or around the pool area.
  • Only use plastic containers.
  • Refrain from cell phone/camera/video use.
  • Lifeguards have the right to swim test all bathers.
  • Max capacity per lane is 4 persons in lap pool and 2 persons in activity pool.

The safety and wellbeing of our members and staff are at the forefront of our planning. We have new protocols in place that you should know about before arriving for your visit.

Please read the following safety protocols and the behaviors/actions we expect of members visiting the Y.

Member/Staff Protocols

• Towels will not be provided
• Windows will remain open so dress appropriately to match your personal comfort
• The hot tub will remain closed until approved for usage
• Member lounge and computer lab will remain closed until Safety Guidelines allow their use
• Plexiglass barriers at membership desk
• Members must wipe all equipment before and after each use i.e. anything that you touch
• Basketball gym is a shared space for adult basketball, group exercise classes, sports, and other fitness activities.
• Water fountains are able to be fully used.

Cleaning Protocols

• Enhanced cleaning protocols with approved disinfectant
• Mandatory janitorial and program staff training – proper disinfecting procedures
• Disposable disinfectant gym wipes provided for members to clean equipment before/after use
• Daily disinfectant fogging of equipment / high-touch areas and unhindered fresh air circulation
• Weekly disinfectant fogging of the entire facility

VISIT OUR HEALTH AND SAFETY PAGE

We ask that parents/guardians and their child(ren) read and follow the guidelines below.
Y-Kids/Child Watch is currently unavailable. This webpage will reflect when Y-Kids/Child Watch becomes available.

YOUTH AGES 0-9

• Are not permitted in YMCA facilities unless registered for a specific supervised Youth Program.
• May attend recreation swim in the pool when accompanied by a parent or guardian

YOUTH AGE 10-12

• Must use the same area of the facility as their parent/guardian, and
  • Strength: Cable Machines, Leg Press, Seated Row
  • Free Weights: Only when supervised by a YMCA Personal Trainer
  • May attend Group Exercise Classes that do not require equipment, and only when accompanied by their parent/guardian*
  • May use the only the following fitness equipment, and only when accompanied by their parent/guardian:
    • Cardio: Stationary Bicycle, Treadmill, Handcrank
  • Unvaccinated youth are allowed in the pool and may access the pool via common areas and appropriate locker rooms, masks are encouraged

YOUTH AGES 13-15

Note: Youth aged 13 and older may have a Teen membership on their own, requiring a parent/guardian signature upon activation. Parent/guardians do not need to be in the facility at the same time as Teen members. 

• May use the following fitness equipment:
  • Cardio: Bike, Treadmill, Hand Crank, AMT, Elliptical, Rowing Machine
  • Strength: Cable Machine, All strength machines
  • Free weights: With a personal trainer or after a specific free-weight orientation
  • May attend all Group Exercise Classes, unless otherwise specified on the Class Description
• Unvaccinated youth are allowed in the pool and may access the pool via common areas and appropriate locker rooms, masks are encouraged

YOUTH AGES 16-17

• May use all fitness equipment
• May attend all Group Exercise Classes, unless otherwise specified on the Class Description
• Unvaccinated youth are allowed in the pool and may access the pool via common areas and appropriate locker rooms, masks are encouraged

LIFEGUARDS WILL SWIM TEST ALL YOUTH BATHERS.

Green Band Swim Test (for youth in water armpit depth or higher) – 50 yard swim of any stroke without stopping or assistance, and treading water for 1 minute.

YOUTH AGES 0-5

Are not permitted in YMCA facilities unless registered for a specific Youth Program or are participating with an adult in their Household during reserved Recreation/Household swim times.

YOUTH AGES 6-10

The child must pass a swim test before permitted to swim autonomously and without a PFD during Recreation/Household swim. Parent/Guardian must be in the pool if the child does not pass the swim test.