14 July 2020

We are able to re-open our YGym facilities from Saturday 25th July, we wanted to advise you on how we have prepared so that it is safe and ready for your return.

There are also ways in which you can prepare for when you return, so have a read through this bulletin for guidance on how you can ‘help us, to help you.’

Opening and Closing hours

We will be opening YGym facilities gradually in phases, rather than all at once to ensure that our safe practices run smoothly and effectively.

The first phase will see the opening and closing times set as:

Mon – Thurs: 8.00am – 19.40pm
Friday: 8.00am – 15.10pm
Sat: 8.00am – 15.10pm
Sun: Closed

There will also be a change to our exercise class timetable; classes will not run within the first two weeks of re-opening.

The new timetable will be available to view through our website and all classes will require advanced booking.

Help us, to help you

While we work in the background to make sure everything is in place and ready for your safe return, there are also things that you can do to prepare for re-opening:

  • Ensure you call us to book your gym session. There will be limited places available per slot on a first come first served basis. The sessions allow you up to 70 minutes for your exercise routine. You will only be able to book your sessions on a week by week basis to ensure the booking system is fair for everyone.

The following slots are available each week:

Monday – Thursday Training Slots Available
8.00am – 9.10am
9.30am – 10.40am
11.00am – 12.10pm
12.30pm – 13.40pm
14.00pm – 15.10pm
15.30pm – 16.40pm
17.00pm – 18.10pm
18.30pm – 19.40pm
Friday
8.00am – 9.10am
9.30am – 10.40am
11.00am – 12.10pm
12.30pm – 13.40pm
14.00pm – 15.10pm
Saturday
8.00am – 9.10am
9.30am – 10.40am
11.00am – 12.10pm
12.30pm – 13.40pm
14.00pm – 15.10pm
Sunday Closed
  • Come ready to exercise! Our changing rooms will be out of use.
  • Please arrive 10 minutes early to your booked session to allow adequate time to log your vehicle if you have parked on the YMCA car park. You have a 20 minute period from entering the car park to log your vehicle. Failure to log your vehicle will result in a penalty fine from our car park provider ParkingEye. The YMCA are unable to support with parking disputes, for parking disputes individuals are to contact ParkingEye directly.
  • Bring an umbrella/waterproof coat as only 1 person will be permitted to the reception desk at a time, so you may have to queue outside. (We’ll get you all through as quick as we can!).
  • Bring a drink to your workout as our water fountains will be unavailable.
  • Bring your own hand gel.  We have sanitising stations but its good practice to bring your own too.
  • When you arrive get your membership cards out ready as reception will ask you to swipe through. We won’t be directly handling your membership cards.
  • We will be encouraging contactless payments where possible. When you return, please try to make payments by card if you can.
  • Please adhere to the YGym COVID-19 rules located around the facilities. These rules have been put in place following government guidance. Failure to follow these rules can result in the suspension of using facilities. Please see the next page for further information on what rules we have put in place.
  • When classes restart, please consider bringing your own equipment such as mats and resistance bands. We will not be providing mats in classes.
  • Please leave promptly once you’ve finished your workout and don’t congregate on the car park as we need to make sure we are keeping each other safe.
  • Please be kind to staff, with a number of our staff currently on furlough we are asking staff members to support areas that are not usually their area of work. Staff will doing their best to support and deal with any queries, however, if they are unable to resolve this a message will be taken and we will contact you as soon as possible to be able to support you.

Thank you for your cooperation during this difficult time. We will be introducing an online booking system in the coming weeks to provide an alternative method for booking gym and fitness classes to make access to our facilities even easier.

Has there been a change in your contact details? If so please contact us on 0121 5241950 or email ygym@ymcabc.org.uk to ensure we are including you within our communication.

What we have done

Here’s a list of things that you can expect to see when you return to YGym:

  • Hand sanitising stations are located in every room and corridors for you to use. As a minimum, you should sanitise your hands upon arrival and before leaving the building.
  • Protective screens have been put in place at the reception desks to protect you and us.
  • Floor markings have been laid out around the centre to reiterate social distancing. This includes a one way system route within the main gym area.
  • Opening and closing times have been changed and a booking system implemented to allow time to clean throughout the day.
  • Increased cleaning schedules have been implemented to allow cleaning between every gym session and exercise class workout.
  • We have provided cleaning stations in the gym and exercise class studios so that you can wipe down equipment before and after use.
  • Gym kit has been put temporarily ‘out of use’ so that you can easily maintain a safe distance from others. Spin bikes and rowing machines have been moved into our sports hall area so you can keep social distancing measures.
  • Reduced class numbers and restricted gym access to ensure everyone can maintain a safe distance from others.
  • Gym sessions will be limited to 70 minutes maximum.  We will also be limiting time on CV equipment and the free weights, to make sure everyone has a fair opportunity to work out using their favourite kit.
  • Changing rooms will be unavailable and only 1 person will be permitted into the toilets at a time.
  • New timetables for classes and gym sessions are being developed to allow adequate gaps between all sessions.  This will allow for cleaning, and allow customers to leave safely before the next group of customers arrive.

Booking will be essential for both the exercise classes and the use of the gym, and we will be encouraging members to book by calling us directly on 0121 524 1950. We are currently implementing a new online booking system in the coming weeks to support members providing an alternative method with this booking process.  A text message will be forwarded when this service is available.

Has there been a change in your contact details? If so please contact us on 0121 5241950 or email ygym@ymcabc.org.uk to ensure we are including you within our communication.

 

Memberships

Many of our staff are currently furloughed so please bear with us and be respectful to our staff and each other.

We have been preparing for re-opening for several weeks and although we are confident and ready to welcome you back, it’s safe to say that life as we know it has completely changed.  We are re-opening in gradual phases as opposed to ‘running before we can walk.’

When we open, things will be different…

  • Opening times might not suit you.
  • Class timetables might not include your favourite class or be at a time that suits you.
  • Phone lines may be busy.
  • You will have to queue to access the facilities.
  • You might want to use the CV equipment and free weights for much longer than we are allowing you to.
  • The changing facilities will remain closed.
  • We may encounter capacity issues

We will be reviewing provisions on an ongoing basis, and where there are any issues rest assured that we will be doing everything we can so that you can come and safely enjoy using our facilities.  Our staff will do their utmost to make your experience as enjoyable and as ‘normal’ as possible, however, please be patient and kind.  If you have any issues, let us know and we’ll do our very best to accommodate.

Remember, if you are a member, your membership is currently suspended and no payments are being taken. When we re-open the first direct debit membership fees will not be taken due to your accounts being in credit for April’s membership that was collected. The first payment will recommence after this initial one month period of reopening. In addition, paid in full members will have their memberships extended to reflect the period of closure.

For members that are not yet ready to return and wish to continue to freeze their membership please contact YGym manager Joy Chatwin to discuss: 0121 524 1950 or ygym@ymcabc.org.uk

Keep up to date with the latest news

We will keep you posted with regular updates via our website page and our social media of progress and text messages.

Follow us on Facebook: @ygymwestbromwich

Has there been a change in your contact details? If so please contact us on 0121 5241950 or email ygym@ymcabc.org.uk to ensure we are including you within our communication.