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RULES & POLICIES

Berkshire Family YMCA (BFYMCA) rules are subject to change and/or be updated as needed. Our facilities follow State and Local guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

GENERAL

  • All patrons must check-in at the Welcome Center.
  • Sport approved and appropriate clothing and shoes must be worn at all times.
  • Gymnasium doors and hallways are equipped with alarms. Doors are only to be opened in an emergency or by a YMCA staff member.
  • Disagreements, disputes, and arguments must be settled in a polite, timely, and non-violent manner.
  • Participants are responsible for any damage resulting from misconduct or misuse of equipment and facilities.
  • Participants will conduct themselves in a sportsmanship-like manner. Profanity, spitting, un-sportsmanship conduct, provocative language and/or actions are prohibited. No rough play or abusive language.
  • Cameras and phone cameras are banned in locker rooms and bathrooms.
  • Participants are responsible for securing their belongings. BFYMCA is not responsible for lost or stolen personal property.
  • No weapons of any kind, licensed or unlicensed, are permitted.
  • No pets allowed.
  • Service animals specifically trained to aid a person with a disability and under the full control of their handler are welcome. Patrons are asked not to approach service animals.

POOL RULES

Help us keep our waters safe! When you visit one of our pools, please complete this brief Aquatics QuickCheck survey.

  • Familiarize yourself with all pool rules and postings.
  • State law mandates that all individuals using the pool MUST SHOWER before entering the water. Showering in the morning is not sufficient since many people apply lotions, powders and perfumes.
  • Please remember to remove your shoes before walking on the pool deck. We recommend bringing flip-flops or sandals. This is for the convenience of others. In addition, the presence of outdoor footwear increases the potential for our pool to contract harmful, chlorine-resistant germs.
  • In the event of an emergency, follow the lifeguard’s direction.  If the lifeguard has entered the water or the alarm is initiated, you must exit the pool.
  • No one is allowed in the pool without a lifeguard on duty.
  • Any persons having infectious or communicable diseases are prohibited from using the pool.
  • All youth swimmers needing floatation devices and all youth swimmers ages 6 years old and younger MUST have a parent or responsible adult in the water within arms’ reach.
  • Children ages 12 years old and younger must have a parent or responsible adult on deck.
  • Children under 12 years old must pass a deep-end swim test.
  • The only acceptable floatation devices are bubbles and USCG-approved lifejackets.
  • Youths that require floatation devices are not permitted in the deep end of the pool.
  • Appropriate swim attire is required.
  • Absolutely no diving in the shallow end.
  • No running.
  • No sitting or hanging on the lane lines.
  • No horseplay.
  • Swim caps are recommended for shoulder-length hair.
    • Our Bennington Rec Center location requires all swimmers to wear swim caps.
  • No food, gum, or glass bottles are allowed in the pool area.
  • No disposable diapers are allowed in the pool.
  • Spitting pool water or discharging bodily wastes is strictly prohibited.
  • Starting blocks are for the swim team and instructional use only.
  • Equipment usage during open/family swim is limited to the noodles only. The adult lap and swim team may use kickboards, pull buoys, and paddles. All lessons and instructional programs may use all the equipment designed for that program.
  • For swim programs, parents must remain with their child until a program instructor or coach assumes supervision.
  • Lap swimmers are required to follow the circle swim pattern. The customary traffic pattern is to stay to the right and to swim in a counterclockwise circle in the lane. It is the responsibility of the swimmer entering the lane to be sure that the other swimmers in that lane are aware of his/her presence and the necessary traffic pattern. Always swim complete laps in the pool. Avoid stopping in the middle of the lane. Stopping can interfere with the progress of other swimmers and cause collisions. Stop only at the wall and once stopped, stay in the corner of the lane. Lanes 1 & 6: Slow. Lanes 2 & 5: Moderate. Lanes 3 & 4: Fast. 
    • Designated lanes by swim pace may vary based on pool activity and branch location.
  • No spectators are allowed on the pool deck during swim meets. Coaches, swimmers, officials, timers, and authorized deck parents are only allowed. Swim meets may be viewed from the observation deck which is located in the Welcome Center lobby.

FITNESS CENTER RULES

  • Age restrictions
    • The minimum age requirement is 13 years old.
    • Children 12 and 13 years old are allowed if they are supervised by an adult. This age group is restricted to cardiovascular training only.
    • All other ages need to be pre-approved by the Youth and Adult Wellness Director.
    • Ages 12 and younger are permitted to use the racquetball courts if they are supervised by an adult. Courts must be reserved at the Welcome Center.
  • Proper workout attire must be worn, i.e. sneakers, sweat pants, shorts, and tee shirts. (Sandals, flip flops, and open-toed shoes are not permitted.)
  • Shoes and shirts must be worn at all times.
  • Wipe down machines after each use.
  • Please adhere to a 30-minute time limit on all cardiovascular machines if a member is waiting.
  • Do not rest on a machine if others are waiting.
  • Store and lock all belongings in a locker or at the Welcome Center. The Y is not responsible for items left unlocked.
  • Food is not permitted. Water bottles, sports drinks, etc. are permitted in a spill-proof container.
  • Rude, improper behavior, or the inability to follow BFYMCA rules may result in the cancellation of your membership.
  • Remove all weight plates from bars and re-rack when finished.
  • Re-rack all dumbbells and do not drop or slam weights.

GENERAL WORKOUT ETIQUETTE

  • While performing workout sets, be mindful of other people waiting. Do not rest on the machines between your sets. Allow others to perform a set while you are at rest.
  • Do not use machines or benches for sitting or anything else besides their primary purpose.
  • Raise and lower weights in smooth fluent motions. Do not bangĀ weights.
  • Report any equipment in need of repair to BFYMCA staff.
  • Do not drop free weights or dumbbells on the floor carelessly.
  • Always return weights to their proper storage area when finished.
  • Wipe off machines and equipment when finished.
  • What to do if someone is using a machine you want:
  • Ask if you can perform a set while they are at rest between their sets.
  • Ask them how many sets they have remaining.
  • Avoid hovering or pressuring the person working out to stop. Wait your turn.
  • If you need help, contact BFYMCA staff or the Welcome Center.

GYMNASIUM/BASKETBALL COURT RULES

  • Food and beverages are not allowed in the gymnasium. Only water in a clear plastic container is permitted. Absolutely no glass containers are allowed in the gymnasium.
  • Basketballs are for playing basketball and should not be kicked or thrown at people or walls.
  • No dunking or grabbing of the nets, this will result in removal from the gymnasium for the remainder of the day. Multiple offenses will result in disciplinary action and membership termination.
  • All gymnastics equipment is not to be used or moved at any time.
  • You are responsible for keeping your valuables out of sight and secure. BFYMCA is not responsible for lost or stolen property. Do not remove any items from BFYMCA that do not belong to you.
  • Children under the age of 13 are not allowed in BFYMCA facilities without a responsible adult at least 18 years of age or older.