YMCA Rules, Policies & Guidelines

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Know Before You Visit

The YMCA of Reading & Berks County is more than a gym. We’re a community united by shared values and a commitment to wellness, connection, and respect. Everyone who walks through our doors plays a part in keeping the Y safe, welcoming, and inclusive.

Please review the guidelines for members, guests, youth and teens, fitness areas, pools, and other shared spaces before your visit. Rules may vary by branch or program, so contact your local YMCA if you have questions.

Membership Code of Conduct

At the YMCA of Reading & Berks County, we are committed to providing a safe, welcoming, and positive environment for every member, guest, and staff member. Whether you’re here for group fitness, youth programs, personal training, or family fun, we want every visit to be enjoyable—and for the Y to continue being your trusted home for health and wellness.

Rooted in Judeo-Christian values, the YMCA promotes a community built on respect, responsibility, honesty, and caring. As such, we maintain a Zero Tolerance Policy for inappropriate behavior, language, or conduct that does not align with our core values.

We expect all members and program participants to conduct themselves in a way that supports our mission: youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.

By enrolling as a YMCA member or program participant, you agree to follow our Member Code of Conduct outlined below.

I will uphold the YMCA principles when at the YMCA as well as my personal life.
I will follow the rules and policies developed by the YMCA.
I will not fight, use abusive language, swear, or cause disruption to others.
I will treat others as I wish to be treated myself.
I will respect YMCA staff and report any problems or anything suspicious to YMCA staff.
I will dress appropriately and refrain from wearing any offensive clothing when working out at the YMCA, i.e. inappropriate, violent, or disrespectful language or graphics.
I will refrain from taking photos or videos with a camera, video camera and/or cell phone without permission from the YMCA Branch Executive or CEO.
I will not smoke at the YMCA.
I will not come to the YMCA under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
I will not remove YMCA property from the YMCA premises.
I will not participate in any criminal activity.
I will not bring or use a weapon of any kind at the YMCA.

Fitness Center Rules & Etiquette

For your safety and courtesy for others, please:

Clean equipment after each use.
Use the designated platform for deadlifting.
Return weights and equipment to their proper places.
Wear headphones for your music.
Refrain from cell phone conversations in the Fitness Center.
Dress in appropriate gym attire; shoes, shirts, pants/shorts required.
Please refrain from gathering in the Fitness Center if you’re not using equipment.
You must be 14 years old and/or complete Y Fitness Orientation to use equipment and be in the Fitness Center without parental supervision.

Young Athletes and Teens Are Welcome!

The YMCA is proud to offer youth and teens a fun, active, and safe environment to stay healthy, build confidence, and make new friends. To maintain the highest safety standards, we’ve outlined supervision guidelines based on age, so families know exactly what to expect when their child is in our care.

Access By Age
14+ years old	Full access to use the facility
12-13 years old	Access to cardio equipment with an adult (18+), or can be dropped off to use the basketball courts or the adventure center
6-11 years old	Access with an adult (18+) must be in the facility for youth to use the basketball courts or the adventure center

Pool Rules

The pool is a place to have fun, stay active, and enjoy time together. Our pool rules are designed to help keep the Aquatics Center safe and welcoming for everyone. By entering the Aquatics Center, members and guests agree to follow all posted rules and the directions of lifeguards and staff.

Before Entering the Pool

Appropriate Pool Attire: Appropriate swimwear is required. This includes one-piece or two-piece swimsuits, swim trunks, and racing suits that fit securely and provide appropriate coverage. Swim shirts must be made from rash guard, dry-fit, or similar swim-safe material. Undergarments and cotton clothing are not permitted in the pool because cotton fibers can clog the filtration system.
Showering: To help keep the pool water clean and comfortable for everyone, all members, guests, and staff must shower thoroughly before entering the pool. Please rinse your entire body, including your arms and legs. Dirt, oils, lotions, sweat, and other products can react with chlorine, clouding the water and creating the strong “pool smell” often mistaken for excess chlorine.
Bathrooms: Swimmers should use the bathroom BEFORE getting into the pool. Children who are not potty trained are required to wear a swim diaper. For everyone’s health and safety, please do not enter the pool if you have experienced diarrhea within the past 24 hours.

Child Supervision Requirements

Child's Age	Required Adult Supervision
Swimmers ages 9–12	An adult must remain in the pool area.
Swimmers age 8 and younger	An adult must be in the pool with the child.
Non-swimmers age 8 and younger	An adult must remain in the pool and within arm’s reach of the child.

Swim Safety

Life jackets: All non-swimmers must wear a properly fitted, U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket and remain in the shallow end of the pool. YMCA life jackets are available in three sizes. Life jackets should fit snugly and must be checked by a lifeguard before the swimmer enters the water.
Swim Tests: Swimmers under age 16 must complete and pass a swim test during each visit before entering the deep end. After passing, swimmers will receive a green neckband indicating deep-water permission. Please return the neckband at the end of your visit.

Deep-Water Swim Test

To pass the deep-water swim test, swimmers must complete each step without assistance or touching the pool wall:

Jump into the deep end, fully submerge, and return to the surface.
Tread water for at least 30 seconds.
Swim continuously to the shallow-end rope and back.
Float for at least 10 seconds.

General Pool Safety

To help keep the pool safe, clean, and enjoyable for everyone, please follow these guidelines:

Walking is required at all times. Running is strictly prohibited on the pool deck, stairs, in hallways, and in restrooms.
For everyone’s safety, glass of any kind is strictly prohibited in the pool area. No exceptions.
Food, gum, and candy must remain off the pool deck. Snacks may be enjoyed in the building lobby.
Stairs and ladders are for entering and exiting the pool only. Please keep these areas clear and avoid playing or climbing on them.
Diving is permitted only in the deep end and must be forward-facing. Flips, twists, and jumping or diving over others are not permitted.
Mono-fins, mermaid tails, ankle bindings, and similar items are not permitted.
Rough play, including pushing, dunking, shoving, fighting, wrestling, and chicken fights, is not permitted.
Profanity, hate speech, excessive public displays of affection, and other inappropriate behavior are not permitted.
Alcohol, illegal drugs, smoking, and vaping are prohibited at the YMCA.
Please do not hang, sit, or play on the lane lines.
Breath-holding games and hyperventilation are not permitted.
Swim diapers are required for all children who are not fully toilet trained.

Lifeguard on Duty

The pool may only be used when a lifeguard is on duty. Lifeguards monitor swimmers and activities to help keep everyone safe. Please follow all lifeguard instructions immediately. If you hear a whistle, stop what you are doing and look to the lifeguard for direction. In an emergency, remain calm and follow staff instructions to the designated emergency exits, located at the deep-end corner of the pool and outside the main pool door.

Severe Weather Policy

For everyone’s safety and in accordance with insurance requirements, the entire Aquatics Center must be cleared during thunderstorms. This includes the pool, pool deck, and restrooms. When a storm is within 10 miles, the pool will close and remain closed until the storm has been outside the 10-mile radius for at least 30 minutes.

Racquet Sports Policies

To help keep play organized, safe, and fair for everyone, all members, guests, and racquet sports participants must check in at the Welcome Center before going on the court.

Check-In & Payment

Payment for all clinics and lessons is due at the time of service. Members may charge payment to their YMCA account only if a credit card is on file. Clinic payment is due before participation begins.

Lesson Cancellations

For individual lessons, a 24-hour cancellation notice is required. If notice is not given at least 24 hours in advance, the full lesson fee will be charged. For 2-person or 3-person lessons, the lesson fee is split among the participants who attend.

Clinic Minimums

All YMCA racquet sports clinics require a minimum of three students to run. If only two students attend, the clinic may be shortened in duration but will still run at the same rate. If only one student attends, a 30-minute private lesson will be offered instead.

Weather & Emergency Cancellations

If inclement weather or an emergency causes a cancellation, all registered participants will be notified by email. Families and participants are also encouraged to sign up for YMCA text alerts and check the YMCA homepage and social media pages for general weather-related updates and facility announcements.

Make-Up Policies for Clinics and Lessons

Tennis students have from November 1 through the end of the Winter Season, mid-March, to use all lessons within their package.
Clinics do not roll over year to year. Remaining credits may be used at the end of the winter season as lessons. Two clinics equal one lesson.
For private lessons, make-ups must be used by March of the Winter Season.
Credits will not be issued for missed lessons except in cases of injury or illness. YMCA Racquet Sports Director approval is required.