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GROUP EX GUIDELINES

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GROUP EXERCISE CLASS & RESERVATION GUIDELINES

Updated January 2026
The following Group Exercise Class Guidelines are included as part of the Summit Area YMCA’s Member Code of Conduct and our instructors have the right to ask a participant to leave if any of these guidelines are not followed. Participants who continually abuse the policies may have their group exercise and/or membership privileges removed indefinitely.
  • Group exercise and recreational classes at the Berkeley Heights YMCA or Summit YMCA are included as a benefit to Summit Area YMCA members. Guests are allowed to participate in group exercise as outlined in our Guest Policies here.
  • Group exercise class participants must be a minimum of 13 years old. For Hot Yoga, Primal Fitness, Les Mills formats, and TRX, participants must be a minimum of 16 years old.
  • We request participants to arrive at least 5 minutes before the start of class for ample time to check-in, set up your equipment if applicable and be prepared when class begins.
  • Since group size is limited, pre-reservations are strongly recommended for all classes via the SAY Mobile App or our online schedules.
  • Class reservations open one [1] week in advance of a class start time.
  • Class reservations close one [1] hour prior to class start time, including the ability to make reservations.
  • Class reservations can be cancelled up to two [2] hours prior to class start time. The cancellation feature is available the same way reservations are made, via the SAY Mobile App or our online schedules.
  • If you book a spot in a class and do not cancel your reservation before the 2 hour close window, you will be charged a late cancellation/no show fee of $10. We do not accept phone calls or emails to cancel class reservations.
  • After an accumulation of 3 no shows (including late arrivals) within 7 days, members are restricted from making reservations for 7 days.
  • For the safety of all participants and to avoid disruption of the class, entry is not permitted after the class warmup is complete (within 3-5 minutes after the start) or if the class has reached maximum capacity—including those with reservations.
  • Late arrivals will have forfeited their spot even if they have a reservation and will be charged a late cancellation/no show fee of $10.
  • For the safety of all participants, cell phone use is prohibited once class begins.
  • Appropriate exercise attire and footwear is required.
  • Out of courtesy to other members, please refrain from wearing heavy or strong fragrances to class.
  • If you decide to leave the class early (whether you know in advance or if it’s last-minute), please notify the instructor that you will be leaving.
  • Outdoor classes are weather dependent. If we have to cancel or move the class indoors due to weather, you will be notified by email as soon as decision is made. Please check your email prior to class.
  • In the event that there are no participants by the time class begins, the instructor will wait 10 minutes before cancelling the class.
  • The Y reserves the right to cancel classes with low enrollment.

To view class schedules, group exercise class descriptions, or manage class reservations use the SAY Mobile App or visit our online schedules.
For instructions on how to make or cancel group exercise reservations, please refer to our FAQ or ask a staff member for assistance upon your next visit to the Y.

QUESTIONS?

Team Member

Elisa Bowser

Director of Group Exercise

elisa.bowser@thesay.org