What to expect on your first visit
On your first visit to the Y, plan a few extra minutes to finalize the details of your membership if you have not completed your paperwork already.
- Masks are not required in our facility.
- Bring your photo ID and we’ll make your membership card. Everyone on your membership will get a membership card—those 16+ will need to bring photo ID. Your membership card can also be sent to you digitally for you to add to our mobile device.
- If you plan to work out, bring a lock and towel. Locks are available at no charge at the Welcome Desk with a collateral exchange. Towel service is not available at this time.
Future Visits
Each time you come to the Y, you are required to present a valid membership card or photo ID. During the winter months, please bring a pair of clean, indoor shoes for your workout. Our Welcome Desk team is always available to help you anytime you visit the Y.
Included with membership
Membership includes access to all Minnesota YMCAs and Ys across the country—just find the Y you want to visit and contact the location for specific details prior to your visit.
As a member, you have access to all the amenities available at the Y.
- Access to all facility spaces, which include: Wellness Center & Fitness Studios, Two Gyms, Indoor Track, Climbing Wall (closed at this time), Lap & Recreation Pool, Sauna, Hot Tub, Racquetball Courts and Locker Rooms
- Group Exercise classes including cardio, dance, strength, yoga and water exercise.
- Youth Fitness Cards: Pre-planned workout cards that offer age-appropriate exercise plans kids and families can follow at their own pace.
- Child Watch: Bring kids that are members to the Y while you work out and they’ll have a blast in our Kids Gym!
- The Red Wing YMCA app helps you stay up to date on group fitness schedules, building announcements, upcoming events and much more: ANDROID USERS | APPLE USERS
- Personal Training & Fitness Specialist Services: Meet one-on-one with a Personal Training to get a tailored plan and stay motivated to reach your fitness, nutrition and wellness goals. Or, meet with one of our Fitness Specialists who will work with you on specific training from sport to cardio/ strength and more!
- Swim Lessons: Learn a lifetime skill with group, semi-private and private lesson options
- Lifeguard & CPR/AED Certifications and Training
- Kids Power Club: Providing summer care and before/after school care for kids entering kindergarten in the fall of enrollment through grade five.
- Youth Sports: Year-round sports classes and clinics for kids.
- Birthday Parties: This service is not available at this time. More to come!
- YMCA Camp Pepin: Teaching self-reliance, a love for nature and the outdoors, and the development of attitudes and practices that build character and leadership, all amidst the fun of camp fires, bugle calls, canoeing, archery, talent shows and meaningful relationships right on beautiful Lake Pepin in Stockholm, Wisc.
- New Member Fitness Orientation ($): Need help getting acquainted with the equipment in the Wellness Center? Maybe you need help learning safe techniques for equipment use, or even proper lifting form and etiquette? Then a Wellness Center Orientation is just what you are looking for! REGISTRATION & APPOINTMENT REQUIRED
- Youth Fitness Orientation ($): Our Youth Wellness Center Orientation sessions are perfect for youth between the ages of 10 and 15 years of age. This session introduces procedures and safety guidelines in the Wellness Center. Upon completion, students will receive a special wristband upon check-in that allows them to use the Wellness Center. REGISTRATION & APPOINTMENT REQUIRED
- Locker Service ($): Reserve a locker in our men's or women's locker rooms monthly. Stop by the Welcome Desk to learn more!
- Seasonal Fitness Challenges ($): The YMCA offers fun events for kids and adults to stay active all year long.
Tips for success
The Y is a place for whole-life wellbeing—so ask questions and try new things to make the most of it! When you have a question or are interested in trying something new, our staff are here to help you.
What is a New Member / Youth Wellness Center Orientation?
A New Member Orientation is a one-on-one, approximately 60 minute session with a Wellness Center staff member. Your orientation will include a tour of the Wellness Center and an overview of how to use basic equipment and machines. Prior to using the Wellness Center, those new to our facility are encouraged to attend a New Member Orientation.
A Youth Wellness Center Orientation was built for youth ages 10-15 as a way to introduce them to the Wellness Center and proper gym etiquette. Registered youth must be active YMCA members, have paid their orientation fee prior to participating in their session and meet the minimum age requirements at the time of registration.
Ages 9 and under
- Youth under age nine are not allowed in the Wellness Center.
Ages 10 & 11
- Must be active YMCA Members to use the Wellness Center
- May use the Wellness Center WITH a parent / guardian after completion of a Youth Wellness Center Orientation
- Both youth and parent / guardian must wear a wristband while utilizing the Wellness Center
Ages 12-15
- Must be active YMCA Members to use the Wellness Center
- May use the Wellness Center WITHOUT a parent / guardian after completion of a Youth Wellness Center Orientation
- Youth must wear a provided wristband while utilizing the Wellness Center
Ages 16+
- No wristband required
Scheduling a New Member / Youth Wellness Center Orientation
New Member and Youth Wellness Center Orientations are open to active YMCA Members only. New Member & Youth Wellness Center orientations are by appointment. Our Wellness Center Coordinator will reach out to you to schedule upon successful payment and registration.
The Wellness Center is a shared space. Sometimes there may be an exercise class or other activity going on. Wellness Center classes are free of charge to members and guests and are posted in the Wellness Center - pop in and try out a class!
- Please be courteous to others waiting to use equipment - if you see people waiting, allow others to participate
- Please observe safety guidelines and precautions when using fitness equipment like using spotters and collars when appropriate
- Please clean equipment with provided disinfectant after each use
- Please return all equipment to its proper place after use
- Please wear clean, closed-toed and non-marking shoes
- Talking on cell phones is not allowed, please take calls to the hallway outside of the Wellness Center
- No personal music should be playing out loud
- Food and drink (other than water) is not allowed
Youth under age 9 are not allowed in the Wellness Center. Youth ages 10 & 11 are welcome to use the Wellness Center with completion of a Youth Wellness Center Orientation and presence of a parent / guardian during use (wristband required). Youth 12-15 are welcome to use the Wellness Center with completion of a Youth Wellness Center Orientation without parent / guardian supervision during use (wristband required). Youth 16 and over are welcome to use the Wellness Center without restriction.
Group exercise classes are free to attend. You can drop in at any time and there is no need to pre-register. From cardio and dance to strength, yoga, and water exercise, there is something for everyone!
Classes welcome all levels of fitness. When attending a new class, try to arrive a little bit early and let the instructor know that you are a beginner. The instructor can offer tips, help you with equipment needed and offer alternate options if necessary. Try to take a spot near the middle so you can watch the front row for visual cues.
- Please arrive on-time for classes.
- Please wait to enter the studio / class area or set up equipment needed in class until the previous class is finished.
- Please clean equipment used with provided disinfectant after use.
- Please return all equipment to its proper place after use in class.
- Please wear clean, non-marking shoes.
- Talking on cell phones is not allowed.
- Food and drink (other than water) is not allowed.
- Please come to class dressed and ready to move.
- Bringing a towel and water encouraged.
- Check specific class descriptions for tips or details specific to class.
Adult classes are open to youth ages 12-15 with a parent / guardian.
Don't worry about the weather and get laps in any day at our indoor track! Approximately 18 laps equals one mile.
- Walking and running are allowed.
- Slower runners and walkers should use the outside of the track to allow for others to pass.
- Strollers are not allowed.
- Walkers (device to assist with walking) are allowed.
- Please wear clean, non-marking shoes. Spikes or cleats are not allowed.
- Talking on cell phones is not allowed.
- Food and drink (other than water) is not allowed.
- Youth 9 and under are welcome but must be accompanied by a parent / guardian at all times.
- Youth 10 and over are welcome to use the indoor track alone and do not need a parent / guardian present
The pool is a shared space. Sometimes there may be an exercise class or other activity going on in part of the pool while you are swimming laps or splashing around with the kids. Stop by the Welcome Desk if you are curious about when classes are scheduled.
- Please don’t use the pool if you suspect you have or have a communicable disease, open cut or blister.
- Please shower before entering the water or after use of toilet facilities.
- Diving is prohibited in water less than 9 feet deep.
- Spitting or spouting water from your mouth, or blowing your nose in the pool isn’t allowed.
- Only U.S. Coast Guard-approved lifejackets and wearable foam flotation devices are allowed. Complimentary lifejackets are available for use.
- Do not run or engage in rough play.
- Diaper changing is allowed in locker rooms—but not in the pool area.
- Animals are not allowed.
- Glass and breakable items are not allowed.
- Talking on cell phones is not allowed.
- Food and drink (other than water) is not allowed.
- For aquatic staff training, the Y does periodic safety drills by simulating emergencies—your cooperation in following staff instructions during a drill is greatly appreciated.
- If you have a medical condition or are pregnant, please consult with your physician before using the hot tub or sauna.
- Do not enter the hot tub while under the influence of alcohol or drugs that can cause drowsiness or raise/lower blood pressure.
- Do not exercise in the sauna—please wait at least 5 minutes after exercising to cool your body temperature before entering the sauna.
- Rubberized or plastic suits, sweatshirts, sweatpants and athletic shoes are not allowed in the sauna.
- Shaving is not allowed in the pool or sauna.
- Due to electrical and fire hazard, do not put water on the sauna heater, or leave reading material in the sauna.
For the safety of our members and guests, swimmers must pass a YMCA swim test:
Deep water
To swim in water deeper than the swimmer’s armpits, the swimmer must pass the Deep Water Swim Test.
- Jump into water
- Tread water for 30 seconds
- Transition from treading to a front float for 10 seconds
- Return to treading for an additional 10 seconds
Shallow water
To swim without an adult in water shallower than the swimmer’s armpits or in the designated shallow end, the swimmer must pass the Shallow Water Swim Test.
- Enter water to armpit depth
- Front float for 5 seconds
- Transition from floating to standing in water
- Back float for 5 seconds and return to standing
- Youth ages 6 and under are welcome to use our pools but must be accompanied by a parent / guardian at all times unless they are able to pass the appropriate swim test. Children who pass the swim test must still have a parent in the pool area. Youth in this age group are not allowed in the hot tub or sauna.
- Youth ages 7-9 are welcome to use our pools so long as a parent / guardian is somewhere in the building and they have passed the appropriate swim test. If they have not passed a swim test, a parent / guardian must be in the pool area during use. Youth in this age group are not allowed in the hot tub or sauna.
- Youth ages 10-15 are welcome to enjoy the pool alone and do not need a parent / guardian present, unless they have not passed a swim test, in which case a parent / guardian must be present in the pool area during use. Youth in this age group are not allowed in the hot tub or sauna.
- Youth 16 and over are welcome to use the pool area.