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Locker Room & Sauna Guidelines

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At the YMCA of Greater San Francisco, we are committed to creating a space where everyone feels safe, welcomed, and respected. Our locker rooms are shared environments used by individuals of all ages.  

Locker Room Guidelines

Locker rooms are intended for changing, showering, and storing personal items needed for your visit. To support a respectful and comfortable experience for all, we ask members to follow these expectations.

To ensure a safe, comfortable, and respectful environment for all members: 

  • Use locker rooms for their intended purposes: changing, showering, and storing personal belongings during your visit. 
  • Be mindful of personal space and demonstrate courtesy at all times. 
  • Limit time spent in the locker room; please change promptly and move to other areas of the facility. 
  • Nudity should be discreet, limited, and brief. Members are expected to be clothed or covered when not actively showering. 
  • Secure all belongings. Avoid bringing valuables into the facility. 
  • Take a full soap shower before entering the pool or hot tub. 
  • Dry off in the shower area before entering the locker room. 
  • Refrain from using scented lotions, perfumes, or colognes. 
  • Food and beverages are not permitted, except for water. 
  • Cell phone and computer use is not permitted in locker rooms. 
  • Help conserve water by limiting shower time and turning off faucets when not in use. 

Use of Locker Rooms by Families with Children 

  • If family or private spaces are unavailable, children aged 4 and younger may use opposite-gender locker rooms when accompanied by a parent/guardian. 
  • Youth aged 12 and younger must be accompanied by parent/guardian in locker rooms at all times unless participating in a supervised program. 
  • Members and guests age 13 and older may use the locker room and restroom of their gender identity. 

Thank you for helping us maintain a respectful and welcoming space for everyone. 

Sauna Guidelines

In addition to all Aquatics Guidelines, for your safety:

  • Prolonged sauna use is not recommended. Limit usage to a maximum of 10 minutes. Staff may ask you to exit. 
  • Approved swim attire must be worn in All Gender/ Co-ed saunas. 
  • A towel or swim attire must always be worn in locker room saunas. 
  • Shoes and clothing other than swim attire are prohibited. 
  • Everyone must shower before entering the sauna. 
  • Health and beauty products (e.g., oils, gels, lotions, masks, hair dyes, exfoliants, razors) are prohibited. 
  • Newspapers, magazines, books, and other paper products are prohibited. 
  • Cell phone, camera, and video use are prohibited. 
  • Do not smoke, exercise, eat, or drink beverages in the sauna. 
  • Youth aged 12 and under are prohibited from using the sauna. 
  • Avoid using the sauna alone. 
  • Exercise caution as the rocks, heater, and surrounding surfaces can be extremely hot. Do not pour liquid on the heating element. 
  • Individuals with health conditions must consult a physician before using the sauna. 
  • Do not use the sauna if you are using alcohol, anticoagulants, antihistamines, vasoconstrictors, vasodilators, stimulants, hypnotics, or tranquilizers. 
  • Pregnant women and persons suffering from heart disease, diabetes, high or low blood pressure, circulatory or respiratory problems, seizures, or epilepsy should not enter the sauna without prior medical consultation. 
  • Leave the sauna immediately if you experience nausea, dizziness, hot flashes, cold chills, headaches, or other discomfort. 
  • Avoid dehydration and drink plenty of water before and after using the sauna. 
  • Allow a five (5) minute cool-down period after exercise before entering the sauna.