YMCA of Greater Toronto

Latest Updates & FAQ

Answers to many of your most commonly asked questions are below. We continuously update this page with new information. If you still have questions, please contact us.

Free 7 day pass to try the y

Frequently Asked Questions



Access

How can children and youth access the YMCA health and fitness centre?

  • Children under 10 must be supervised by someone 16 years of age or older at all times
  • If you’re 13 and up you can use all spaces inside the YMCA on your own.
  • If you’re 10-12 you can use all spaces on your own except the conditioning room floor. Children 10-12 years of age must be supervised by someone 16 years of age and older on the conditioning room floor.

Do I need to book my individual conditioning workout ahead of time?

No, you do not have to book your time on the conditioning room floor.

Can I bring a guest to the YMCA?

Yes! Guests can purchase a day pass at the front desk and staff will help to schedule them in for any programs.

How do I book my Group Fitness, Rec Sports and Aquatics time?

You can book your Group Fitness, Rec Sports and Aquatics time using our YGTA Shine On Health & Fitness App.

You can also book by using our live chat function or emailing us. We encourage you to give our app a try, though. It’s super easy and means you won’t have to wait for one of our staff to get back to you.

As of March 21, 2022 we are changing the booking window from seven days to 24 hours in advance. We hope to limit the number of people who are not showing up to their scheduled timeslots. Please be patient as this change will take a week to fully implement.

Where do I get the YGTA Shine On Health & Fitness App?

The YGTA Shine On Health & Fitness App can be accessed via our web portal or through our mobile app on both Android and IOS operating systems. Click here to register.

I noticed a family booking option for swimming and rec sports. What does this mean? 

Bookings with the Family label mean you are reserving a spot for you and three other members of your household. A total of four members in your party can play together.

You must schedule this activity ahead of time using the YGTA Shine On Health & Fitness App.

Participants under 10 must be accompanied by a caregiver who is at least 16 years of age or older.

One family booking equals up to four people in your household.

Program availability varies by location. Find out what’s available at your Y.

Is the YMCA a cooling centre during heat warnings?

Yes! Five of our Health and Fitness Centre locations are designated 'Cool Spaces' under the City of Toronto's Heat Relief Strategy. West End, Central, Cooper Koo, North York, and Scarborough YMCA are offering pool access and water fountains to the public during Heat Warnings. Please Click here for more information.

Safety Measures

Do I have to wear a mask?

Participants, staff and volunteers are no longer required to wear masks in our Health and Fitness centres. We recognize that each individual lives with different circumstances and vulnerabilities and may make decisions that are different from others. If you feel more comfortable wearing a mask, we encourage and support your choice to do so.

Should I wipe my own equipment down?

Disposable sanitizing wipes will be available to wipe your equipment down before and after using it. Staff will be focused on ensuring high-touch areas are routinely disinfected.



Programming

How can I access the Virtual Y?

If you are a member the Virtual Y is included in your membership. You can access the Virtual Y through the YGTA Shine On Health & Fitness App. If you haven't already done so you can register for the app here

If you are a non member you can sign up directly for the Virtual Y here

What happens to outdoor classes when there is inclement weather?

In the event of inclement weather, please check the YGTA Shine On Health & Fitness app to make sure your group fitness class is still on. We will post any cancellation on the community page.

I’m interested in volunteering. How can I do that?

Thank you for your interest in volunteering at the YMCA of Greater Toronto!

Our volunteer opportunities are always changing and you can visit our Volunteer Opportunities page periodically for the latest updates. If you are interested in any of the positions we have available, please complete our online volunteer application to begin the process. If you are a previous volunteer and would like to return, kindly connect directly with your staff partner. Should you have any additional questions about volunteering, please email volunteering@ymcagta.org.

Applicants who are accepted as a volunteer or student placement are required to provide proof that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or have a valid medical or other Human Rights Code-related exemption prior to their start date and as a condition of their volunteer role. Our team will ask for these details at the end of the screening process

Can I bring my own equipment (e.g., yoga mat, small weights) to group fitness classes?

Absolutely! In fact, at this time we are encouraging members to bring their own small equipment.

Do I need to bring my own equipment to racquet sports?

We highly encourage anyone who has equipment to bring it in.

Children's Registered Programs

How can I sign my child up for registered programs?

Please visit the Children’s Registered Programs page to find out more about our next available sessions and important registration dates.

How can I get swim lessons for my kids?

Please visit the Children’s Registered Programs page to find out more about our next available sessions and important registration dates

Will I be able to watch my child’s class?

It depends on your local Y. Some locations have a designated area where family members can watch the child and other centers have limited space available. Depending on your location, you may need to make arrangements to wait elsewhere until the class is over.

Do I need a Gii (uniform) for martial arts before the first class?

If your child is a beginner, they do not need to buy a uniform. Have them try it out for the first few weeks to decide if they like it first.

Will grading still happen for Karate and Taekwondo?

Yes, grading will still happen during the last week of the session. The instructor will notify you if your child is ready to grade, at which point you can register and pay for the grading on My Y portal

How do I cancel my child’s program?

To cancel your registration please login to your My Y account

If you have any questions feel free to use our virtual chat function to get a hold of our member services team.

Please Note: At this point we are not adding any more spots so if you wish to keep your child’s spot secured we encourage to keep your registration.



Membership & Payments

What happens to my credit if I extend my hold or stop my membership?

If you decide to extend your hold or stop your membership, your credit will stay on your account and you can use it for YMCA programs and services in the future.

I was charged while you were closed. How do I get my credit?

If you have a credit on your account, it will be automatically applied to future payments.

Please note this may take some time as we are currently doing a review of all Health & Fitness memberships across the GTA. Once this review is complete, we will notify you.

If I’m uncomfortable coming back to the Y, what should I do?

We understand and have a few options for you:

How do I cancel my membership?

To cancel your membership, please visit the membership page.

Health and Fitness Etiquette Statement

YMCA Etiquette Statement: The YMCA is a shared experience for everyone to enjoy. Each of us can make it better for all by being considerate to others. YMCA members, staff and volunteers all pledge to treat one another with respect and dignity. Use of your membership card indicates agreement with YMCA etiquette.