Does the YMCA Have a Sauna, Steam Room, or Hot Tub? (With the Rules)

If you’re a fan of fitness, community building, or both, you probably love the YMCA.

Nearly all YMCA locations have a traditional sauna, steam room, or whirlpool-style hot tub and many locations have two or all three. These facilities are available during normal business hours, typically between 5:00 AM – 9:00 PM Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM Saturday, and 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM Sunday.

Keep ready to learn more about the YMCA, plus what you need to know when planning a visit to your Y’s sauna or hot tub!

Does the YMCA have a sauna?

The YMCA is probably best known for the Village People song, but you’re probably also pretty familiar with the ubiquitous non-profit community center. You may know that most YMCA locations include a pretty solid gym, but did you know that many also have a member sauna?

After your YMCA workout, visit your location’s sauna! Saunas are the perfect way to recover from exercise because they can mitigate delayed-onset muscle soreness by up to 47%. Hopping in the sauna also gives your metabolism a temporary boost, which will help you keep burning calories for longer.

Saunas can help mitigate DOMS by almost 50%, which greatly improves sore muscles.

By boosting your metabolism, you can keep burning calories long after your workout has been completed.

Are YMCA saunas open now?

You might be wondering if YMCA saunas are currently open.

YMCA saunas are open with limited capacity and sometimes special rules or policies.

Your local leadership board will determine the availability and capacity of the sauna, so you should contact the location to find out the current hours and availability.

YMCA sauna rules

Let’s go over the YMCA sauna rules.

Some YMCA sauna rules include: limit your time in the sauna, don’t exercise in the sauna, you have to be at least 15, don’t shave, only water in a sealed container is allowed – no food, gum, or other beverages – and wait at least five minutes after exercising to enter the sauna.

Here are the YMCA sauna rules:

  • You have to be at least 15 to use the sauna.
  • Don’t exercise in the sauna. Stretching is okay.
  • Wait at least five minutes after exercising to enter the sauna.
  • Limit your time in the sauna.
  • If you’re on medication or have a health condition, consult a doctor before using the sauna.
  • Don’t shave in the sauna.
  • Only water in a sealed container is allowed. No food, gum, or other beverages.
  • Shower after the sauna before using a pool.

YMCA sauna hours

So when can you squeeze in your sauna session?

YMCA saunas are available during the location’s normal operating hours which will vary. Typically, the YMCA is open 5:00 AM – 9:00 PM Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM Saturday, and 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM Sunday.

Check with your location to see when the sauna is open.

What do you wear to the YMCA sauna?

Sauna attire differs depending on where you are.

At the YMCA sauna, change out of your gym clothes and into loose-fitting cotton clothing. Don’t wear plastic or rubberized swimsuits. Don’t wear sweatpants, sweatshirts, or athletic shoes. Wear more than just a towel.

Here are some rules about what to wear in the YMCA sauna:

  • Change out of your gym clothes and into loose-fitting cotton clothing.
  • Don’t wear plastic or rubberized swimsuits.
  • Don’t wear sweatpants, sweatshirts, or athletic shoes.
  • Wear more than just a towel.

Is there a YMCA with a sauna near me?

Of course you want to know if there’s a sauna nearby!

You can use the “Find your Y” directory to see if there’s a YMCA with a sauna near you.

Here is the “Find your Y” directory.

Does the YMCA have a steam room?

If you prefer a little more humidity, don’t sweat it!

The YMCA has steam rooms. Steam rooms can greatly enhance recovery time by improving delayed-onset muscle soreness. Wet heat is better than dry heat at penetrating deep tissue and reducing pain, with 75% less exposure.

Steam rooms aren’t just great for relaxing. They’re also great post-workout, and if you’re at the YMCA, you’re probably working out.

Steam rooms reduce muscle soreness and penetrate deep tissue, helping you recover quicker.

Are YMCA steam rooms open now?

You might be hesitant to get excited about YMCA steam rooms, but don’t fret!

YMCA steam rooms are open with limited capacity and sometimes special rules or policies.

You can still enjoy YMCA steam rooms, just with fewer people. Even better if you ask me!

YMCA steam room rules

If you’re a steam room nut, you probably have a good idea of steam room etiquette. Let’s go over YMCA house rules.

YMCA steam room rules include: shower before and after, only stay in for up to 10 minutes, you have to be at least 18, no aerobic exercise allowed, and no shaving, washing your body, or scent. Steam room use isn’t recommended right after using the whirlpool or intense exercise. Check with your doctor if you’re on medication or have health conditions.

YMCA steam room rules are:

  • Shower before and after.
  • Only stay in for up to 10 minutes.
  • You have to be at least 18.
  • No aerobic exercise is allowed.
  • Steam room use isn’t recommended immediately after using the whirlpool or after intense physical activity.
  • If you are on medication or have health conditions, consult with a doctor before using the steam room.
  • No shaving, washing your body, or scent (such as essential oils).

YMCA steam room hours

So when can you go to the YMCA steam room?

YMCA steam rooms are available during the location’s normal operating hours which will vary. Typically, the YMCA is open 5:00 AM – 9:00 PM Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM Saturday, and 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM Sunday.

Check with your local Y for hours.

What do you wear to the steam room at the YMCA?

Most steam rooms have the same attire.

At the YMCA steam room, change out of your gym clothes and into loose fitting cotton clothing. Don’t wear plastic or rubberized swimsuits. Don’t wear sweatpants, sweatshirts, or athletic shoes. Wear more than just a towel.

Here’s what to wear at a YMCA steam room:

  • Change out of your gym clothes and into loose-fitting cotton clothing.
  • Don’t wear plastic or rubberized swimsuits.
  • Don’t wear sweatpants, sweatshirts, or athletic shoes.
  • Wear more than just a towel.

Is there a YMCA with a steam room near me?

Are you just dying to find a YMCA with a steam room?

You can use the “Find your Y” directory to see if there’s a YMCA with a steam room near you.

Here is the “Find your Y” directory.

Does the YMCA have a hot tub?

Thankfully, the YMCA doesn’t stop at saunas and steam rooms!

The YMCA has a hot tub. Hot tubs are really good for sore muscles because the jets and warm water help loosen them. Hot tubs can also help improve your cardiovascular health, so you’ll be able to exercise more. They also temporarily boost your metabolism by increasing heat shock proteins.

Hot tubs are a godsend post-workout. 

The jets will soothe your sore muscles, your cardiovascular health will improve, and increased heat shock proteins means more calories burned.

Are YMCA hot tubs open now?

Great, there are hot tubs! But are they open?

YMCA hot tubs are open. Some require you to make reservations.

Your local Y will let you know if you need reservations.

YMCA hot tub rules

What do you need to know before slipping into the YMCA hot tub?

Some YMCA hot tub rules include: cool down for 5 minutes before entering, shower beforehand, wear a swimsuit, don’t use it alone, don’t dive or jump in, you have to be at least 12, no oils or lotions, no exercising in the hot tub, no food or drinks in the hot tub, and talk to your doctor first if you’re on medication or have a health condition.

Here are some YMCA hot tub rules:

  • Cool down for at least 5 minutes before entering the hot tub.
  • Shower beforehand.
  • Wear a swimsuit.
  • Don’t use it alone.
  • Only stay in for up to 10 minutes.
  • Don’t dive or jump in.
  • You have to be over the age of 12.
  • You can’t use oils or lotions.
  • No exercising in the hot tub.
  • No food or drinks in the hot tub.
  • Talk to your doctor before using the hot tub if you are on medication or have any medical conditions.
  • Don’t submerge to the bottom of the hot tub.

YMCA hot tub hours

When does the hot tub open and close?

YMCA whirlpool hot tubs are available during the location’s normal operating hours which will vary. Typically, the YMCA is open 5:00 AM – 9:00 PM Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM Saturday, and 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM Sunday.

All locations have different hours, so check with your local Y.

What do you wear to the hot tub at the YMCA?

You may feel comfortable going au naturel at home, but don’t try it at the Y!

Wear a bathing suit to the hot tub at the YMCA.

Follow your local YMCA’s bathing suit guidelines.

Is there a YMCA with a hot tub near me?

If you’re a hot tub lover, you’re probably super excited.

You can use the “Find your Y” directory to see if there’s a YMCA with a hot tub near you.

Here is the “Find your Y” directory.

If you are still looking for a gym, head over here to learn more about other gyms that have saunas!