Welcome Back FAQ

As a clinically-integrated Medical Fitness Center, we are well positioned to respond to life alongside COVID-19. Our Pledge of Protection is a 5-prong approach designed in partnership with our Medical Director to keep you safe while using the Center. 

• Controlled Capacity: The Center will be limited to 50 members at any one time during operations. 
• Monitored Distancing: Modifications are being made to assure distance is maintained. 
• Advanced Disinfecting: Enhanced disinfecting systems are in place to work in concert with our current cleaning protocols. From an electrostatically applied solution that disinfects all year, to HEPA filters purifying your air, we have you covered. 
• Personal Protection: All employees will be required to wear face masks/coverings for your protection. 
• Regular Screenings: All employees and members will complete a temperature check before entering the Center.

We will display the total number of members currently in the Center as well as how close we are to capacity. Simply check our website for the capacity tracker and determine if you should visit now, or later. Also, to help limit any congestion, we are asking members to limit their time in the Center to 60 minutes. Please keep in mind that if we are at capacity, you may be asked to wait before entering the Center. If you have been in the facility for over 60 minutes you may be asked to leave.

In compliance with state and local guidelines, everyone is required to wear face masks/coverings while inside the Health and Fitness Center, but can remove the mask during exercise. Please don your face mask/covering during all times you are not actively engaged in physical activity, including in between equipment, locker room, entrance and exit. We will provide a mask at the entry screening station if you do not have one. 

You will notice many measures in place to achieve distancing. Some of those modifications include:

1. cardio/strength equipment spacing/closing
2. fitness equipment (dumbbells, kettlebells, etc.) cleaned at regular intervals
3. floor markings for classes
4. locker rooms out of service, with the exception of sinks and toilets
5. reservations required for group exercise classes and use of the pool

Please ensure you respect and follow the distancing and capacity guidelines. Wear your face mask/covering at all times you are resting or moving about in the Center and not exercising. In addition, please be sure to wipe down your equipment before AND after use.

Yes, you do have suspension/freeze options as detailed by the terms of your membership agreement. If you choose to suspend or freeze your membership, we encourage you to submit your request form, or email us at membership@osumc.edu.

Temporary Suspension
You may submit a temporary suspension your membership for a minimum period of one (1) month, up to a maximum of three (3) months, and no more often than once every calendar year. This suspension can be for any reason including COVID19.

Yes. There will be an opportunity to support you with a temporary, virtual ONLY membership option. If you elect this option, it will transition all members on your membership account to the virtual only option. You will be allowed to access our private library of virtual content, as well as receive one consultation monthly with your coach and a personalized exercise prescription. See the Programming section below for more details on virtual programming.

Please contact our membership department to make this membership change by emailing membership@osumc.edu.

Your current monthly membership dues will be reduced by 50% for up to a maximum of 6 months. When you decide to come back to the Center for full access, simply contact Member Services to make this change, or email at membership@osumc.edu.

You may refer to your member agreement for details or please contact our Member Services Team as they are always ready to assist and serve you. Email us at membership@osumc.edu.

In order to promote a clean and sanitary facility, we have temporarily modified our operating hours. We will close the Center mid-day for a deep cleaning and re-open for the second half of the day. Operating hours will be: 

• Monday-Thursday: 5 a.m. to noon, 1-8 p.m.  (closed between noon and 1 p.m.)
• Friday: 5 a.m. to noon, 1-6 p.m.  (closed between noon and 1 p.m.)
• Saturday: 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Sunday: 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

Check-in will not be allowed 30 minutes before closing times.

Because our pools are classified as exercise-focused and not recreational, the warm water and lap pool WILL BE OPEN. There is a maximum of three people allowed in each pool at a time. You must make a reservation for your specific time by calling, or stopping by the Front Desk. The time slots are in 30-minute increments and we ask each member to adhere to a 60-minute limit while in the pool.

No, not during Phase 1 of our reopening.

Locker rooms will be open with limited lockers available. The locker rooms are available only for quick change and use of the bathroom facilities. The sauna, steam room and showers will be closed until further notice to adhere to the State of Ohio distancing guidelines.

We will still provide workout towels for members to use throughout the facility, and bath towels will be available in limited quantities during Phase 1 of our reopening. Towels will only be available at temporary front desk upon request.

Drinking fountains are available for bottle filling only.

The free weights area will be open for member use as long as members adhere to social distancing guidelines as well as proper cleaning of weights and other equipment before and after use.

Virtual programming is a solution for staying engaged with the Center and motivated to continue with leading a healthy lifestyle while at your home. We will include a wide array of offerings: 

• Monthly check-in from one of our Fitness Team members 
• Monthly Exercise Prescription conducted by our Fitness Specialists 
• Access to group exercise classes 
• Fitness Challenges to help keep you accountable and motivated 
• Mind/body/stress relief 
• Services available for an additional cost include: 
• Personal Training 
• Nutrition Programs 
• Perform Ignite Small Group Training

Live and prerecorded classes will be offered via Facebook live, Zoom and on YouTube. In order to access these platforms, you must have an active membership (standard or virtual). A weekly schedule will be distributed to all active members that will include links for any programming.

Yes you can. We have will have a virtual-only membership option (see above membership section) that allows you to receive all of our support and programming from the comfort of your own home at a lower rate.

We will offer a modified schedule upon reopening. The intention is to provide the wide variety of top-notch classes you have become accustomed to in a way that promotes appropriate distancing and cleaning.

Yes, each in-person class will be limited to 10 participants to allow for appropriate distancing. In addition, most classes will be an “Express” format lasting 30-45 minutes. This will allow us more time to transition participants and disinfect the room/equipment.

Our classes will require registration/sign up through our group exercise app. To find and download the app, simply search for the app with Ohio State Health and Fitness Group Exercise and download to your mobile device.

We have developed a strict disinfecting process and cleaning schedule. Therefore, it is requested that you DO NOT bring equipment from home. All Center supplied equipment is sanitized after EACH class.

Babysitting (Kids’ Club) services are temporarily suspended. Daycares are going to open soon, but we will still be closed until further notice.

Our assessment schedule is currently on hold until we can safely deliver the assessment in its entirety. We will communicate with members when we resume the assessments.

Yes, you can meet with a fitness specialist to complete your exercise prescription. Our fitness specialists are trained to adhere to social distancing guidelines while still completing this service.

We will offer virtual and in-person personal training. If members are comfortable with in-person training, our fitness specialists are trained to provide this service while practicing safe social distancing. Please reach out to our Fitness Manager, Crystal Winfrey-Ellington (crystal.winfrey-ellington@osumc.edu), if you are interested in completing a personal training session with one of our fitness specialists.

We are offering PERFORM Ignite sessions at the Center and have reduced class size to 4 to practice safe social distancing guidelines. PERFORM Ignite sessions are $15 each, or $60 for unlimited monthly access.

We are encouraging all members to communicate with their dietitian virtually to help practice safe social distancing. Please reach out to our registered dietitian Molly Linek at molly.linek@osumc.edu.

Yes. As per the State of Ohio order, massage appointments are able to begin on May 15th. The Center will follow all recommended guidelines in order to promote a safe and sanitary environment for our clients.