Sport and Fitness

ETIQUETTE

Gym Etiquette

  • Bring a towel and your ID card. 
  • Please use your towel to sit or lie on when using the equipment. 
  • Sanitiser wipes are available for you to wipe down the equipment.
  • All bags and loose clothing should be secured within a locker.
  • Please wear appropriate gym clothing. 
  • Please keep footwear on at all times. 
  • There is a 20 minute limit on all cardiovascular equipment during busy periods.
  • Please only use one piece of kit at a time and share equipment during busy periods.
  • Please return all equipment back to its allocated storage position. 
  • Please use walkways and avoid walking across the lifting platforms. 
  • Clips must be used on bars all the time. 
  • Do not leave any used equipment out on the floor. 
  • Please do not block the fire exits and walk ways. 

Pool Etiquette

  • All swimmers must shower before using the swimming pool.
  • No outdoor footwear allowed on poolside or changing area.
  • No glass-lensed spectacles to be worn – we recommend prescription goggles as an alternative.
  • The use of mobile phones/tablets/recording devices is not allowed in the pool area or changing areas.
  • All bags must be stored in a locker whilst swimming
    Children under 4 years of age must wear a swimming nappy
  • Soft hand paddles are permitted in the following ratios: 25-metre sessions = 4 per lane and 50-metre sessions = 8 per lane
  • Junior to adult ratios:
    – Children aged 2 and under – 1 adult : 1 child (The adult must be within reach of the child at all times)
    – Children aged 3 to 13 – 1 adult : 2 children; (The adult must directly supervise both children at all times)
    – Children aged 14 and over may swim unsupervised
    – Strong swimmers aged 8 to 13 can complete a competency test which may allow them to swim unsupervised in the water (supervision is still required on poolside)

Sauna and Steam Room Etiquette

Please do:

  • Remove all jewellery before entering
  • Sit on a towel and wear appropriate swimwear at all times
  • Close the door quickly behind you when entering or leaving
  • Hydrate regularly
  • Respect other users by maintaining a quiet and relaxing space
  • Shower before and after use
  • Leave when asked to do so by a member of staff

Please don’t:

  • Use the sauna and steam room for more than 15 minutes at a time
  • Exceed more than 12 people at a time
  • Carry or use any mobile devices
  • Use any kind of oils or essence
  • Shave or groom

You should not use the sauna and steam room if you:

  • Are under the age of 16
  • Are pregnant
  • Have a serious illness, high or low blood pressure or a respiratory condition which may affect your reaction to heat
  • Have a contagious disease, infectious skin condition, open sores or wounds
  • Have an illness causing an inability to perspire
  • Are under the influence of alcohol or drug

Classes Etiquette

  • Please arrive at the class at the advertised start time. If you are over 5 minutes late, it is at the instructor’s discretion to decide if it’s safe for you to join in.
  • Members can book classes 10 days in advance, Pay & Go bookees 8 days in advance.
  • Sport & Fitness will contact you via text if there are changes to a booked class, i.e. format changes, time changes or cancellations. Please check with Reception to ensure you have a textable number on your Sport & Fitness account to receive notifications.
  • Cancellations: please cancel a class booking if you can no longer attend, via the app or online, a minimum of four hours before (all post-9.00am classes) or 9.00pm the night before (pre-9.00am classes). Scroll to ‘cancel a booking’ Class Timetable – University of Birmingham Sport & Fitness for more guidance.
  • No-Show policy: if you book a class and do not attend without cancelling (as above) you will receive a No-Show. We will inform you of your No-Shows via email. If you reach three No-Shows in a one month period, you will have the option to pay the cost of one class, or suspend your class attendance for two weeks. Any issues or questions, please contact the classes email listed below. 
  • For instructor cover, unless there is a change to the class format, you will not be contacted. When we know of an instructor change in advance, Reception will be informed of the cover instructor’s name.
  • Please bring a water bottle, with belongings stored in lockers or at the sides of the studios.
  • There are NO photos or filming by participants allowed in the studios, and we kindly ask you step outside for emergency calls or messages for the comfort of all attendees.
  • Instructors will always provide time at the start of their class for you to discuss injuries, conditions and adaptations away from the rest of the class.

If you have any concerns or feedback, we’d love to hear from you – [email protected].