Learn how the YMCA of San Diego County is continuing to serve members through outdoor operations due to their indoor operations being closed.
Outdoor fitness areas have been popping up across the country due to the coronavirus pandemic and outdoor-only fitness regulations. However, the YMCA of San Diego County is no rookie when it comes to utilizing outdoor space for exercise.
Their Copley-Price Family YMCA branch has been utilizing their rooftop space for workouts for a while, but when California Governor Gavin Newsom announced on July 13 that 30 counties were required to stop indoor gym operations, the association wanted to extend their outdoor services to all members across all of their branches.
“The YMCA of San Diego County takes the fitness and health of our community seriously,” said Charmaine Carter, the executive vice president and chief operating officer for the YMCA of San Diego County. “We are committed to helping our members stay healthy through exercise and an active lifestyle. Now more than ever, it’s important for us to be here for members so they can participate in physical activity. While we can’t serve our members inside our branches, we are doing everything we can to serve our communities during the coronavirus pandemic, which includes shifting our operation outdoors. We’re blessed to have the good fortune of San Diego weather, which certainly helps us enjoy our outdoor spaces.”
Lisa D’Angelo, the area vice president for the San Diego Y, said they currently offer both workout equipment and Group X classes. Members have access to a variety of exercise equipment like free weights, kettlebells, squat racks, benches, dumbbells, barbells ropes, resistance balls, jump boxes and tires. Additionally, most locations have cycling bikes and rowers for cardio workouts.
“To promote comfort and safety to our members, we are doing everything possible to keep the Ys safe and clean,” said D’Angelo. “That includes temperature checks, enhanced sanitizing, physical distancing guidelines and daily health checks, as well as extensive and thorough cleaning, sanitizing and disinfecting measures.”
The outdoor fitness areas and pools are for members only right now, and members must be at least 12 years old to take advantage of these spaces.
Get an inside look at the outdoor workout spaces across several San Diego Y locations here: