The Hartsfield YMCA will begin offering 24/7 access to Jefferson City members next month, a change leaders said will increase flexibility for members to exercise on their own schedules.
Any Jefferson City Area YMCA member is eligible to register for expanded access, which will begin Feb. 1.
Isaac Williams, Jefferson City YMCA membership director, said the Hartsfield facility, located at 3507 Amazonas, was chosen because it had the largest fitness center of the three YMCAs in the city.
Williams said expanding access would allow members to use the facility whenever they wished rather than rushing to get in a workout before the doors close, an idea numerous members had suggested through the years.
“We’ve been hearing from a lot of our members that wanted to see this happen, and we do our best to listen and put good ideas into action,” Williams told the News Tribune. “Not all of our members work the same shift or have the same schedule, so this gives them an opportunity to come in and take care of their health whenever works best for them.”
Williams said 24/7 access was becoming more prominent among YMCAs in the area; its counterparts in Callaway County and Boonville offer access around the clock, as does a facility in Ashland that expanded its access last August. Williams said the Jefferson City association watched other branches grow and discussed their results with them before deciding to implement the change.
Other Jefferson City gyms, such as Anytime Fitness and Capital Fitness, offer similar programs, an opportunity the Y wanted to offer to its own members.
There are no plans to extend the change to Jefferson City’s other locations, Williams said.
Participants will pay an initial $10 fee for an access fob. Individual members will pay $7 a month, couples on the same membership will pay $10 and trios on the same membership will pay $17. The fee will add onto members’ regular monthly subscription cost.
First responders, including officers with the Jefferson City Police Department and sheriff’s department, EMTs and firefighters can join the 24/7 program for free on top of their regular membership, Williams said.
“This will be a really big benefit to individuals trying to get their workouts in on their own time, any time on any day,” Williams said. “We’re excited to offer this option to our members soon.”
Around the clock access will begin Feb. 1.
Members can currently access the Hartsfield facility from 4:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 4:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Fridays and 6 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. The Knowles facility on 424 Stadium Blvd. is open 5 a.m.-8 p.m Monday-Friday and 6 a.m.-6 p.m. on the weekends, while the Firley YMCA on 525 Ellis Blvd. is open 4:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Friday and 6 a.m-6 p.m. on weekends.
Regular memberships start at $30. Williams noted the Y offers January and February for free for those who sign up this month with coupon code “Newyear.”