New Equipment Coming Soon

In this month's Club Connect we released some exciting news about getting all new Precor and Free Motion selectorized equipment. This is the equipment that is currently located in the first basketball court. We're able to share the logistics now that we have a more definitive timeline.

We have received a few questions about whether or not the layout of the weight floor and the equipment on the first basketball court will go back to the way it was before the shut down, or remain the same. After careful consideration, the decision was made to keep the layout as it is for the foreseeable future. The free weights and racks will remain in the weight floor while the selectorized equipment will remain in the first basketball court. We will also be adding two smaller sets of dumbbells (5-30lb) and a space for stretching in this area as well. The carpet that was put down as temporary flooring will be removed and new rubber tile flooring will be installed before the new equipment is delivered.

On the morning of Wednesday June 23, the equipment on the weight floor will be closed while staff moves them to the second court in order to have the carpet removed and new flooring installed. Removal and installation will take place on June 24 and 25, and the new equipment will be delivered and set up on June 28 and 29. During this time the court will be closed to basketball in order to accommodate the weight equipment transition. We hope to have everything complete and the court back open the evening of June 29.

Since there will now only be one basketball court, a court schedule will be in place offering designated times for full court play. Outside of the designated times, full court play will not be permitted so that we can allow free play by others. The schedule is posted at the entrance of the basketball court and can be viewed on the Schedules page of our website.

Memorial Day Hours & Schedules

The Club will be open 5 am-6 pm Monday, May 31 in observance of the Memorial Day holiday.

View our revised Child Care and Group Fitness schedules here.

closed for easter

The Club will be closed Sunday, April 4 in observance of the Easter holiday. Wishing you a happy holiday with family and friends.

yoga in the grove

Tuesdays at 6:15 pm, March 23 - April 27
$8/class
Instructor: Beth Ross

GPAC is offering Vinyasa Yoga in The Grove for six weeks. Release tension and relieve stress while building core strength and flexibility. VINYASA YOGA combines breath and flowing movements while providing an opportunity to reconnect with yourself.

Yoga in The Grove is a community program and is open to everyone. It will be held on the stage or in the grass depending on the size of the class.

• Tickets/Reservations are required.

• Signups will be closed four hours prior to the beginning of class.

• Bring your yoga mat and towel.

Visit the GPAC website to purchase tickets.

Shelby County Health Department Mask Directive No. 5 Update

The Shelby County Health Department recently released Mask Directive No. 5. It states that while face coverings are still required, those who cannot medically tolerate wearing one are no longer required to wear a face shield. No person declining to wear a face covering because of a medical condition is required to produce verifying medical documentation.

For those who are unable to wear a face covering due to a medical condition, please continue to be courteous and mindful of others by keeping a distance of 6 feet apart. Together we keep our Club safe.

Membership Freeze Status

Our records indicate that your membership at the Germantown Athletic Club is currently in the “freeze” status. We are reaching out to you to address your membership status options going forward.

Upon closing in mid-March last year and our subsequent reopening in early May, a percentage of Athletic Club members understandably expressed concerns regarding their level of comfort with returning to the facility upon reopening. Not knowing what the future held in regards to COVID-19, the opportunity to place memberships on hold (“freeze”) free of charge was extended to all members first until October 31. With the uptick in COVID-19 cases during the latter part of the year the free freeze opportunity was then extended to December 31, and most recently until March 31, 2021.

After much deliberation and discussion among our staff, we have made the decision not to extend this temporary policy change past March 31, 2021. This does not mean that your membership will become active on March 31; however effective April 1, 2021, the Club will reinstate its original policies as they relate to membership freezes: Memberships on freeze will be charged a freeze fee of $10 per month with a maximum of four (4) months out of a calendar year that can be frozen. Any memberships still in the freeze status on April 1, 2021, will be charged the monthly freeze fee unless their membership is reinstated. If you would like to stay in the freeze status, there is no need to contact us. We will adjust your freeze date automatically.

This past year has been trying; however, we are convinced we have all learned a great deal from this situation and are stronger because of it. Operationally, the Germantown Athletic Club may now look a bit different, but our core mission has remained the same. We are still committed to providing the best health and wellness offerings for our members and community.

We have received many emails and calls about how we are operating and what precautions are in place. We invite you to come by to see the changes and measures being taken to make us a safe and trusted destination for you and your family. You can also check out our website for a current list of COVID-19 protocols and measures that we have in place.

As always, if you have questions please feel free to contact us at (901) 757-7370 or info@gacfitness.org.

Summer Camp Registration

We are excited to announce that Full Day Summer Camp 2021 is a go, and we are doing registration a little different this year.

Registration will open online for Club members Monday, March 1 and in person for non members on Monday, March 8.

Visit our website for more information. See you this summer!

Pool Reservations

In an effort to improve the efficiency of our indoor pool usage, reservation times will be offered in 30 minute segments instead of hour segments. Multiple reservations can be made if more time is preferred.

As always, please arrive at the time your reservation starts, and cancel your reservation if you are unable to make it.

This change takes effect Monday, March 1.

The Active & Safe Commitment

Germantown Athletic Club is proud to announce our participation in The Active & Safe Commitment, which reaffirms the club’s unyielding dedication to safety at a time when exercise has never been more important to the health of our community.

The Active & Safe Commitment is a worldwide initiative launched by the health and fitness industry’s trade association, the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA).

By participating in the initiative, Germantown Athletic Club joins health clubs around the globe in publicly pledging to follow industry best practices in four operational categories:

1.    Physical Distancing/Mitigation Measures
2.    Employee/Member Safety Protocols
3.    Cleaning, Sanitizing, and Disinfecting
4.    Contact Tracing Assistance

We are making this commitment to reassure our members, local policymakers, and dedicated public health officials that we are wholly dedicated to providing a safe environment for exercise during COVID-19.

Holidays & Reminders

We would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season. As a reminder, our hours of operation over the holidays will be revised and can be viewed on our website.  

As many of you know Health Directive No. 16 has recently been released limiting the capacities in fitness facilities back down to 50% occupancy. While we are already operating well within the means of the new directive in most areas of our facility, this change will minimally affect some of our group fitness classes. Our reservation system is in place to help manage this, and capacity limits have been adjusted to ensure even smaller class sizes. As a reminder, guest pass privileges have been temporarily suspended and children under the age of 16 are only allowed to enter the facility with a parent or guardian. We ask for your assistance and patience with the procedures that are in place to ensure everyone's safety.

We would also like to remind everyone to wear facial coverings/masks properly at all times, covering both the nose and mouth, even while exercising.  Please clean your equipment each time it is used, before and after.  And lastly, be mindful of others' and stay at least six feet apart.

Thankfully, we still have the ability to provide a place for our community to exercise, and this wouldn't be possible without the efforts of our members. We are grateful for your loyalty and willingness to adapt in the ever-changing environment we find ourselves in.

freeze extension

Upon closing in mid-March and our subsequent reopening in early May, some members expressed concerns regarding their level of comfort with returning to the facility. Not knowing the future of COVID-19, the opportunity to place memberships on hold/freeze free of charge was extended to all members until October 31, 2020 and extended once again through December 31, 2020. We understand the decision to return to the Athletic Club still remains uncertain for some. Given the current circumstances surrounding Covid-19, Athletic Club Staff have decided to continue the temporary freeze policy until March 31, 2021.

 Effective immediately, members currently in freeze status can continue freezing their membership accounts FREE of charge through March 31, 2021. Any memberships still in freeze status on December 31, 2020, will automatically be extended through March 31, 2021 unless the membership is reinstated. The Club will automatically make these adjustments; no need to contact us.

As we move towards more digital forms of communication with our team members, we have also enhanced our change request process. Changes to your membership can now only be made by coming into the Club or by completing an online change request form located on our website at www.gacfitness.org/my-account. Account changes must be submitted online or in-person by the 25th of the month to take effective for the upcoming month.

We have all learned a great deal from this situation and are stronger because of it. We invite you to come by to see the measures being taken to make Germantown Athletic Club a safe destination for you and your family. 

 As always, if you have questions please feel free to contact us at (901) 757-7370 or info@gacfitness.org.   

Shelby County Health Directive No. 15 and Face Mask Order No. 3

The Shelby County Health Department recently announced fitness facilities can remain open, however, masks are to be worn at all times in the facility except when in the pool or shower. This goes into effect Monday, November 23.  While exercising with a mask may not be ideal, the new directive is an effort that allows us to stay open and also help mitigate the spread of the virus. We are grateful to be able to continue to provide a place for our community  to exercise and stay healthy.

If you have not been exercising with a mask it is important to monitor how you feel during your workout. If you feel dizzy, lightheaded or short of breath, slow down, reduce the intensity or stop exercising  until you feel better. Those with pre-existing respiratory or cardiovascular conditions should be cautious and consult a medical professional first.

We encourage you to stay safe, stay strong, and stay committed to what is being asked of us and of you. Even though we all have different views, we are all one health and fitness community. All of us at the Club are appreciative for the support we have received over the last several months and together we can get through this.

Child Care Updates

Beginning, Monday, October 5, Child Care at Germantown Athletic Club will start accepting children under the age of three during the weekday times of 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturdays, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and Sundays, 12 to 4 p.m. We will continue to assess the demand for weekday evening hours.

Due to precautionary measures parents will be contacted to diaper if needed. Reservations will also be age specific. Options include '0-24 months' and '2 and up'.

As a reminder, if you are unable to make your scheduled time, please cancel your reservation. This is very helpful to our Child Care team and other members wishing to make reservations at that time. Cancellations can be made by logging into your child's member account or by calling us at (901) 757-7370.

If you have questions about the measures being taken to keep your children safe in Child Care please contact us at (901) 751-5710.

Membership Freeze Status

Our records indicate that your membership at the Germantown Athletic Club is currently in the "freeze" status.  We are reaching out to you to address your membership status options going forward.

Upon closing in mid-March and our subsequent reopening in early May, a percentage of Athletic Club members understandably expressed concerns regarding their level of comfort with returning to the facility upon reopening. Not knowing what the future held in regards to COVID-19, the opportunity to place memberships on hold ("freeze") free of charge was extended to all members until October 31, 2020.  At that time, Athletic Club staff decided that the temporary policy change to waive membership freeze charges would be reconsidered as October approached.

While businesses have reopened and we are beginning to see glimpses of life returning to normalcy, the decision to return to the Athletic Club still remains uncertain for some of our members.  Taking this into consideration, and after much discussion among our staff, we have made the decision to extend this temporary policy change through December 31, 2020.   Therefore, those members who have frozen their membership can continue to do so free of charge until December 31, 2020.  The extension of this offer is for those members who prefer to keep their membership in the frozen status.  If you would like to stay in the freeze status, there is no need to contact us. We will adjust your freeze date automatically.

Effective January 1, 2021, the Club will reinstate its original policies as they relate to membership freezes:  Memberships on freeze will be charged a freeze fee of $10 per month with a maximum of four (4) months out of a calendar year that can be frozen.  Any memberships still in the freeze status on January 1, 2021, will be charged the monthly freeze fee unless their membership is reinstated. 

As we move towards more digital and virtual forms of communication with our team members, we have also enhanced our change request process.  Changes to your membership can now only be done by either coming in to the Athletic Club or by filling out and submitting the online form here.  Email or phone requests for changes to a membership will not be accepted.

The past several months have been trying, however, we are convinced we have all learned a great deal from this situation and are stronger because of it. Operationally, the Germantown Athletic Club may now look a bit different, but our core mission has remained the same. We are still committed to providing the best health and wellness offerings for our members and community.

We have received many emails and calls about how we are operating and what precautions are in place. We invite you to come by to see the changes and measures being taken to make us a safe destination for you and your family.

As always, if you have questions please feel free to contact us at (901) 757-7370 or info@gacfitness.org.  

Labor Day Hours & Schedules

The Club will have revised hours and schedules in observance of the Labor Day holiday. On Monday, September 7, the Club will be open 5 am to 6 pm. Please see below to view additional hours and schedules.

Child Care: 8 am to 1 pm

Outdoor Pool: 10 am to 5:30 pm

Group Fitness Schedule
All morning classes remain as scheduled. All evening classes are cancelled.

As a reminder, reservations are required for child care, the indoor and outdoor pool, and all group fitness classes.

Outdoor Pool, Child Care & Group Fitness Classes

There are a few upcoming changes we would like to make you aware of that will go into effect next week beginning Monday, August 10.

The outdoor pool will move to a revised schedule. Weekend reservation times and early morning lap swim times will remain the same. During the weekdays, reservations can be made 3 to 4:30 pm and 5 to 6:30 pm.

Members will now be able to schedule virtual fitness classes in Studio B and the Cycle Studio. Virtual classes are a great option for those wanting to avoid group settings. This reservation process is slightly different. If making reservations online, go to Book an Appointment instead of Class Schedule. A virtual class can also be scheduled by calling the Club.

A few of our group fitness classes are getting close to reaching capacity. For those classes, instructors will be checking class enrollment reports as members arrive. Please be sure to make a reservation for all group fitness classes. As a reminder, reservations can be made as early as 72 hours prior or as late as 1 hour prior.

Child Care hours will be adjusted to reflect current usage. Please see the new schedule below.

Monday-Thursday:  8 a.m. to 1 p.m., 4 to 8 p.m.
Friday:  8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Saturday:  8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Sunday: 12 to 4 p.m.

As school begins and with fall right around the corner we are sure to see a shift in member traffic. We will continue to monitor member check-ins, class attendance and child care attendance to ensure we are serving our members in the best manner possible.

COVID-19 Update: Face Coverings/Masks

Shelby County has required that all businesses require patrons to wear masks.  In an effort to help control the spread and heed the directive put in place by Shelby County, we are requiring that all members wear a mask while entering and exiting the building, as well as in common areas such as hallways, locker rooms, etc.  Children must also wear a mask if they are attending childcare.

Masks may be removed to work out, and are not required to be worn outside at the outdoor pool as long as social distancing can be maintained.  Those who cannot wear a mask for medical reasons will not be required to.

Please bring your own mask, as we will not be providing masks to those who forget.  Thank you for your understanding and compliance in this matter

Outdoor Pool Reservations & Attendance

Summer is upon us!  We have successfully been in our second phase of reopening since June 1, and we have been slowly opening more access and programming within the Germantown Athletic Club.  Effective June 1, we are only requiring member reservations for the pools, child care and group exercise classes.  Reservations for the cardio deck, weight room and track are no longer needed and there is no workout time restriction for these areas.

Due to the increase in Covid19 cases over the past few weeks, the Shelby County Health Department has made the decision to remain in Phase II, therefore, all the current Club restrictions and occupancies will remain the same. 

Now that the outdoor pool is open, and the days are getting hotter, it is understandable that many members are anxious to enjoy the outdoor amenities we have to offer.  Because of this, we are sometimes seeing the outdoor pool reservations reach capacity, especially on the weekends. 

In an effort to allow as many members and families to enjoy the outdoor pools as we can, we will be implementing a few new limitations and restrictions for this space:

• Reservations will be limited to one visit per day.  If space is available walk-ins will be allowed to attend.

• If you cannot make a scheduled reservation, we ask that you "unenroll" so that the spots can open to those on the waiting list.  Reservation restrictions will be placed on those who do not attend scheduled reservations two or more times. Cancellations should be made two hours prior to the reservation to allow members on the waiting list to be notified. Please visit our website to learn how to cancel your reservation. 

As a reminder:

• All members (including children) attending the pool must have a reservation.

• Guests are not allowed at this time.

• Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

• Reservations can be made between 72 hours and 1 hour before time.

• Members on the standby list will be made aware by email once a spot becomes available if an email is associated with the account.

Thank you for your help and patience as we try and mitigate the spread of Covid19 with social distancing practices.  We hope to be able to increase capacity at the outdoor pool when Phase III of the Shelby Co Back to Business plan is implemented.

Phase II and Outdoor Pool

We are coming up on nearly a month of being open after our closure mid March, and the Back to Business Framework for Memphis and Shelby County has now moved to Phase II. For the Germantown Athletic Club, this means we are able to operate at a slightly higher capacity and we will start to ease back on some of the restrictions that we put in place. Our day to day operations still reflect our newly implemented safety measures which include social distancing efforts and extensive cleaning and disinfecting procedures. 

We will continue to be vigilant and keep the health and welfare of our members and employees in the forefront.  By continuing to take a cautionary approach, we hope to help mitigate any spread and prevent having to shut down again. 

The last few weeks have taught us a lot. We have been able to determine what is no longer needed, what is still important, and we have seen our members respond with consideration and patience. Your continued support and commitment to making the Germantown Athletic Club the best in the area is evident, and we are truly grateful for our fitness community. 

Our next phase in reopening will start June 1 and allow us to make some minor updates that we hope will return your member experience back to normal.

• Limit occupancy to in workout spaces to 50% building capacity.

• Reservations will NOT be needed for use of the weight room, cardio deck or track.

• Reservations will still be needed for all group exercise classes, pool and childcare.

• Workouts are no longer limited to 45 minutes with the exception of the indoor pool.

• Child Care can be reserved in one hour time blocks but must not exceed two hours.  

• Members can reserve these areas/classes as early as 72 hours before or as late as 1 hour before.    

• Showers and lockers will open. 

• A limited water aerobics schedule will resume.

• All group fitness classes currently being held in the gym will be moved back into their respective areas.

• Racquetball courts and table tennis will open to no more than two players at a time. Members will need to provide their own equipment. 

• Private Swim lessons for Level 4 and up (instructor on deck) will be offered.

• One hour personal training and small group training will be available.

Unfortunately, not all areas or programs will reopen fully yet.  For the continued safety of our members and employees we will still have certain restrictions in place. 

• Members are required to clean equipment with disinfecting wipes before and after use.

• Basketball courts, hot tub and saunas, cafe, outdoor concessions, Community Room, coffee area and communal spaces will remain closed

• Members under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

• Cash will not be accepted. Purchases can be made on account or with a credit card.

• Mats in group fitness classes or the weight floor are not provided.

• Guest passes cannot be used.

• Swim team, lower level swim lessons, birthday parties and summer camps will not be offered.

• Child Care will only accept children ages 3 to 11.

• Personal belongings in Child Care are not allowed.

• Child Care staff will not be diapering children.

In addition to these updates we are excited to announce the outdoor pool will be opening June 1. In an effort to allow as many members as possible to enjoy the pool each day but still follow the 25% occupancy for pools, we will have 90 minute reservation time blocks with 30 minute cleaning and disinfecting intermissions. 

• Reservations must include every attendee even if they are not going to be in the pool or splash pad. 

• Entering and exiting the outdoor pool can be accessed through the pool check in/kiosk only.  

• Only members will be allowed access. Guests are not allowed at this time.

• There will be no safety breaks. We will be cleaning and sanitizing during the 30 minute intermissions.

• Lap swim will be offered Monday-Friday, 5:30 am to 7:30 am by reservation.

If you have kept your membership frozen but would like to start returning to the Club, please stop by the front desk or email us info@gacfitness.org. 

As a reminder, reservations can be made by calling us at 757-7370 or logging into your member account by visiting our website or through the MY CLUB ACCOUNT tile on the app.

Thank you again for your continued support as we all venture into new territory.  We appreciate your patience and empathy throughout our phased approach of reopening. We look forward to seeing everyone back in the Club very soon.

member reservation system

Thank you for your patience in regards to the new reservation system. As mentioned in a previous email, Club access and classes are available through reservation only during this time. Reservations can be made two ways; online through your member account or by calling the Club during business hours.

To make a reservation, you will need to know your member ID (or barcode on your keytag). Every person's member ID is unique, therefore if you are making a reservation for yourself and someone else, you will need to login to two different accounts. This might be the case if two family members are visiting the Club at the same time.

We are still wrapping up certain aspects of the new way we operate. The new group fitness schedule has been created and can be found on the app and by logging into your member account. We will have a physical schedule out very soon so that it can be viewed by the week. 

Your member account can be accessed by visiting the Club's website at www.gacfitness.org and clicking on Member Log In under the menu. This should not be confused with the app. At this time members cannot utilize the app to reserve space or a class. Instructions for how to reserve online can be found here.

If you have difficulties accessing your member account, please contact us at info@gacfitness.org or 757-7370. Please keep in mind our member inquiry volume is very high at this time. We will contact you as quickly as possible.