General Facility Rules & Regulations

The following polices have been established by the University of Cincinnati Campus Recreation to ensure the fair and consistent treatment of all participants. Questions about policies should be directed to a Campus Recreation staff member. It is each member’s responsibility to read and understand all general and area-specific Campus Recreation rules & regulations.

Campus Recreation staff has final authority on all rule and regulation related matters.

1. All individuals must present a valid member ID at the Member Services Desk to obtain access to the facility. ID presented by someone other than the rightful owner will be confiscated. Campus Recreation staff reserve the right to request identification at any time.
2. Children 13 years of age and younger:
   1. Must be under direct supervision of an adult at all times,
   2. Are permitted to use the facility only during designated family hours,
   3. May access all areas of the Campus Recreation Center except the fitness floor.
3. Members and guests 14-17 years of age may access all areas of the Campus Recreation Center during all hours of operation. An adult responsible for them must be present in the facility throughout their stay.
4. The Campus Recreation Center is a family-friendly environment.  Participants are expected to act responsibly and respect the rights of others. Those engaging in unacceptable or irresponsible behavior may have their access to facilities revoked or modified indefinitely.
5. Items and activities prohibited in the Recreation Center:
   1. Food, gum, and beverages (except in the juice bar and lobby areas) Note: Water in a plastic bottle with a lid is permitted in Campus Recreation Center activity areas.
   2. Digital cameras, web cams, cameras, and video recorders (unless prior permission is granted by Campus Recreation)
   3. Chewing tobacco and smoking
   4. Bicycles, strollers, and in-line skates
   5. Animals (except dogs assisting disabled individuals)
   6. Use of the facility while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs
   7. Cell phone use (except in the main lobby)
   8. Listening to personal music without headphones
   9. Posting announcements, flyers, posters, etc., on building walls, windows, lockers, and/or doors (unless prior permission is granted by Campus Recreation)
6. The following dress code is strictly enforced:
   1. A shirt is required in all areas except for the Aquatic Complex ("shirts and skins" games are prohibited)
   2. Proper athletic attire must be worn at all times.
   3. Absolutely no clothing with rivets or exposed zippers is permitted.
   4. Absolutely no clothing with rivets or exposed zippers is permitted.
   5. A non-marking, athletic shoe that covers the entire foot must be worn at all times except in the Aquatic Complex and for certain Club Sport Practices or Group Fitness Classes (any type of shoe that does not cover the entire foot including sandals and Crocs as well as boots, dress shoes or any other non-athletic shoe is prohibited).
7. Personal belongings should be secured in lockers. Gym bags, backpacks, etc., are not permitted in the group fitness rooms, fitness floor area, hallways, natatorium, gymnasium, track, or climbing wall. Campus Recreation is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged personal property.
8. Please report injuries and facility or equipment problems to Campus Recreation staff immediately.
9. Except in case of an emergency, members must enter and exit the Campus Recreation Center through the main lobby. Membership privileges of individuals entering or exiting through other doors may be suspended or revoked.
10. All building occupants must exit when the fire alarm sounds.
11. All members participate in Recreation Center activities at their own risk.

Participant Safety and Responsibility

Campus Recreation provides individuals the opportunity to participate in intramural sports, informal sports, sports clubs, and indoor/outdoor recreation activities and programs. Regardless of the activity, all participants must realize that they are assuming risks when they take part in an active recreation program. Each person must be aware of this assumption of risk and recognize that his/her participation is voluntary. Each participant also has a responsibility to use prudent and ordinary care in his/her actions. For the safety of the individual and that of fellow participants, any situation perceived as a potential danger must be called to the attention of a Campus Recreation supervisor. This includes but is not limited to the following:

• Unsafe facilities
• Equipment that is broken or in disrepair
• A participant who is not feeling well or who is unduly fatigued
• A participant who is having unusual difficulty performing an activity

Each participant is obligated to follow the rules and regulations for individual safety as set forth by Campus Recreation. This includes dressing appropriately and using protective equipment. Individuals choosing not to use such protective equipment, whether provided or requested, must realize they are doing so at their own peril and that injury might result. 

It must be recognized that, even in safe environments, accidents can occur during active, vigorous participation. Campus Recreation makes every effort to keep all facilities and equipment in safe, operating condition. Both supervisors and participants must use good judgment and work together for safe participation.

Should an injury occur in the facility and/or during participation in any Campus Recreation program, a Campus Recreation supervisor will make arrangements for emergency transportation whenever appropriate. The injured party is responsible for all financial obligations arising from the injury, emergency transportation, and subsequent treatment. Therefore, the university requires students and strongly encourages all others to have health care insurance.  Prior to participation in Campus Recreation programs, all students should discuss with the Student Health Service medical staff any known physical problems that may limit their activity. 

This statement about participant safety and responsibility is provided for the protection of our participants. Any questions concerning this statement should be directed to the Campus Recreation Associate Director for Facilities/Operations.

Lockers and Locker Room Rules & Regulations

The Campus Recreation Center is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged personal property.

Lockers are to be used for legitimate purposes only.

Please report the presence of suspicious individuals in the locker room to staff at the Member Services Desk.

For the privacy of our patrons, use of cell phones or cameras of any kind is prohibited in the locker room.

Children 4 years of age and older may not enter the locker room of the opposite sex.  Family changing rooms are available for members with small children of the opposite sex. Please use discretion when bringing younger children of the opposite sex into the locker room.

All lockers are the property of Campus Recreation. A fee will be assessed for locker damage caused by negligence or abuse. 

Caution: Wet floors in the locker room may be slippery. Please watch your step.

Please report any facility problems and/or injuries to the Campus Recreation staff immediately.

Campus Recreation reserves the right to check lockers for unreturned towels, equipment, and to resolve safety/security concerns. Members will be notified should this occur.

Day-Use Lockers Rules

Day-use lockers are available at no charge on a first-come/first-served basis. Members must remove all items in day-use lockers when they leave the facility.

Personal locks may not be left on day-use lockers overnight. All locks must be removed 15 minutes prior to facility closing.

If day-use lockers are not emptied by closing time each day, Campus Recreation staff will remove locks and all items in the lockers and keep items for 14 days in Lost & Found. After 14 days, all abandoned locker contents will be donated to charity. Campus Recreation is not responsible for locks cut off during this procedure.

A $5.00 fee will be charged to retrieve locker contents.

Aquatics Rules and Regulations

Lap Pool

Pool use is prohibited unless supervised by a Campus Recreation lifeguard.

To ensure proper supervision and safety, Campus Recreation reserves the right to limit the number of individuals in the pool.

Swimmers are requested to take a cleansing shower before entering the pool. The use of oils and body lotions is prohibited.

Individuals with a communicable disease, skin disease, open sores, bandaged wounds, boils, inflamed eyes, or discharging nasal or ear passages are prohibited from using the pool. Dispose of bandages on minor cuts before entering the pool area.

Individuals who have had diarrhea in the last two weeks are asked not to use the pool.

Items and activities prohibited in the pool area:

• Running on the pool deck
• Spitting and otherwise contaminating the pool, pool floors, walkways,   aisles, or locker rooms
• Large or loose jewelry. Lifeguards will determine the safety of any questionable jewelry.
• Glass containers
• Unattended strollers on the pool deck
• Rough play, horseplay, and chicken fights
• Swimming under the bulkhead
• Dunking on basketball rims
• Use of the starting blocks
• Walking on the bulkhead
• Breath holding longer than 30 seconds as well as the practices of static apnea and hypoxic training

The following policies are in place for swimmers 17 years of age and younger:

• Children 13 years of age and younger must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
• Children five years of age and younger must be accompanied in the water by an adult. Lifeguards may require an adult to be in the water with older children who are deemed weak swimmers.
• One adult may be responsible for no more than three children five years of age and younger.
• Infants and toddlers requiring swim diapers are not permitted in the lap pool. - Children using arm floats, inflatable rings or toys, or lifejackets must be no more than an arm’s length from an adult in the water at all times.

Appropriate swimsuits are required for all swimmers. Street clothes, street shoes, thongs, and see-through swimwear are prohibited. Goggles are recommended.

Lap Swim Rules

Swimmers must enter the lap pool from the ends of the lanes only.

The maximum number of swimmers in each lane is six.

All swimmers must “circle swim” (i.e., remain in the right half of the lane). Slower swimmers should stop at the wall and allow faster swimmers to pass.

Lanes are designated “slow”, “medium”, and “fast”. Please select the appropriate lane for your ability.

Hanging on the lane lines is prohibited.

Diving Board Rules

Use of the three-meter board is prohibited unless prior permission is granted by the Assistant Director of Aquatics.

Only one person is permitted on the board at a time.

Children must be able to swim without assistance in order to use the board.

Divers must dive straight off the board.

Children 13 years of age or younger may be required to take a swim test prior to using diving boards.

Only one bounce per dive is allowed. No practice bounces are allowed. No gymnastic activity (i.e., cartwheel, head and hand stands, etc.), backward, or inward dives are allowed in the pool area.

Exit the diving area immediately after diving.

The diving area may be closed to ensure proper supervision of other pool areas.

Adjustments to the fulcrum of the board are not permitted.

Pool set up varies. Ask a lifeguard which areas are available. Classes and rentals may restrict availability of certain pool areas.

Only U.S. Coast Guard-approved flotation devices are permitted. Floaties, inflatable rings, and inflatable devices used in place of swimming skills are not allowed. The lifeguard or supervisor will determine if an item is permitted.

Kickboards and pull-buoys are available for lap swimmers. Please return items to the storage bins after use.

Please report any facility problems and/or injuries to a lifeguard immediately.

The lifeguard on duty has the final authority on all safety related issues. A long whistle blast may signal an emergency.  Exit the pool immediately and look to the lifeguard for further instruction.

Maximum swimmer capacity: 140

Leisure Pool

All lap pool Rules & Regulations apply to leisure pool use.

Leisure pool entry is permitted only at designated entry points ladders, stairs, and zero depth.

Infants and toddlers must wear leak-proof pants or swim diapers.

Return any leisure pool equipment to the storage bins after using.

Maximum bather capacity: 100

Whirlpool

All lap pool Rules & Regulations apply to whirlpool use.

Caution: Elderly persons and persons suffering from heart disease, diabetes, seizures, epilepsy, circulatory or respiratory problems, or high or low blood pressure should not enter the whirlpool without their doctor’s permission.

Pregnant women may not use the whirlpool.

Do not use the whirlpool while under the influence of alcohol, tranquilizers, or other drugs that cause drowsiness or that raise or lower blood pressure.

Children between the ages of six and 14 must be accompanied by an adult in the whirlpool at all times. Children five years of age and younger are not permitted in the whirlpool.

Do not use alone.

Do not use at water temperatures greater than 104° F.

Enter and exit whirlpool slowly.

Long exposure may result in nausea, dizziness, or fainting. Leave the whirlpool after 10-15 minutes and cool down before returning for another brief stay.

Items and activities prohibited in the whirlpool:

• Submerging. Hair/clothing may become entangled in the drain suction.
• Napping. Do not take a nap or allow others to sleep in the whirlpool.
• Newspapers, magazines, or other reading material
• Kickboards and other flotation devices

Maximum bather capacity: 14

Fitness Floor Rules and Regulations

Cardiovascular Equipment Rules & Regulations

Please be courteous.

Use of the facility and all equipment is available on a first-come/ first-served basis.

Maximum time limit on all machines is 30 minutes when other members are
waiting.

Wipe down equipment after use. Please do not spray machines directly with
cleaning solution.

Individuals are responsible for checking equipment prior to each use. Please report broken or damaged equipment and/or equipment malfunctions to Campus Recreation staff immediately.

Please ask Campus Recreation staff for assistance when using equipment with  which you are not familiar. 

When using treadmills, the use of the emergency-off clip is strongly recommended. 

Free weight equipment must remain in the free weight area; its use in conjunction with cardio equipment is prohibited. 

All fire lanes and walkways must remain clear.

Weight Training Rules & Regulations

Please be courteous.

Use of the facility and all equipment is available on a first come/ first-served basis.

Allow others to work in when performing multiple sets.

Wipe down equipment after use. Please do not spray machines directly with cleaning solution.

Individuals are responsible for checking equipment prior to each use. Please report broken or damaged equipment and/or equipment malfunctions to Campus Recreation staff immediately. 

Please ask Campus Recreation staff for assistance when using equipment with which you are not familiar. 

Individuals using free weights are strongly encouraged to use collars and have
spotters. 

Please maintain slow and controlled movement of weights at all times.

Items and activities prohibited in the weight training area: 

• Personal training conducted by anyone other than a Campus Recreation employee 

• Leaving belongings on the fitness floor 

• Olympic lifts (e.g., clean, clean-jerks, snatch) 

• Leaning weights and equipment against walls, pillars, or mirrors 

• Standing on equipment benches, frames or weights 

• Stacking weights under equipment 

• Top loading 

• Slamming or dropping weight stacks, plates, or dumbbells 

• Chalk

Free weight equipment must remain in free weight area; its use in conjunction with cardio equipment or on the track is strictly prohibited.

Keep dumbbell racks free from obstruction and stand away from mirrors. Individuals must return all bars, plates, dumbbells, collars, etc., to their proper place after use.

Please limit stretching and floor exercises to designated areas. 

All fire lanes and walkways must remain clear.

Climbing Wall Rules & Regulations

Campus Recreation climbing staff must be present in order for members to climb or be in the climbing area.

All participants must read and understand the climbing rules and sign a Waiver of Liability and Assumption of Risk before being allowed to climb.

Climbers must be 5 years of age and older and able to fit into a child harness.  Please Note: Minors (climbers 17 years of age and younger) must have a parent’s or legal guardian’s signature on all forms.  Climbers 13 years of age and younger must be supervised by an adult at all times.

Climbers must be 15 years of age and older to take a belay clinic. Please Note:  Individuals who have a history of epilepsy or any other condition that could alter level of consciousness are not eligible to take a belay clinic or belay at the wall.  Please ask the climbing staff if you are unsure if you fit into this category.

Climbers’ pockets must be empty.

Items and activities prohibited in the climbing wall area:
Swinging or jumping on ropes, Climbing into a position where you are eye level or higher with top anchors, Grabbing bolt hangers.  Bolt hangers are for carabiner attachment only.

Belaying policies:

• Belayers must lower climbers in a smooth and controlled manner.
• Belayers must keep their brake hand on the rope at all times.
• Belay from a standing position only.

Climbers should not step under or over an active belay.

A follow-through figure-eight knot is required to tie in a climber.

Please report any injury or unsafe climbing wall conditions to climbing staff immediately.

The number of climbers at any one time may be limited to ensure proper supervision.  

The Campus Recreation climbing staff reserves the right to refuse wall access for the following reasons, including but not limited to:

• Use of dangerous climbing techniques
• Suspected recent use of alcohol or other drugs
• Use of unsafe or unacceptable climbing gear

Bouldering Wall Rules & Regulations

Boulder climbers are not required to have the ability to belay.  Otherwise, all climbing wall policies, rules, and regulations apply to bouldering.

Campus Recreation strongly recommends the use of spotters while bouldering.  We encourage climbers to ask climbing staff about proper spotting techniques.

Climbers can not boulder more than 10’ above the floor.

Climbers must check in at the Climbing Wall Desk before bouldering.

Climbers may not boulder above or below any other climbers.

Climbers, with the exception of climbing staff, may not switch holds.  Climbing staff may switch holds only when necessary.

Group Fitness Rules & Regulations

Non-members may purchase a Group Fitness pass if they also purchase a day pass or a short-term membership (10-punch membership, 1 month, etc.).

Group Fitness Passes are available for purchase at the Member Services Desk.

All fitness classes are available on a first-come/first-served basis.  Participants may enter the classroom 15 minutes prior to the scheduled class time. Participants may not save bikes, equipment, or spots for others, so please arrive early to reserve your spot.

Class size is determined by format. Please check the schedule for exact size limits.

Participants may not use anyone else’s ID. Doing so may result in confiscation of ID cards belonging to both individuals and suspension of group fitness passes and privileges.

Rubber-soled, non-marking athletic, jogging, or running shoes must be worn in ALL group fitness classes – with the exception of yoga or Pilates-based classes, where bare feet are permitted. Sandals, dress, and open-toed shoes are not permitted in the group fitness rooms.

Spinning® class participants:

• Are required to bring a towel and a water bottle to class.

• Are not permitted to wear excessively baggy pants and long skirts.

• May wear Spinning shoes.

Campus Recreation staff reserve the right to turn away anyone deemed to be dressed in a way that compromises member safety. Exceptions may be made for religious purposes.

For the safety of all members, please follow the instructor’s routine and keep conversation to a minimum.

Members who are five or more minutes late for class will not be permitted into the classroom.

All personal items should be kept in provided cubbies. The CRC is not responsible for lost or stolen items. 

Equipment provided in a class (resistance bands, weights, jump ropes, etc.) may not be taken out of the room.

Members are asked to return all equipment to its proper location at the end of class.

For your safety, leaving group exercise classes before cooling down is strongly discouraged.

Group Fitness Passes are non-transferable and nonrefundable except for physician-verified medical reasons.

Gymnasium & House Rules

Racquet Courts Rules & Regulations

Eye guards are strongly recommended for all racquetball, handball, and squash games.  

Racquets and balls are available for purchase at the Member Services Desk.

Wallyball equipment is available for check-out at the Member Services Desk.

One bag of personal belongings may be kept outside the racquet court. Campus Recreation is not responsible for belongings that are left unattended.

Activities other than racquetball, squash, handball, or wallyball are prohibited on the courts unless prior permission is granted by the Assistant Director of Facilities/Operations.

Unreserved courts are available for play on a first-come/first-served basis for one hour or until the next reservation.

Court reservations:

• Reservations can be made no more than 24 hours and no less than one hour in advance by calling the
  Member Services Desk at 513-556-0604.

• The maximum reservation time per party is one hour.

• One person may make no more than one reservation per day.

• Partners may not reserve courts in consecutive time slots. Play may continue after the initial hour if a court is available.

• Court reservations begin and end on the hour regardless of when play actually starts; there is no grace period

Track Rules & Regulations

Track directions change on alternate days:

• Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday:
    Run/walk counterclockwise.

• Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday:
    Run/walk clockwise.

Walkers use the outside lane; joggers/runners use inside lanes.

Faster runners have the right of way. Passing should take place in the outer lanes.

Baby Joggers may be used in the outside lane Monday-Friday from 8:00 a.m. -11:00 a.m. and all day Saturday and Sunday. 
*Use of Baby Joggers may be discontinued based on facility usage patterns. Members will be notified in advance.

Stretching areas are available outside of the track. Railings are NOT to be used as stretching aids.

Items and activities prohibited on the track:

• Standing or in any way blocking lanes

• Bringing accessory equipment onto the track (e.g., weights, balls, etc.)

• Watching first-floor activity from the track. (Exceptions may be made in advance for special events.)