Going to fitness centres during COVID-19

COVID-19 update: drop-ins no longer available

April 19, 2021: Effective on April 20, facility drop-ins will no longer be available and online registration will be required for all fitness sessions. Register for your fitness session

As of April 19, 2021, all adult indoor low intensity group classes such as fitness, yoga, and martial arts will be paused until May 25, 2021, in order to reduce transmission of COVID-19 as directed by BC’s Provincial Health Officer.

The following programs will continue to operate:

  • Fitness centres with individual and one-on-one training, pools and arenas
  • All children/youth programs
  • Individual sport programs
  • Adult outdoor activities up to groups of 10

Most fitness centres are open. We’re working with community centre associations to reopen the remaining fitness centres.

​​​​​​​Find a fitness centre near you

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Register for workout sessions​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

No-show guidelines

May 7, 2021: Due to the limited number of available recreation sessions and to allow more community members to enjoy our facilities, no-show guidelines apply to all registered fitness, pool, and rink sessions.

Effective May 8, 2021, customers will be able to withdraw online at vanrec.ca from all Park Board fitness, pool, and rink sessions with a scheduled start date of May 11 and onward.

Learn more about the no-show guidelines

COVID-19 safety measures

To encourage physical distancing and keep everyone safe, we're:

  • Reducing the number of people who can use the fitness centre at a time
  • Limiting people to a single one-hour workout session per day
  • Adding extensive signage to educate people on new processes, procedures, and safety measures
  • Training staff on new safety protocols
  • Screening staff daily for their health
  • Reducing the amount of fitness equipment and spacing it apart into training pods
  • Deep-cleaning the entire fitness centre twice per day and sanitizing high-touch areas more often
  • Providing hand sanitizer throughout the fitness centre

General safety practices

Stay home if you are sick. By entering our facilities, you are declaring that you are in good health.

Take the BC Health self-assessment if you are unsure

  • Masks are mandatory in our facilities at all times with the exception of those under the age of 12. If you do not have a mask, one will be provided at the front desk.
  • You are required to wear a mask at fitness centres at all the times.
  • Respect and follow staff directions, queuing procedures, and posted signage at all times.
  • Maintain 2 metres distance or more from others at all times.
  • Sites will have designated entrances and exits with one-way flow of traffic.
    • Not all traditional entrances and exits will be available.
    • Look for signage on walls and floors.

Plan your visit

What you need to know before you arrive:

  • Facility drop-ins for fitness sessions are not available. Fitness sessions must be registered online in advance.
  • Leave your valuables at home. Lockers will not be available.
  • Wear clean workout clothes. Change rooms are not available.
  • Washrooms are available during your session.
  • Bring your own pre-filled water bottle. Water filling stations are available.
  • Consider wearing a mask when you're not doing intense exercise.
  • Arrive on time for your workout session, no earlier than 15 minutes before.
  • If you're late and registered for a session that:
    • Is full, your place will go to a drop-in customer. There are no refunds for late arrivals.
    • Is not full, ask staff for instructions

​​​​​​​Visit the fitness centre

When you arrive, here's what to expect:

  • Use the designated entrance and follow the entry and exit signs.
  • Don't gather in common areas.
  • Enter a training pod only when it's available – if a customer is using it, give them space.
  • Only share equipment between sets ("work in") with people from your household.
  • Keep equipment in its own training pod – don't move it.
  • Ask staff for help if you need anything.
  • Exit the fitness centre at the end of your workout session so we can disinfect the fitness centre for the next customers.

Customers who don't follow the rules and safety guidelines of the fitness centre may be asked to leave without a refund or prevented from registering for future sessions.

Refunds

If unable to attend a fitness session for which you have registered, you must cancel in advance to receive a refund. Cancellation requests should be submitted by accessing your account at vanrec.ca by 11:59pm the day before your session. Requests by phone or in-person must be done by 3pm the day before your session or by Friday 3pm for weekend sessions.

If you do not show up for your session, there will be no refund. If you arrive after the start time and the session is not full, you may be permitted entry; ask staff for instructions.

​​​​​​​Find the phone number for your recreation facility

​​​​​​Register online for one-hour workout sessions

Registration opens three days in advance, and closes 30 minutes before the session starts. You will be limited to booking one session per person per day. Any additional sessions you have booked in a day will be cancelled.

Facility drop-ins are not available for fitness sessions.

Flexipasses and 10-visit passes are accepted for online session registration. Flexipass holders can now contact a recreation facility to reactivate pass, request a credit on account, receive a refund, or keep pass suspended temporarily.

No-show guidelines apply to all registered pool sessions, including sessions registered with a pass. If unable to attend a session for which you have registered, you must cancel in advance by accessing your vanrec.ca account. Learn more about the no-show guidelines

Register now​​​​​​​​​​​​

 Tip: In the registration system, filter workout sessions by location(s) to get sessions at your preferred fitness centre.

Leisure Access Program (LAP)

  • The 50% discount is automatically applied to City of Vancouver residents who are currently enrolled in LAP.
  • Ensure that your account is set up correctly and that your pass is linked to your current account.
  • Email recreation@vancouver.ca if you have a problem with your account.
  • If you don't have an OneCard or you're not a current LAP member, you will need to pay the regular admission fee.
  • Bring your OneCard when you arrive at the fitness centre.

Fitness consultations and programs

Free consultations, indoor cycling programs, and specialty programs are not available at this time.

Personal training

Personal training is available at Champlain Heights, Creekside, and Dunbar​​​​​​​ fitness centres. For information about Champlain Heights, email casey.lefler@vancouver.ca. For Creekside and Dunbar, email michele.rideout@vancouver.ca.