Dowd YMCA to members: Hang up and exercise

The Dowd YMCA has a message for the thousands of people who use its facility every day: Hang up and exercise.

In an effort to improve the member experience, the staff at the YMCA of Greater Charlotte’s largest branch has posted prominent signs throughout the building – on Morehead Street on the edge of uptown – and this month began asking members to leave the fitness area when taking a call.

“What we are doing is really relying on the sensibilities and kindness of our members to be considerate of the experience of the other people around them,” said YMCA spokeswoman Molly Thompson. “People come to the Y to find balance – to realign spirit, mind and body – and (having to listen to others’ cellphone conversations) is interfering with their ability to do that. They want to get the most out of their time here, and so we’re trying to help everybody understand the best way to make that happen.”

In addition, the Dowd YMCA is stepping up enforcement of a long-standing policy prohibiting members from keeping bags with them while they are using the facility.

The reasons: safety (“it creates a major tripping hazard,” Thompson said); security (if a member isn’t closely watching their bag, it’s an easy target, she said); and – said Dowd executive director Joe Angelon – people have used bags to steal weight belts, resistance bands, dumbbells and other Y property.

Angelon said he and his staff have added lockers and has given away 400 locks to members to encourage the stowing of belongings.

The new focus on the enforcement of the bag policy has received mixed reviews.

“I actually had a security guard come up to me at the Dowd when I had one last set in my workout and told me I had to put my bag in a locker,” said Adrienne Blackwood, 32, of Charlotte. “I had not heard about the policy yet, and he would not let me finish my workout. ... I have multiple items I use on certain days for powerlifting, and how is lugging them around without a bag any better or safer?”

But the stay-off-your-cellphone rule is garnering plenty of praise from regulars.

“People talk way louder on calls than a regular conversation,” said Krista Woitkiewicz, 40, of Charlotte. “It is very annoying and distracting.”

“Any visit to the Y is usually at least part TMI from someone that is on the phone and lacks discretion,” wrote Nicole Creech, 35, of Fort Mill, S.C., in a message to the Observer. “Also, if I can hear you over my music and ragged breathing, you need to pipe down and use your inside voice.”

Of course, the Dowd is getting its share of frequently asked questions.

“What if I need to take a call from my child?”

Y spokeswoman Thompson: “Joe and I are both parents, and we work out in the place where we work, so we totally understand the need for having your phone with you to. If somebody calls and it’s an emergency, we’re just asking people to step off the machine and go somewhere else to take care of that business. We’re not asking people not to answer their kids’ emergency questions.

“What about texts and emails?”

Executive director Angelon: “It’s not that it’s not allowed ... it’s a matter of just respecting those around you and understanding that we are the busiest Y in our association. There are multiple times when we have people waiting on machines. If you’re texting or emailing and you’re sitting there and someone’s waiting for a machine, be respectful and just respect those around you and move out of the area so they can utilize that machine.”

Both the cellphone and the bag policy apply to all YMCA of Greater Charlotte branches, but the prominent signs and the new focus on enforcement are unique to the Dowd.

Said Angelon: “We really wanted to get to the heart of what we want people to focus on when they’re coming in.”

This story was originally published May 14, 2015 at 11:03 AM with the headline "Dowd YMCA to members: Hang up and exercise."