Member's Handbook

The Meyer Center

Monday - Thursday, 5 a.m. - 10 p.m.*

Friday, 5 a.m. - 9 p.m.*

Saturday and Sunday, 6 a.m. - 6 p.m.*

Pools close 30-minutes prior to facility closing Monday through Sunday.

*Hours of operation may vary, seasonally.

The facility is closed on Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Years Day. The Meyer Center will have shortened hours on holiday eves.

North

Accessible to members 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, although staff may not be available.

Republic

Accessible to members 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, although staff may not be available.

For member safety, Olympic bars are available only during the following designated times:

Monday – Thursday, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Friday, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Saturday, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Branson

Monday – Friday, 5 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Saturday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Sunday, 12p.m.—5p.m.

Branson holiday hours will vary.

CoxHealth Fitness Centers will be open as scheduled except during extreme inclement weather conditions. Management will determine if conditions warrant reduced hours or facility closings and if possible, notice will be posted on main entrance doors and a phone message reflecting these changes. If possible, attempts will be made to contact members through social media, Facebook and email. 

No Springfield classes will be held if R-12 school district has cancelled classes due to inclement weather. No Republic classes will be held if the Republic R-III school district has cancelled classes due to inclement weather. There will be times when classes are canceled due to inclement weather occurring outside of school hours. If weather is threatening during these times, please call your fitness center for the latest cancellation information. If classes are cancelled, the Branson facility will not open until 8:00a.m.

Refunds are not offered for weather related cancellations. Make-up opportunities will be offered.

General Facility and Equipment Service

In keeping our facilities updated and functioning well, periodic disruptions are necessary. When possible, work will be done when facilities are closed to minimize disruptions of service. However, there will be times that this isn’t realistic for various reasons. Every effort will be made to keep these disruptions to a minimum and short in duration. Advance notice will be posted for members when possible.

All equipment is vulnerable to mechanical problems. When problems render something out-of-order, we make every effort to get it repaired as soon as possible. This may require ordering parts and contacting an external service provider, which can slow down the repair process. Your patience is appreciated. Members are encouraged to report any facility or equipment problems to staff.

We do not credit membership time during these periodic shutdowns.

The Meyer Center

The lap and therapy pools are closed periodically for cleaning and preventative maintenance. Pools are out of service for approximately five days unless additional maintenance is required.

Men’s and women’s whirlpools are shut down weekly

CoxHealth fitness centers are members-only facilities. Each member is required to utilize their membership card each time they visit one of our centers. Misuse or misrepresentation (ie. sharing) of your membership card may result in suspension or cancellation of your membership. Your membership is not assignable to any other person. Replacement cards are available at the front desk upon request. Identification may be requested if membership card is not present.

Republic 

For 24/7 after hours accessibility, a key pad is used for entrance into the community center after hours by CoxHealth Fitness Center members. Elevator access is limited to the operational hours of the community center. Please call 417-269-2428 to get the code.

North 

The facility is accessible 24/7 by using the main entrance located on the corner of Jefferson avenue and Lynn street on the east side of the building. Contact staff on questions regarding handicap accessibility.

Guests

Members are welcome to bring guests to CoxHealth Fitness Centers during staffed hours. Guests need not be with a member to access the facility. Upon entering, each guest will stop at the front desk/office and fill out a guest pass form and pay the appropriate guest fee. Guests who are ages 16 and older must present a current picture ID. Guests have access to all of the amenities offered at our fitness center. Guest passes are valid for one day and may be used to access the facility more than once on that day. All guests must abide by all rules and policies of CoxHealth Fitness Centers. North, Republic, and Branson members visiting The Meyer Center location receive half priced day passes for themselves. Children ages 12-15 must be accompanied with direct supervision by an adult 18 years or older. The adult takes full responsibility for the underage guest.

Clothing should be clean and in good taste. Clothing that has offensive graphics/words are not allowed. Management will determine the appropriateness of any extremes. Athletic tops/t-shirts are required except for in locker rooms and pool areas. Swimsuits are required in lap and therapy pools and whirlpools. Shoes are required with the exception of specialized exercises and classes. Flip flops and unsecured sandals are not recommended throughout the facility. Dressing in layers is recommended if the facility temperatures are uncomfortable.

CoxHealth Fitness Centers welcomes your comments and suggestions so that we may best serve your needs. Comments and suggestions can be made be emailing coxfitnesscenters@coxhealth.com.

All members and guests of the facility are required to follow all facility guidelines and conduct themselves in a responsible, courteous and safe manner. Inappropriate behavior may result in a suspension of membership or membership cancellation. Behaviors that are illegal, sexual, fraudulent, aggressive, threatening or generally offensive will be grounds for immediate membership cancellation. Suspension/cancellation appeals may be submitted, in writing. Staff is available to handle member conflict.

Member Infraction Policy

Policy violations will be subject to the following:

• First violation – warning is issued to member and noted in member’s account.
• Second violation – two-week membership suspension. No membership credit given.
• Third violation – membership cancellation (entire family membership is subject to cancellation).

In the event of membership cancellation, a pro-rated refund will be issued for the time remaining in membership. The initial administration fee/joining fee will not be refunded. Application for new membership may be submitted for consideration after one year

Guest Infraction Policy

Guest will be asked to leave upon first infraction and may not be allowed to return. No refund will be issued.

Fire alarm – If staff are available, they will notify members if evacuation is necessary. If staff are not available, members are encouraged to evacuate the building. In the event of evacuation, all members must exit the building as soon as possible.

Tornado – In a tornado warning, members are required to move to a storm shelter or exit the facility.

The Meyer Center– Shelter-Men's and women's locker room.

North– Women's locker or lowest level of fitness center stairwell.

Republic/Branson– Men and women's locker room.

Medical or security emergency – Notify a staff member right away. If a staff member is not available, use any phone in the facility to dial 333 for Meyer and North and 9-911 for Republic and Willard.

CoxHealth Fitness Centers are not responsible for lost or stolen items. It is recommended to secure all belongings in a locker, with a lock, while in the facility. Please contact a staff member to retrieve any lost belongings. There is a “lost and found” located at each facility. Most items are kept for two weeks. Items with an estimated value of $100 or more will be kept for one month. After, items are disposed of.

In the event of a suspected theft, please notify a staff member right away. CoxHealth security at Meyer/North, will then be contacted. Member will be responsible for calling local police department if needed.

Throughout the facilities, flyers and informational boards are used to communicate upcoming events, activities, new classes and general facility information. Email is also used as a communication avenue.

Our website and Facebook are great resources.

Tobacco (in any form), vaping and alcohol are prohibited on the grounds of CoxHealth and all CoxHealth Fitness Centers locations.

Signs, posters or advertisements may not be placed in any CoxHealth fitness center facility without the consent of management.

Speaker function on cellphones and other electronics are not allowed.

Photography and videography is prohibited in locker rooms and family changing.

All renewal statements are sent out on the month prior to when membership is due to expire. The amount of the invoice is based upon the most current membership rate option you qualify for. Additional options and information are available at the front desk or by contacting Business Services. You may also renew your membership over the phone if none of your contract information has changed.

EFT payment option is available for annual contracts only and automatically renews. Members will be given an opportunity to cancel their membership upon completion of the initial contract. If CoxHealth Fitness Centers is not notified to cancel the membership will renew for another oneyear period. EFT withdrawals will occur the first Wednesday of every month. Delinquent accounts will be subject to a $25 service charge.

CoxHealth employees utilizing a payroll deduction option will also receive a letter reminding them of the renewal period. Membership will auto-renew unless employees return the cancellation portion of the membership letter to qualify for termination of their deductions and this must be received before the contract expiration date.

All other payroll deduction memberships will receive a letter reminding them of the renewal period along with a new payroll deduction form. We must receive the completed payroll deduction form to renew your membership and notify your employer.

Members may freeze their contract for any reason with a $10 (waived for senior memberships) administrative fee assessed at the initiation of the freeze. Contracts qualify for freeze time based upon the duration of the contract.

3-month membership may be frozen for 2 weeks

12-month membership may be frozen for 8 weeks.

The freeze must be for a minimum of two weeks. Initial communication to freeze membership is necessary. All frozen memberships must be reactivated within one year of the freeze date to receive credit for the frozen time. Please see the front desk for initiation of the freeze process and required paperwork.

Medical Freeze

Medical freezes are not assessed the $10 administrative fee. Individual and family memberships may be frozen for medical reasons based on physician documentation.

Family or individual memberships may be cancelled for any reason within 3 business days join date, with forfeiture of administration fee. After that time, memberships terminate upon the expiration date of the contract unless renewal is received.

Memberships may be cancelled under the following criteria: 

• Members who have experienced a medical condition that prevents them from participating in an exercise program for the duration of their contract.
• Members who are moving more than 60 miles away from their current residence.
• If the contract is paid by payroll deduction and you are separated from your employer.

All of these situations require documentation for verification. 

There is no charge if appointments are cancelled more than two hours before start of the appointment. For example, a personal training session scheduled for 4 p.m. may be cancelled no later than 2 p.m. that day to avoid paying for the entire personal training session. This policy allows other members to take advantage of our services and programs. Our cancellation policy applies to personal training appointments, private swim appointments and any appointment made requiring payment.

CoxHealth Fitness Centers offers a variety of group exercise classes each week designed to provide you with an important, safe, challenging, and fun fitness component. Class schedules – including class descriptions, time, and location – are located throughout each facility.

All paid classes normally run in 8-week sessions. There are a variety of free classes and specialty programs in both the land and the pool. The paid classes are progressive in nature and payment reserves your spot in the class. For more one-on-one attention, classes are capped at a maximum number of participants. Consult the front desk staff for pricing.

Members may sign up for the specialty programs up to eight weeks in advance. This will reserve your spot, as some classes have limited space. If a circumstance arises where you will be unable to attend your specialty class session prior to the purchased session, the options are to transfer to another class or move to the next class session. You are allowed one class floater in the event you need to miss one class, if there is availability in a different class. All classes are subject to cancellation based on low participation.

There are also a variety of classes Included with membership which are classes that are on a firstcome, first-served basis. No registration required.

Family Open Court/Family Open Swim/Family Track Times (Meyer)

Children of all ages can use the basketball/racquetball courts and lap/therapy pools, and track with direct parental supervision during designated times. A schedule of these family times is available at the front desk.

Track (Meyer/Branson)

Parents can walk the track with their infant while pushing a stroller or wearing an infant carrier at any time. For Meyer members, a schedule of family times is available at the front desk.

Republic

Indoor track available during Republic Community Center hours.

Swim Lessons (Meyer)

Private and group lessons are available for children 6 months and older, at an additional cost.

Stroller Friendly Classes (Meyer)

Parents are allowed to bring children, 18 month or younger, to stroller friendly classes. For safety, child must remain in stroller or baby carrier during the class.

Youth Members

Youth Ages 12 to 15 may use the fitness facility without parental supervision. A fitness orientation is recommended during which a fitness services staff member will teach the youth how to use exercise equipment safely and effectively and help design an exercise program specifically for them. The fitness orientation also will teach the importance of exercise and strength training as well as to be aware of and follow facility guidelines. Fitness orientations are free to all members, once a year. Follow-up appointments are recommended and available.

Family Swim

The following policies apply during family open swim. Schedules are available at the front desk.

• Participants must shower with soap before entering the pool.
• Swimsuits are required. Children not potty trained must also be in swim diapers, available for purchase in the Pro Shop at The Meyer Center.
• Children under 12 years of age must have direct parental supervision at all times.
• Children under 12 years of age may utilize lap lanes as long as they are swimming and sharing lanes with other members, as needed.
• Children under 12 years of age are not allowed to use the whirlpool, sauna or steam room.
• Children under 12 years of age are allowed to use the locker rooms under direct parental supervision.
• Encourage bathroom breaks for small children.
• Long hair must be pulled back and secured.
• No hanging on lane ropes.
• All other posted pool policies must be followed.
• Parents are responsible for the behavior of their children during family open swim.

Locker room age restrictions

• Children under the age of 12 are not permitted in the whirlpools, sauna, or steam room at any time.
• (Meyer) Children using the opposite sex locker room: under 3 are allowed, 3 and over must utilize family changing room (next to pool) or public restrooms in lobby.

This free service comes with your membership. You can schedule one at any time at the front desk. A fitness orientation is designed to address general or specific needs and identify a progressive exercise plan to achieve goals.

This free service comes with your membership and if an appointment is not made upon joining the facility, you can schedule one at any time at the front desk. An aquatics orientation will help you learn about aquatic fitness and help you develop a program that works for you. It will show you what to expect from different aquatic classes and how to use the exercise equipment. Aquatics orientations are held in the pool so please dress appropriately.

Certified staff offer one-on-one appointments with individuals to achieve their wellness goals. A personal trainer will design an individualized program to offer support and monitor progress for positive outcomes. Individual sessions or packages are available for an additional fee. Staff will contact member for scheduling. No-shows or cancellations less than 2 hours will result in charging the client the full price of the appointment.

ALL members and guests are expected to conduct themselves in a courteous, responsible and safe manner. Profanity; destructive, aggressive, or inappropriate behavior; and disruptive noises (yelling & loud grunting) will not be tolerated and members/guests engaging in such behavior may be asked to leave. Disorderly conduct and horseplay will not be tolerated.

We ask that you leave equipment available between sets and allow others to work in. When you are not actively using, do not sit on or “save” with belongings (water bottle, bag, etc.).

• Do not bang the weight stacks.
• Do not drop, slam, or bang weights on the floor. Use pads if necessary.
• Use pads when doing dead lifts.
• Gym bags are allowed if kept out of the way and not creating obstructions for others.
• Weights and accessories should not be removed from weight area
• Return weights, barbells, and dumbbells and other equipment back to its proper place/rack after use.
• Hand chalk is not allowed.
• All exercises should be performed in a safe and controlled manner. Equipment should only be used as intended by the manufacturer.
• Seek the assistance of a spotter and use weight collars when using plate-loaded equipment.
• When using maximum effort on free weights, always use a spotter.
• Do not lean anything against mirrors or equipment.
• Shoes are not required while using squat rack.

• Be patient when waiting for equipment and be courteous when using equipment while others are waiting.
• We ask that you share the equipment.
• When asking to work in between sets on free weight equipment that is loaded with heavy weight, please wait until sets are completed. If your exercise can be accomplished with different equipment, please do so.
• If someone asks to work in between your sets, allow them to do so. If free weight equipment is loaded with heavy weight, explain how many sets you have left, ask if you can finish them and if you do, keep moving with your sets, avoiding extended rest periods.
• Be considerate of others and wipe off benches / seats with the provided cleaning supplies after use.
• Squat/workout inside squat rack.
• Step away from the weight rack when lifting so others can easily access the rack.
• Respect your fellow members at all times.
• Staff will enforce policies as needed but please be considerate of others and follow the requested gym etiquette.

Group exercise studios (except Meyer/Branson spin room and Meyer court studio) are available for members to use when classes are not in session. Only authorized, CoxHealth Fitness Centers instructor-led group training is allowed.

We encourage members/guests to wipe down equipment before/after use. Spray cleaning solution on rag, not directly on equipment.

A treadmill belt should never be left in motion when the machine is unoccupied.

Moving of equipment is not allowed.

Each of our facilities offer locker rooms for member use. Our Republic/Branson location offers the locker rooms through the Parks and Recreation building.

Following are additional amenities offered:

The Meyer Center and North

Daily use lockers are provided and may only be used while member is in the facility. Bring your own personal lock. Locks left on lockers overnight will be removed.

Private lockers – Keys are issued upon payment.

Towel Service – Please limit towel usage to what is essential and help reduce unnecessary laundering. Available at The Meyer Center only.

Do not store belongings on top of benches. Secure them in a locker with a lock.

Towels are available at North for members who purchase a locker.

Republic and Branson

Locker rooms are part of the Parks and Recreation building and are maintained by city staff.

Lockers are not available for rent and are for day use only. Any locks left overnight will be removed.

Meyer

The basketball court is open for individual member use any time there are no scheduled classes or events.

Pick-up basketball games cannot be played full court (North/Meyer).

The following court guidelines must be followed:

• Profanity, fighting and any other unsportsmanlike conduct will not be tolerated.
• Only non-marking shoes are allowed.
• No dunking or hanging from the rim or net.

Republic and Branson

Basketball courts are available during Community Center hours.

Racquetball courts may be reserved no more than 24 hours in advance by contacting the Member Services desk. The following court guidelines must be followed:

• Protective eyewear is encouraged.
• Courts are limited to a maximum of four players at a time.
• “No-shows” lose court 15 minutes after scheduled reservation time. Please keep courts available for other players by contacting Member Services if the reservation is no longer needed.

Racquetball equipment is available for check-out at the front desk with limited availability.

One or both courts may be closed for special classes or other activities without prior notice.

• The lap pool is 25 yards long, 4-5 feet deep.
• The warm water pool is 22 x 22 feet, is 4 feet deep.
• Participants must shower with soap before entering the pool. Lotions, oils and dirt can compromise the clarity/cleanliness of the pool.
• Lifeguard not on duty.
• No diving anywhere in the pool.
• No running or rough play.
• No public displays of affection.
• Spitting or blowing the nose in the pool area is prohibited.
• Long hair must be pulled back and secured.
• Approved swimwear only. Must be in good condition, lined and with no transparency. Two-piece swimwear is allowed if an athletic style.
• No tennis shoes in the pool. Only aquatic exercise shoes are allowed.
• Lap swim times are for ages 12+. Children under 12 years of age may participate in lap swim during designated family swim times only, and all lap swim rules must be followed.
• Lap swim times are designated for lap swimming. One lane will be designated for water walking during lap swim times. All other lanes are for swimming only, unless lanes are unoccupied. (A water walker must vacate the lap lane for a lap swimmer and a lap swimmer must vacate the walking lane for a walker.)
• Lap lanes may not be available during class times.
• Members should enter/exit pool area through locker rooms.
• Lap swimmers must share lanes if all lanes are occupied.
• Individuals can bring their own swimming equipment.
• The therapy pool is for rehabilitation and mild exercise only.
• Pools close 30-minutes before facility closing.

• Consult with physician before using.
• Shower before using.
• Swimsuit is required.
• Recommended usage: 10-15 minutes.
• No food, glass or cans. Water bottles are permitted.
• Deck surface may be slippery. Use caution when entering and exiting.
• To avoid bleaching effect from pool chemical, rinse swimsuit after use.

• Consult with physician before using.
• Shower before using.
• Limit usage to 10 minutes.
• Please use a towel as a barrier between you and the seat.  
• Removal of jewelry is recommended.
• No food, glass or cans. Water bottles are permitted.
• The use of aroma therapy or similar product is prohibited. 

Meyer Center:

• The outer lane is for runners and the two inner lanes are for walkers.
• Track direction will be changed each day.
• Keep track clear for those who are using. Do not obstruct activity.
• Distance: Outer lane = 1/9 mile; Middle lane = 1/10 mile; Inner lane = 1/11 mile.

Branson, Republic, and North

See staff for accessibility and distance.

Overhead preset music is provided as background sound for the facility.

Meyer, Republic and Branson TVs are set to specific channels.

Listening to personal devices require headphones.