Membership Policies

Individual
Cancellation or rescheduling of individual appointments must be made at least 24 hours in advance. Failure to do so will result in a full charge for the service. This applies to:

• Personal training
• Massage therapy
• InBody appointments
• Fitness assessments
• Health coaching

In-Person and Virtual Programs
Due to high demand and participant limits for some of our exercise, weight loss, or medical fitness programs, it's important to let us know about any cancellations as soon as possible. This will help us provide your space to someone else. 

• If you make a cancellation request at least seven days or more before the start of a program, you will receive a refund of your payment minus an administration fee of 10% of the registration fee.
• If you make a cancellation request fewer than seven days before a program starts or do not arrive on your scheduled start date, you will forfeit your payment.

We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for our members and guests. You may use the locker room, restroom, and shower facilities that correspond to your gender identity.  All locker room showers are single stalls with private changing spaces. If you are not comfortable choosing between the men’s or women’s locker rooms, feel free to use the single-stall, gender-neutral restroom located on the second floor. 

• Complimentary lockers are available in each locker room for daily use. Locker keys can be obtained at the front desk.
• If you'd like to have your own, dedicated locker, you can rent one on a monthly basis. See the front desk for more information.
• Members and guests may be subject to a $25 replacement fee for unreturned or lost locker keys.
• Duke Health & Fitness Center is not responsible for any loss, damage, or theft of personal property placed in lockers.

Attire and Shoes
Comfortable clothes are recommended for ease of movement.

• Shirts and shoes must be worn in all non-aquatic activity areas.
• Closed-toe shoes must be worn during exercise in our gym or outside. Sandals or flip-flops are not permitted unless medically required.
• We recommend wearing pool shoes when involved in pool or spa activities. Pool shoes protect your feet from possible abrasions and also help to prevent slipping on wet surfaces.
• Shoes that have been worn outside are not permitted for use in the pool.

In consideration of other members and guests with allergies or other pulmonary concerns, please refrain from wearing perfume, cologne, after-shave, or other similar fragrances in our facility. Deodorant is encouraged.

Our 180-square-foot pool offers lanes 20 yards in length and has a depth of 3.5 feet. It's kept at 84 degrees for your comfort.

Showers are required before entering the pool or whirlpool. No tissues, open wounds, or bandages are allowed in the pool or whirlpool.

Pool Guidelines

• Lane 1 is for physical therapy clients.
• Lanes 2 to 5 are first-come, first-serve.
• During times of high volume, sharing is required.  Up to 4 walkers may use a lane at one time, however, if the lane is mixed use (ex: 1 walker and 1 swimmer) then there is a max capacity of 2 per lane.
• When sharing a lane, communicate with the other user for efficient use of the lane.
• When resting on the wall, please move to the corner to allow the other user to pass easily.
• Please modify your stroke if necessary to avoid contact with the other user.
• Lane lines are removed from the pool up to 15 minutes before pool classes begin.  Swimming is not allowed during pool classes or once the lap lanes have been removed.
• Saving or reserving lanes is not permitted at any time.
• Please limit time in the pool to 30 minutes when others are waiting.

Personal trainers may reserve a lane for client sessions by placing signage on either end of the lane.

We are required to close the pool for 30 minutes after a thunderstorm. The pool closes at 7:45 pm on weekdays and 3:45 pm on Saturdays and Sundays.

When Using the Pool

• Do not wear dirty shoes in the pool area or run on the pool deck.
• Use handrails where available.
• The pool is shallow -- there is no diving. 

Lifeguards are not on duty. Please do not swim alone. See our fitness staff if you have questions or concerns about pool use.

Whirlpool
Due to the high temperature and humidity, the whirlpool can be dangerous to your health. Consult your physician before use and limit your time to 10 minutes or less. Avoid the high heat and humidity of the whirlpool if you’re pregnant or have a medical condition such as high blood pressure, heart disease, or respiratory problems.

Cleaning Policy
The pool and spa areas are closed for vacuuming from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm on the first Wednesday of each month to maintain safe and clean aquatic spaces.  The spa is also closed once a month, all day, for deep cleaning.  In both cases, signage will alert you to the closures ahead of time.

Registration Policy
Class registration is required for all in-person classes and may be done up to 7-days in advance through the mobile app, online member portal, or Member Services desk. Registration for virtual participation is required monthly in order to receive the new Zoom link each month.
 
Attendance Policy
Attendance is marked automatically by scanning your membership card when checking into the fitness center. Please be in place at the start of class. If you are not present, your spot will be given to anyone who is there and waiting to take the class. 

Cancelation Policy

• Cancellations: Reservations must be canceled at least 12 hours before class. A late cancellation will result in a $10 late-cancel fee.
• No-Shows: Missing a class without canceling always results in a penalty, with no exceptions. All no-shows will incur a $20 charge.
• Grace Cancellations: Every member receives 3 grace cancellations per calendar year. These are intended to help you avoid penalties in unexpected situations. Please note: Grace cancellations are not applied automatically. Members must contact us to request that a grace cancellation be used.

NOTE: Cancellation, No-Show, and Waitlist Policies do not apply to pool classes.
 

Waitlist Policy

• Waitlist Lock: The waitlist will lock 12 hours before the start of the class, coinciding with the cancellation window.
• Automatic Enrollment: Before the waitlist locks, participants will be automatically registered from the waitlist and entered into the class if a spot opens.
• Post Lock Reservation: After the waitlist locks, participants will NOT be automatically moved from the waitlist into the class. Any available spots will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Please utilize the mobile app to self-schedule, rather than arriving in person to check for availability.
   

We provide towels for all our members and guests. Please leave used towels in the hampers near the front desk when you leave the facility.

Both locker rooms have a dry sauna. The temperature is maintained between 160 and 170 degrees Fahrenheit. For your safety, limit sauna time to 10 minutes or less to avoid potential heat exhaustion or heatstroke. Users at high risk -- pregnant women, individuals with high blood pressure, heart disease, or other medical conditions that could be exacerbated by high-temperature exposure -- should consult a medical professional before using the sauna. 

Because it is a dry sauna, do not add any water to the heating unit. It will cause electrical problems and potential safety issues. For safety reasons, please do not leave clothing or any other items in the dry sauna. 

We encourage everyone to contribute to a clean environment. Please contact the front desk staff with any questions or if cleaning is needed in our facility.

• Place your soiled towels in the hampers.
• Do not leave towels in the locker room.
• Use provided disinfectant spray and disposable paper towels to clean exercise equipment after every use. Spray bottles and paper towels are located throughout the facility.
• Wash your hands before and after your workout. We also have hand sanitizer stations throughout the building.

Guests are welcome and sign an exercise waiver before using the fitness center. Guest passes provide full access to the facility and services and may be purchased at the front desk for $15/day or $45/week.

Members receive two free, one-time guest passes when joining.

Membership is limited to people 16 years and older.

Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult and must stay in the lobby or by the front desk at all times. They are not allowed in our exercise areas. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult to use the restroom in our locker rooms.

Please be aware of your safety and be considerate of others when using a cell phone in the facility. Limit usage as appropriate. If you’re posing a risk to yourself or others while using a mobile device, staff may ask you to refrain from use.
 

• Members and guests are required to use headphones for any audio content including music and videos. Talking on speaker phone is not allowed. Any video streaming should be in silent mode if headphones are not being used.
• Photos or videos of other fitness center patrons are not allowed without their consent.
• Photos and videos, including video chats, are not allowed in the locker rooms.  
• Out of respect for others, please silence your cell phones when in any group fitness class.

Any personal items found in the facility should be turned in at the front desk. Items will be held for 14 days, and then thrown away.

Medical Freezes

If you become injured and can’t exercise, we can apply a medical freeze to your membership for up to six months in monthly increments. To activate a medical freeze:

• Complete this form.
• We will freeze your membership once we receive documentation from your physician that indicates you are unable to exercise.

We must be notified within three months of the onset of the illness or injury. Memberships are not frozen retrospectively beyond three months.

Personal Freezes

Members may request a personal freeze in monthly increments, for a single period ranging from one to six months per calendar year. To activate a personal freeze:

• Complete this form and return it to Alexander Lewis.
• Cost: $15 per month, per person.

All requests must be submitted at least 30 days in advance; retroactive freezes are not permitted.

Medical Emergency
In the event of a medical emergency, a staff member blows a whistle three times, alerting our team to the situation. An announcement over the speakers alerts everyone that Duke Health and Fitness Center staff is responding. All team members are CPR and automated external defibrillator (AED) certified and are trained to respond with safety measures that protect you and anyone in need.

To ensure our preparedness, we regularly run practice emergency drills during normal fitness center hours. If we are simulating an emergency, we will place a yellow sign at the front desk explaining the drill. Overhead announcements will state it is only a drill.

In either situation, guests are asked to remain away from an emergency area.
 
AED and First Aid
Multiple first aid kits are located throughout the fitness center. One AED is available for emergency purposes. All kits and AEDs are kept on a regular maintenance schedule. If you or your guest feel ill and need assistance, alert a staff member.
 
Glucometer
A glucometer is on-site for blood glucose emergencies. Our staff receive annual training on how to operate and maintain the glucometer and know safety protocols assisting in a situation that involves blood.

Severe Weather
In case of severe weather (ice, snow, tornado, hurricane, etc.), call the front desk (919-660-6660) or check our website to confirm hours. If a weather event occurs overnight, our hotline will have a recorded announcement by the start of that day’s business hours. We adhere to Duke’s severe weather protocols.

If the facility is closed because of inclement weather, members will be notified by email and text message. Notifications will also be posted to our website and Facebook page. If there is a tornado warning, an overhead announcement will alert everyone to shelter in place in the nearest locker room until the National Weather Service lifts the warning.