Job Description

Job Location: 100 FANNY ROAD - MOUNTAIN LAKES, NJ 07046
Position Type: Part Time
Salary Range: $15.92 - $15.92 Hourly

Job Shift: AnyJob Title: Fitness Associate
Department: Weights & Fitness
Reports To: Health and Fitness Leadership
Status: Non-Exempt - Hourly

Position Summary
The Fitness Associate supports the daily operations of the Health & Fitness Center by providing exceptional member service, maintaining a safe and welcoming environment, and assisting with program delivery. This role is responsible for ensuring equipment readiness, supporting member engagement, promoting safe exercise practices, and advancing the YMCA’s mission through positive interactions and mission-aligned communication.
This position contributes to a culture of inclusion, accountability, safety, and continuous improvement while helping members achieve their health and wellness goals. The Fitness Associate is expected to maintain a visible presence on the fitness floor, actively engage members, and ensure that all wellness spaces remain safe, clean, and welcoming.
Key Responsibilities
Member Experience & Program Support
- Provide excellent customer service to members, guests, and participants.
- Greet and engage members in a friendly, professional manner.
- Conduct member and teen fitness orientations following YMCA guidelines.
- Demonstrate safe and effective use of fitness equipment.
- Assist members with basic exercise questions and facility navigation.
- Promote safe exercise practices, including proper lifting techniques and equipment use.
- Represent the YMCA at community events and wellness initiatives as assigned.
- Promote YMCA programs, services, and staff positively and professionally.
- Support activities that advance health, wellness, and community engagement.
Operations & Facility Support
- Maintain the cleanliness, organization, and safety of fitness areas and equipment.
- Conduct routine walkthroughs of all assigned fitness spaces.
- Maintain an active presence on the fitness floor and supervise member activity.
- Re-rack weights and keep equipment and workout areas organized.
- Clean and sanitize equipment according to YMCA standards.
- Restock cleaning supplies and other operational necessities.
- Assist with towel inventory, laundry, and locker room supplies.
- Complete opening, closing, and operational procedures as assigned.
- Complete daily checklists, participation tracking, logs, and documentation.
- Monitor equipment condition and report maintenance issues promptly.
Communication & Collaboration
- Use mission-aligned language in all interactions.
- Communicate program, service, policy, and procedure information to members.
- Serve as a resource for facility and program information.
- Support a collaborative team environment and assist coworkers professionally.
- Stay informed of facility updates, procedures, and program information.
- Attend required meetings, trainings, and professional development opportunities.
Continuous Improvement & Accountability
- Recommend improvements to member experience, safety, and operations.
- Identify and report inconsistent or inequitable practices.
- Maintain knowledge of YMCA policies, procedures, and safety guidelines.
- Monitor the wellness environment and address safety, cleanliness, and service concerns.
- Perform routine inspections of equipment and facility spaces.
- Remove unsafe equipment from service and report repair needs.
- Maintain accountability for assigned responsibilities.
- Complete routine tasks independently and escalate issues appropriately.
Professional Conduct & Risk Management
- Maintain professionalism and follow YMCA standards at all times.
- Report safety concerns, hazards, equipment issues, and policy violations.
- Address routine member concerns and escalate when appropriate.
- Complete incident and accident reports accurately and promptly.
- Respond to emergencies following YMCA emergency procedures.
- Enforce fitness center policies, age requirements, and safety expectations.
- Foster a respectful, inclusive, and welcoming environment for all
Why Work at the Y?
- Free membership: Includes Brand New State of the Art Health and Fitness Center, regulation-sized pool, Group Fitness classes including Pilates, cycling, yoga and many more.
- Member discounts
- Retirement Fund
- Paid Sick Time
- The opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the community.
- An organization that provides financial assistance to those in need.
- A workplace that prioritizes promoting from within for higher-level positions.

QualificationsRequired
- High school diploma or equivalent.
- CPR/AED and First Aid certification or ability to obtain within the required timeframe.
- Strong interpersonal, communication, and customer service skills.
- Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends.
- Basic knowledge of fitness equipment, exercise principles, and wellness practices.
- Ability to work independently while contributing positively to a team environment.
Preferred
- Previous experience in a fitness center, YMCA, recreation facility, or customer service environment.
- Group Exercise Instructor, Personal Trainer, or other fitness-related certification.
- Experience working with diverse populations and age groups.
Physical Requirements:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, reach with hand or arms, lift and/or move up to 50 pounds, climb or balance, as well as stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee is frequently required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and talk or hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.