Green Hills YMCA

When it's cold outside, but you have active kids that need to get their energy out, the YMCA in Green Hills is a convenient stop for an indoor swim. In fact, the YMCA is a great option in middle Tennessee for active families year round with its free childcare while parents are on the premises adn free Wednesday afternoon bounce houses, but this post is focused on the indoor swimming option. 

For swimming, we recommend the family-friendly locker rooms downstairs, which have plenty of space to get changed and head out to the large indoor pool. Aside from the few lanes reserved for serious swimmers, there's a huge section with stairs leading into the water that's perfect to splash around in with your kids. There is also an outdoor pool that's open from Memorial Day to Labor Day, but both pools are closed when there is thunder and/or lightening – though the indoor pool is obviously indoors, the water system is connected to the outdoor system and so could still be impacted by lightening outside. Lifeguards are always on duty. 

You can "try the Y" for free by simply completing an online form for a free, three-visit pass to experience the YMCA.

Per the website, all swimmers under 14 must pass a swim test before they can be in the pool area without direct adult supervision. The swim test consists of a 25-yard swim, during which youth are asked to achieve the following:

• Jump into the pool, submerge fully, return to the surface, and immediately begin swimming without pushing off the wall.
• Swim in a horizontal position on top of the water using a forward crawl or breaststroke. The swimmer's arms must achieve full extension on every stroke, and he or she must maintain one or both of the strokes for the full 25-yard swim. Pausing is only allowed when the swimmer is rotating or turning to breathe.
• Exit the pool without assistance using either the wall or pool ladder.