Bayside Rec has become my home away from home. From swim, to cardio, to lift, to basketball and now a bit of pickleball. It's also a place of community where I now have friends. Cannot recommend Virginia Beach Rec centers more. read more

See all

When my 11 year old Grandson comes from Brooklyn he doesn't want to go to the Beach. He wants to go to the pool at the Rec Center. He loves it. That says it all about the pool. A wonderful benefit of my Medicare Supplemental plan is free access to lots of gyms, including the Rec Centers. So I get free cards without having to pay the city resident's annual fee. Recently my use has been limited to watching from the bleachers while my son & grandson swim. Also I love early voting at the Rec Center. In my earlier pre knee replacement days & before retiring I would walk to the Rec Center to both swim & use the machines in the work out room. The pool is great for water walking & other non impact exercises that I learned in a pre knee surgery physical therapy program at another facility. The machines in the weight room were also knee strengthening learned from previous Physical Therapy. Because of the swim teams & classes offered I learned the best time for the pool was when the Rec Center first opened for the day. There were always tons of people waiting for the door to open. The crowd mainly consisted of seniors who would go to the pool every day or do gym walking decked out in fashionable sweatsuits, probably widows or widowers trying to attract a new spouse. The Senior crew that chose the pool didn't interfere with any of my exercises. There was a group who spent their time in a circle treading water & gossiping. Since I knew a few I was invited to join, which I did from time to time. Those sessions provided me with all the scoop on everything happening In Bayside at the time. The crowd left when classes began, which gave me time to get home & ready for work. The weight room is well stocked with equipment on which one had to do a short training session before using. The early crowd there consisted of buff guys who wanted to work out before work. The Rec Center consists of much, much more. There are a plethora of classes ranging from Crafting to Yoga & Pilates, which I really should take advantage of. Workout groups are offered. There is a racquet ball court that seems very popular. Adjacent is a disc golf center. The very large indoor pool offers an open area, swimming lanes, diving section & much, much more. I wish it had built when my son was young & was on a nearby Bayside neighborhood swim team. The bleachers & lounging area outside the pool window wall offer a great view for parents to watch. It's such a wonderful facility to be in the neighborhood. Thank you Virginia Parks & Recreation. read more

See all

Nice, clean and has all the equipment I want or need. Hours could be later on Saturday and Sunday but that's ok

5 stars for Table Tennis: There are around 7-8 recreation centers in Virginia Beach, but this is the only location that has Adult table tennis (ping-pong) days in the main gym. Tuesdays (5:30 PM- 9 PM), Fridays (5:30 PM- 8:30 PM) and Sundays (2:30 PM- 4:45 PM). There are 11 TT tables and 1 table with robot. Players with various skillsets can come play and challenge each other in fun, competitive TT matches. Minus 1 star for rest of the rec center: This is an outdated rec center compared to the other newly renovated rec centers in the area. In the locker rooms, there are open showers only, so if you are a private person then it might get unncomfortable showering here with everyone nude or semi-nude around. They recently renovated 2 new private bathrooms (handicap accessible) next to the swimming pool office that can be used to shower privately.. read more

Bayside Recreation Center - All 12 tables set-up in the main gym. - Gyms Near Me - Virginia Beach, Virginia

See all

Thank you Bayside Rec for allowing me to become an archer! There are not a lot of places where you can learn archery in the Hampton Roads area. I started working out here eons ago but now I primarily use my membership for archery classes. Unfortunately I don't make full use of this membership. Their archery classes are currently taught by Katie and Ethan. They are wonderful instructors that put their students at ease. I have had the opportunity to do their intro, intro 2/ intermediate class , long distance archery and their tournament archery class where you learn to score and compete. They also have archery competitions that you can sign up for as long as you have taken a clinic or intro class. Those are super fun and usually revolve around her holidays. I've done two - one around Christmas which was holiday themed and I placed second in the Adult division and the other one was the St. Patrick's day one which I didn't do as well but it was super fun. They put you in groups of different skill levels and ages so you compete as a group but are still scored and compete individually. It's a great way to instill camaraderie/team work and encourage one another. They offer recurve and compound bow archery. I have yet to take recurve which is the bow without the pulleys. Classes are typically during the Fall, Winter and Spring lasting from four to six classes I believe and rate typically an hour and fifteen minutes long. read more

See all

The ONLY reason why I come to this rec center is because of table tennis every Tuesday night from 5 until 9PM. It's the only rec center that closes down the basketball gym so that they can set up about 14 tables. I've only been here a few times and each time I come I get destroyed by competitors here: some have been playing for 10, 20 plus years and others play/practice so often that they are really good. I have a good time but understand that a lot of these players have an excellent forehand and backhand with crazy spin serves. I can "keep up" but I also lose a lot of my games. I still have fun though since it will only make me a better player. The tables are kept in really good condition and they provide balls if you need it. You will have to bring your own paddle though. They do have a machine in the back that will spit out balls for you at specific speeds, spins, etc for your practice needs. The facility itself is fairly dated.. the workout area itself is dingy and the equipment isn't the newest either. They also have an indoor lap pool and will sometimes have swim meets there. The staff is okay, never really had any issues with them. I pay $99 for the year and can visit any one of the 5 rec centers in the area which I think is a good deal. read more

YouTube doesn't play on treadmill. Videos I've played before don't play. The recommended videos don't play. I can't work out if I don't have music I like. This is my second strike against Virginia recreational places. First Williams farm with no YouTube and stopping mid run and resetting. And now this. I live ten minutes from the center. I've have wasted my gas read more

We are so fortunate to have such a wealth of heart- healthy opportunities throughout Virginia Beach at an incredibly reasonable fee! Bayside Rec Center is phenomenal. They have a great team of staff that run the place efficiently and with a positive attitude. They are welcoming and eager to help you achieve your health goals no matter how easy or intense. It's all up to you and your level of comfort.. they encourage without pressuring. So definitely a great way to start your New Year's resolution and keep your resolve throughout your program. My sister and I attended the archery demo this past Saturday and thoroughly enjoyed it. We had already taken an introductory class with Katie and Anne Marie a year or so ago, so we knew we'd love to further refine our skills. They were very excited and patient introducing kids and adults to the art of archery. Clearly, their passion for archery is exemplified in the way they inspire kids and adults alike to try their skills at archery! Definitely, a great way to get the whole family involved in something that is challenging yet loads of fun!! Try it, you'll love it!! read more

Bayside Recreation Center - Archery - Gyms Near Me - Virginia Beach, Virginia

See all

The City of Virginia Beach has several recreation centers, some larger and with more amenities and others. It's a nice, inexpensive service of the city, but there is a small membership fee and you have to be a citizen of Virginia Beach. I remember it costing about $35/year and then having to buy punch cards to take aerobic classes. Factoring the punch cards if you go regularly, it ends up costing about a third of the YMCA. This works if you are on a really tight budget. I was, and I was glad I could still afford a gym. However, you get what you pay for. This particular rec center is completely overcrowded. You have to sign up in advance for a treadmill. Not very practical. The punch card classes are a bit lower in quality and they get so crowded you have very little space to move. Maybe if you have kids, you'll get more for your money. They have a lot of extra arts, crafts and activity programs you can sign up for but they all cost extra. If you live closer to another one of the larger, better centers you mind find it worth the membership. But if you can scape up money in your budget, go for a regular gym! read more

Bayside Recreation Center - Gyms Near Me - Virginia Beach, Virginia

Great facility! Always clean Nice equipment, pool and work out room. Friendly and professional, knowledgeable staff My only complaint that morning hours and during weekends its too crowded, but they do their best to accomodate the crowds Plenty of parking is available and its free. Love it here! Highly recommend this location to everyone! you can't beat their prices!:) read more

Love the Rec centers. For the price they are a bargain. Went today and played racquetball. They allow you to call to reserve court. Sunday crowd was surprisingly light. On top of it being Sunday, it is also January 3rd. Those 'Resolution' people usually swarm the gym for January and February. Then they quit. Friendly staff, good parking and clean locker rooms. It is weird that you can not use your own lock, you have to pay $0.25. Trust me I can afford the quarter, it is the principle.. Still, I would recommend this spot over the $30/month gyms.. Certainly better than the $10/month place. We have a pool.... read more

I've never lived in a city that had such a nice system of recreation centers. No, they're not the Y, but for $72 a year (the price just went up) for residents, how can you complain? That amounts to like 6 bucks a month and you can use any of the city rec centers with a pass. The Bayside Center is the one I've used the most. It has a big pool with many lap lanes and a diving board. Be sure to check the schedule carefully if you don't want to be there during kids classes or camps--which are great but sometimes not if you're not in the mood for teh pint-sized energy. The workout area is not fabulous, but again, it's perfectly functional and you cannot beat it for the value as far as a place to get fit and not spend a lot of money. Classes are extra -- 4 bucks each. You can get a punch card and use it at your leisure. I actually really like their Saturday morning yoga class. Sometimes yoga at gyms and rec centers is highly questionable. This one is legit and a nice combo of relaxation/centering and heart and muscle-pumping poses. read more

If I could give it a zero star I would. My grandson usually goes to Williams Farm Rec center to play basket ball. Since Williams Farm was close for maintenance, he and his friend were dropped of at Bayside by his friends mother. When my daughter went to pick him up she went to Williams Farm instead of Bayside thus making her about 10 minutes late. The employee upon closing told these 2 15 year that they could not wait in front to be picked up and if their ride was not there in 5 minutes he would call the police. They then left walking about a block away to wait. Whether this is policy or racially motivated, it is not acceptable. Will never use this facility again as it is quite obvious that our youth is not valued here. read more

The prices have gone up for the membership but I would rather come here than go to any place for excercise - they even have a pool! :) The facilities are always clean and the staff is very friendly even to my brothers, both with autism. read more

This place is a great value to the residents of Virginia Beach. Great choices of work out. The pool is great.

You can't beat the price. What a great perk for those of us who live in Virginia Beach. I only wish we had until 7pm on Saturdays. But at least they're open 7 days a week. read more

Senior Program is the best in the City. Julia K is the best programmer for seniors in the entire city. She should be promoted to a higher level to oversee and train other recreation centers to match the high level required to run such an elite program. The City should learn more about finding out staffs strengths and passions to give them the time to run a few elite programs instead of spreading them time out over many different responsibilities like they currently do. Could be an even better program for the city but i suspect upper level supervisors aren't even aware, or concerned about the potential improvements to all programs. Hard to find great staff, some look real good on paper, but its when you have a staff that performs at a high level for years that shows the greatness and passion one has. read more

Very rude staff. I have my daughter in an so called after school program through them. The staff at her school sit around and pay no attention to the kids. One time i showed up and one boy was locked in a bathroom. I had to let him out. I had my bank card change. I called them to let them know, then filled out a form and faxed it back with all the info. I get a call that afternoon from a very rude woman telling me that unless i pay them 43 dollars today they were going to yank my daughter out THAT day. I have never really experienced anything like this before. My daughters , mother went down and payed them that night. I got a call from the facility manager the next day saying she had a problem with me getting upset with her staff. These People are NATZIS, just beware. Put your kid anywhere but BAYSIDE!!! read more

Like others have said, you get what you pay for. They have a lot of programs to take advantage of and seem very accommodating to those with disabilities. However, they have too many rules and instead of telling people what we can do, they seem to be more on the side of telling us what we can't do. Some of the staff is friendly but to agree with Garland W's post, when I used to pick-up my child, I did sometimes see the out of school time program staff joking around with each other or playing on their cell phones instead of watching the kids there like they should be. Additionally, they have a pretty good selection of equipment, but when it breaks, it takes them FOREVER to fix it. Again though, you get what you pay for. read more