Recently joined after cancelling my Planet Fitness membership, looking for an "upgrade" of sorts. The biggest factors here that motivated me to give this place a shot is the indoor swimming pool and spinning classes. The pool and locker rooms are definitely well-maintained and clean, which is always a huge plus in my book. The only downside I would say here is that it can get pretty crowded between 5-7PM on the weekdays. I had to drive around for quite a bit to find a spot, and the lot is like a slalom course of pedestrians due to its layout. I haven't seen it to the point where every machine is taken, but time will tell. Overall it's definitely proving to be worth every penny more than what Planet Fitness was costing the wife and I, and we're pretty happy! read more

Bear Glasgow Branch YMCA - Gyms Near Me - Newark, Delaware

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Over sold for New Year's resolution people so regulars are crowded out. Equipment is also "off the clock" which doesn't help high demand. For the operational equipment, TV function is "no signal" on half. Not a well managed or maintained Y like it used to be. Needs more equipment (functional too) to meet demand they created. It is more expensive than ever, not a bargain as a gym. read more

This YMCA has gone above and beyond given the current pandemic. They have implemented safety measures throughout the facility and programs. Highly recommended!! read more

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Great workout environment. Great workout gear and machines, has a large stretch room, basketball courts and a nice large indoor as well as outdoor pool. Staff is friendly and the gym is always super clean. Definitely recommend. read more

I have enjoyed the Bear Glasgow YMCA for the better part of a year now. I require the aquatics program due to arthritis's and fibromyalgia. Up until now I have been satisfied with the entire staff and fellow members, however now that it is cold I'm finding the water makes my muscles seize. I have inquired about it and was told it's for the children and Lap swimmers. As they were fine all spring, Summer and fall I find it hard to believe that now they suddenly are unable to swim in a more agreeable temperature. The cold season has not even moved in yet. I've begun wearing t-shirt and shorts over my suit but it doesn't help much. I can not recommend this pool for anyone suffering pain and I'm sad to say since they won't budge I will not be renewing my membership. It's sad that a place set up to help people with the very issues I suffer is adamant about NOT HELPING or finding a compromise. read more

Ms.Sandy and Mr.Sam are hands down the best swimming instructors I've encountered at the Y. When I was first researching swim lessons/swim instructors for my daughter I first searched in a Facebook mom group to see where local moms were taking their kids. Ms. Sandy's name repeatedly came up and luckily she was teaching a class that summer at the Y I typically attend. At first I was nervous because she was the only instructor responsible for five kids but I quickly witnessed that Ms.Sandy really is a pro. Even with all five children being at different confidence levels, Ms.Sandy had them in the water from day one. I really appreciated this because unfortunately I've enrolled my daughter in other swim classes at the Y where the children were hardly in the water. When I found out Ms.Sandy was switching Y locations, I decided to "follow" her so my daughter could continue to work with her. Even though my updated work schedule doesn't allow me to sign my daughter up for Ms.Sandy's group lessons at this time, I do sign up for the private lessons from time to time which I prefer because my daughter is in the water even more and Ms.Sandy does a great job of identifying my daughters areas of improvements while still challenging her. When it comes to Mr.Sam I'm so glad I took a chance on one of his group lessons. At first I was weary of signing up because of past experiences in group lessons that were not led by Ms.Sandy but Mr.Sam did not disappoint. I really appreciate his joyful and bubbly personality. It definitely has an impact on the kids and allows them to relax and have fun during the lessons. Like Ms.Sandy, Mr.Sam does a great job of getting the kids in the water right away and often but still teaching water safely and providing swimming instruction. I also love how he engages the parents during the lessons. It honestly makes it more fun for my daughter and helps me stay more engaged and off my phone. If Ms.Sandy and Mr.Sam were to ever switch locations I'd most likely follow them because my daughter enjoys their instruction that much. Her love for the water has increase tremendously and I love Ms.Sandy and Mr.Sam have had a big influence on that. Additionally, I haven't experienced or seen any other instructors have their students in the water as much as these two which I appreciate because I've seen my daughter and other students quickly get bored and lose interest because they are sitting on the edge waiting for their turn. I can't wait to sign up for more lessons with either Ms.Sandy or Mr.Sam; they are the best! read more

I tried to get my free 1 time pass from this YMCA and when I went in there with my friend the manager refused to let us in. And once we told him that we wanted to go in he jacked up the prices from $15 to $25!!! This unlawful act caused my friend and I to not play basketball with our friends already in the gym. This manager deserves to get fired for what he's done because this price change doesn't change anything for him except ruining the lives of my friend and I. read more

The facility is new and clean. The classes are nice. As long as it's not busy, the place is actually pretty nice. I really wanted to give them 5 stars, but the place is inaccessible if you can't make it to their morning classes. It's so unpleasant it makes me not want to go. They are a victim of their own success. They literally run out of parking spaces COMPLETELY some evenings. Yet they keep selling more new memberships?! They have people parking along curbs and anywhere a car can fit (even if it's not really a spot). Also, during busy times expect to normally wait in line 10+ minutes to get from their driveway to somewhere (legally or not) to park. I also don't like the safety aspect. The parking lot is also poorly designed with only 1 entrance which forces every car going in/out to go through all the crosswalks. Wouldn't it have been safer and easier to have connected the back of the parking lot with the driveway, to keep cars and pedestrians more apart? I have politely suggested they move some of their after 5pm classes to afternoon, since almost nothing is offered from noon till 5pm. They ignored me and said I could park a half mile away at a nearby school, but even that is temporary until school restarts in 2 months. Inside the Y, after 5pm, many nights the place is just too crowded. Expect to wait to use the better exercise machines. Expect to have the next person standing and staring at you while you use the machine, as he/she waits. The classes don't have size limits you may find yourself crammed in a corner, trying to find enough room to work out. Dear management: Please stop doing membership drives & selling new memberships until you do something with this chaos. read more

I love this YMCA. I never had an issue. The classes are good and the staff are professional. Someone posted there is gang activity at this Y... What the hell are you talking about? Never seen any inappropriate behavior from the young adults that use the facility. I am grateful for having this facility so close to home. read more

It's great to know that there are still honest people in this world. 3 nights ago I was working out and I had $200.00 in my pocket from cashing my check prior to working out. I inadvertently dropped the money from my pocket to the floor and did not realize it until latter that evening after the Y closed. I called the next morning to see if anyone turned it in but no one did. I figured it would never show up so I was pretty bummed. I went to go workout Friday night and thought just for the heck of it to ask the front desk (Ericka who was extremely helpful) if anyone had turned in the money. Well to my surprise it was handed in by Mike who is one of the instructors. I rewarded him with $20.00 for being honest. I want to thank everyone at the Bear YMCA for being honest and very helpful in getting back my money. Thank you very much Mike for being a stand up guy!! read more

Went in tonight on 1-19-2023 to work out as I am a health care provider around 8:15pm. Noticed around 20 minutes before closing that tv's were turned off. When it got closer to 9pm an aged older tall skinny lady that looked miserable came into the fitness center coming up to people still on the cardio equipment reminding them they are closing. She amready had her coat on ready to leave! I was shocked at how rude she was! Then as it hit at exactly 9pm she was yelling on the intercom "the y is closed so exit the building now" Like she was yelling in a nasty voice and then this shrill beeping sound really loud came thru the intercom a couple of minutes like to drive us out like cattle!! Then it was pouring down rain outside so I overheard a mom asking her husband to please pull the car up and they were forcing all the members outside into the rain as it poured ! I couldn't believe this! Forcing families with kids out into the rain right at 9pm they didn't even have a chance to get to their cars!! I hate this location! Don't waste your money at this facility they are miserable people! I highly recommend Planet Fitness where they roll out the red carpet for you read more

I haven't even been a member for 30 days when I tried to cancel my membership, but they are charging me for next month anyway! And when I submit a cancellation form, it doesn't get approved. I am frustrate, the membership is expensive and the equipment is dirty, the weight room is small, and the equipment I want to use is never available because of how crowded and small it is. Overall not a good experience. Never join the YMCA! read more

The gym is beautiful and has some good classes and nice equipment. That being said: I agree and love another reviewers comment about the "huge fancy useless lobby" that used up needed budget for a larger daycare, or some more "friendliness" training for the front staff. read more

The staff office staff and front entry tend to be rude and careless. However the gym staff are very helpful and supportive. The Western Y and Central Y are a better choice read more

5 stars for the senior swimming class alone. But add in the beautiful new facility, friendly staff, the $42 per month fees, and the programs for all levels of activity and you have a very solid 5 star athletic facility. I am thrilled that my 82 year old MIL swims three times a week after a massive heart attack that left her in the hospital for almost a year and a bout with breast cancer. She has extended her life with these swimming classes and I don't even think she would have continued on if not for the staff at the Y. So, if that is not 5 stars, I do not know what else could be. Thank you YMCA for keeping the residents of Bear DE healthy. read more

The facility itself is nice and has a lot to offer. However, machines tend to be dirty- you can see sweat and dust built up and it looks as it they are never wiped down (not all machines, just specific ones I have noticed such as the stairmaster). Customer service is not great. There is one older man who works in the wellness center who is very friendly and interacts with everyone. Aside from that I have not met any over the top staff members. Group X schedule is full and great. However, the classes are huge - way over sized and many of the instructors have been rude. The parking lot and the crowds in the evening -AWFUL. Either expand the parking lot and wellness center or stop signing up new memberships. There is no room for anyone else in that place in the evening. read more

does not have childcare whole day anymore like they used to :( Reason we signed up for a family gym was for the convenience to be able to work out ANYTIME we had time between our busy rotating shift schedules ....real BUMMER when on third shift :/ huge fancy useless lobby causing cut backs? should have been extra workout rooms or something financially profitable or a racquetball court or sauna or something useful like the other YMCA's! also this is not the only YMCA cutting back childcare hours :( read more

I have learned most people do not leave feedback when they have a positive experience. It seems as though only those whom want to complain over something minor, will even bother to leave a review, while completely exaggerating most of what they have to say. After being a member for nearly a decade, I can certainly say this is by far the best YMCA in Delaware hands down. I live right next to UD, and while the Kirkwood Highway YMCA would be a more convenient option, I much rather travel to this facility for various reasons. First of all, there are numerous machines. Rarely do I ever have to wait even during peak times. They have wide variety of machines as well as multiples of them to prevent you from having to wait. Also, they recently renovated the place and updated more than half of the stationary equipment. I do not know what these people are talking about! If you compare it to the other gyms and other YMCA's around, the facility is HUGE! Also, I noticed at other locations that the AC was never cold enough; however, here I never had that problem, as it is always nice and cool, which helps you keep pushing. These people who left feedback clearly have not experienced other gyms! I have tried anytime fitness, planet fitness, as well as other YMCA locations even the ones in Wilmington, and I have always had the same major issues, the AC not being cool enough, gyms being too packed, with not enough machines to accommodate, outdated equipment , and not enough variety or space. I would say this is the Mercedes of YMCA's. They even just built a new functional fitness center within it which has turf, tires, kettle-balls, and much more. There is also a long and wide turf strip indoors (approx 80 meters long) right next to the gym, where you can do stretches, lunges warm ups etc. Along the sides of this turf strip, are tons of nicely padded mats to do these activities on and some step up boxes etc. Moreover, the location is excellent, because right across the street is a huge park, where you can do long laps, before heading across the street to the YMCA to do weights, take a dip in the pool etc. (that's what I do on nice days). I could go on and list 100's of reasons why this gym is the best. Check it out for yourself, and I bet you will not be complaining like these people on here, who clearly do not know an excellent clean and spacious gym when they see one. Sorry not sorry... read more

Not a bad gym. Good equipment. New and clean. I think they can do a better job with training some of the staff how to interact with people. One of the feMale trainers with the initials (S.R.) is definitely not a people person. But on the other hand, that trainer has one of the the most masculine bodies I've seen so if you are a guy looking to get ripped, no doubt there is knowledge there read more

the classes are great. i wish there was more workout equipment, i always have to wait even not during prime time. also the people at the front desk are very rude read more

I'm a new member because my daughter swears by the place. I took a friend to try out the facility and get a one day pass and the woman at the counter was rude and crazy looking. I mean to the point I almost said something to her. I don't like any type of disrespect or confrontation but I equally don't like people who are rude and hostile for no apparent reason. On top of her rude demeanor she is completely useless and unhelpful with the services offered (like how to get a guest pass). Admittedly, we went as a last minute decision and didn't look things up on the not to friendly website but you would think the first person you see would be helpful and not CRAZY! That said, planet fitness doesn't have the ab or core machine that the Y has but everyone is friendly and helpful AND I can go on my friends upgraded membership free 10 times per month. That cost $20/month and are open 24hrs per day! So it seems the only real benefit for PUTTING UP WITH the Y is the an machine and the pool. I am going to go because my daughter is paying BUT if I had to pay, I would give them a quarter let alone $60/month which is ridiculously overpriced given the BS you but up with. Honestly, once my core is strengthened I won't give this place the time of day. Too bad I couldn't give NO STARS!!!! What a ripoff!!! read more

It is very hard to park there and the front staff are rude. People are much different at this Y than at others in the sense that the machines get hogged and people will leave them and not wipe up their sweat (I've seen this at other gyms, but not like that). People literally hog the machines at this gym for an hour at a time (just about every time I go), so why not tell the front desk? Oh that's right..they don't care. Cancelling and was just surfing Yelp for a new gym :) read more

I recently became a member of the YMCA bear/Glasgow branch and I couldn't be happier. The staff is always smiling, friendly, and helpful. My entire experience with regards to signing up form the membership was great. The employee was more than helpful with filling out my paperwork, she was knowledgeable about the different programs and prices, also gave me a tour of the facility and was friendly and polite with my children. The kids absolutely love going to the daycare at the facility. They keep them busy! The locker rooms and restrooms are always clean. I would highly recommend a ymca membership to anyone. read more

I like the gym area..it's usually where I am 95% of the time. I'm completely sick of the machine hogs thinking they own the gym. Ignorant when you ask them how many more sets they have. I pay good money just like everyone else, I shouldn't have to walk on egg shells or wait for 25 minutes to use the Smith machine or bicep rack. read more