This Y is fine. I'm a member at another location, but dropped in. Pool is cooler than other locations I've been too, but bearable. Locker rooms are upgraded. Sadly, this location offers zero other amenities like whirlpool, sauna, or steam. I can't recall a Y that hasn't had at least one of these and it's a huge nope for me. With the remodel, I don't understand why they didn't leave the two very small changing rooms out and add a sauna. I'll stick to Andover or Woburn. read more

Our experience with the Burbank YMCA sports and swim programs has been very good. The staff are friendly, instructors are amazing, and child watch caretakers are wonderful. Expecting that warmth, I enrolled my daughter in their preschool. However, the preschool operates under a separate management structure, and the YMCA acts as a marketing funnel for it. This is evident in how preschool sports run strictly during school hours, forcing parents to enroll in the preschool for daytime sports access. This minor advantage does not outweigh the severe emotional toll of their toxic embarrassment culture. We pulled our daughter out, canceled her activities, and abandoned summer camp plans for our son. They want our business but didn't want to serve us. If you are a family of color, or from a diverse cultural background, read our experience: 1. Cold Orientation & Silent Treatment: Director Dianne gave an uninviting tour with zero clear guidelines on drop-off or food rules, leaving us to figure out logistics. She maintained a cold demeanor for weeks, likely holding a grudge over a first-day pickup issue. Furthermore, I messaged school chats well in advance to coordinate my daughter's birthday, but Dianne completely ignored the message, which felt entirely like targeted discrimination. 2. Invasive Food Scrutiny: Lacking initial rules, we didn't know about the nut-free policy. After a peanut lunch was sent home, a traditional side dish (idli podi) was sent home later because it "smelt like nuts." Even after my husband explicitly told the drop-off teacher it was nut-free, staff still literally smelt our baby's food container and demanded a written ingredient list over chat. This total lack of trust was invasive and deeply disrespectful. 3. Public Shaming: When I called ahead running late for a first-day pickup, staff gossiped; the next morning an uninvolved teacher reprimanded me. Dianne then blasted a public notice to all families on the network app complaining about late pick-ups. Later, teachers told us drop-off was flexible until 10:00 AM. But days after I dropped my daughter off at 9:35 AM for gym class, Dianne blasted a notice to all parents declaring 9:30 AM a strict cut-off. When I pulled my daughter out, Dianne backpedaled, claiming it was meant for many parents. They weaponize public shaming to control families. 4. Rigid Daycare vs. Development: We used an eco-friendly diaper brand (Nurture) for my 3+ year old toddler. Instead of proactively working on potty training, my daughter had a pee leak every single day, and the staff pushed back. This one, they at least communicated properly. We were forced to switch to a more absorbent diaper which bothered our child and gave us a hard time. Now, a week after moving back to her old school, the teacher listens to her and lets her go diaper-free to help her transition out of diapers. Don't be fooled by their cleanliness; if my daughter stayed there, she would stay in diapers for a lot longer. 5. Avoidant Management: Julie, the regional director, wanted a phone call, but when I insisted on an in-person meeting, she responded in a disrespectful and noncommittal manner. That conveyed that she was uncomfortable or uninterested in my concerns. Because of her response, I chose to not communicate with her further. Meanwhile, Dianne tried to guilt me, asking why I didn't just talk to her, shifting the blame when I shouldn't have been exposed to this hostile behavior. The Bottom Line: This program lacks basic respect for parents of diverse cultures or backgrounds, creating an environment where parents can never win. Take your children somewhere genuinely inclusive. read more

It's disappointing to see that nothing has changed at this Y in over a decade. The same rude and unprofessional behavior others documented 12+ years ago is still present particularly within membership services. My interaction with Laura was hostile and dismissive and appeared discriminatory. Call it what it looks like. Hatred doesn't elevate anyone; it exposes them. While this location seems stuck in petty, ugly behavior, the rest of us move forward choosing dignity and decency. I was contacted regarding an alleged outstanding balance, even though my bank records clearly show successful withdrawals for both my membership and my daughter's swim lessons. When I disputed this and provided documentation, both services were immediately canceled and a refund was refused. The issue was escalated to the Regional Business Manager, who acknowledged receipt of the documentation but continues to request additional bank statements in order to "investigate," further delaying what should be a simple refund. At this point, the issue is not missing information but unnecessary delays. I am still waiting for refunds for canceled services and expect this matter to be resolved promptly. read more

Amazing gym, lots if great equipment for a very reasonable price, the only issue i can think about is how crowded it is during certain hours. read more

BEWARE: my 4 yo child almost drowned during his first swim class at this YMCA. They have a policy of no parents watching kids swim. Thank GOD I didn't follow the rules. I witnessed the instructor give my son instructions he didn't understand and then she swam away. He let go of the ledge and started to drown. I moved to jump into the pool but the instructor dove to save him. After letting leadership know they apologized for my "bad experience" and made comments about me being late to class and not following policy by staying and watching. They also reviewed the video and stated the instructor correctly saved him. Are you serious? Maybe she shouldn't have allowed a child to drown requiring that she save him. Zero accountability. I highly recommend rethinking sending your kids here for swim classes and if you do send them ask that you be allowed to watch. My child would never be able to articulate to me that he almost drowned. I would have never known. They offered to put him in a different class. Um, no thanks. read more

I almost don't want to give this place up....I have just started to drop my kids off at their childcare center and I can't say enough good things about the ladies that work there. They really do seem to care about the children they watch and know about childcare. They are so good about encouraging the kids to play and feel comfortable and are very communicative about their progress. Whatever they are paid- it's not enough! They have a TON of fitness programs and brand new cardio equipment, which is great. It's not the fanciest workout gym, but what else do you expect- its the YMCA... The one bit of feedback I would give is to sync up their open pool times (the small warmer pool that kids are going to want to swim in more) with the childcare times. So if open swim is only from 2-3:15, then child care should start at 3:15 or end at 2, so mom and dad could do a work out before or after taking their kids to the pool. I would also love to see a lot more open pool time in the small pool (the warmer pool). It is only open 2-3:15 during the week and most young kids nap from 12-3 during the day (probably the reason they have this time is all the other times are taken up by lessons). In any case, that's my two cents... read more

The gym at the Y is real nice. They just updated the whole facility with new machines and weights. They offer a wide variety of classes and DAYCARE! Free for members! Also, they have a pool. The facility is in a great location near Main St, I93, and in the High School/Middle School district. Parking all around in lot and on the street. This Y has a preschool/daycare attached which the staff is remarkably nice. read more

The Gym: I've used a guest pass a few times. They have a good amount of newer cardio equipment. Weights are ok. Decor is blah. The Pool: Ok. Needs a good cleaning. The Locker Rooms: GROSS!!!! Need an upgrade in a MAJOR Way Daycare: Seems ok. Not nearly as good as some of the private day cares. I think for After School programs it is ok. Parking: Not enough of it, very tight. Nothing here is great, its all ok. read more

The Burbank YMCA has been one of my favorite gyms I've ever been to but also has some things they have to work on. I'll start out with the good. The workout classes are amazing my daughter goes to them all the time. Most of the gym is rather clean and the options of gym equipment are unlimited. Now the downsides... I'm very disappointed with the lifeguards behavior towards children. They are not respectful at all. Personally I don't know how they have the job. They are one of the many reasons why I will not return to this gym. My daughter loves the basketball gym but is never allowed to use it because it's constantly occupied by the daycare. One time she walked in there and one of the YMCA workers rudely told her to get out. I understand that their is family gym but the workers are so unpleasant if you ask them to put down the divider. read more

Great facility and Swimming program, But they need to train their pike's instructors to be a little more professional and keep the locker rooms neater Or train the users to pickup after themselves ! DayCare is good. Parent's night out is great ! Tough to get parking at times. read more

Lots of new, up-to-date cardio and weight equipment. They offer a ton of group fitness classes for all ages. I'm a huge fan of their hot yoga classes - the only downside is the walk-in classes cost $5/session, wish they were free for members. The staff is also friendly and very accomodating. The parking lot gets full fast, but there is plenty of on-street parking. The location is also great for running outdoors. The Reading High School track and athletic fields are right across the street and the neighborhoods are runner friendly. read more

This Y has some great swim instructors for kids (most notably John) and a nice group at the child watch center. Changing rooms were renovated over the past year. Parking can be a pain although you will eventually find a spot. I have been told that their monthly membership is higher than some of the other Y's, but I haven't been to Saugus, Melrose or Peabody to compare. read more

Our family purchased a memebership here exclusively for the swimming pool. I have four children (3,5,7 & 9) who absolutely love the pool. We frequent this location and today had an experience that will have me cancelling our membership. A lady that does private swim lessons yelled at me about keeping my children at arms length. Well- with four children that now (due to removal of the yellow band and all bubbles) have to wear life jackets, and are accustomed to being able to just swim- this was quite an inconvenience. It was not fun. After being scolded about my children being too far away, I was then told my girls needed swimming caps. Well- I don't care that they bleach these caps everyday or not; I do not want my kids sharing caps! Two of my children have undergone extensive antibiotic treatment for MRSA infection. I don't leave anything to chance. No one has informed me of this policy before today. Our family purchased our membership in February. She also yelled and made awful faces at one of the teenage lifeguards for trying to help me - and it was awkward and embarrassing for all of us in the facility. Completely uncalled for! I voiced my concerns to the aquatics director and she had no good input for me. If you were looking for somewhere enjoyable to spend time with your children- unless all of your children are above the Age of 7 and all green necklaces - I STRONGLY suggest looking elsewhere. We will never spend another cent of our hard earned money here. read more

Love this place. Very modern and clean facility in a great location. The gym is perfect for my needs and my daughter loves the pool. Everyone from staff to patrons are incredibly friendly and polite. Could not ask for more in a YMCA. read more

Their gym, membership staff are pleasant, but I can't say that for all of its staff. Their aquatic staff are less than favorable and often times their rules are different per person or by ethnicity. If you are a minority or seem to have an accent you tend to get belittled and talked down to instead of being treated with respect and courtesy just like everyone else. Racial discrimination comes in all different flavors and colors. If their aquatic leadership does not stop this, then I can only assume that they condone such behavior and practices. Their front desk staff are often times rude, and act like they are doing you a favor by talking to you. Client services and customer service training seems to be lacking. Sometimes common courtesy and following the golden rule would go a long way. The facilities is nice and I would love to take my daughter their for open swim, but the various inconsistencies and tone of their staff, the rudeness in which they've become accustomed to behaving in, is enough to keep me away from this facility for a while. Be wary about the lack of customer service and their unfriendly nature to children by their aquatic staff. read more

I'm surprised at the negative reviews. We've been members at the Y since moving to reading 8 years ago. My husband and I mostly use the fitness center, which is very nice for a Y -- plenty of cardio and nautilus equipment, and you almost never have to wait for a machine (as in, in 8 years, I think I've waited for a machine 1-2 times). We've done several of the kids' classes (sports, ballet, toddler play gym), all of which have been great! If you have a chance to have your child take a class with Miss Nancy, she is especially great! We drop our kids off in the babysitting room when we go to work out, and the staff there is great. They know my kids right away, by name, when they go -- and we only use it once a week, tops. When I was staying at home with my kids a few years back, we used it much more frequently. It can get crowded during on weekday mornings, especially with all the stay-at-home-moms who are go to fitness classes or working out. But it is free baby sitting, and they always have ample staff, even if it is crowded. We do the swimming lessons most sessions, and while the quality of the instructor does vary, we've had some really great instructors! I've never, ever, had a problem with the lifeguards being unprofessional. In fact, as I stood talking a young man who was the lifeguard at my daughter's swimming party for her 6th birthday party, he suddenly jumped in the pool. One of my daughter's friends had panicked and had pulled her under water. I didn't even see it happen! He brought her out of the pool and helped her clear all the water from her lungs. Thank goodness he was doing his job so well! The only downside is that parking is tough, especially after work on weekdays, or in the mornings on weekends. However, there really is ample on-street parking. And hey, if you're there to go to the gym, it's not going to kill you to walk an extra 10 yards. I wish they'd reserve the parking lot for people with kids, though, because obviously the closer you can park when you're walking your kids in, the better. read more

The Burbank YMCA is an excellent gym. They have a pool, a gym, personal training, all the stuff you'd expect. I see 2 people for personal training (gym) and they are very friendly and nice. The gym can sometimes be crowded, but it depends on when you go. They also have 2 pools: a warm pool which isn't too deep and a bigger pool that is deep. However, the lifeguard for the big pool say that you can't jump into the pool on the left/right sides, but on the top of the pool. read more

This review is only about the baby swim class we just just took called "Shrimps". I don't think there are too many shallow only pools around, but this is one of them and for me the location is good and they offered lots of class times. If you want to take your baby to a class, this was a good option. Sure, the family locker room is a mess, but with the billions of people coming through, I'm not sure how they could possibly keep it clean. Maybe everyone from the gym uses these same locker rooms? If so, I can see how they would complain, but if you are a pool user it seems inevitable that it would look like this. Even with a total renovation, the floor will still get dirty. Unless I experience the yelling that other reviewers have mentioned, I will continue to take my daughter here to go swimming. read more

a. The staff in the front desk are rude b. The parking is very difficult. You need to park on unpaved roads most of the time. c. The family changing room is an absolute mess. There are not enough lockers. Not enough changing room space. People who should be using the men's room or women's room do not use it and keep coming to the family room. No one ever tells them not to. d. Half the time, it is difficult to get cover for your street shoes. People just walk into the pool area with their shoes. read more

The customer service and administration are horrible. If I succeed at registering for a class or camp, my children enjoy it. However , the frustration of dealing with the staff for registration, cancellation, and payment is so painful that it is always my last choice for extracurricular activities. read more

Great YMCA to go workout or take a dunk at. I've been here countless time and it is a nice facility. The only thing it loses a star on is the odd shaped parking lot which ultimately leaves limited parking. Depending on when you go of course it, like most Y's, can get pretty busy. Recommended if you attend RMHS because of its close proximity! read more

The "family" locker/changing room is too small and lacks seating for the littlest swimmers/members. There's no way the parents have enough room in the stalls to change at the same time as the kids. A few months ago there was a moldy/musty smell in the ladies locker room for a month+ and the sign was blaming ventilation. Okay, sure, blame that, but then keep the moldy rugs underfoot? No. Plus, the parking lot makes no sense compared to where the single entrance is located. Pool deck is kept clean, but I didn't visit the other non-water rooms/equipment. read more

really awsome sim program with an awsome pool!

The Reading Y just got downgraded - not the whole place, just the pool is bringing them down. As I mentioned in my previous post, the place needs a good cleaning. The pool and its locker rooms are a disgusting mess. GROSS. During pool transition times (i.e. between classes), the floors are muddied and cluttered with discarded clothes with the occasional used swim diapers! The zombified staff walk through the locker rooms as if it is normal. We have complained. We have voiced this concern in surveys and nothing has been done. Also, I have witnessed repeatedly the teenage staff SCREAMING at kids "in violation of the rules." The pool director needs to teach their staff about the proper way of telling a 5 year old not to play on the ramp - rather than screaming from across the pool and humiliating them. On occasion, you'll see the enraged parent yelling back. These have been ongoing problems that the pool director clearly cannot fix. It's time to replace the pool director with someone who can train her staff properly and maintain a clean and safe environment. Other than the pool, the Y is a great place. read more