Clean; new equipment, rarely crowded; variety of fitness options; free parking (during off prime hours); towel service;

The Westin downtown is currently renovating the floor their fitness center is on so they have passes to the two downtown YMCAs for now. I went to the one on college street and it was great! Has a lap pool. Is very clean and clearly the staff takes a lot of time re racking weights and keeping the facilities tidy and clean. If I lived downtown I'd probably join since it seems to have everything you would need for a comprehensive workout. read more

Great place. Will definitely tell be back when I'm in Charlotte. Everything I need in a gym. read more

Don't know how it happened, but I am now the person who works out while out of town. This took me 31 years, but I am here for getting a little sweat in before indulging in the fun that comes from being out of town. I was staying in the Hilton which is connected to this YMCA, and my stay offered my access to this gym. They gym is huge, very clean and has several different cardio machines for you to use. There is also a pretty spacious weight room with a good variety of weights and machines. This is such a nice perk to staying at the Hilton and I am so glad I got to work out here! read more

This is still the case. If you are going to be trying out the gym for the first time please leave the sanctuary of before work to the people who know what they are doing. Way too busy. read more

Been working out at this location for a few months. The staff is always super friendly. The equipment is well maintained, clean and usually no wait. The shower and other facilities are also clean and well taken care of. Certainly my preferred Y location. read more

While the Dowd is less than 1.5 miles away from the Uptown location, I imagine this particular YMCA is super convenient to the folks who work Uptown. Yes, durr. But, I do prefer the Uptown Y over Gateway for a couple reasons....not only because its closer but...because: -This Y has a nice variety of mid-day group classes, granted they can be pretty crowded at times with all those bankers workin' up a sweat before they head back to work -There is a nice variety of weight equipment and cardio machines arranged in a half moon fashion around the basketball courts (these courts are nice, too) -If you're a swimmer, this is a convenient spot to get your laps done -And I just realized that there is a running track upstairs...who knew?! -Free parking in the Hilton garage - just make sure to park in the correct spots and validate your ticket on your way out of the gym So, while I typically hit up the Dowd, the Uptown (Childress Klein) location is a nice option if I prefer to run to the gym or catch a specific group class. *FYI: If you're interested in the group yoga classes, go to the front desk first and get a pass. The actual yoga room is down the last elevator bank and through the glass doors. You need a pass to get through security. read more

I've been going to this Y location for a couple of months now, so I can finally write a solid review. I work in Uptown and decided to go to this location vs the Dowd to avoid the crazy crowd. I go around 6pm every day and I never seem to have a problem with getting on machines or equipment. The locker rooms are nice and big, plus you can rent lockers. They also offer free daily lock rentals from the front desk, but they only have a limited number. I ended up buying my own lock from them ($7) for a daily locker and I never have had problems finding an open one. They recently updated their elliptical machines, and the majority of their equipment is fairly new. I love that they have a stair master (maybe 5), as well as a variety of treadmills (10-12). There's also a nice 1/9 track up stairs, along with a cycle studio. In addition, the basketball court in the middle of the gym is great for people watching ha! Unlike the other Y locations, they don't have a 'women's only' weight training area, but there are some private areas upstairs, with a TRX machine, free weights, mats and yoga balls. What really draws me to this location is the size of the gym. It's simple to navigate and I never have to fight for a machine. It's convenient, clean, updated and the staff is super helpful! Hint: They also have a sauna and steam room in the locker room- it just took me months to finally realize it :-) There's also a nice pool for lap swimming, which you can see through the main gym area. read more

Great indoor lap pool, steam and sauna in locker rooms and free towel service. They have one weight lifting platform and supply chalk. Basketball court and cardio take up most of the 1st floor with older weight machines and free weights scattered around the perimeter. Upstairs you'll find an indoor track and little places to work out with free weights, mats etc. They also have an open cycle "studio." They validate parking in the parking deck on weekends and I believe after 5pm so keep your ticket if you drive. Only con is it gets a bit crowded in the weight section and the equipment is a bit old, but you can definitely get a good work out in. read more

Childress Klein YMCA - Entrance - Gyms Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

Way back when, I used to work downtown... this was the Y I would frequent during lunch to get a workout in. I loved the facilities then and they've even recently updated everything (March 2014). Looks like they moved around some staff offices and gave members more workout space. The renovation brought super clean/modern look to the place and added food/snack bar which is so great especially for the after workout refueling routine. I can't really say much about the ladies locker room, but the guys locker room has gotten a major face lift and is a nice space to change and get ready in. I've started recently swimming so the pool facilities here are great and the Y provides towel service, so you don't have to have a wet towel in your gym bag or call all day after a morning swim. I did talk to one of the lifeguards and he said the 2nd phase of the renovation will happen and the pool will be updated - exciting stuff, however with the Dowd pool, and MAC pool being renovated at the same time, this place will start picking up with swim traffic (anticipated).... we will see, but for now I do like my "controlled drowning" to be kept to mostly myself. Just when you thought you couldn't have a Y in a tight space due to downtown limitations, the CK YMCA both amazes and fufills their duties in providing great services to their members and their community. read more

Baller status YMCA, got a picture of Jesus there looking like why aren't you working out more here...

This place keeps getting better and better. I just wish it was a little less crowded and they'd fix the mirrors. Every time I finish my work out, I'm still seeing the reflection in the mirror at a morbidly obese sweaty man. Place needs to move kettlebells out of the small training session room and put some on the floor. read more

This is my regular gym and I love it! The staff is always friendly and the faculties clean. I believe they validate for parking but I just park at work uptown. It's located in the Wells Fargo building attached to the Hilton Center City Hotel. I usually go around 5:30-6PM on weekdays and it's never too packed to where I can't find a machine or free space. I think most people work out during lunch or head to the DOWD after work. The machines are clean and some were replaced recently. I like how they have the disposable sanitized wipes versus the spray + towel/rag at the other YMCAs I've been to. There is a basketball court in the middle of the gym with plenty of cardio machines, strength training machines, and free weights downstairs and upstairs. There is a nice track upstairs, a cycling area, rowing room, and other workout spaces. They also have a small swimming pool, which I find a little intimidating since it's surrounded by windows for everyone in the gym to look into, but that's just me! read more

I enjoy this location because it's laid out well & isn't overly expansive. It's got just enough of what you need without getting you lost. Gets busy during lunch hours when the uptown crowd decides to be ambitious and workout on their lunch breaks instead of eating. I tend to head here after work, and have very few issues with overcrowding or not getting the equipment I need to use. Pro-tip** they validate parking in the Wells Fargo parking garage. read more

Alright gym rats, in the spirit of full disclosure let me open by saying I occasionally teach a range of group-ex classes here. I think I pay more in taxes than I actually net on the small amount of additional income it gets me, so I'd hope any bias I have is well-tempered. As someone whose been to almost all the county's Ys, I'm a big fan of the C-K. Tucked into the Wachovia (now Wells Fargo???) One building, and adjacent to the Hilton, this beacon of sweat calls to the uptown corporate crowd and those in town for just a few nights. Hint: almost all the traveling shows for the performing arts center give their crew and cast passes to come and use this Y. I've met dancers, singers, and performers of most of the bigger shows here. Humorist David Sedaris (and his sister), for example, were in town recently for a one night performance- they both came to swim and had a great time (he even mentioned the visit during the show!). So why this Y? 3 main reasons. First, this place is not so gargantuan that you would get lost making your way from the lockers to the gym floor. This also means the crowds are manageable and people tend to know the other people around. I don't find this so much at the Dowd, for example. The friendly aires here are just a little more appealing both for motivational and enjoyment of the visit purposes. Second, the cardio and weight equipment is well-maintained and logically laid out. They just put in new free weights and redesigned that part of the gym with some new machines to boot- which was a nice upgrade. People here generally care enough to wipe down the machines after they are done and don't mind letting you work in for sets. When you are on a schedule, this helps. Third, everything you want is here in one place. Group Ex classes, a pool, an indoor track, personal training and basketball half court. If you get hungry, check out the food bar at the entrance- it's get a nice selection of food options that aren't fried or wrapped in cheese and bread. I also find at least the men's locker room to be amply sized, with plenty of shower stalls, a steam room, a sauna, and plenty of lockers for day use. Lunchtime tends to be busiest, but the early morning crowd gets decently sized too. The after work rush is much more subdued lately, no real idea why. If you want the place almost to yourself, come in between 8:30 am - 11:00 am or 2:30 pm - 5:00 pm. Amazing how things empty out then. One note of clarification- parking is free for up to 2.5 hours in the Wachovia/Hilton deck so long as your are out before 8:30 am or enter after 4:30 pm. The times do not apply on the weekends, though I am sure the gym here is closed completely on Sundays. Whatever you do, just make sure you stamp your parking ticket with the Y stamp at the entrance. The parking deck attendants have little mercy for those who do not follow the restrictions. Comprende? I'm a morning person and the best part of this gym, for me, is the community of regulars who also make the daily pilgrimage to burn some calories before the sun rises. There are some serious athletes who train like crazy and some desk jockeys who live for their exercise highs outside of the office (that's my hand raised in the back of the room). In all, it is a great mix of people who will open up if you take the time to talk to them. Join one of the early morning running groups or become one of the die-hards looking for some self-inflicted punishment in one of the boot-camp style fitness classes- whatever your flavor of exercise, you can find it here and all in one nice, compact easy to access place. read more

The Childress Klein (or Uptown) Y is the best place to get in a great workout during the day if you work in that area. There are plenty of cardio and weight machines, free weights, a pool, two basketball courts, and an indoor track. The facility is very clean and well maintained, and the staff and group exercise instructors are always pleasant and helpful. Speaking of classes, the Uptown Y also has a cycle area and a multipurpose room for classes on top of one of the basketball courts. There are a ton options, including strength, athletic conditioning, cycle, kickboxing, yoga, pilates, etc (you get the point)...all to help you work up a sweat during your break. The woman's locker room is very clean and plenty big, so you won't have to worry that you'll be stacked on top of the other patrons when trying to get ready; I would think the men's would be the same, but can't tell you for sure! A couple of tips before heading to the gym: 1. The cardio machines and swim lanes fill up quickly over the 12-1pm lunch hour, so better to go before/after that time or plan to run on the track upstairs. 2. Parking is free before 8:30am and after 4:30pm for 2.5 hours if you get your ticket validated at the front desk, but sometimes during weekdays the deck is full, so you'll have to find alternate parking (which is not free). 3. If you plan to do a class in the multipurpose room, you'll have to exchange your Y scan card at the front desk for a special pass as it is across the hall and through security. read more

If you are a stickler like I am for a treadmill with a tv then you wont like this YMCA. The treadmills face the tvs which are mounted on the wall and they also face the basketball courts which is kind of interesting sometimes hehe ;-) They have to work out a different arrangement for the towels - other YMCA's have the towels on a shelf and then you throw the used ones in a bin. This location keeps the clean towels in a bin. People going by not used to this will just throw their used towel in without looking and 'pollute' the clean ones. Geez just make this consistent with your other locations YMCA so people dont do this! But if you are in a time crunch and you work uptown you can get used to this tiny location. Don't forget parking is free after 4:30PM!!! read more

This is my favorite Y, simply because I love the lap pool, the towel service, the clean showers, and the steam room. Also, no kids! This Y attracts a professional crowd, which makes sense since it's in an Uptown hi-rise. I come here M-Th, and mainly use the lap pool. It's a nice contrast to the Dowd Y, which tends to attract questionable people (I always felt that my locker would be broken into, at the Dowd Y). People at this Y tend to be in their 20s and 30s, whereas the Dowd Y gets really, really old people who move very slowly in the changing room. read more

Great place to workout uptown. Friendly staff. Clean. Happy with my experience at this location.

This YMCA facility is pretty nice! The staff is very nice and the areas are all quite clean and well maintained. There is towel service which is always great (I hate laundry). Walking in there is a central courtyard with basketball courts, the free weights, and cardio machines, the pool is placed in it's own area and was under construction the time I went unfortunately. This Y solved it's space problem, being in the Wells Fargo building by having a track on the second floor with some additional machines and other knick knacks up there. Very nicely laid out but I don't understand why the track directions change depending on the time of day at all? (I asked an employee there and they couldn't tell me why either) In any case, I'd come back and probably will. Clean and well laid out facilities with decent staff makes this a winning place to get your sweat on in my book. read more

Uptown's Y! Resting in the Wells Fargo tower, you'll find this older, but newly remodeled, modest YMCA. The staff here is super friendly. Much of the equipment is new. The lap-pool and lorckerrooms were recently updated. They offer numerous group exercise options, etc. There is a walking/running track that hovers above the center court on a secret second level. In addition to the track you'll find an area for cycling classes, more workout equipment, etc. Within the lorckerrooms are saunas and steam rooms as well. Parking is in the deck off of MLK. Be sure to take your ticket up to the front desk and scan if for validation to avoid being charged upon exit. Just keep in mind that the validation is only good for 2 1/2 hours. The orange and green levels of the parking deck are designated for Y visitors. Guests of the Marriott also have access to the Y since the hotel doesn't have a fitness center of its own. Check it out if you're ever in need of an Uptown workout. It's a great spot before or after work for persons that commute to the area daily. read more

I used the facilities at the YMCA a few times during my recent stay at the Hilton next door. I appreciated that hotel guests got access to a full-sized gym instead of a dinky hotel gym. I found the layout of the YMCA to be cramped and a bit uncomfortable. Everything is so exposed and I prefer gyms with a few nooks and crannies where I can lay on the floor and exercise in semi-privacy. The hours make sense for the office environment but I really wish it would've stayed open later than 9pm. I found the cardio machines to be in excellent shape and I enjoyed watching Law & Order, SVU while sweating on the elliptical (go ahead, make fun of the fact that I like ellipticals). The best part of the YMCA is how clean it is. There is cleaning spray and a towel stationed at every machine and I noticed that people were very good about cleaning up after themselves. read more

I have really started to love coming to this gym for a quick lunchtime workout!! The gym is laid out fairly nicely with a cardio area and weight area separated by a basketball court. There is an indoor pool (there is a glass wall beside the cardio area, so you can see into the pool are) and running track above. Some of the pros I like about this gym: -TVs on all cardio equipment (Though recently TWC switched to Digital so all the tvs are having to be updated, so there arent any channels now) -The functional fitness room- Monkey bars, large ropes, weights, plyo boxes, jump ropes. There is also a WOD on the board in case you want to get your crossfit on -The salad bar area- Great to grab a quick lunch to go after the workout. Prices are very reasonable. -The Quick Fit room off the track- Great for a quick workout away from others. -Weight area- For being a small area, they have a good amount of stuff. I think there are about 4 unassisted squat stands/bars, which is alot for this size gym. -Large offering of classes I usually go right at peak time and have never had to wait for a cardio machine. Sometimes the ab area behind the cardio is a bit full, but there is always a ton of space in the functional room! read more

So as Y's go, this is my go to place due to the fact it is located almost in my work building. Their rates have also gone down and no initiation fees anymore - yeah! Throw in free classes and a pool and they beat a lot of places hands down. read more

My go to gym during the week for several years! The convenience can't be beat if you work uptown. I've tried Dowd, and the gateway location would be a hassle to jump on and off the trolley. Everything you could ask for in a gym.....classes, equipment, swimming, basketball courts, track, lockers and towel service! Not sure of the management as the staff has been constantly changing here lately. read more

This just might be my new lunch time routine. Its close to work and they offer a cardio strength class around lunch time. Only thing is that its packed at noon. So i went at 12:45 and by the time i was done, it was a ghost town. So i can go at 1:00 and get in and out within an hour. Even with taking a shower! read more

I recently visited this facility visiting Charlotte, NC. One note, I'm not sure why they have this 301 S. College st. address unless it's for mailing purposes only, because they is nothing that a new, unfamiliar visitor can use knowing this address that will help you find this Bat Cave. The address on the outside of the building says something TOTALLY different, and unrelated to '301' 'College' or 'St'. But, after calling the staff help me via telephone to find their location. I was very impressed with the facility and its cleanliness. All cardio equipment has there own cleaning spray and towels, which is very convenient, in that you don't have to walk all around trying to find out where the cleaning materials are located. I also took the Body Pump class with Sue M. and another young lady. The class was great and I'd suggest others to take it as well. Also, I got a chance to watch the Zumba class (instructor by Ms. B (*I can't remember her name at the moment))..but it looked very entertaining to say the least. Great job to the staff I'll definitely recommend this facility and will consider returning to it on my next Charlotte, NC visit. read more

Had to take a star away because the wifi here is so shoddy. I won't believe I'm the only person who has problems with it. read more

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Again, I prefer the Dowd YMCA because it's huge and has pretty much anything you'd EVER want from a gym. I head to the Gateway Y when I need a quick treadmill work-out or lift and nothing else. The Uptown Y provides a nice middle-ground. Located right off Tryon at the heart of downtown, the Uptown Y is super convenient: you can walk there during a lunch break or immediately after work. It's not as big as the Dowd, but it has great equipment and classes, and it's pretty modern after recent renovations. There's a half-court basketball set-up, which allows for pick-up games and shooting. i prefer the full-court action at the Y, but this isn't a bad alternative. The best thing at Uptown branch, though, is its huge pool--great for laps and other water workouts. Check it out: it's impressive. Overall, this gym has a really new, clean feel, which is obviously something you'd want from a gym. Never too crowded, either. read more

I was staying at the Hilton next door and got access to the YMCA. Nice! One of the days, I woke up with a sore throat. Headed to the gym anyways, but started coughing horribly just as I checked in. Had to walk out to clear my throat then went back in and hopped on an elliptical machine. The lady at the front desk was so nice! She brought me a cup of water because she noticed that I was coughing so much earlier. Amazing service! Now I wish I belonged to a YMCA back home. Going to have to look into it for sure. read more

Pretty good YMCA, but much smaller than many around the country. I travel to Charlotte for work and like how they freely accept any YMCA membership as long as you check in at the front desk. There's plenty of equipment, but it's all crammed together pretty closely; in addition, the weight benches are often filled so you have to make space for yourself around the weight area. There's a basketball court in the very middle, which contributes to the sense of feeling cramped, but they do have to be efficient with space. There's plenty of cardio machines, so weights are the only things that require some waiting. I do like that it each machine has a towel and solution for cleaning -- and most guests do clean up when done! read more

The FitnessBar is second to none. I have had hundreds of smoothies and other items through the past 17 years and they have all been awesome. Linda and her staff are very great. read more

I prefer CK YMCA to Dowd during the week. For one thing, it's less crowded. I also feel that people are a bit more "real" at CK... I don't feel underdressed when I'm working out and people actually talk to you -whereas at Dowd I feel a bit inferior because I don't own any Lululemon & I actually take my makeup off before working out. Don't get me wrong, there are some great people at Dowd & you'll find me there most Sundays -but for a middle class person that works in uptown, I find CK way more welcoming & a better workout environment than Dowd during the work week. read more

I, like most everyone else who works in uptown, frequent this YMCA during my lunch. It definitely gets crowded at that time, so if you can make it here during off-hours, it is a decent gym. Very clean and nice locker rooms. Plus, I once lost a necklace here, and the cleaning staff found it and gave it back to me, so props for that. I do have some serious issues with this gym, though. I am a group exerciser, so my main problem is with the group exercise facilities, which seem to have just been thrown together without much thought. Most of the classes are just randomly held in one part of the gym that is separated from the rest of the gym by sheer netting. As a result, when you're exercising the entire gym can (and usually does) stare at you. There also isn't a mirror anywhere for you to check your form. The YMCA actually has a proper group exercise room hidden away in another part of the building where a few classes are held, but it isn't clearly marked at all, plus you have get a special pass from the front desk to even get to it--very inconvenient. The spin classes are held in the middle of the running track , so while you are spinning, joggers, often engaged in loud conversation, are constantly running by you, which is pretty annoying. In general, the classes taught here tend to be different than at other YMCAs--the instructors are older and the classes are very Jane Fonda-esque. I've been to a lot of them and have found the spin classes and the Body Pump (group weightlifting) classes to be the most challenging and have the best instruction. I've never been to the Athletic Conditioning class, but it seems pretty intense, too. That said, in general, I don't think the classes are as hard as what you find at the Dowd or the Gateway (the Turbokick classes here are in no way as good as the ones at Gateway and the Dowd YMCAs). This gym does have great pool going for it. Unfortunately, it tends to be packed with jerky triathlete types who either don't know how or don't care to properly share the lanes. Again, when it is off-hours, the pool is much better. While this Y does have parking in the basement of the building, but it is a little dicey to get around, and I believe parking is only free during off hours. read more

I just joined here, and I love it. I've never really had to wait for a machine, even when it's "busy." Probably a convenient location only if you live downtown, like I do. Very clean, very friendly staff. read more

Great location and clean gym. Joined this YMCA when I began working uptown. They provide towels on the fitness floor for mopping away your sweat as well as full bath towels in the locker room. Fully equipped locker room offering convenient way to shower before heading back to the office. Great variety of machines and indoor pool. Can see basketball court and classes from machines. They offer a variety of classes, from yoga to Zumba to weights. Also have indoor track. Great gym and great price! read more

This YMCA is small but such a hidden treasure, the staff ALL speak to you and have a genuine smile, the members all seem low key and friendly as well. The locker rooms are nice, CLEAN and towel service is awesome. THIS IS MY YMCA NOW =) read more

This is the first gym I've been to that doesn't provide squat belts. I have asked numerous times and it seems like no one will order this basic piece of equipment. read more

As a 16 year member for the first time I was not able to use the facility because the YMCA has oversold memberships. This is criminal and I will no longer be a member. read more

You can't really get much better than this for a gym in the immediate Uptown area. There's pretty much any fitness activity you can think of awaiting you on the 2nd floor of the One Wells Fargo Center. Plenty of cardio options, swimming pool, basketball court, classes, yoga, all of your standard free weights and machines, towel service, steam room, I could go on and on. Make sure to avoid at your typical peak times to maximize the experience. I like to block off an hour on my calendar mid-morning or afternoon and have the whole place to myself. I always see one of our EVP's around these same times, great minds think alike! read more