So guys, just went back to islands ymca, wanted to grab some free coffee. There was an older white lady around late 60s,short with thinning, cropped,white hair manning the front desk. I said hi,good morning. She did too,but she was eying me suspiciously the moment I stepped in the threshold. I literally had to ask if everything is OK. She says yes, everything is fine. So I proceed to make coffee, but she decided to do it for me herself, as if I'm a child incapable of making coffee. So, I run to the bathroom, stow my purse in the locker until I'm finished. This lady has the nerve, gall,and sheer audacity to follow me saying:"Ma'am,what are you doing?" I told her I'm using bathroom I'll be right back. So she waits 2mins,then comes back again. 1min later realized I left a few things in bathroom. So I asked politely if I could get them. She said yes,but don't steal anything, ma'am. So,I look at her,like are you serious? So,I grab my stuff from the countertop in the bathroom. When I came out, I asked her why would she assume that I'd steal something? She says because she didn't see the items before. I told her that they were in my pocket (I was wearing sweatpants with deep pockets) So she goes about making my coffee. I take it, say thank you and leave. She didn't even say have a nice day, never mind apologize! This lady ( never got her name) made me feel uncomfortable, I feel like she discriminated against me for whatever reason ( maybe because of my Muslim faith or my headscarf;perhaps because of my brown skin; or maybe even because of my thrown together outfit.) The thing is, she was nice to everyone, but me. Which is why I feel like she profiled me for whatever reason. So,inconclusion,guys: If you're a Black, Muslim hijabi (woman who covers her head with a hijab headscarf) like me,and you want to go to islands ymca when this lady is working,run the other way. Do not engage. She will make you feel so uneasy. read more

I waited to get help at the membership desk for 20 min tonight 7/8/25. I looked in the wellness center, the gyms, the ladies locker room, and tried every office. I even knocked on office doors. Finally I found an older gentleman in a janitor closet and he went and got a person to help. This person came out from an office that I had previously knocked at and told me their front desk closed at 7pm. She said that she wasn't allowed to log in to help me. Here are my biggest issues with this particular situation. First, I watched several young men walk in the gym without scanning membership cards. If the front desk is closed this employee shouldn't be hiding in the back because this is a huge security risk. Second, if you're going to enact this strange policy of having nobody up front, and you don't care who walks into the gym past 7:00, the least you could do would be to put a closed sign up on the membership desk or post the hours on the window. A reasonable person would believe that you're open if people are walking in freely and the lights are on. Third, this employee has no sense of customer service at all. Not only was she rude and unapologetic, she was smirking as if she was enjoying my inconvenience. I have held off on reviewing this gym since moving here because I really hate to post negative reviews on local businesses. However, there are several reasons why I have felt the need to share this review over the years. To begin with, it's the most oddly constructed gym. They have the tiniest little room for their child watch. Their fitness center is small. They don't have enough classes. And you have to walk through the gym or locker room to get to the pool. The child watch in my experience has always been understaffed. I showed up several times when the child watch was supposed to be opened and there was nobody there to watch my kids. Their youth programming is not well done. They don't take care of the field in the back and it's overly muddy which makes soccer season unbearable. They don't even attempt family programs or teen programs. They clearly have lots of teens using this facility that need their services but they don't offer anything for them. Don't even get me started on their child care and summer camps. It's literally unsafe. I'm glad to see that they finally started putting in some money towards renovations but it's still pretty run down and needs a lot more work. The programming is supposed to be what sets the YMCA apart from other gyms. If all you're looking for is a fitness center you can go to several different gyms in town. When we moved here I was really hopeful to get involved in the YMCA for their programs. But this Y is so poorly run and their programs are so unorganized. Not to mention they just hardly have any offerings. Having been a member of several Y's in different states, I can tell you that we deserve better in this community. We deserve a YMCA that is truly a part of the community and cares about the people that live here. I've had too many bad experiences here over the years to recount but it is clear that it's not improving. You can put in new lockers but it's still not great for the community and it's not even a very good gym. Definitely not worth the money. read more

Islands Branch YMCA - Gyms Near Me - Savannah, Georgia

We have had some really great experiences here and some not so great but overall it has been worth having my son loves going after school. I have been able to work out a few times. They have been shortstaffed a lot of the time when I went to use the child watch so I've had to get a babysitter to go but other than that the pool is really nice. There's a splash pad. It's a great value for the money. Staff is usually a one read more

We stopped in for a swim but the women's locker room was under construction so there was no women's shower in the whole building. We opted for a hike on the trail surrounding the building. The hike was very nice but the Y itself was not that great. read more

Islands Branch YMCA - Gyms Near Me - Savannah, Georgia

Currently undergoing renovations and a hot mess. Have complained about water fountains and multiple machines

Great place to get a recovery exercise in after the EWM marathon in Savannah. Staff were helpful and excited to be open in a Sunday! It did not disappoint. Thank you!! read more

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Continued to charge me after cancelling membership. Read the fine print on everything with this place. My daughter went to 4 weeks of lessons and now they say we owe them $825 for coaches fees until May 2026. read more

This is a great facility, that offers a lot, to include a gym, classes, a pool, and most of all a great staff.

Was not sure what to think, however this is a great place to workout. The people to include the staff and the members are super friendly. The equipment is in good shape ( Nice new Spin bikes ) It has real classes with personable instructors, that will work you out. The locker/Bathroom is a bit YMCA, but hey you should be working out in the gym. If I only had one request it would be to put a spin bike or two on the main floor with the other gym equipment, so it could be used outside the official Spin room and or during a Spin class. This is a small request and the General gym feel of this YMCA more then makes up for this minor inconvenience. Bottom line really nice gym with super friendly people. read more

I am a huge fan of the YMCA. I have been a member for a little over a year now, and they have everything I need for a wonderful gym experience. While the facilities may be a little older than most, I honestly like the "old school" gym feel. If you are a member, you can go to any of the YMCAs in the Savannah area. The Y offers a ton of classes- from spin, to pilates, to kickboxing- there is something for everyone. They also have a pool, hot tub, steam room, and all the workout essentials. The Islands location also has a nice walking trail. My only complaints are that sometimes certain equipment is broken for extended periods of time, but I'm usually able to find something else to substitute in for my workout. I enjoy the community feel of the local YMCAs, and I will definitely continue to use it as my workout spot! read more

I got yelled at for power cleaning 245 and dropping the weight on two failed reps. Got talked to once by a lady who CLEARLY has never worked out about how I was damaging the platform that is literally constructed to have bumper plates dropped on it. It has small divots where the bumper plates hit...because it's rubber...and it's literal purpose is to absorb impact. She came up and put her hand on the bar as I'm about to complete a rep, which is super dangerous had I pulled it up and smacked her in the face with it. So that was really dumb and ignited a fire of rage inside of me. Said that dropping the weight was "unacceptable." (I've never been talked to about it before) So, instead of releasing the bar on the way down I tried riding it to the ground and bouncing it off my thighs, which, with 245, is a painful experience. I attempted 2 more reps after that which I failed because I am weak due to just getting over COVID. So out comes the manager (I assume) or it was just a male counterpart which the old lady ran to get because I was disobeying her ridiculous request to gently set down 245 lbs. he said he had been "receiving complaints about the noise" which CLEARLY came from the old lady who worked there. (She stood next to him like a kid who just tattled to her parents, looking very smug) I digress, I told him I understood, due to the old lady already talking to me, but that I had simply failed two reps, which, while power cleaning, means the weight is not caught at the top, and it falls back to the ground. He responded with "I understand, I do. But I need you to do less weight. Thanks for being understanding sir." I am angry for a few reasons, but not at the last guy that talked to me. He was just doing his job and responding to a complaint (despite who it came from) and I believe in an America where private businesses are free to make their own rules and enforce them. If the customer (me) doesn't like it, then go somewhere else (which is what I will do)...what I am upset about is: A) that this old woman thought that sitting on the bench next to the platform staring at me and then grabbing the bar as I am about to complete a rep was a good idea. That tells me she has two brain cells left in her old head and they are both fighting for third place. B) that the phrase "I need you to do less weight" was used. Excuse me sir, but do you want it to be a damn funeral home in here? Where people don't challenge themselves and try to get stronger?? This is a gym, not a library. I go to the Y because it is NOT like a planet fitness or something dumb, and it's not my fault that no one has ever tried to achieve greatness in your facility before, SIR. C) and finally, if you don't want people to challenge themselves and get stronger, put up a sign. "No challenging yourself physically in this establishment" Dropping the bar on a power clean IS MUCH safer than trying to control the bar on the way down, due to potential back/disk injuries, especially at high weights (245 really isn't even that heavy, relatively speaking, but does constitute dropping the weight) so if you're gonna be squares, let the world know so we don't waste our time. read more

Our child has gone to camp here all summer and has thoroughly enjoyed it. The facilities are great and they have a variety of activities to keep it interesting. Outdoor activities including the rock wall and archery, water activities at the pool and splash ground, indoor activities like basketball and dodge ball in the gym and arts and crafts - not to mention the field trips they take regularly. (Yes, as the previous review stated, it gets hot in the summer in Savannah, so they do have to go inside during heat advisories. As a parent, I would prefer they not stay outside during extreme temperatures. Unfortunately, there is nothing the YMCA can do about the weather.) Also, the facility is great for folks who want to work out or play a sport. The gym is great, the gymnastics team is always winning medals at the national gymnastics championships and the sports programming is always wonderful. read more

This is specifically for the gymnastic program. We had signed our son up for the preschool program for the month of May. He attended twice and went today, but no one was there. We asked some employees around and they didn't even know. They stated the communication there was terrible. They came back with an answering and said the preschool program had ended. Our son burst immediately burst into tears. We sent an email to the Gymnastics Director (whom we had previous emails from) and asked why there was no communication verbally from the coach last week or via email to explain this. He responded defensively and stated that the info was in the print out in the lobby. He also mentioned that online it stated the schedule for the mighty munchkins. Again, our son was enrolled in the Preschool group, not the mighty munchkins. He was rude, defensive, and did not care that a 3 year old spent his afternoon crying because of his lack of communication. This Gymnastic Director should not be working anywhere near children with that lack of empathy! :( read more

My best friend has been a member here forever but never uses it. One day we wanted to go swimming, so I walked in with my swim suit and a towel over my shoulder. The lady behind the counter looked at me, asked me to fill out the guest form and pay $5.00 which I did. When we walked to the pool, it was CLOSED. I went back to the front desk to ask why she didn't mention that, and apparently it didn't cross her mind. We've tried to go back twice since then and both times the pool was closed. What's the point of going if things are broken and shut down? read more

I have been a member of this Y for several years . It is an excellent facility , has a friendly, helpful staff , a huge variety of workout equipment as well as two pools , racquetball , basketball , a soccer field , beautiful wooded walking/jogging trail , day care , and a multitude of programs to suit every need . It also has ample free parking . I had a family tragedy a few years ago and this Y was a place to find solace and comfort . This YMCA will always be a special place for me . Gordon " Batman " Varnedoe read more

I am a member of the YMCA of Columbus, GA and while visiting the area this is the YMCA I frequent. The staff is always charming and pleasant. The facility is amazing and it puts my brand new YMCA in the heart of Columbus (beautiful YMCA don't get me wrong) to shame. But come on its Savannah compared to Columbus ;) the pools are beautiful and always in tip top shape when I go out there. The prettiest of all the YMCA's in Savannah. They even have a canoe lake where you can canoe around a lake attended by lifeguards. I will always go to this YMCA when visiting Savannah. :) read more

The gymnastics program is amazing. The kids all smile but you can tell they are working hard. The gym is covered in banners and trophies from the team. Great place for girls and boys who want to excel in gymnastics. read more

Pretty nice place with a friendly atmosphere. Home away from home for me. Sports programs are awesome and never overly aggressive or competitive. Most staff are friendly and caring. However, I can't recommend the summer camp. We have had issues with counselors in aftercare and summer camp that I did not feel were handled properly. It's too bad because other than that, this place is 5*. read more

I've been a member of the Islands Y for years. The staff has always been helpful. You are family when you attend this Y branch. Many of the members are long-term members again reinforcing the feeling of family. This Y lives it's mission statement. read more

Good and bad. Several of the front desk employees are extremely rude and not helpful. I have witnessed a few of the camp counselors yelling at children. I would not send my kid to camp there. Our soccer coach/ experience was wonderful. However, if it wasn't for the pool, I would cancel my family membership. read more

Love the community at this gym. However, it's freezing cold in the winter and overly hot in the summer. The cleaning crew do not clean the facilities and no matter the complaints, things are extremely slow to change. It must be the beauracracy and red tape because I know the comment cards get read! I'd say MOST of the front desk staff are rude, the folks who run gymnastics and child programs are pretty rude as well. They need friendly staff who truly seem welcoming. The exception is the staff running fitness.. they are top-notch from the instructors to the management. I have been a member for 6 1/2 years and have also worked here. It's time for some new energy at the front desk, in the office, and in childcare and sports department management. The director is always nice and friendly and seems to be interested in the complaint cards filled out. read more

I have been using the facilities for the YMCA for over 20 years. Most recently I have been coming to the Y at least 3 times a week. Staff is welcoming, helpful and always pleasant. My kids only have great things to say about their time at the Y. read more

Not a family friendly facility!!! On my first visit to the Islands YMCA pool I wondered why it had very few families there. It didn't take long to find out why. The 'Family' changing room is far away from the pool and children are not allowed in the locker room with a parent. No convenient diaper changing areas in relation to the pool. The workout areas are fine but the child center is pitiful. Toddlers and older kids in a small area with little to do while staff play on their phones or chat with each other. My teenage daughter has tried to use the fitness center after school but since under 18 are not allowed in the locker room she has to carry her backpack with her as she works out. If you're an adult with no children this gym is for you!! No kids allowed anywhere! Families, however, search elsewhere!! read more