I really like this little YMCA. It is smaller than what I was used to in the Chicago suburbs, but I quickly learned the benefits! The staff are as nice as can be, the facility is clean, and I love having such a nice pool to swim laps in, and then the large therapeutic pool (spa) to relax in afterward. It lacks some of the perks of bigger Y's, like saunas, but for its size and affordability, this place is awesome! read more

This new YMCA for Orangeburg County opened up in June 2010. It is a very impressive facility with a waterpark up front, lap pool inside, large basketball gym, fitness center with all sorts of machines and free weights, daycare, a room dedicated for spin classes, and another room for yoga, Body Pump, Zumba, Pilates, and whatever popular exercise comes around. The hardwood floor in the basketball gym and secondary workout room is great for jumping on without much impact on the knees. A day pass is $8 (as of 3/2011) and they hold onto my driver's license until I'm ready to leave. Their low monthly rates are on their website. There aren't that many lockers surprisingly--a lot of people just carry their things with them around the gym. Showers are individual stalls, good-sized and well maintained. The front desk staff is very courteous and efficient--as a first time day member, I'm surprised I was checked in so quickly. There seems to be a wide variety of teachers offering different classes, they were all very friendly and enthusiastic. Some have more demanding classes than others, but they're all very good and provide individual attention. There is plenty of parking up front and in the back. Check their website for all sorts of seasonal activities (baseball, movie night, soccer, etc.). Their website schedule is up to date and the Y has smartphone calendar apps as well. 2013 Update. The yoga mats are showing their age since they opened, some students use them with their shoes on, so they're gnarled up at the ends. Bring your own mat or a towel to cover it up if you can. They'll be getting new Keiser spin bikes at the end of the April 2013. The facilities are still clean and people are still nice. :) read more

Orangeburg County YMCA - The sign for the YMCA Aquatic Park and Fitness Center - Gyms Near Me - Orangeburg, South Carolina

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For several years, I've enjoyed going to this Y when I am in town. In the past, I've done Zumba, Body Pump, Pilates, Yoga and Spin and have enjoyed most of the classes. I remember happily sweating like crazy during Tasha's Spin and Body Pump classes and enjoying Gyptsie's dance classes in particular. If you are an intermediate/advanced student, be aware you will not be challenged by the yoga or pilates classes here, but there are many other fitness classes for you to take. This time, due to a lumbar issue, I am walking on the treadmill, doing the elliptical and some weights. (Definitely miss the group classes - sigh.) There are 3 different types of steppers - some are harder than the rest. The treadmills (10) all face the windows and get the morning sun, so I wear a hat daily. If you arrive before 8a, you are assured of a treadmill. If you arrive at 9a, you probably will have to wait. I've noticed most people walk very close to the controls or walk fast and have their hands on the arms. I like to stay towards the back edge and swing my arms. The clientele are varied in age and fitness level. Don't see kids in the early AM (because they are all in school). Front desk staff are helpful and friendly. Check in is via scan card and an automated voice says "Welcome!" Long hours (5a to 10p mon-thurs) and open 7 days a week. There are spray bottles and paper towels to clean equipment (I see most people doing this) after you use. Clean bathrooms. I put in a request for the cleaning staff to clean the dust off the front of the treadmills and the rear of the steppers. There are many options for older adults (guess I should count myself in this group - my PT gave me the "seasons of life" speech when I complained why I wasn't healing as quickly as I did in 2007). Besides water aerobics, there are dance classes (slower pace than Zumba) and also chair classes where participants sit in a chair and use balls and resistance bands. New things I have noticed since my visit in 2013: 1. Treadmills, Steppers are new - Precor brand - with TV's (though as of now not working - still waiting on Time Warner Cable). 2. Yoga mats in group exercise room are real yoga mats (not the super thick foam ones that were very dirty b/c people wore shoes on mats) and there are spray bottles of disinfectant and a sign for people to wipe down their mats after using. 3. Personal Training - 3 trainers: Brandon, Tasha, Andy. 1 hour is $30. You can buy packages. 4. Open on Sundays starting at 1p. Director is Bruce Zahn - spoken to him twice. He's from Los Angeles where he instituted a recycling/green program at the Y there. His office is in a corner of the treadmill/weights room. Affable and easy going. If you are going to be in town for more than 2 weeks and like to work out frequently, the monthly pass is a good deal. Otherwise, you can get a day pass. Ample free parking in the front and side and rear of building. read more

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Great family atmosphere. Waterpark, pool, group fitness classes, nice workout area, childcare and so much more. Parkinson's classes, Licestrong at the YMCA Cancer survivor program, Silver Sneakers, tutoring.....this is just part of what is offered there! read more

3 weekends over this summer I tried to use prepaid passes and the park was closed because of "possible rain." I monitored the Orangeburg forecast all day yesterday (Saturday) and it called for sunny 82*, no clouds and no rain for Sunday. Finally! Today, after a 2 hour car ride we were there, AND IT WAS CLOSED. The water was running, it was gorgeous outside, but closed. I approached the staff as to why, it was sunny and 89* outside. They said executive management had made the call. I asked to speak to somebody and they said he had already left for the day, there was nobody I could talk to??? They gave me a card with a number hand written on it and when I called it from the lobby THE FRONT DESK is where the call went. They told me I could email him, but I just replied, why? So he can email me tomorrow or the next day? They finally got him on the phone, BRUCE ZAHN, Executive Director, who said he had made the decision to close the day before because the forecast called for rain (lies.) I asked him why, once again, they had not posted this on their web site or Facebook, and he asked for my number and told me he would "call back in the future." How did that help us today? How did that help my autistic son who did not understand why the park was closed? How did that help our family who was on the way to meet us? The staff at the YMCA was excellent but nobody could help. And BRUCE ZAHN is not just a terrible director with zero phone tact, but he seemed more concerned with the fact that I was interrupting his Sunday. TERRIBLE. AWFUL. HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE. The staff did refund our prepaid tickets. Thank you for that, but it will not change how far we drove, how much gas we used, & how sad it made us. read more

Orangeburg County YMCA - 3 weekends I tried to use prepaid passes and the park was closed because of "possible rain." Then on a sunny day, still closed. - Gyms Near Me - Orangeburg, South Carolina

The YMCA is a great family environment. The employees are very friendly. And I love the new gym equipment.

YMCA Timeline: Feb 16 2016: As a part-time employee at my local YMCA,I was called into a meeting with the new Executive Director K.W., who has no previous YMCA employment nor fitness history, and K.S., the Aquatic Director, to which I was disciplined via 'write up' for the first time as an employee or member since joining the Y in 2010. I had been presented with valid proof of wrong-doing on my part. I did not know at the time that my actions went against YMCA policy but quickly acknowledged it,apologized and moved on. Feb 19: I was called into a meeting with KW and KS to which I was greeted by new accusations with no basis or proof other than suspicion due to the recent incident three days earlier. COO C.M. was summoned to the meeting in attempt to answer my inquiries on the topic to which she could not and decided it would be easier to terminate my employment on spot. This was also the first time my membership I've held since 2010 was threatened to be revoked. This conversation is recorded. March 16: Around 12n after finishing my personal workout,I was harassed every step of the way out of the door of the YMCA by Exec Director KW attempting to 'serve' me with a letter. I figured it was in my best interest not to interact so I kept to myself. She followed me out of the facility approx 50yds before coming up behind me and throwing the letter into my arms as I was texting. The letter fell to the ground and I promptly called HR to report the incident. March 23: I.R.,Head of HR, was unable to discuss the incident until this day with me. We planned a phone meeting for 12 noon. This conversation lasted for 90 minutes. My main purpose was to obtain a definition on the act I was being accused of since no one was able to show me where I had done anything wrong at my local YMCA. He was unable to provide any of the information I was searching for even though CM,KS,& KW all accused me of continuing to break rules with no proof of said action after our first meeting on Feb.16. I also discussed my concerns about everything included but not limited to: *Being harassed by the new Executive Director outside of the YMCA facility. *Lack of diversity in leadership within my local branch. 3 white women over 40 years old hold the only salaried positions within my local YMCA in a town that is 70% black/African-American. *The fact that I was approached by 3 of my coworkers and a cleaning lady to inform me that they heard from the source that I was being targeted by management and it was their intent to have my membership revoked. *To give multiple reports on T. H. who was an ex-Executive Director of the Orangeburg YMCA promoted to corporate YMCA of Columbia. The reports included accounts of him using his office for sex with employees and embezzling water park funds. I thought that this was something HR should know if it's common knowledge in the Orangeburg Branch. March 30: I was emailed by IR and copied on the email was CM,KS,& KW. The email pertained to a new set of guidelines/parameters for YMCA members however I'm the only one in this county to receive such rules. No one in my branch had ever seen or heard of the rules laid out to me within the email. Essentially,I was given a different set of rules than the entire Orangeburg YMCA Member base. I emailed Ira back asking the validity of the new rule(s),why it can't be found anywhere in my local branch,& to find out if I was still able to volunteer my time, per their newfound rules for me, to work out with the elderly and autistic kids in my area and he suggested I forward them to KS or KW so that it wouldn't cause further trouble. I decided not to rebuttal because I didn't see the harm in exercising with my friends,wether they be fit,aging,autistic,etc as long as I was not personal training them. I work out with my friends just as 90% of the members at my gym do. I will not adhere to a different set of rules than every other member. That's discrimination. April 14: I was sent an email from IR informing me my membership had been revoked for breaking YMCA policy. I contacted him asking for reasoning or proof of allegations but he could not provide any information to me. He offered to provide CEO BW contact information if I had any questions. Since then: I have yet to receive any formal information about why I was terminated as an upstanding member. No proof,no basis. Merely assumptions and speculation because of one proven incident in my entire history with the Orangeburg YMCA. I honestly feel I was targeted for fighting for racial and gender equality within the Orangeburg YMCA and also for voicing my opinion about the lack of diversity in the current leadership. I have never been a part of something so corrupt in my life and I hope the people of Orangeburg demand answers. The YMCA is a great community place but it has recently been perverted with small minds,under-qualified administrators,& bullies ready to target & terminate the next individual that disagrees with them. read more

This is by far the nicest community project in Orangeburg. Staff is very friendly, facility is superb and hours are great. Pool is spotless, qym equipment well maintained. My only knock is that it is so popular, it can get crowded at peak hours. Very nicely executed read more