I decided to quit the Armory after a promising few months. I got tired of waiting to use equipment in the weight room, of the teens who never wipe anything down and of the kids in the cardio room who are there to play. Sad to go, it's a beautiful space and the staff is friendly. BTW quitting is NOT easy. I tried numerous times by email while I was travelling for work and landed up paying for months I never used. read more

After nearly a year of emailing and notifying the gym staff and "complaint box" about, I finally quit this place. The staff doesn't help clean the place up, people don't re-rack their weights, the free weights and kettlebells are impossible to use because they can only be accessed by the classes, there's a single bench press area, a single squat rack/deadlift platform, spin bikes are only available during classes, two benches, and as I mentioned, nearly no available kettlebells and free weights outside of classrooms. Teens take over the place, as do unsupervised children. Lifting on a wooden floor is dangerous. I personally had to put up a "broken do not use sign" on a broken peleton, because the staff didn't notice. There's one plyo box that you have to run around to find. NO showers...in a gym. The manager, Chris, does not address your concerns, even after contacting him personally. read more

Not good, look elsewhere. The rooms with equipment are small and congested, more than half of the track has been closed for what seams like years. The middle of the space is closed off limiting everyone from enjoying. The space is large and can be so great, but it's poorly managed. Annoying pickle ball players monopolize two basketball courts every morning, forcing everyone to shoot on one court. Save your money! read more

Let me start by saying that I'm not really a participant nor do I hold a YMCA membership. I took a couple of kids here for activities and this was my first time stepping into this enormous beauty. That being said, the Armory is pretty awesome. I enjoyed some cool air on this hot and humid day. I loved walking in and being greeted by smiling faces. I loved the space and the cleanliness of everything from the play areas to the bathrooms. The vibe is great. My entire time there I was thinking about making "roots." I'm talking about having kids and growing old... Forging a community with my kids and others people's kids for generations to come. No place in BK has ever done that to me before. Talk about warm and fuzzy feelings. I had them all. read more

Park Slope Armory YMCA - Lovely indoor track - Fitness & Instruction Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

this place has potential but is poorly managed. the large space is not utilized and half of the building is not used because the staff says there is a sink hole that needs to be fixed. it's been that way for years, so I have been told. forcing all activities to happen on one side of the building. clients are running on one quarter of the track, pickle ball sets up and takes over every day except Friday on the basketball courts, so the courts can't be used in the morning. big waste of money, please fix the space management So everyone can enjoy and get what they paid for. read more

Group exercise classes are a hot mess and need a full-time coordinator. Imagine lesser-able or elderly people being booted from classes, because of arcane ticketing systems being neither communicated nor enforced. I have to arrive almost an hour early for any class to get a paper fun fair ticket--and with neurological issues to deal with, the whole thing is just exhausting. They are not serving their community if they can't facilitate basic communications about access. Edited to add: Here's a photo of the ticket system. Arrive at 11:40 to get a paper ticket for 12:10 class ending at 1:40. Total time invested: 2 hours. read more

Park Slope Armory YMCA - 2 hour commitment to a yoga class in order to get a ticket in time. Not including transit. Who is this serving? - Fitness & Instruction Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

There have been more times than I can count on me getting kicked out. Every staff member has a stick up their ass, I remember I was out in the freezing cold and it was 2:50 and I wanted to go inside the gym and they made me wait until it was 3:00 exactly I even tried at 2:59 and they wouldn't let us in. It's extremely frustrating when you walk for an hour and they make you go all the way home. I was considering writing this review for a minute but I held back, the straw that broke the camels back was when my friend came in with crocs and the staff member kicked us out the weight room then followed us to the basketball court ensuring we couldn't do anything. Do not go. read more

After I moved to New York, almost immediately, things went terribly wrong. My new employer began to implode and the mentor who hired me quit. My great new apartment was riddled with bedbugs, roaches, and mice. One of our beloved cats died, then the other. I needed to hold things together for my wife and baby daughter, but inside I was falling apart. To cope, I tried drinking. I tried getting lost in movies and music. Long work hours. Junk food. In the end what saved me was my loving family -- and sisu spin with Petra at the Park Slope Armory YMCA. -~*~- In the beginning, four years ago, and for a while thereafter, I would stumble into Petra's class bleary eyed and exhausted, or miss it entirely. I made excuses: I was a new parent, in a new city, a night person trying to make morning classes. Etc. In truth, I was wasting time in front of screens (and behind a cocktail shaker) late at night, often waking up hung over. I still noticed that Petra's spin class was incredible. For 12 years before I moved to New York, I rotated through every spin instructor at the big, superb Berkeley YMCA. Almost all 15 or so in that time were good, many were excellent. None -- none -- were like Petra. The thing about Petra is how many elements of fitness instruction she absolutely nails. The music is on point, constantly changing, perfectly paced, fresh, and as diverse as what you'd hear walking through Prospect Park on a summer Saturday. You will discover new favorites. The vibe is positive. You feel welcomed and part of a team, never shamed or shouted at. The instruction is clear. You have a sense of where you are in the sweep of the set, what's coming, and what you should be doing right at this moment -- where your body and resistance knob should be, how fast to go, what to do if you are tired or injured, and the benefit of going extra strong on a particular track. The workout feels aggressive but never ridiculous--strength, speed, and rhythm are balanced in a natural way. At times it is meditative. The intensity is assertively available. In four years, I never left Petra's class feeling like I did not push my body beyond where I thought I would go that day. Yet I also never felt pressure to push too far. Most instructors get most of these angles right most of the time. Petra gets all of them absolutely correct virtually every time. It took 12 years of spin classes before I realized what a difference this makes. -~*~- Things got better. We moved down the block, the pests did not follow. Work stabilized a bit. We had a second daughter. I went to Petra's class once or twice a week now, getting in line early for the fast-filling Saturday edition. She would share things with us: Her Finnish background. That she taught body combat, TRX, mama-baby yoga -- like half of the classes at Armory Y. How she loved running the Brooklyn Half. At some point, Petra explained the Finnish concept of "sisu." It roughly translates as "grit," the determination to fight hard in the face of tremendous difficulty. I thought this was a useful concept for her classes; if you feel burned out already 10 minutes in, try and muster the sisu to rally. I felt myself building endurance and a sort of transcendence: I could escape my work problems, or any others, for an hour. The more I did this, the fewer problems there were to escape, because I was calmer outside of the spin room. -~*~- This past January, a switch flipped. I cut out the drinks and morning donuts. I tried to be grateful instead of angry, to focus on blessings instead of problems. The results are good: More sleep, fewer night snacks, more energy and patience for family and work. And I'm on time for spin! This year, I am in Petra's class three times a week. Instead of just surviving, I progress as a rider. I have lost about 30 pounds so far in 2018. Here is something I noticed: The way Petra teaches is itself a lesson. To fully commit yourself to improving by just a bit the fitness of a room of people, old and young, pros and amateurs, hung over and bright eyed, grateful and frustrated, even when you yourself might be weary -- this is an act of love for others and of liberation for yourself. It taught me a new way to interact with and care for others. Last year, I thought sisu was something I needed in order to make it through Petra's classes. This year, I see that the classes themselves, and perhaps the Armory Y as a whole, are the sisu I need to get through life -- where I resolve, when the odds seem hopeless, to endure, and even to keep pushing, beyond my comfort zone. There is a song Petra used to play at the end of class, it began like this: Feeling my way through the darkness Guided by a beating heart I can't tell where the journey will end But I know where to start In the darkness and with fast-beating hearts, many people find new beginnings with Petra every week at the Park Slope Armory YMCA. It is a wonderful act of grace. read more

Nice, spacious sports complex. Best categorized as a sports complex since you can do so much here - basketball, track, karate, Pilates, yoga, ping pong etc. Great place to elevate your heart rate during the winter months and stay out of the roasting sun in the summer. There are nice rooms for party rentals and the staff is helpful. I would lessen to call this a gym as it would not meet your standards. The changing area and lockers could use more privacy but overall this is a nice place to work out. read more

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The staff are annoying, machine selection is decent at best, ridiculous hours limiting times teens under 18 can work out. Overall negative experience would not recommend this gym. The only good thing about this place is its location. read more

So much potential but horribly ran. They are gouging members because they can in Park Slope. It goes against what the YMCA stands for. They'd be better off running on donations per workout than 66 dollars(or more) a month. Better yet, turn that space into something that can help the community. read more

I lost a 100 lbs here. I love this place. The staff is kind and attentive. It's clean and not too crowded. It's not a "Manhattan Gym experience" by any means and that is just fine. A lot of commies do live in the neighborhood though. They come and start complaining to me about President Trump, all the time... Weird. I wish all the commies would LEAVE NYC and go back to friggin Ohio! But I digress... God bless the Park Slope Armory YMCA and the U.S.A. read more

I am writing to inform you about 1) the discrimination and harassment incident that my family experienced at the YMCA as a participant and a youth-member; and 2) general safety concerns about your facility. It is my desire to bring awareness about these issues so that other people will not suffer the same humiliation and injuries that we experienced. Discrimination and harassment My family and I experienced uninvited and unwelcome verbal conduct directed at us by a member of your staff because of our race and national origin. We were unfairly targeted and singled out for no reason other than to annoy and harass us. My minor son, Ivan Lam, is an active youth member at the YMCA. Per the facility's policy, minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. In my efforts to supervise my son, I would sit in the bleachers with my minor daughter. This was our normal routine. We did this at every visit, without a problem, until this incident transpired on Sunday, September 24, 2017 at the Park Slope Armory YMCA, 361 15th St, Brooklyn, NY 11215. I am fully aware that non-members are not allowed to engage and participate in activities at the facility. We did not violate this policy or any other YMCA policies. While my daughter and I are not YMCA members, we were there merely to accompany my son. My daughter never participated in any activities at the facility. In fact, she sits next to me on the bleachers to observe her brother playing basketball. In the past, I have offered my daughter the option to enroll as a member of the YMCA and she turned-down this option because she has no interest in any of the activities. What I found most reprehensible about this particular female staff at the YMCA (whose name I do not know) is her attitude. This staff told me, in referencing my daughter, that "she'd better not use any activities in our facility," in a patronizing voice. Not only did she imply that we were trying to circumvent the facility's policies by sneaking in my daughter, she singled us out. There were many other guardians who accompanied other youth members. This staff member did not make this comment to other people or gave them a hard time. She harassed and annoyed us because we were Asians. Furthermore, she treated us like criminals. While my daughter and I were seated on the bleachers, she kept a close eye on us and frequently looked our direction to make sure that my daughter was not participating in any activities. We felt harassed and unwelcome by her unnecessary behavior. General safety My daughter had multiple lacerations from the sharp metal edges from the bleachers at the YMCA. Your staff created an incident report of this injury. Please make sure to address this safety concern so that other people will not be injured at your facility. The edges are very sharp and can do serious harm to the human body. I hope that my letter will help to provide constructive coaching and training for your staff and bring awareness about safety concerns at tour facility. I would really appreciate an apology from the YMCA and especially from the staff that ruined our experience and day. read more

For the price compared to my NYSC membership, this place is pretty decent. There are no showers or towel service so you'll mostly see a lot of people already changed into their gym clothes from the neighborhood walk on in. Definitely bring a towel - if not to wipe your sweat, lay it on a mat (or bring your own). My favorite part is how the building is compartmentalized and there is a large track. Different rooms for different things on the 2nd floor and while it's sort of interesting you see some rooms have people in meetings (support groups?), kids rooms, you sincerely feel a sense of community in this Y. Men/ women change in the bathrooms but put their clothes in lockers outside the hall. read more

Joined 'The Y' at the Park Slope Armory right at the end of Jan, just prior to its opening. I concur with some of the others' comments regarding the staff's disorganization and lax attitude on policy, etc. But let's all agree, aside from the still continued disorganization, especially with the check-in procedures, not to mention the fact that it took them extra long to get their ID card system set up, there is no better gym, that is this new in all of Brooklyn, possibly in all of the five boroughs. What other facility is this nice and has all of the newest/best equipment? I mean really, what other gym this affordable has machines all with iPod integration? The weight room is also impressive, with all brand new equipment. It is a minor concern of the fact that there are no showers or real locker rooms. A member of this gym must come dressed ready to workout or change in the bathroom (which are called 'locker rooms'). For myself, I have no issue with this, as I live very close to this facility. People who like to workout, then go to work will definitely have a problem with that. But in addition to all the great new equipment and great variety of classes, the best part of joining this facility is the cost for membership. Currently, the cost is only $40 per month per person. Two people it is $72 per month. They offer several opportunities for discounts on membership which takes off 20%, so a single membership is $32 per month and two people is roughly $58 per month. A total deal and worth the lack of showers and appropriate locker rooms. Additionally, this location (not sure if this is true of all YMCAs), states that they will not turn away any interested person to use their facility because of an inability to pay. So it is nice to see that they will work with people in order to help them stay in or get in shape. This Y will hopefully stay uncrowded, clean and well-maintained into the future. read more

Park Slope Armory YMCA - Fitness & Instruction Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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I was happy with my budget gym franchise membership, so when I moved to a new neighborhood and the Park Slope Armory YMCA was the only large gym within walking distance, I was a little wary and unsure what to expect. From my first visit, when I signed up and met La'Toya, the membership director, I was so impressed with how friendly the staff and other members are here. The facility is located in an old armory, which is shown off in the beautiful running track/basketball court area, which has a soaring ceiling with cool beams. The classrooms, cardio, and weight rooms are clumped into a smaller multi-level area, which is a little cramped. The fitness classrooms have wooden floors and are open for stretching and private workouts when classes aren't in session. The cardio room is small and undecorated, but there is a good selection of equipment and I have never had to wait for a treadmill or elliptical. My biggest disappointment is the lack of showers and real locker rooms. The bathroom and changing room are spacious and clean, but it's so frustrating not to be able to take a shower. I planned to use the gym just for running during the winter - so the indoor track was a big plus - but I think the fitness classes here are the biggest asset here. The yoga instructors are all top notch and are excellent at teaching to many levels of expertise in the same class. The classroom is set up with mood lighting and has a wood floor. Michael's Zumba classes are also excellent - he brings so much energy to the classroom and makes everyone work hard! read more

The Park Slope Armory YMCA is a welcoming place. The machines are generally functioning well and you don't have to wait to use them. My own gripe is that since the pandemic, they have kept shorter hours on the weekend. (This was initially done to sanitize the place--not sure if they still are even doing that). I wish they would reinstate the regular times or charge us less. read more

I belong to this place since its opening. It is a family membership, so we get a good deal. The facilities are always busy and it is getting busier. The track is closed during the day due to the school hours. A small group of children of different ages who are remotely supervised are running around and adults are not allowed to use 80 percent of the facilities. It is a major inconvenience as I cannot run in the cold weather. On the weekends you cannot get an elliptical machine or treadmill in the back area and have to wait 20-30 minutes for someone to get off. WHY DON'T THEY USE SOME INDOOR TRACK AREA WHERE THEY HAVE BASKETBALL COURTS FOR THE FITNESS? read more

OK, so I knew before I joined that there was no pool nor showers, but since I primarily wanted to do stretching and floor work, it was OK. They had 4 or so large rooms for that. But I have since found out that they are not always available. When I was there 2 days ago, all the rooms were taken for classes or day camp or staff. I was told I could use floor space in the lobby, by the ping pong tables, where the kids were playing. Tried this, but after a counselor sent a ball over me, I gave up. I wish there would always be a room available for those who want to stretch or do yoga, etc., but that is not the case. Only one room has mats and weights, and that room frequently has a class in it. I suggest another gym, if this is what you want. read more

I have been coming here for a year. I have to say, this is less of a gym and more like a facility for children with some gym equipment spattered in. There are two spin bikes (yes two!) and they are bedraggled and always busy, sometimes with kids playing on them, not wiping them down or using them properly. Sometimes the kids are using them dangerously. I appreciate that they want to include children, but if you're just going to be a daycare (at 8pm) then don't sell yourself as a gym. And get better equipment and maintain it. read more

So much potential with this space, but the Y has completely wasted it. 95% of the Armory is taken up by the track and basketball court which get minimal usage, and the weight and cardio rooms are a joke. No locker rooms. Tons of dead space in here - empty stands above the track, locked stretching rooms and "studios", etc. For some reason they advertise TRX but have no TRX equipment. The employee working at the guest services desk did suggest I could buy my own TRX and bring it to use at the Armory. Just a bizarre set up. Some Google research suggests there was considerable neighborhood opposition a few years back when the Y was named as the vendor for this space, but nothing was done about it. Shady politicking is not dead - all in DeBlasio's backyard. Take a look at the Sports Center at Chelsea Piers if you want an idea of what a large space like this could be. Until a new vendor / developer gets in this place, stay away. read more

I give it three stars, but it could actually go up or down (for others) very easily depending on needs. The good: It's relatively cheap, the building is an awesome re-use of a classic armory, and the resulting track/indoor space is massive for NYC standards. The bad: You can't use other Y facilities without paying a premium... bumping the cost to about the same as the other mid-range chains. You can't ride a bike there (no place to lock it), thought they allow indoor stroller parking. Also, as mentioned, there are some joint ventures with the city and schools so the place can be calm and quiet one day and feel like Justin Beber's Pinata Party on Disney Main Street the next. The ugly: They "gym" parts are tiny... a small, creaky room packed with cardio, next to a tiny room packed with a bare minimum of machines/weights, down the hall from some tiny rooms used for classes. As mentioned, no lockers or bike parking, so you hike there from wherever in order to hike some more. It's this strange dichotomy of space that is both initially intriguing but later becomes annoying. You could easily park a 747 in the main building/fieldhouse, which at times can be almost completely empty of people. Yet it seems the vast majority of regular, paid members want to do stuff that's crammed into the smaller "classroom" type spaces. I appreciate that there were concessions made and the need to maintain a regulation track. However it's always got this strange vibe as a result. Bottom line: great if you want a full, indoor track and are flexible with availability. Decent, it seems, for some classes. Terrible if you want machines/weights. read more

I'm upgrading to three stars from two because I feel they're making some effort. The best part pf the place, for me, are the classes. Nice rooms, good instructors (perhaps I've been lucky). The rest is "OK". The cardio room is often crowded and rather small compared to other Y's. It's not properly air conditioned (it's all sort of strangely rigged with giant fans and inside AC units) and they eithe can't or won't fix that in two years -- the weight room is, as I said before, what you'd find on a cruise ship. Management good, staff a mixed bag, some great, some bad. ******************* The good: * the yoga classes are taught by _very_ good instructors. That having been said, they are often crowded, the rooms are not ventilated very well, there are often kiddie leftovers (bits of food, cheerios, etc) on the floor from the kiddie classes. * pleasant staff for the most part -- some really good people. Nothing ever seems to get done, though (see below). * Nice wooden floors * Nice interiors The bad: * Ultra minimal changing facilities -- a small room in the back of the bathroom. * The sports complex becomes a day care center during weekdays. Cute kids, but it's pretty unbelievable when the entire entrance floor is covered with toddlers, babies and toys. * Tiny, cruise-ship size weight room. The ugly: * Super, duper, ooper duper crowded. The cardio room, when there's a demand (think: weekends, after work, before work, holidays) is the worst in terms of crowds I've ever seen in many years of gym memberships. Lines ten people long? Are you kidding? Get some more machines! * Nothing changes. I was told over two years ago that they'd be opening up a new room with more machines "in a year." Nope. Still crowded (see above). Plus: last summer the AC went out in the cardio room. They installed strange portable AC units. Six months+ later there's still no good ventilation system in the cardio room: instead they have those large bulky sit-on-the-floor AC units plus two huge industrial fans which are noisy, and COLD in winter (and since the room heats up now too much anyway they just open the windows to the freezing cold). Seriously, the place has been open for years now, can they really not get some proper heating/cooling/ventilation in a cardio room, where temp and air control is important? * The above, particularly the crowding, can lead to a pretty stressful and unpleasant atmosphere in the cardio room, particularly when you get a lot of very-entitled Park Slopers competing for a spot. While I'm pleased they spent the money (and shut down the facility) to re-do the floors, I'm kind of amazed they didn't spend money to improve anything else. This place has potential, and WHEN IT'S EMPTY it's nice, but it's got too many users for the facilities, and I don't see anything being done to address that. read more

This review is just for the weight room - I don't take group classes, I don't run on the track (which is huge!), and I don't have kids for the babysitting. One of the most overpriced, but worst equipped gyms I have ever seen, if your sport is weight lifting. There is NO squat rack. NO bench press. NO barbells. Are you kidding?! They only have doubles of each DB so if someone about your strength is working out at the same time, you have to wait. They have one smith machine (which, if you lift, you avoid like the plague) but if one guy wants to squat or bench, there goes that for the next 30 minutes. It is absolutely mind-boggling that they are allowed to call this a gym. It is about the size of most hotel gyms. Not to mention the customer service is beyond terrible. I have been trying to get someone to talk to me about the above problems for the past 3 months and no one will respond to my emails. If you are paying for a track, group classes, babysitting.. I don't know, then maybe it is fine, but over $100 for two people to fight for a few lousy weights? No way. I'm done. read more

I found out about this gym through a woman who I tutor in Spanish on the weekends. Yes, this gringa teaches Spanish in her spare time. But that is besides the point. I mentioned to my student casually that I was looking for a gym near where I work (Boro Park, off the F train) and she mentioned that the Amory, formally a women's shelter that had been abandoned for over 5 years, was recently turned into a YMCA complex. On a day that I got to leave work early, I finally checked out the sports complex. I must say, and not to sound overly Shylock-ian, that the price of the gym sold me. 40 dollars a month cannot really be beat, even for someone on an entry level social worker salary. However, I dare say that these 40 dollars will go very far at this YMCA location. I have never once waited for a machine, even during peak times (7:30-9am; 5:30-7pm pm). Every machine has a personal TV that WORKS (take that Crunch on Flatbush!), and there are numerous classes that focus on everything from extreme cardio (Punk Rope), to toning (Pilates) to just chillin' (Tae Chi). Most of the people who go here have families, so one can avoid the disgusting grunts and stares from overly beefy men who consider the gym to be an OK place to pick up women. Staff members are friendly and leave you the F alone. I value this highly, especially as a competitive runner who wants to train for her 5 and 10K's in peace and solitude. The only drawback is that the locker rooms do not have showers. Since I work out in the mornings, I often come to work smelly and dischelveled, but I am a product of two hippies, so I could care less. A really good gym-on-a-budget option. read more

I'm training for a half marathon but the sh*tty, cold weather has been making it tough for me to stay motivated. I was interested in using the indoor track so my friend, who has a membership here, gave me a bunch of guest passes. I've tried using the track about 5 times, thinking each time might be better than the last. But I'm always disappointed. On weekday evenings, the track gets hogged by both a running club for adults and a bunch of teens (I assume they are part of an after school program). Despite a sign in the entrance indicating the direction you are supposed to move in (clockwise or counter-clockwise), the club and kids always run in the opposite direction. Not sure why they do this, but it's incredibly annoying - not to mention dangerous - to have to dodge people running directly at me. I do my best to stay out of the way and stick to one lane, but the groups always meander so I have to scramble every time we pass each other. I'd rather the club designate 3-4 lanes for the groups so the rest of us runners can jog in peace. On weekends, this place becomes a daycare and the parents stupidly let their kids run around. I once saw a jogger, who was looking at their phone while running, plow right into a child. Yeah, it was stupid of the jogger to be looking at their phone, but parents need to do their job and watch their children. I've also tried using their machines and weightlifting equipment, but as others have said here, the rooms designated for these are too small and you'll be lucky if you find a machine that's open. My friend however, says the classes are pretty good. I'm glad I didn't have to spend a dime here. I will not be signing up. read more

Like the previous , this review is about Petra only. I decided to take her spin class and will never return. First I didn't think it was challenging enough but that's not why I won't take it, I found her very rude and I felt she was judgy. She seems like she thinks she is better than everyone else, her attitude has got to go. To be an instructor you have to be personable and friendly. I've had no problem with the other instructors I've taken. Another complaint, what is with all the nannies ?? read more

Honestly this place is kind of ridiculous. No pool, no locker room, no showers, and yet a single adult membership is $69 per month. A $125 family membership only covers 2 adults. The only reason I pay for a single adult membership is because it's the only gym relative to my area, and honestly, they are definitely aware of that and have figured out how to capitalize. Other YMCA's in other parts of the country are like $25 for a single adult membership, and I get that NYC (especially Park Slope) is expensive, but truly the prices are astronomical. I have a feeling that once another gym enters the neighborhood in close proximity, this gym will lose a lot of it's single adult members. For the price I pay, I have access to about 10 treadmills, 10 ellipticals, 3 (3!!!) stationary bikes, and 4 other regular stationary bikes as well as 1 stair machine. This is supposed to supply the entire population of Park Slope YMCA members, somehow. The weight room is somewhat better. But the classes they offer are constantly at capacity. They aren't open very late on weekends, either. Not worth it, in my opinion. But they are clever as they know that unless you go further to 9th St. and 5th avenue to NYSC, they not only can charge whatever they want per month, but they don't actually have to try too hard. I suppose the astronomical monthly price contributes somewhat to the youth classes and childwatch programs that they offer (which I think are already a separate cost?) but contrary to popular belief, not every single person who lives in Park Slope conforms to the heteronormative 2 parent + 2.5 child household, and unless I show up ridiculously early, I still don't have access to many of the classes that my membership fee is supposedly contributing towards. And for the price of a family membership, even if it covers an unlimited number of children, I still think it would be difficult to afford. It doesn't feel very "community" to me. read more

I'm pretty sure I like this place. It's sort of annoying how small the fitness center is, but the number of group classes that they offer on a rotating schedule is enough for me to justify how cheap my membership fee is. I am less into the huge number of children that are always running around here. I get it, I like in the Slope, there are children and strollers everywhere, but why does your kid need to be using the weights? He's probably 12. He's going to be scrawny until he's 18. That's just how it is. The people who work here are incredibly friendly and helpful. I would definitely not be as friendly and helpful if I worked there with tons of roving bands of children, and I am a teacher. There aren't real locker rooms, no showers, and someone is pretty much always changing a diaper in the women's bathroom. Buuuuuuuut the facilities are new, the ellipticals and treadmills have a cool feature where you can change and use your iPod at the same time, and I can watch Top Chef while I'm running. Plus the water fountains have a special place to fill up a reusable water bottle. And did I mention that the staff is super friendly? I gladly pay my $42 a month to go here. It's not the best, but it's cheap, the equipment is new, and it's 5 blocks from my apartment. And who wouldn't want to walk into a building that looks like a castle all the time? read more

If you have a child, avoid the summer camp at all cost. No matter how good the school-year programs are, different people staff the day camp in the summer and they are not anywhere near the same quality. My family has been coming here for five years and I am pulling my child out of the summer camp before it finishes. They've had a huge staff churn and it's a miserable place to be. read more

Love about this Y: -just a few blocks from my apt -open track space is gorgeous and gets me excited when I come in :) -lots of classes -found the best personal trainer EVER there (Namrod) -money going to a community center, not crazy gym -cheap prices ($72 for couple/month, $351 for 10 training sessions) Always complain about this Y: -now that a) a track team practices there during the week and b) people made New Year's resolutions, it's been REALLY crowded at night - especially after 6pm and on the track and in weight room -there's not a consistent room to stretch - I often have to ask an employee to open a room so I can do my core exercises - I then have to tote in mats, ball, weights, etc. Can't they just trust members to have a room with this stuff in it? -I love kids, but not while I'm working out - running across the track, rolling balls down the walk way, did i mention running on/across the track? It can be a bit much sometimes I don't care about no showers - I get that's a reason why it's cheaper and I live close by, but this is a clincher for some folks. Also, there are lots of things that staff should address (kids running across track, track team taking over track beyond their hours) and don't - but maybe they're working on that. All of this is to say I still give it 4 stars since I appreciate the convenience, personal training, and price. read more

Similar to a review posted by another commenter, I submit this post to warn others of my view about the lack of safety and security measures at the facility. Of course, this would be a zero-star review if Yelp allowed them. My family and I have been members at this facility for years. [Here is an aside: A few years ago I suffered a severe injury at the Armory while playing basketball. Not a single staff member tried to help me in any way, not even bothering to help from the court, ask how I was or if they could help. This sort of lack of attention, while annoying, is perhaps to expected if one is not paying Equinox prices.] But I digress from the much larger problem. This past weekend a man in the facility (Caucasian, approximately middle-aged, unknown to me) repeatedly threaten to kill me. Upon asking the staff to intervene for my safety, the perpetrator spoke to a staff member (Christina Baker, who apparently knew the guy), and then immediately returned to where I was, got right in my face and stated words to the effect that he heard I had gone and told the teacher. For good measure, he also made sure to tell that he'd kill me once he saw me outside. So, I went back to the Y staff (Baker) and requested that she remove this person elsewhere. She did not. Rather, she sort of just chuckled and walked to end of the court. Perhaps it's just that death threats are fun stuff for some people, and in some places. Like at a children's athletics facility. It is not funny to me. I actually made an effort to review the organization's code of conduct. Turns out that threats of violence are not tolerated. On paper. read more

I think whether or not you like this Y depends very much on how you like to exercise. If you're looking for a great weight room, or to be able to use cardio equipment at peak hours of the day, then this is likely not the place for you. Ditto for if you want a gym with extra amenities (i.e., towels and showers). However, if you like group classes, then I personally think this is one of the best gyms in the area (especially for the price). For well over a year, I've been a regular at spinning, yoga, pilates and ballet, and rarely have been turned away because a class was too full. Also, because I'm able to go to the gym at off-peak times, I've never had a problem in nabbing a treadmill or elliptical machine (which are nice and new, BTW). The weight room admittedly sucks though - I wish they'd expand it and get a full compliment of machines. One last thing: yes, this is a community center - so expect to see kids in the complex. But for what it's worth, I've never had an issue with a kid interrupting my workout. So unless you're a total grinch and can't handle walking past a few kiddies on your way to your workout, then the fact that the facility is family friendly shouldn't be a problem. read more

Pros: Amazing spin class depending on instructor and kickboxing is the best Kickboxing instructor is amazing Cons: 1. Expensive 2. Extremely poor service at the desk 3. Some of the instructors are obese and don't finish the class with us. To be an instructor you have to be in shape to motivate read more

Park Slope Armory YMCA - 7 am spin class!! - Fitness & Instruction Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

I didn't expect to love this Y as much as I do. It's just a wonderful place. I joined because a friend told me the yoga classes were excellent, and I just could not justify the $150 per month I was paying to attend a private yoga studio and the Y monthly membership is only $44. My friend was absolutely correct. The yoga instructors at the Y are top notch, covering everything from power yoga to vinyasa and Iyengar. The room where yoga classes are taught (the mind-body room) is a beautiful space with lots of natural light and is (again) spotless. There's a no-shoe policy in effect. There are mats, blankets and all the props you need, plus pre-moistened towelettes to clean the mats before and after using them. I actually enjoy the yoga classes at the Y, with the inclusive atmosphere and the generous instructors, more than I ever did at an expensive private studio. I read the negative reviews and just cannot agree. I've been to this Y at all hours of the day and the track is never too crowded. Kids are well behaved, and there is a child minding service for parents with toddlers. The low monthly membership reflects the fact that there are no showers or sauna, but that's the only real drawback. The spacious washrooms (spotlessly clean) do have changing rooms and they are never crowded. There are lockers in the main corridor. There's a track, a weight room, plenty of cardio equipment, spin classes, zumba classes and so on. The atmosphere is warm, welcoming and inclusive. I'm a fan. read more

I've worked out in many gyms before, good ones and bad ones, but this is the worst! 1) The Building itself is run down, no showers, no changing room, just a commercial bathroom. 2) The Weight room is vary basic. A high school gym is more complete than this. 3) There is No customer service what so ever. Starting from the manager all the way to the front desk guy. 4) I believe in "Play the part Be the part", The trainers here have no clue about fitness, I would have to get paid to let any of this people train me. And if this is not enough, I've been there only 3 times and every time I've been harassed for working out with my friends. I definitely would not recommend this! read more

Never enough supplies for the yoga classes. In addition even though I'm a member each month they email me that I have a past due amount because they can't seem to make a recurring charge on a credit card. read more

Awesome basketball court and indoor running track. The gym and weight room could be improved, specially the free weight. The building is very nice and restrooms always clean. read more

I cannot recommend this place enough. Fantastic, kind, motivating teachers who go beyond expectations. Classes all day and evening. Beautiful relaxing brick and wood building. Wonderful vibes and atmosphere! read more

Huge and beautiful. The yoga classes are great--especially Zaria's Saturday class, she is amazing! read more