I'm a fan of this non-profit health/fitness facility! Love the fact (almost) everything is included - weights, cardio machines, pilates/yoga, spinning, (ozone filter) pool, etc etc etc! Well priced for what you get and especially when you take full advantage of what it has to offer. You do need to be prepared for crowds during prime hours. Try going a bit earlier in the morning or a bit later after work. Great staff and volunteer instructors! read more

Great gym. Clean facilities. No music blaring over the speakers. Tons of machines. I have never waited for access to some kind of cardio equipment. Members are pretty a pretty normal cross-section of the downtown area. Classes are good but I have started personal training with Brandon Hamilton too! He is great. Highly recommend him for pushing you out of your comfort zone. read more

I'm in love with any gym that has decent cardio equipment and good classes, but I especially love this place because the facility is amazing (huge, brand new, top notch equipment), the classes are (mostly) very high quality and plentiful, and the price ($48/month) is very reasonable for what you get, especially when compared to the other large gyms downtown. I love the fact that they offer the discounted rate to under 35s in recognition of the high cost of living in downtown Vancouver, especially for people paying off a student loan and starting their first post-university full time job. Yes it is busy at peak times (like any gym), but I think that would be a common complaint in virtually all downtown gyms. read more

Yes, sometimes it's extremely busy here. But for the price you're paying which includes use of the ozoned pool, yoga classes and fitness classes (there are only a couple that are extra fees) its kind of to be expected. I go here pretty much every week day (a twice a day a lot) and at least one weekend day. I do a lot of the yoga, weight and cardio group classes as I get bored working out on my own. The instructors are amazing and take the time to get to know you. If you're a regular they will push you harder and help you out if they know you can do better by giving you advanced moves. They also listen to suggestions and change things frequently. I've read lots of reviews saying the staff are awful, but I've never found that. Both the volunteers and paid staff are great and more then pleasant to talk to and ask questions. Some of them even get mad at me if I don't show up to a regular class :) they actually want you to be there. Which is a great feeling. The free weight section is getting better and they have more then enough cardio equipment for the cardio junkies. Sometimes it's hard to find a space, but in the mornings and afternoons it's usually okay. I never go between 5-7 because my schedule allows me to go any time and I choose 6am and around noon so as to avoid the worst of the crowds. Oh, I did read reviews that the showers suck... Yeah, they do. But for me it isn't that big of a deal and the awesomeness of everything else makes up for it. :D Also, the pool is a little small for lap swimming if you are going any real distance, I use it for after training just to get in a couple lengths after. And use the aqua center for my real swim training. So for those two reasons I gave it a 4 instead of a 5... Love it here though! In fact, I just got home from here :) read more

I don't use gym machines at all but I like taking all sorts of group classes. YMCA offers all sorts of classes at different times a day. The instructors are all so very friendly. I even tried aqua yoga class last Friday. It was awesome. And I love the jacuzzi and the steam room. Very relaxing. read more

This place is awesome. Hands down. Clean facilities. Great sports programs and classes. Been here multiple times with no regrets.

This is a great gym. However, customer service is very rude. Downgraded from a partner's membership to an individual membership. Wasn't informed of my options when downgrading my membership. Front desk staff are not always helpful or courteous, trainers are great though ! read more

I really enjoy going here as a student. I like how it's really clean and full of healthy living adults. But a few things that I don't understand is why they frown upon any kind of heavy lifting and/or grunting. Also the 20 minute squat rack limit is kind of annoying to everyone. But nevertheless it's run pretty well and I think they just need to higher some personal trainers that actually lift weights and know how to help their clients. I see to many of them preaching incorrect form to female clients on squatting. Maybe if they hired some actual trainers that look the part, this wouldn't be a problem. As for the people complaining about space and overcrowding, seriously are you guys that dumb? I always find space to do anything and don't tell me that it's overcrowded when most of you take long breaks between sets so you might as well share with someone else to make efficient use of time. read more

First impression: This place is fantastic! I only went once but wow was I impressed! Everybody was very friendly and helpful. I really enjoyed their pool and hot tub. Very clean for a public place. It put me in a great mood to be here. The swimming & hot-tub was great for my back & neck injury. I feel really grateful to have access to a place like this; I can't wait to go back!! read more

Look at all the latest reviews. You can see that the equipment is awesome, etc, but now anyone who is writing a real review will say how overcrowded it is. If you go at any of the times that most people want to go (i.e. after work) you will not get a machine. You have to be there 30 mins early to get into any classes. They have sold way too many memberships and its a shame. read more

I went for a year. Loved the change room you pay a bit more to use, liked the classes. But, it's expensive. More expensive than Steve Nash and the YWCA. And most shockingly, they have started to charge for some classes, like pilates, at $5 per class but there is no other option. So paying more for this gym than paying on top of that for classes seems unfair and too much money. I let management know why I left - no effort to redress the situation. Too bad for them - they lost a good member who pays cash year by year. read more

The equipment is new, the classes are free as are the pool, hot tub and sauna. A wide variety of gym goers can be found here, the atmosphere is not macho or supersaturated with grunts and iron clanking. These are the positive qualities. The negative, the chief negative that caused me to end my membership there is how packed the place is. There are sweet spot times, 2-hour long windows from 9:30-11:30 and 1:30-3:30 on weekdays, but any other time there are so many people that your fitness will suffer. Benches are rarely free, and often you'll find the moment you leave yours to put away a weight or grab a drink of water, that someone has sat in your spot. Almost always, as in every time I go that isn't during a sweet spot time, as you watch your form in the mirror someone will start working out right in front of you because there is simply not enough room for everyone. Also almost always, your weight movements will be restricted because of people setting up their own stations on the floor right next to you (again because there is nowhere else to workout). If you lift in the 30-50lb range, often your dumbbells will not be available, this is worse for the barbells because there is only one set of them. There are only 2 squat racks, which generally always have a lineup which you can take a number for (seriously), 1 dedicated pullup station and two ancillary pullup stations. This brings me to the second negative; the Robert Yee YMCA is aimed at women. This isn't a negative if you're a woman, but for the men reading this: there are oodles of cardio machines or all varieties (other than rowers... there are only 2 rowers), but very, very few areas for Olympic lifting and the like (exasperated by the fact 60-65% of the clientele are men). Who this gym is for: if you want a variety of free classes and a free pool, and your workout regimen is not strict or serious, then this gym is a perfect fit. Additionally, you don't have to sign any contracts, if that is something you're looking for. Who this gym is not for: Anyone doing a Crossfit-esque workout, Olympic lifting, any type of workout that utilises supersets, anyone who needs to focus on their workout, keeping their pulse high; there are better gyms for you. read more

Best of the best. Very reasonable charges and excellent services. Friendly staff always willing to help with a smile. Very nice ambiance, I look forward to go there daily! Highly recommended read more

This is a great gym! It is clean and has a really friendly staff. Lockers are included, towels are not unless you upgrade your membership. It is so bright and airy and there are so many different areas to work out in. Having just moved from the states where a majority would never think to go to the Y, this place blew me away. There are so many different cool classes offered there. Also, the pool is fantastic! Being a swimmer, I am picky about swimming in a clean pool and this one definitely is. Half of the pool also can be raised or lowered for classes and lessons. I have never seen nor heard of a pool that does that. Definitely recommend! read more

Love this gym!! It's absolutely GORGEOUS! All top of the line equipment and a lot of room compared to many other Vancouver gyms. Rarely wait times for benches and machines. Great friendly staff, sometimes a bit slow but that's ok because the customer service is good (which explains the wait time). My only problem with this location is that they NEED to provide free parking for their paying members! A discounted parking rate is great and all but when you workout for 2-3 hours at a time...6$ a day adds up fast! Please get free parking for members!!! read more

This gym is way too overcrowded. I've complained about it several times to the staff but it's fairly clear that they have no plans on limiting memberships. Some of the classes are good but they never have the best instructors because they are volunteers. There is also very little space to do workout moves such as lunges, squats, using free weights, abs and stretching... seriously, there is about 20 square feet of space for this in the whole gym. read more

this place is structurally amazing and the staff are super friendly. we were just visiting for a week and we were allowed to use our hometown ymca membership. read more

Overall this place is fantastic. Great facilities so on and so forth. The only problem I have with it is that they only allow you to reserve a squash court once a week. Moreover, there was no mention of this policy when I joined, though i specifically asked about squash. read more

Well I don't know what the other reviewers were thinking but I would not recommend anyone join Robert Lee YMCA. And now I am going to state the reasons why then you can decide. Let us start out with the building. Yes it is new but extremely poorly designed. We will start with the top floor then go down. If you are into weight training I strongly recommend you pass on the Robert Lee YMCA. You will be extremely disappointed by their weight selection, machines and the insistent crowds. No matter what time of the day you go you will have to wait for a bench or machine. As mentioned in a previous review they only have one flat bench??? Only one wall of mirrors. Yet machines etc all over the place. It appears the Robert Lee YMCA seems to be more interested in letting everyone see what you are doing then concern for privacy and enjoyment. i.e. Full sized windows on the main floor looking directly into the swimming pool. Windows in the training area overlooking the gym rather than having mirrors to help avoid incorrect training procedures. As per most gyms that are not really "gyms" there is an over abundance of cardio equipment that is not kept up. Time is incorrect on machines, the tv's do not work etc etc. Due to the nightmare design they have equipment scattered over 2 different floors crammed into areas that should actually be storage rooms. The area designated as a "yoga" area has to be hands down the smallest most poorly designed things I have ever come across. With sections jutting out into no mans land yet are still supposed to be in the class?? If you have to rely on taking the elevators to access anything then I strongly recommend you do not join the Robert Lee YMCA due to the fact that the elevators are constantly on the mend. Leaving you to have to ask someone at the front desk to assist you to get to the changing area and the training area. The swimming pool once again only consider joining if you like to have people sitting at tables staring at you while you swim with the floor to ceiling windows they have a pool level over looking the swimming area. That is the pool is operating correctly. For some reason they thought rather than having a pool with a deep end and a shallow end they would go all high tech and have a pool with a moving wall and floor that lowers to make it deeper and shallower. Well that high tech piece of equipment is constantly broken which means if you are interested in joining the Robert Lee YMCA to do laps...well then you are going to have to be satisfied with doing laps in across the width of the pool rather than the length. The steam room once again another poorly constructed piece of machinery. Rather than having constant steam you have to go in a push a button on the wall to get steam. Not a problem if the button was not constantly broken like so many other things in the Robert Lee YMCA. The staff shows a general disinterest in being there. The pool staff is more interested in sitting down and chatting with the patrons then doing their life guard duties. The staff in the training area must consider standing at the desk folding towels more important the instructing members on how to weight train correctly and safely. There was a time when I was there an ambulance actually came and took a guy away from the training area. The front reception staff is considerably overcrowded with 4 people standing around doing nothing. So all in all I would not recommend the Robert Lee YMCA to anyone due to the fact that they are trying to be a bit of everything but fail in all aspects. If you want to have a gym to weight train at pass on Robert Lee YMCA If you want to have a gym where there are no crowds pass on Robert Lee YMCA. If you want a gym do go swimming at I am going to have to say pass once again on Robert Lee YMCA due to the constant pool problems. Now just because something is new does not mean it is good. And it could not be more true when it comes to the Robert Lee YMCA. If they only could have hired an architect who knew how to design gyms rather than buildings. That and purchased quality equipment and kept it up but unfortunately neither are true when it come to the Robert Lee YMCA read more

It has everything and its only 40-50 bux a month. This includes gym, pool, computer rooms, lockers,exercise rooms of all sorts,everything else and drop in classees. Save your 100 dollar yoga membership and your 60 dollar gym membership and come get it all for less than 50. Also no silly hidden fees or contract things, its awesome!! did i mention amazingly centrally located if you live anywhere in downtown or yaletown! winter is coming people, and after will be summer...your bathing suit awaits! read more

Typically I work out in a small gym and I didn't really feel the need to go to a bigger gym. But a friend of mine asked me if I wanted to go on her guest pass. So I went. I was very impressed by the new equipment and the vastness of this YMCA. I didn't realize how dated some of the equipment in my regular gym is. At the Y the treadmills actually had Bluetooth capacity to connect to my phone. Who knew this even existed? Obviously not me. They have eco-friendly towels to wipe down the machines which people were actually using. It was quite busy in there but not overly so that i had to wait to use any of the equipment. I worked out for about 2 1/2 hours and then spent half an hour in the steam room. At my regular gym I typically only work out for 1 1/2 hrs due the lack of varying equipment. So I got a great workout in at the Y. I'm only rating it a four out of five as I do think it is a little expensive. It's worth it if you're going to use everything such as the hot tub, steam room, pool, gym and take the classes such as yoga, and boot camp etc. However I would only use the gym in the steam room. That you can get at a another gym for much cheaper. read more

Was a member for a couple of months while in Vancouver. Absolutely loved this gym. It is a beautiful building, and I loved being able to go for a swim in the large pool after working out in the gym. They also have lots of classes. Always clean and the staff are very friendly. read more

This was a good gym for the price they requested. I liked the accommodations, but it definitely has the "rec centre" feel to it. I would still recommend it if you're looking for a good gym for a fair price. read more

This review applies to the Robert Lee YMCA Daycare on 6th Floor: Great facility, great staff team, happy kids. Just what we needed.

I play basketball and I love the courts and people there. Was planning to get a membership but the regular nor the plus membership offer free parking. 4-6 dollars a day adds up while paying for a membership there. read more

I want to give this facility 5 ***s because I truly believe it deserves the it. My child has been a member since he was 6 months old. What a great place for him to develop in many different ways. From the amazing staff to the programs for kids and adults, the childminding, swimming classes, it's truly a wonderful place for children. My issue lies here: "Playtime" it is such a great place to watch your child in all developmental aspects. What i believe is needed is a seperate space for babies and toddlers. They are in different development stages and ive witnessed and felt the wrath of many brand new, on edge, sleep deprived parent's who are not tolerant of the older kids kicking balls, throwing things, rough housing and basically being toddlers. Frankly I'm exhausted too from all their energy and going to playtime is a much needed break to regroup and recharge for an hour or 4!. Today as i sit in the gymnasium(indoor family playground) here at the Robert Lee YMCA watching my son play in his very energetic toddler way, I am happy and relieved that there are is only 1 child that doesn't walk yet and no babies crawling around. I hope staff are in fact redirecting parents and babies to the 5th floor to the other playtime area where they can't get injured by the rambunctiousness of the older kids. I mean they have 5hrs up there as opposed to the 1 hour here. Theres still some kinks to be worked out, what if a parent has an older and younger child.. I hope they come up with a solution and my suggestions to staff might be implemented in the near future. read more

From great friendly service to healthy smoothies. This is one of the most cleanest YMCA locations. I'd come again! Check it out!

I was a member at the new Y shortly after it opened in the fall of 2010. For a while it wasn't too busy and was bearable. In January 2011 they must have had a big membership blitz, the place got ridiculously busy. I always worked out after work at about 4:30 but in January we started to have to wait to use cardio machines. I know this is peak time and gee wouldn't it have been nice to come when not so busy, BUT this is the only time that worked for me. I was especially irked because during this peak period they had a big room with cardio and weights that was blocked off for use by a heart rehab group. I wouldn't have objected to this, but the place was insanely busy and this room was all but empty and still we couldn't use it because it was "reserved." The people that did use it during this peak time after work looked like they were all seniors and could have showed up at the gym any time and didn't need to have primo space reserved during peak hours. EXTREMELY frustrating and VERY poor planning for the facility to leave this space underutilized during peak periods. I also had an incident where I (along with a bunch of other people) was waiting for a cardio machine to become available. There was a machine with nobody on it, but a water bottle and towel were left on it. After waiting 5 minutes for someone to come back to this machine I started to use it. The woman who owned the water bottle came back and ragged on me for using HER machine. I said she can't leave a machine during peak times, other people want it. She got a staff member over and the staff member basically told me to let the woman have it rather than telling her it is unreasonable to "claim" a machine during peak hours and come and go! I immediately cancelled my membership and left. If management is going to leave primo equipment unused during peak hours and not support members I'm unwilling to give my money to a place like that. Also I was a membership plus member and used the special members area. This became a cruising area for old leches that didn't work out. They came to the area, watched other people change and shower and sat around the membership plus lounge all day. If I was to keep going, I would have changed my membership, the plus wasn't worth it, the only real benefit was towel service, wasn't worth the cruising that went on there. Beautiful facility, but so what if you can't get onto the equipment to work out. read more

Pool area and poolside steam room are not kept clean. Pool deck showers regularly feature brown and pink bacterial film, while the steam room usually has black mould lines on the vertical surfaces below the seats. I once noted the same two pieces of chewing gum and wad of toilet paper in the poolside shower for five days in a row. Pool has moveable floor which breaks on a regular basis, at which times no length swimming is available. Steam room is often out of service as well. On four occasions I was unable to swim because the lifeguard didn't show up.I went there on a daily basis from the day they opened until now, as my employer pays for it. Finally have had enough, and decided that a clean, reliable pool that costs me money is better than a free one that brings me down. read more

The Robert Lee Y uses 'Volunteer' Instructors to teach the fitness classes. Some of the classes are great. Allot are very poor. The shame of this is that the Instructors are not appreciated and so the turnover of the good Instructors is very high. The other shame is that the Y charges full market pricing for a Fitness membership. This is not ethical from a business point of view. Why does the 'Y' charge such HIGH membership fees when it has zero overhead to pay its Volunteer Instructors? The membership costs are HIGH and this not justified. The Instructors should be 'valued' and given 'something' to keep the quality of instruction high. In fact, the last month alone they have lost two amazing Instructors! Would not recommend this place at all! Over-priced - poor inconsistent product! read more

looking for racquetball buddies. anyone out there that goes to YMCA Burrard, into RB?