I was a member for an entire year at this wonderful Y. I took many classes there. I swim indoors in the winter. I swam outdoors in the summer. I sat and talked with people when they had coffee out front and all my interactions with staff were wonderful. I know I will definitely be back as a member sometime soon. read more

The Y in Pasadena - Trainers Near Me - Pasadena, Maryland

I write this review after a prolonged and deeply disheartening experience with The Y in Pasadena (including the YMCA of Central Maryland) involving exclusion, account deletion, and a troubling lack of transparency. As a father and legal guardian, I was denied meaningful participation in my son's summer camp experience. I'm a disabled veteran recovering from my second surgery this year, yet I remain actively involved, having volunteered over 120 hours at my son's school and coached his youth sports teams in limited capacities. In June 2025, I respectfully offered to volunteer, noting my Red Cross certification, active background checks (AACPS, Fort Meade CYS), and educational credentials. I received no response. Instead, I was quietly blocked from my son's records, my account was deleted without warning, and I was denied updates, even after repeatedly confirming my legal rights. Over six weeks, I made multiple good-faith efforts to resolve the issue. I sent documentation, explained my guardianship status, and asked for access to be restored. I was ignored. Only after some pro se legal escalation did YMCA legal counsel finally respond, but still, no resolution or response was offered. This wasn't just poor customer service. It reflected a systemic disregard for parental rights and transparency. For someone like me, a Black father to a mixed-race child and a veteran navigating medical recovery and legal barriers, it felt personal and a violation of my parental rights. As of today, September 3, 2025, my responses remain unanswered and my accounts and access to my son remain severed, despite formerly being a paying member. If you're a parent, especially one in a unique family situation, I urge you to advocate for your place in your child's life. Institutions should never get to decide how involved a loving, responsible parent is allowed to be. We all deserve better. read more

Good place but they need to clean more. The floors are filthy. The staff is always standing around at the front desk. They need to be more productive, get them cleaning. read more

Where do I even begin with this gym. Let's start off with the fact they used to have a sauna until it broke and rather than getting them fixed for their customers who frequently use it they just decide to completely take out the saunas. They have poor customer service as you call and ask them questions they leave you on hold for over an hour. They close randomly through the month almost every week for no reason. It could be a random Tuesday and you walk in to catch a lift to find out they close at noon they are the only gym that charges this insane price for how terrible the service they give out is. Terrible experience and I've been going to this gym for almost 8 years of my life. WOULD NOT RECOMMEND TO ANYONE read more

Friendly staff and huge facility. This one feels a lot more spacious and well-lit than the one in Arnold. Great variety of classes and programs for the entire family. read more

Came for a first visit , breaks at swimming pool are to long for kids but clean facility from what I'm seeing will come back tomorrow to use the gym area. read more

The Y in Pasadena - Swimming pool - Trainers Near Me - Pasadena, Maryland

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used to always go here, great machines & stuff but they keep on raising their prices which sucks

the sauna(s) have been broken for MONTHS. It is part of our membership and why people pay for the gym. After weeks of being told several different excuses (the building owner is looking for cheaper contractors, they were waiting on materials, etc.) they have now informed us that it will instead be turned into a secluded changing area? as if the locker rooms aren't already? They also told us if we wanted to use the sauna then we should drive to another location. Ridiculous solution. Don't bother signing up if you expect the sauna to be part of your membership as it is clear they are no longer offering that amenity. read more

A fantastic place to get fit! They have an abundance of cardio equipment and weights. The equipment is kept in great condition and clean! They offer a variety of classes which I have yet to check out but can't wait to try. The pool is large and immaculately clean with a nice walk in part for the littles. The staff is very friendly and helpful. Not to mention you get free daycare for 1.5 hours while you work out, def a bonus! I highly recommend. read more

I have been a member at this gym for a few years now. Love visiting the pool in the summer in the evening when most people have left and I especially enjoy the group fitness classes they offer. I try to visit several times a week to either take a bodypump, bodycombat, cycle or yoga class. All the instructors are highly motivating! Also love the ping pong table when I come here with my kids. And now I'm allowed to bring friends for a limited number of visits which makes it even better! read more

I use this facility nearly every day. I LOVE the classes and they are slowly getting updated equipment (e.g., Les Mills smart bars). The class variety has decreased since COVID and they continuously say they are revamping the class schedule but nothing changes. It would be great to see some more classes (step, Pilates, cardio kickboxing not just Les Mills pre-choreographed Body Combat) using both group exercise rooms that are available, and polling regular participants about preferred class times when new things finally get added if that ever happens (perhaps classes at Wed 830am, and midday weekends) would be greatly appreciated. The communication between leadership and staff/members is terrible. Would love to see better upper management in place. Maintenance requests from members don't seem to be priority. The water fountain in the women's locker room across from the sauna has been broken for 13 months and after the 9th request to staff for maintenance I simply gave up. Apparently the front desk staff submit the request but beyond that aren't able to tell why it's not getting fulfilled. The sauna is a fabulous commodity and the locker room is always kept clean. The cleaning staff are great, I always see them working hard. Overall I absolutely love this gym and have made many great friendships with both instructors and other members. But please fix things and include your members using the services when making schedule decisions. read more

Great family fun, reasonably Priced and many activities to choose from. My one concern I is I signed up my 8 year for swim lessons. The beginner class canceled so they put him in the next class upp but never told the instructor my son had never swam a day in life, never had a Formal lesson. Needless to say when I saw They were taking the class to the deep end my stomach sank. I stopped the instructor and asked if she knew my son could not swim at all and she had no idea. Had I not been there to stop it, he would sank to the bottom of a 7 foot pool like a rock. Instructors are no substitute for parent. Just don't leave you kid in a potentially dangerous situation (like him drowning) and it'll be fine. Other than that not a bad place. I'll just keep a close eye on the swim lessons from now ob read more

The place has consistently went down hill. They recently had an "incident" with a staff member and child he was watching during before and after care. If they paid the employees better and did a thorough background check including fingerprints these "incidents" won't happen. We left due to the lack of cleanliness, the machines deteriorating etc. They also have members that barely pay a dime because they can't afford it while the rest of us pay full price. We switched to planet fitness. At least there I know what to expect. read more

I've highlighted the dirt on the fans in the group exercise room to them on five occasions but they still haven't addressed cleaning them. Something is wrong that they don't clean. read more

Love it, we had an awesome summer at the pool with my 6 years old!! Staff is nice really enjoyed it thank you

Kids poop in their pools ALL the time. They end up closing half of it due to that reason! It is so gross! I will never go back! I was a member for a long time, paid a lot of money to not be able to use half of the pool. read more

This is a very nice facility! Been bringing grandkids to their swim team practices this summer. On two occasions, I went on inside and did a workout. More later... read more

One of the nicest gyms/pools in the area. Very large as it bought out another gym for this location. The Y also helps those in need in the community. We have donated many times here. read more

Great center and friendly staff. Lots of workout equipment and machines. The pool is amazing!

Great pool when you get there and it's actually open. First weekend of summer and it's opening late for a swim meet that probably doesn't even use the kids side. Then if you want to workout after work...good luck because it's almost impossible to find open equipment, especially if a trainer is hogging 5 for a session. At least it has windows unlike Arnold which constantly has renovations sending even more members to Pasadena. Maybe someone should limit the people signing up memberships so current members can actually use the gym. read more

I have recently rejoined the Y, like most needing to shed some Quarantine weight. I stated taking Victor's HIIT and Saturday spin classes and they are both phenomenal!! His knowledge, creativity, enthusiasm and charismatic instructions has made me regain confidence, increased endorphins levels while toning my middle aged bod. Highly recommend Victor's classes! At the end of his class, I look forward to the next one! read more

If your looking for a place to work out. You can not go wrong at the Pasadena "Y". The whole staff is wonderful. With being overweight you feel funny to go to gyms. Well the Pasadena "Y" is super. They not only are nice but supported/ helpful/kind. From the front desk to the pool or gym you could not ask for better staff. If you do have any trouble Matt Lewis and his staff always try to get it straightening out at once. You nor your family will be sorry for going here they treat everyone the same no matter your sex/skin color/weight. I been to the pool and gym and never had trouble. Only with one swim instructor which Matt handle right away. Come and join us for your fun of working out. read more

I was hoping to be able to update my review more positively as time went on. I've committed to staying until September in an effort to give them a chance to work some issues out. - there have been 2 MAJOR SAFETY ISSUES and a few minor in the Stay and Play (child care). The VP and the Director have been immediately informed of each issue and the response is always "we are looking into that"... It has been over a month. -there are times of the day when stay and play is significantly overcrowded. Many children have behavior issues due to this. -the pool over crowding/being closed continues to be an issue - I am very supportive of kids health but the lack of parental supervision for very young children (ages 8-12) in the classes and on the exercise floor makes me very nervous for severe injury. No staff ensures parents actual supervise these children. -flip flops while weight lifting and in weight lifting exercise classes. read more

I used to love this place. They have a fantastic pool and lots of space in the gym. I'll NEVER go back after today. I walked into the gym a room full of people not wearing masks. Seems like the optional approach was in place. When I approach the front desk about it Matt Lewis, the manager on duty got snappy with me and told me they have exceptions. That was news to me because none of the other Y's are rolling with exceptions. Ellicott city greets you with a sign that tells you. but it was his attitude after I said that on any exceptions for me and I walked with the door he said"bye" Like a real jack ass. He should not work there. End of story Once he's fired. read more

DO NOT SIGN UP FOR THE LOYALATY PERSONAL TRAINING PROGRAM!!! I paid $140/month for the personal training loyalty program (this was additional to the monthly gym fee), I had issues with my training "forgetting" my appointments. I was very disappointing. The day after my bank account was drafted for the following months 4 training sessions, my trainer "forgot" another appt, so I cancelled the program to search for a more consistent program. When I asked for a refund, I was told I would receive one. It has been almost two months of back and forth emails and I still have not received a refund. Please save you money. read more

Some of the members that have been training at this gym for a while know that this used to be "Big Vanilla" gym. It was clean, upto standards, very well managed and I loved it like many others. It became a mess when "Y of central Maryland Association" bought it. Since then it's a gym with poor hygiene, the floors are rusty and nasty where there is no carpet. And where there is carpet , it is dirty and it has odor. The hallway by the racquetball court is filled mostly with young children who are there for swimming classes, they come from pool and are made to lay on the floor which is unhygienic. There is so much odor and mess in that area, that if someone comes out of the mensroom, they cant breath. Its so bad that the smell lingers even when the kids are not there. Y staff cant even manage to find a safe and better place for those children. Now keep in mind, this is indoors in the gym, far away from the swimming pools so it doesn't make sense. Its unfair to the members who cant pass in the hallway due to crowded children and its unfair and unsafe for the children. Some of them lay on the floor and may get stepped on. The irony is that Y has put so many people in the offices, this director, that director etc who do nothing but sit behind computers. The fitness personnel who are incharge also sit in offices behind computers. What is this? Some corporate office of a Bank? The only ones on the floor are the newbies school and college kids who are still learning their job. No one cleans or wipes equipment. I have reported to the people behind the desk that there are no paper towels or wipes and at the end of my workout, two hours later, nothing is still done. They just hear it and no action is taken. You cant blame the school and college kids, the ones sitting in the offices wasting time are to be blamed. I am sure Y would send out a fancy COVER UP reply, but instead they should address the issues. The rubber solid pads on the big machines are worn and torn as they have been there for years and there is no replacement. The calf machine pads are totally gone and there is nothing but rubber cover and it would hurt your thighs if you use it. I reported it several months ago and it is still the same. Both the pull up bars are totally unfit for pull ups. The rubber on the handles is all torn and there is greasy and sticky material exposed so if you grab the handles to do pull ups, you would end up having sticky greasy material on yr palms. Once again, I reported that several months ago and nothing is done. They charge money from each patron and don't spend anything on replacing broken equipment. Its so annoying, they keep sending crazy emails about how good Y is. I wonder those folks sending emails out ever come on the floor to see the condition of the gym? Even the walls at the gym are dirty and there are holes in the walls at places. If it was not for the pools, most people wont even join and come here. I hope Y leaves this gym and let someone like the previous owner run it and bring it upto standards. read more

I think the Y in Pasadena is great. The gym machines are all working and many look new. The gym has never been over crowded when I have been there, plenty of machines are available. The pool does get a bit crowded when the camp kids are there but they are very well supervised by counselors. Any pool is going to be crowded on a summer afternoon. I don't see them in the the pool all the time as they are playing basketball or on the playground. The Y is now a place for family activities and I think that is nice. No it is not exclusive like the big Vanilla was, but it serves me and my family very well. Love it. read more

This is a great gym in an easily accessible location for those living further east into Pasadena. We've visited some other gyms in the area and other YMCAs in Baltimore region, and to compare, this is the nicest and more equipped YMCA that I've gone to in the greater Baltimore area. If you travel often out of Maryland, it is very convenient membership since it is part of the Nationwide program. This program means you can go up to 28 times at other locations for free (28 times to each other location throughout the US that are part of the Nationwide program, so xxx one day for 28 days and then xxx for 28 days and so on). I travel a lot for work and have yet to find a location that didn't accept it. Reading the comments below, it is a very packed gym before and after work hours (0600-0900 and 1600-1830) but it is a large gym. Even when it's packed, there's enough equipment to accommodate the influx of customers. The pool does get busy during summer hours however that is expected since its included in the membership and there are a lot of families in this area. They have a surrounding to cover the pool in the winter to make it usable all year. Finally, I've been a member for two years and during this time they've continued to upgrade the machines in order to stay current with the latest trends. I would recommend this gym to anyone in the area. read more

As a paying member of the gym the pool is over crowded and hunting for chairs is next to impossible(very much like a cruise ship)because of the overflow of non paying guest,truly feels like a waste of money and not a pleasant experience to say the least. read more

It's a shame as others have said how a once grand place can be run into the ground. However, it is like night and day now that Big Vanilla is of no more here. I can't believe they let these kids run around unsupervised! This is especially true in the pool area. The main gym has equipment that is in disrepair and the money they charge is too much for this place. AVOID! read more

The picture of the outdoor swimming area is DECEIVING! Coming from Towson to use the Y in Pasadena for the slides was a bummer. The 2 slides they have are KIDDIE slides. The main big pool was closed all day to lap swimmers only so we were in the 4ft pool. I have nothing else to say. read more

We were at the pool all summer long! The pool has a zero entry area that is great for little ones! They also have a big grassy area with a playground and a basketball court! They also have picnic tables. They allow swim diapers in the zero entry area. They also have a snack bar! My husband would take the kids to the day care area inside the gym for an hour while he worked out and then they would go to the pool to play and have lunch! read more

It's better than the Arnold Y but $53 for a membership is expensive. I had my signifiant other joined and we're still paying $75 a month for us two and no kids. Should be a cheaper option for clients who don't have kids. Family memberships on a sense are being subsidized by people who don't have kids. Also they close at 5pm or 6pm on weekends which is pretty early. 8pm would be great because I work 13 hour shifts at the hospital 6am-6pm which means I never get a chance to workout during the weekends:( read more

The Y has everything you need to stay healthy. Tons of ellipticals, treadmills and gym equipment. Pool and spa are great. Yoga classes are the best! Great, healthy food and juice bar. Can't beat the price! read more

Like the reviewers below, I have given the Y a chance. Since the switchover, the staff went from being courteous to disinterested, even rude. One day checking in, I had to wait until a lady was signed up (as in new contract). The front desk rep wouldn't even make eye contact with me to take my id. Also, they will not take responsibility for the lap swim side of the pool. Lap swimmers have to wait or leave unless you want to confront kids and their parents in the designated lanes. If you are lap swimming, kids will enter your lane. It's distracting. I have notified the lifeguards and the front desk. The lifeguards tell me I must notify them to empty my lane, and the front desk staff says they don't handle anything pool related. I asked them if they also allow picnicking on the treadmills? January 2017 pool update: Management is creating nifty schedules no one cares about. The schedule says that lap swim should have 3 lanes. No lane markers were present. Looking around, one lane was taken by aquacise. Another lane had three members of a group casually swimming/playing and the last one had two swimmers sharing. The balance of the lanes were crowded with swim team. Lifeguards are doing their jobs (thank you) but if there is a problem there is no remediation as lifeguards still direct a person to the front desk and the front desk is still clueless. Safety Issue! Chairs and equipment are also partially blocking or mostly blocking walkways every time I visit. This includes the aquacise instructor who sets up milk crates, a traffic cone and stereo equipment between lap swim and aquacise areas behind the lifeguard seat. Unsafe! Get it together Y! read more

This is basically the Walmart of Gyms. Our membership here has been highly disappointing. Classes are beyond overcrowded and nothing is being done to regulate attendance. I believe only one class on Sat AM requires tickets. Imagine looking forward to your yoga class all day and you get there and you get pushed and shoved in a mad dash to find a place, anyplace, on the floor for your mat. Then not being able to fully participate because everyone is packed in like sardines. It makes the whole experience unpleasant. Then we made the mistake of joining the swim team. I have never seen less instruction on a swim team. The kids swim an hour and a half at a time with poor stroke quality that goes without notice or comment. The ONE time I actually heard the coach attempting to coach our children, she gave incorrect directions on how to do a breaststroke pull out. How can someone be paid to be a swim coach and not know what is legal and what is not? Incredible. I expressed my concerns to the head of the swim team, Adam Rutz, but as one would expect given the way this team is run, he did not care to respond. We have switched to an excellent health club and team in Severna Park, and are biding our time for the next few weeks when we can make a clean break from this disaster! Stay away! Do not join the club or swim team! read more

I am surprised there are not more positive reviews. I love this gym and go at least four days a week. Yes things have definitely changed since it was Big Vanilla. I think the gym has lost a small layer of its upscale polished atmosphere since switching from being Big Vanilla. I do not find this change in atmosphere a bad thing or think the gym is run down. I think the gym has a more inviting atmosphere, while still offering the same great amenities. I think this gym can cater to a wide variety of people from competitive athletes, bodybuilders, or those just starting to exercise regularly. Whether the goal is to build muscle or lose 50 pounds of fat this gym could be for you and become your home away from home. The fitness trainers now walk and interact with members constantly, something I didn't see as much while it was Big Vanilla. I know if I ever wanted to learn how to use a weight or cardio machine a personal trainer would gladly show me how without having to be "their client". For anyone just starting their fitness journey there is no need to worry- your gymtimidation will quickly fade here. I never have seen children running around or working out unattended. I occasionally see parents with their preteen/teen children using weight machines or treadmills together. Healthy lifestyle habits need to start at a young age and it's great The Y provides a family friendly atmosphere. There is a variety of great equipment and I never get bored or feel like they do not have enough machines for everyone. This gym has helped me reach my goals. I sincerely consider others to join. read more

I miss the Big Vanilla . Since the Y took over the pool is dirty and over crowded , the locker rooms are dirty, the outside of the building is litter with trash, and if you can get a lane in the lap pool you may have to share it with several people. Management needs to control the crowds and consider a no guest policy , during the peak times in the summer. The y is charging as much as the Big Vanilla , but is operating the club at a sub standard level . read more

Best kids club! They are so sweet. They take the time to get to know the kids and make them feel welcome!

The y personal are very helpful and they will help you with what ever you need help with they are very knowledgeable with all of the equipment and services that they have so I would recommend this to anyone who is interested in working out. read more