i have been going to this ymca around 1-2 times a week for the past year or so. i think it's…read moreawesome and i've really relied on it. it's definitely not perfect, but it's helped me out in so many ways
first of all, they provide financial assistance based on income, and i only have to pay half the amount for a membership, which REALLY helps me out and keeps me here bc gym memberships can get so expensive fr!! there is literally no better deal than here--i'm never leaving
i am SO grateful for their kids zone. i wish it were open for more hours of the day, but i understand only being open for the times with the most traffic. as a busy, working single mom, it's really a big help that i can drop off my kiddo at the kids zone and go work out. it gives me the space and time i need to recharge and focus on myself before i go back into mom mode
i will say that i feel like the kids zone might be understaffed or at least the staff members who ARE there usually seem exhausted. i feel like there's usually a LOT of kids there, so the workers aren't able to carefully look after each kid, which is understandable, but they frequently text/call me during my workout to say that my son is being too rowdy, and i need to come and either talk to him or just stop my workout and take him out completely. it makes me wonder if it's true that my son just purposely pushed another kid unprompted and needs to leave right away or if something happened that could have just been a teaching moment from the counselors there. i feel like, with so many kids, the staff probably aren't able to really take their time with the kids, which definitely makes sense but it is sort of frustrating to have to suddenly cut my workout short bc a of call from the kids zone.
the kids zone is great tho there's a separate area for babies and toddlers with all sorts of toys, and there's a bigger area with bigger fun equipment for the bigger kids. i often see the workers holding the tiniest babies, which would make me feel good as a baby mom (my son is 3 y/o now)
i will say that the general atmosphere and the vibe of the people at the ymca is mostly old people, tired and burnt out adults (both members and staff), or hectic families with children. i've been to other gyms that were full of young people who looked like they had a lot of spirit for their bright futures, and there was a lot of positive energy in the air, and this does not feel like that haha. if going off people's energy around you is important to stay motivated to work out, this might not be it for you
there is something about the people here... a lot of times, there's someone on the stationery bicycle who's watching a video with the volume way up, or someone's on the stairmaster and talking loudly on their phone, or they're making distracting grunting noises on the weight machines. at one of my other gyms, there were signs on the walls about gym etiquette that i wished were here :( it's fine if you have your headphones in and just ignore everyone tho
i love that there are so many different classes and events for kiddos and families either for free with a membership or with a reduced price. it's so much easier registering for different kids programs here than having to hunt them down one by one and drive all over town
i have also tried a lot of the fitness classes, and i have to say that literally all of the teachers have just not had a very encouraging attitude. some of them are very get-in-and-get-out, some are very strict and hold you to a high standard, and some have an intimidatingly dark sense of humor. i've had some other fitness instructors in the past for various classes, and i really like the energetic, positive, encouraging, uplifting fitness coaches. here at the ymca, i've done chair yoga, pilates, tai chi, barre, and strength training, and literally all those teachers just did not seem happy doing their jobs. i will say, though, that the kids basketball coaches were awesome. maybe they just save all the excited, positive teachers for the kids programs
i also think it's great that there are so many programs for active older adults. there seems to be a good community of older folk here, and that's cool to see
mmm i think that's all my thoughts haha