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    YMCA Anthony Bowen

    3.6 (113 reviews)
    Open • 5:30 am - 11:00 pm

    Services - YMCA Anthony Bowen

    Multiple children care

    Single child care

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    Inside the gym- glimpse are some weight machines
    Cristina D.

    Having visited many YMCA locations across the country, I can safely say that YMCA Anthony Bowen is my favorite! Friendly staff, fun classes, clean and conveniently located. This gym provides a welcoming environment for all. Pros: -Clean and spacious: never feels disorganized or overly stuffy, even during more crowded times. Locker rooms are also very clean and pretty as well- stylish appearance and modern design throughout the gym! -Awesome facilities: Variety of cardio and resistance/weight training machines. They also have a nice pool and rock wall, which is super fun. - Diverse classes: HITT, yoga, boxing, dance, aerobics, weight-based classes - Great instructors: bringing energy and encouragement in every class I've taken part of -Extremely friendly staff, always kind staff working at the front desk, and very friendly cleaning staff as well - Inclusive and welcoming environment: I see people of all ages, races, and stages in their fitness journeys at this gym- and I love that! Some folks are wearing fancy workout clothes and likely leading fitness instagrams, others are working off baby-weight or trying to conquer their beer-bellies in old race t-shirts. It's a great and inclusive place, at least from my perspective. We are all here to improve our health, and everyone seems kind and respectful of each other. - Uniquely insuring: Throughout the gym there are quotes, murals and pictures from great African American leaders, which is incredibly beautiful and inspiring. Con: -Hours: decent hours, but I do wish this gym would stay open later on weekends, as it closes at either 7 or 8 pm Saturday /Sunday

    Our live disinformation TV choices
    Paul C.

    New cardio equipment but promised restoration of live TV still hasn't happened. Except if you like OANN, Newsmax and Glenn Beck, or skyNews

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    The front desk personnel are helpful. The facility is very clean and offers typical exercise equipment.

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    10 months ago

    Beautiful Y - great amenities. Highly recommend to all. Great location. You should check it out.

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    Ask the Community - YMCA Anthony Bowen

    Do you have water aerobics classes if not where can I find some classes in DC? Thank you

    Thanks for your question, Johnny. For prompt assistance, please contact Sarah Johnson at Sarah.Johnson@ymcadc.org.

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    Review Highlights - YMCA Anthony Bowen

    “I could not agree more with the individual who gave massive props to Francella.”

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    VIDA Fitness - Logan Circle - New lights at Logan Circle

    VIDA Fitness - Logan Circle

    (235 reviews)

    I dropped in for a morning workout and was pleasantly surprised to find parking available right…read moreaway. The staff inside were friendly and greeted me as soon as I walked in. I attended a BodyPump class, which was amazing! The bathrooms are clean and modern; however, the only downside to this gym is that it's very dark inside since it is built three stories underground. I also love that the gym has a recovery area equipped with rollers and massage guns to aid in recovery.

    Every year, without fail, vida raises prices. With this quite high fees, you get: wipes bins…read moreroutinely empty; dust/dirt - each, and I mean each, and every machine on the lower level is filthy - dust on the flat portion near the floor and a heavy dust ring at the base of the machines; machines, not broken, but missing parts - the sit down calf raise machine is and has been missing the knob you pull to adjust the height for you knees; other machines - bottom of steps look right and the sit down "chest" machine is missing the knob on one of the handles; aerobic area, one machine, to the right in the attached pic, has been broken (touch screen inactive) for going on a month and the machine on the left in the attached pic has it's running belt/foot pad rotating freely such that if you step on it, it rolls freely and will make you fall or at least it did me; and, I could go on. I'm not being a b_t_ch, I've reported these things to one trainer and the front desk. Not one person writes anything down and advises they'll let "someone" know. This has been quite routine over the years; that is, no reporting mechanism for what's broke.

    Onelife Fitness - Capitol Hill

    Onelife Fitness - Capitol Hill

    (107 reviews)

    Capitol Hill

    I've been a member of this gym since the day it opened, & I continue to be very pleased with it…read more One of the biggest pluses is that it's HUGE. The building is a repurposed elementary school. So it has charm as well as enough space that I never feel cramped. I also appreciate that staff members go out of their way to make sure I have a positive experience. They are courteous as well as professional & personable--always ready to talk baseball with me when I want! Finally, I want to mention that the owners/managers are constantly updating both the facility & the equipment.

    First, the good. I've been a member for about a month now, and there is a lot to like about the…read morefacilities. Everything is what you would expect for the price point of the gym, and free parking was an important part of my decision since I drive in from east of the river (we only have planet fitness over there, sadly). The complementary training session is good, I know it's meant to sell personal fitness sessions, but if that is something you are into, it might be worth it. Now the gross/ugly: There is a stated policy that "regular swimwear is required" to use the spa in the locker room. Some women have decided not to follow this policy and get in naked, without showering off first, no less. When I said something to the staff, she rudely told me that it was DC law that they couldn't enforce that, told me I could follow her upstairs to talk to a manager while I was standing on only a towel after showering off from the hot tub. And of course, she lied. The law says the opposite, I looked it up -- D.C. Code § 7-431 expressly defines a "spa pool" as a structure intended for bathing or recreational use whose water is not ordinarily drained and replaced after each use and may instead be recirculated. The same statute defines people using a swimming or spa pool as "bathers." More importantly, the District's Aquatic Facilities Regulations, 25-C DCMR § 202.1, specifically provide that rules for admission to spa pools and saunas "shall be enforced." The regulations also require bathers to shower before entering a spa pool or sauna. The regulations further address contamination directly. Under 25-C DCMR § 201.4, aquatic-facility personnel are required to restrict the introduction of "dirt, excreta, and other extraneous matter" into the water and to exclude people showing apparent signs of infection such as open cuts, wounds, rashes, or blisters. The same section specifically requires protective clothing for incontinent bathers. When I brought this to the attention of the membership manager (on duty) she just gave me the GM's card and corporate's email. I have contacted them and cited all DC laws which require them to enforce their stated policies. I know it's uncomfortable to ask people to follow rules, especially when they are naked, but by not enforcing their own rules (or enforcing them selectively, like insisting that nobody have a cell phone in the spa), they risk a decline in the quality and cleanliness of the gym, which is why people pay extra -- for a classy environment that is comfortable for everyone. So I give a huge thumbs up to the classes and the facilities, but unfortunately several of the attendants (all female, sadly, and I'm a girls girl) are at best unfriendly and often rude, and they selectively enforce their own health and safety policies to the detriment of the members.

    Fit 360 DC

    Fit 360 DC

    (34 reviews)

    My favorite longtime gym in DC! I've been a member for several years and this year hit my 400…read moreclasses milestone -- figured now was a good time to finally leave a review. Fit360 is a great model of a community gym -- the staff is friendly, the owner is a local, and fellow gym goers are courteous. I am someone who benefits from classes to help me push myself and I especially love their lift classes, which are typically small (under 10 people) and mixed gender, with varying levels for each station based on your fitness and expertise. Jonathan and Nino both do a great job as instructors helping with form and technique. This year I also added in some personal training with Kwame and it has been fantastic so far. So glad this gym is part of my community.

    I would have definitely signed-up for their premium membership has I known that this type of…read moremembership provides nutritional counseling. I'm actually paying for a separate Nutritionist who I visit about every month. I started here about two months ago, and I've been much more committed this time around. It's even more motivational that the gym.is located literally across the street from my apartment. It's a decent gym and they have almost everything that I need, minus the abs machine. I do have the Gold membership and I think that it's a good fit for me since I rarely have ever participated in any type of gym class. They do offered the classes here, and I've seen a number of people leaving from a class. I appreciate that the gym is available for whenever I need it, and even more importantly that they're located so close to me.

    VIDA Fitness - U Street - Weight lighting

    VIDA Fitness - U Street

    (258 reviews)

    U Street Corridor

    The pool water needs to be cleaned much more ofte. They take their clients for granted. Need to…read morefix some of the broken . But the main thing is the showers in the locker room. They are economizing on water and they . You cannot take a shower in their locker room. They need to figure out how to pay for that and treat their clients with a little bit more respect. It is really rude and completely dismissive of their clients to provide no water pressure.

    I absolutely love my neighborhood Vida. I go almost every day. The layout is the best Vida I've…read morepersonally seen (feels like adult Disneyland meets Health & Wellness Club). I have the unlimited membership, which grants me pool access plus all workout classes (except for Reformer Pilates). 98% of the time I take their group fitness classes - their schedule is top tier (tons of variety, great times). Shoutout to Jessica's exceptional, technique-focused mat Pilates classes and Pure Strength classes. A thank-you to Adrienne's Thursday noon and Terence's Saturday morning Power Yoga classes (both great for advancing strength, balance, and flexibility). A nod to Courtney's efficient 45-minute Mat Pilates Monday noon class. Recommendation for the Candlelight Yoga wind-down 5:45pm Friday and 6pm Sunday classes. One last thing - I always make sure to workout on their Open House days monthly because they give us free treats like mini, delicious cupcakes or blueberry muffins. They'll occasionally throw an event with their spa, and hand out salon goodies, give you free 10-minute chair massages, and offer free food.

    Ambitious Athletics - They say to eat less and move more but is that the only way? Think about what you can gain.

    Ambitious Athletics

    (95 reviews)

    Checking in after a little over a year with Carmen at Ambitious. Simply put, there is a reason I…read moreshow up every morning I am in town. I have been in some sort of athletics since I was 5. I have been coached by professional trainers for the majority of that time, including D1 and Olympic coaches. I am happy to report that the entire team at Ambitious has kept me engaged, supported, and challenged the whole time. This is not only true of the coaching, but of the other members as well. At this point, they are friends. The workouts are programmed in a way that keeps me pushing myself while letting me scale back when needed. The coaching staff is always there to ensure form is solid or to offer an alternative if my body isn't 100% there that morning. Having worked with many strength coaches over the last 15 years, I am confident in saying that your well-being and safety are their top concern. This is coming from a former springboard and platform diving coach, whose first concern always had to be safety. On the member side, or team, as I like to think of them, I cannot say enough positive things. If I am out unexpectedly, people reach out to make sure I am okay. Everyone is there to see everyone get better, which brings incredible accountability. As someone who is not a morning person by any measure, I get myself out of bed for the 7:15 class willingly. 7:15 vs. the world. This has been a wonderful, impactful year with Ambitious. I am happy to keep life as my sport.

    I was lucky enough to find this community while temporarily in DC for work. I made great gains…read morehere. Encouraging staff and members, a joy I won't soon forget and if I am ever back in DC I know exactly where I'm going to work out!

    Ultimate Performance

    Ultimate Performance

    (24 reviews)

    To say that joining Ultimate Performance about 18 months ago was one of the key moments in my life…read morewould not be an understatement. For over the last decade - I have been yo-yo'ing with different strength trainers and diets in an attempt to regain the same level of fitness that I had in my 20s. Unfortunately - over that time I have seen my weight increase by over 80 lbs. Since joining UP - I have seen the weight drop in a slow, steady and most importantly sustainability manner. UP is able to accomplish this because they have a system that combines strength training, cardio, nutrition and sleep. All of this is wrapped around an application that you use to track a variety of metrics (sleep, diet, steps, etc). This information is reviewed daily (if not more often) by your trainer - they make sure that you are on the correct path. If someone had told me when I started all of this - that in a year I would be running, doing metric century bike rides, and would almost be under 200 lbs - I would have laughed at them. If you want to change your life - come give UP a chance. You will be blown away by how supportive everyone is, how fast the results come, how sustainable this is, and how much better you will feel.

    I recommend UP in general and Zach in particular. UP is different than other gyms to which I've…read morebelonged. You come in at specific times to work with your trainer doing specific lifts; the focus is on lifting rather than cardio. I wasn't sure about the approach as my primary goal was fat loss, but it has both been successful and gives a great return on investment of time. The gym itself is better equipped than any facility I have seen, and the UP app is been helpful in tracking nutrition and workouts. But I think their trainers are the key. I started working with Zach last summer, and have been very happy with the results. I've lost over 30 pounds and have never been stronger. He is a great resource regarding technique in lifting and motivation during sessions, but also makes them enjoyable. Zach developed and adapted workouts and nutrition throughout, modifying to help me continue making progress, and helped me understand nutrition (which I thought I did before, but didn't). The program at UP worked better for me than anything else ever has, which I find remarkable as I am in my 50's with a busy life including job, family, and travel.

    Gold's Gym

    Gold's Gym

    (4 reviews)

    NoMa

    Rating corporate gyms in the DMV area solely off the one thing that matters to me: temperature. I…read morejust moved here about a year ago, and the one thing I've noticed is that no gyms in this area are cooled properly. Yes--cooled. The temperature should be from 60-65, and anyone getting a good sweat and workout in would understand why that's ideal. Here, I was literally dripping sweat after a couple of sets on the leg press. No cardio before. Ridiculous. Oh, and the towels to dry off all the sweat? They were full size. That's all they had. No regular towels for the hot gym that causes you to drip sweat. I've lived in Texas, California, and Arizona--all of which were just as if not more hot than the DMV, with sufficiently cooled gyms. All I keep getting from gyms around here when I ask are excuses. I'm tired of it. It's unacceptable for a large corporate gym. If anyone knows of a COLD gym to lift at please, let me know.

    If I could leave 0 stars I would…read more I joined as part of their pre-opening discount. However my job changed and I am now traveling 4-5 days a week. I called the club and asked to cancel, they referred me to their Gm who confirmed via email that my membership was cancelled (with 30 days notice which was fine with me). Life is good right? Then the drama starts... This email was on 3/11/25 so any reasonable person would thing it was cancelled 4/11/25. Instead they hit my Amex on 4/25/25 for the nexts months membership. I email the GM multiple times with no response (again I'm now traveling constantly so coming in person is not an option). Finally at my wits end I dispute with Amex. Amex approves the dispute with my proof in writing (and blocks all further charges from them). Then not only did they ghost me. Their 3P harasses me for payment on a membership I have clearly cancelled (in writing). And threatens me with collections. When I forwarded them the written confirmation of cancellation they stated that it wasn't sufficient and not in the clubs policy - I have to pay $450+ despite having written documentation my cancellation. WHAT?! So hear me out - an employee, at the club. With a club email said my membership was cancelled. Why am I now being threatened with collections for $450+ because of this and they refuse a Golds gym email as proof of cancellation! No one will call me back from the gym, and their 3P is abysmal. This is the horror story you hear about gym memberships. People screw up, but honor the screw up - especially when it's in writing. Spend the $ and go to equinox - this gym and their admin function is trash

    YMCA Anthony Bowen - gyms - Updated September 2026

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