the staff are very nice and there is quite a lot of variety in the equipment you can use.

If your dog comes here, and is rabid, it's YMCA Snarlington. And if your bae comes here, it's YMCA Darlington. If a hot guy comes here, it's YMCA Prince Charmington. And if Jodie Foster comes here, it's Fly Fly Fly Fly Fly Little YMCA Starlington. So there you have it. I have a little love affair with this YMCA because even though the Reston one is bigger and fancier, it's also about 74 times busier than this one, and that makes this one much more relaxing to use. This YMCA is on a little back street and has its own parking which is rarely full, and is right in the heart of the Washington DC Metro Area - close to several Metro stops, actually, and within walking distance - rather than the Reston one which is way way out near Dulles Airport. I also love this location because it usually is really quiet so even though it's not my favourite and it is partially underground and a little stuffy, it is also very friendly and family oriented and everybody knows everybody, and it's one of the nicest little community gyms I've used. They just about have all of things I need although some of them are falling apart. What they don't have in equipment they make up for in character. There are some great people here both in terms of the employees and be patrons. They have the bikes I like, as well. Only 3 of them, and it's stuffy using them, but it's enough. Oh, and the fact that I was never grilled about whether I was a member, and they never called my home location, is a "big plus", like the flag of Switzerland. read more

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This is for after care and camps. The YMCA Arlington has provided a wonderful environment for my child for several years. The staff is just amazing. My kid has an independent spirit and fit very well into the programs. We have used the after care, summer camps, and parent night programs. The summer camp programs are great. My kid had the best time in bike, lego, swim and travel camps. The bike camp especially. They rode everywhere and my kid learned bike safety well enough to remind/nag others. I liked swim and bike because my kid would pass out asleep right after dinner. Sometimes during. The staff operates very well and are extremely responsive and attentive to concerns. Be prepared for a collaborative solution vs being directive. It works well. It is the YMCA and core values are included in the business model. It is a small place and they always find a way to make things work! If you decide to become members, it is a great place to work out while your child is in care. The summer camp in Edgewater is also a great place. Leave and pick up is at Arlington. 1 week or 2 or 4 without your kids. Priceless. read more

It would be one star if it weren't for the equipment which is really nice and the fact that the tennis facility is included in membership. They will lie to your face when you sign up. I was told the first month is free but that was a lie. No one told me my initial payment was pro rated. I was told it was for the entire month of February. After discovering it was pro rated, I realized I was overcharged by several days. They don't explain their billing system and I was charged for almost 2 months of dues in my first two weeks of membership. I left countless messages and no one responded. I finally had to get my credit card company involved. No one ever even bothered to apologize or make it right. Oh! And they don't bill you on the day your membership renews every month but four days prior! Ridiculous. I wouldn't recommend the facility based on my experience. It's not worth the aggravation. read more

We have been members of this YMCA for a little more than two years. When in the search for a new gym (from Bally's) we visited Gold's, Washington Sports Club, and Sport & Health; at every place they wanted to give us a 30-minute speech before telling us what the costs were. We walked into the Y, and got a one-pager explaining all of their prices. Boom. Sold. I would have paid more at the other gyms, but don't give me the run-around. Beyond not having the high-pressure sales pitch initially, this is a low-pressure environment. The chain gym scene gets old really fast. Egos, strutting, etc. Here, the Y clientele is all ages and the atmosphere is family-friendly. I've done a few classes here, but mostly I use the treadmills and the open floor/mat space. This is not a bells-and-whistles gym, but it has everything you need. There is towel service -- major plus in my book. Bally's did not have that. If I could change one thing about this gym it would be the addition of an indoor pool. I know that's a lot to ask - especially for the great deal we get - but it would be AMAZING! The outdoor pool is too small for laps, but sometimes we just sit by it. No kids for us, but it seems like it would be a good place for children to play. Finally, I would add that there is always ample parking. I know that cannot be said of every other major gym in the Ballston-Clarendon corridor. read more

Plenty of off-street parking, fitness instructors who also teach at Gold's, LA Fitness and various boutique studios and childcare had me impressed. There wasn't the usual "Arlington" gym crowd (Lululemon and P90x bod not required), but where else in Arlington can you play tennis, run on a treadmill, then do a yoga class? Your first session is free. Drop-in classes without a membership are $10. The only drawback is fewer local locations. read more

It's looks like they built the gym in an old library. It's a very small building, but it has a parking lot in front. I felt it smelled moldy from being in a basement and carpets full of sweat. I just couldn't enjoy using the machines there. The step class is awesome! There's a small pool in the back for kids and a separate building for cycling classes. The ladies lockerroom toilet stalls don't have trash cans in the stall so you have to bring out your used sanitary items in your hand to throw it away in front of all, yes because there are lockers right next to the stalls. Down the hill is the tennis center which is awesome! 8 indoor courts that are airconditioned and yes you really feel it! The a/c is cranking up high! The tennis instructors all have great personalities. What I didn't like is one evening I was standing outside talking on my cell phone and a shirtless homeless man started to approach me. I quickly ran into the tennis building and stood in the lobby. The homeless man stood at the glass door and looked in for awhile. Then he came in and asked the girl working the front desk where the bathroom was and she told him!!!!! Talk about a safety issue! I ended up leaving the tennis center around 9:30pm and went into the ladies locker room, had to turn on all the lights, and thought this is where this man could be hiding out to assult me. read more

So let me start out by saying that I don't use the gym facilities here, I do however use the childcare services and this is our 3rd year with their after school program! I absolutely love the staff! They have been great every year and are very attentive to the kids. Some of the staff have rotated out, or left and returned, but they always have kind and attentive people working with the groups. Sometimes I walk in and feel like it's a mad-house, how could they possibly know who is doing what or where they are ?!?!?! But the staff always knows what's going on and where your kid is. They spend quality time doing quality things with them like helping with homework (even bi-lingual homework), gardening, outdoor play, inside play, arts and crafts, movie and pizza nights, and tons of other activities. My daughter loves it! And I have to say as a parent, I feel like you guys give her the love she needs when I'm not there to give it myself - so thank you for everything that you do! read more

This used to be a great place for kids, and mine attended summer camps, before and after care and Friday Night kids club for years. They used to have wonderful camp counselors that were passionate about work and warm and friendly to kids and adults. However, the administration has changed for the worse to the point that I refuse to bring my children there. One counselor, Ms. Miranda is very mean and disrespectful. She screams at the kids and makes them cry and she behaved in a very disrespectful and menacing manner towards me. Many have complained about her but administration has done nothing about her behavior. read more

Despite cancelling my membership over a year ago, they continue to charge my credit card $5. I have called and talked to the desk staff at least three times. I am told it has been fixed, and it's never fixed. read more

The people working here are personable and friendly. It has a good vibe. You'll see a diverse demographic here, from kids running around between classes to senior citizens on the exercise equipment. The two major issues are the locker rooms and the workout spaces. The locker rooms are old, ill-equipped, and dingy so that you won't have much space for your stuff if you have more than three people in there. It always smells musty. The toilet flush (for one of two toilets) has been broken more than once within a month's time. I've seen at least one inconsiderate person who sprawled out her stuff throughout the shower stalls, put other stuff by the mirrors/benches, and then occupied the sauna... which limited the already limited space. The workout spaces are rather old, and you might even see duct tape holding the window. So, if you're looking for a nice, chic gym/spa type of place, this isn't it. On the other hand, you can do month-to-month memberships unlike other gyms, and they have a good variety of equipment and classes. read more

This review is strictly for the pool. I went to the Arlington YMCA pool for the first time this weekend. I am a former lifeguard and can happily spend all weekend at the pool, and tend to be picky on water temperature, pool set up, and safety! The pool here is not really functional for lap swimming since it's only about 10-15 meters long. The depth goes from 4 ft at its shallowest to 5 ft at its deepest so parents must get in the water with their children if they intend to bring them and hang out. It's a really small pool so you will be sharing the space with others.There are no steps and the pool can be entered by jumping in or using one of the two ladders. I did see some swim lessons taking place while I was there and I can say the instructors were doing a great job! While there were some noodles hanging around I didn't see much else in terms of toys/swim equipment. I asked the lifeguards (there is always one on duty and they rotate - good job Arlington YMCA!) how they regulate the temperature which they couldn't really answer. Since there is a summer camp with tons of kids who use the pool and take water out with them, I am assuming it gets refilled quite often; hopefully it will stay cool all summer long! read more

This is a great central location. I've been taking tennis lessons with Scott and he's really improved my backhand. Staff overall was pretty helpful. The only downside to this YMCA is that the locker room could use some work. It's a little outdated and the steam room is out of order, which was a disappointment. read more

YMCA never fails me. This location is unassuming, and after my first visit I was unsure whether or not to attend. Pluses: - People are here to work out, not be seen - Almost always there's a treadmill open - Cleaning staff = A+ - Towel service is AMAZING - Price is on par with area gyms - You're part of an intergenerational community, people talk to each other in classes - There's a sauna, and you'll almost always have it to yourself Con: - Older facility - Exercise classes hit or miss read more

Worst summer camp ever. It was like sending my kids to the babysitters that they hate.

We switched in from another branch and the YMCA supposedly lost our paperwork. The other YMCA was more expensive, so they just continued charging us at the higher rate. After I was finally able to get a hold of their business director, Maxie Sprott, he assured me that we would be compensated with a couple of months free membership. However, we still were charged during the following billing cycle. I called many times after this before I got a response. This was a year ago. I figured mistakes happen and I let it go. However, we moved away in August and wanted to cancel our membership. Since we had been enrolled in automatic payments, we apparently needed to give two weeks notice. I was not told this, so I was unable to cancel during August. Fair enough. We submitted our cancellation form in early September. At the end of the September, we still get charged. I call to find out why and they say that they never received our paperwork, i.e., they have again lost it. After numerous attempts to get a hold of Maxie again, I finally get a response. They are going to refund our money but when I ask how long it will take, I do not get a response. This was over five weeks ago and I still do not have my money and have been blown off since. read more

Convenient location with ample parking. It may not be the newest building, but they have all the basic equipment you would need, along with courts for racquetball. The staff seems pretty friendly, and they have some good class offerings. Not the most amazing or high-tech gym, but not bad either. read more

The facility is a bit older, but at least people wipe down the machines after use, unlike the newer gym just up the street. The staff is very friendly and there are tons of classes. read more

This is a nice little YMCA in a good part of Arlington. It's much smaller than many other Ys in the area, but it has decent machines and a good staff. It is an older building with a small outdoor pool and no sauna or steam room, but it is well maintained and gets the job done. If you are looking for a small, inexpensive place to work out with other young professionals and graduate students, this is a good gym for you. read more

Overall excellent facility. Super kind & helpful staff. Not the largest of branches but large enough to satisfy. Parents very happy with Day Care & Summer Camp services. Wonderful outdoor pool. read more

This YMCA is much smaller than the other Ys in the area. They just have a small outdoor pool and only one group fitness room, but the leaders of the group fitness classes are excellent. The only issue is billing. I've had issues with being overcharged or double billed for tennis lessons. read more