The Stephens YMCA is a great gym. I primarily use it for weight lifting, but they also have a tiny climbing wall, pool, basketball courts, spin classes, and a small track. The weight room is fantastic: totally air conditioned and the air smells great. They have a ton of equipment, including dumbbells that go in 2.5lb increments for the first 50 lbs (and let's be honest, that's as high as I can go anyway). It doesn't get too busy, and it's kept very clean by the users and staff wipe downs regularly. Oh and as a bonus for students returning to Champaign for breaks from school, they have great deals for short subscriptions (like $25 for 30 days). read more

YMCA - Child Care & Day Care Near Me - Champaign, Illinois

I've been a member for 5 years and was told I needed to pay an additional $25 to renew my membership because my membership was past due by 12 days. I happened to be out of town. I was told no exceptions. so I walked away from this so called "family place" and they walked away from over $700.00. Think twice before donating ANY money to this "non-profit". maybe the YMCA doesn't believe in being profitable because they don't have to worry about the bottom line. In addition, the turnover in their childcare area is puzzling. My child's 3 favorite young female employees were let go or quit. Be careful who is watching your children. What a sad, sad place. read more

I have been a member of the Refinery for several years, however my mother convinced me to try out a group workout class at the y. In order to use the gym I had to sign a waiver and i understand why. The group workout class was so humid, not only was it uncomfortable, the floor was slick. Apparently it's been like that for weeks and the y does not intend to fix the problem. Seems like a nice facility, but for group workouts, I recommend Refinery! read more

I joined yesterday, visited today for the first time, and I regret joining. This place is pure chaos. On a Tuesday at 9:30 am (not a peak time for working adults), the parking lots were completely full. The "greeters" didn't look up from their computers and just expected me to know how to scan in. I approached one and she scolded me and told me to walk back to the start of the counter to scan in (there's no sign by the scanner to tell me to scan in). I tried to join a 10:00 class that was listed as available as of 9:30 am, but when I arrived the pool I had joined specifically to use was down for maintenance. They hadn't updated social, the app, or the website to tell anyone. The locker room was beyond capacity and there were no showers, lockers, or benches available. I changed standing up in a sea of 75 school kids. Why is this facility accepting new memberships when they are clearly operating way beyond capacity already? I heard after I joined that they know this and just want more members anyway. In fact they're trying to open a mini satellite gym a couple of blocks away (at an additional cost!) if you want to try to get a chance to use one of their workout machines. I wish I had done more research prior to joining. I regret it. read more

The new non electric treadmill is a good workout. Find your sweet spot then a little forward and you can sprint. A bit back from said sweet spot and you slowdown or stop. I like the rope pull down machine to get shoulder arms and back warmup. read more

I wouldn't trust a single lifeguard here with mine or my child's life. They aren't capable of communicating effectively, exhibit poor (or no) leadership skills, and one lifeguard in particular wears cotton sweatpants to his post every single day. (I was just told by the director of the YMCA that wearing cotton sweatpants is acceptable swim attire for lifeguards, so one can do with that information what one wills) Aside from the fact that this individual is unfit for duty, this individual would not be able to save someone's life, wearing attire not designed for swimwear. I would personally consider his health to be a risk in of itself when attempting a rescue in the appropriated attire. As a former lifeguard myself, I understand that wearing cotton shorts or pants alike is not allowed or authorized by The American Red Cross when lifeguarding. (According to the director, it now is totally acceptable to wear cotton pants when performing a rescue) If Patrons were to wear that sort of attire for recreational swimming, they would not be permitted to enter the pool- not even on the shallow end. If the argument is that the attire could be removed before entering the pool in the event of a drowning, this would pose a serious hazard not only to the lifeguard, but to the individual drowning. If the lifeguard was to remove the pants, the lifeguard would risk tripping on them since they're in an urgent scenario, where taking the time to remove them properly, doesn't apply. If the lifeguard were to take their time to remove them, they're wasting precious seconds of the drowning individuals life by having to remove them prior to the rescue. If the lifeguard were not to remove them, with the material being cotton, the cotton pants could pull both the lifeguard and the drowning patron down, causing two fatalities- instead of the initial fatality due to the neglect of duty to wear the appropriate swim attire. I brought this to the staff at the Stephens Family YMCA's attention, and was met with pettiness, disdain, and contempt. They told me "that's not up to us, you'd have to talk to 'them' ." (As stated above, I guess wearing attire not designed for swimming is now acceptable to management) Aside from the incompetence of this individual, I was scolded just yesterday 04/18/2023 , for practicing aquatic therapy lessons taught to me by a licensed aquatic physical therapist. And again, in the event of myself potentially drowning, according to the director of the YMCA, this individual has been a lifeguard for over 30 years, therefore is a person of a later age; not someone I would personally trust with my life in the event of a panicked drowning. Since the YMCA has failed to address my concerns with their staff, (they only addressed my review and have been calling me all day harassing me) , I figured I'd let the public know about this through both google and Yelp. It's scary to think that these individuals are trusted with the public's safety, when they have little or no regard for their own. I hope changes can be made before someone dies as a result of the neglect of management. (No changes will be made; they only yelled at me and cancelled my membership) Update: I just received a phone call from the director here, not apologizing for their staff's incompetence, but to scold me. The director said that wearing cotton pants is fine. Again, they were more concerned about my review than public safety. He also lied about a scenario (that I filed a police report about a few months ago) about me saying something to an individual (who wasn't even supposed to be at the facility) , after the individual had threatened my life. The YMCA was more concerned about whether or not I said a word (that I in no way said) , than they were about my life being threatened. My safety concerns have only been met with disdain, contempt, and harassment, and as a man of faith, I won't be returning to this or any other YMCA again. I'm literally shaking right now after receiving that phone call, and may need to contact a therapist due to the anxiety this has incurred. My life was threatened months ago, but I'm the bad guy. My safety was at risk yesterday and today, and even though I tried addressing these issues, I'm still the bad guy. I pray nobody has to go through what this facility and it's management has put me through. Michael T. 04/19/2023 read more

This is by far the best YMCA I've seen! The pool area is great and the huge water slide is a lot of fun for kids. There is a baby pool that starts at 0" and gradually deepens to 1'. The family pool is 3'6" at the shallowest. I love the free child watch area that includes climbing, tunnels, indoor playground as well as toys and TV/video games. They also have a separate room for babies. I've been pleased with the employees each time my children have been left in their care. The gym is very well maintained and workers constantly walk around spraying down machines, even though users are required to wipe them down after use. The locker rooms are nice and include private changing areas, several private showers, hair dryers and a sauna. They have a family changing room that is nice as well. The price is a little high, but I think it is worth it for access to all the free classes, pool access and child care. The only extras that are not included are lesson-type classes. Karate, swimming, personal training are all classes that require a fee. Members receive a discount. read more

YMCA - Child Care & Day Care Near Me - Champaign, Illinois

Not just a workout gym. The Y is a community center focused on the physical, mental and emotional health of all members. Great equipment, a supportive staff and tons of programs! read more

Friendly environment. Lots of natural light. Best equipment in town. Great group fitness classes! Only giving it 4 stars because two of their associates were very rude and have subtle bigotry if you aren't a Christian. All in all it's a great gym to be a member of! read more

Awesome, modern, clean facility with a fun play area for kids and a wide variety of fitness classes. We love this YMCA!

Had nothing but issues since they had the pool closed for a week. They have there family pool closed in the morning which makes it hard to do Aqua Aerobics in lap lane. When you get there you have to wait/fight for a lap lane to open up. I had to wait over 30 mins for a lane then not even 20 mins later asked me to leave for a deep water class that not even using shallow end. read more

My family really enjoys this facility. Particularly the staff at the climbing wall is wonderful, patient, friendly, and great with people of all ages. A particularly loud shout-out to Glenn Kuhaneck, who really turns people on to the challenges of climbing. Basketball camps are well organized, and the coaching staff is terrific. We like the weights and cardio machines, as well as the circular track gallery above the gym. I do hope that this YMCA would make itself more accessible to low-income and fixed-income people, though. That's why no 5 stars. read more

A nice facility. Unfortunately, they have not joined the rest of the YMCA's in the country in accepting 65+ year old Senior Citizens who are not wealthy enough to pay Champaign YMCA's high monthly fees. However many Seniors ARE with a Medicare Advantage Healthcare Provider that thinks exercise is so important to Seniors, they pay for 65+ Seniors Individual Visits to many Fitness Centers across the country, including nearly all YMCA's! It is done through an intermediary called "Silver Sneakers". If the Healthcare Provider includes Membership in Silver Sneakers and the Senior signs up with Silver Sneakers, the Senior receives a Silver Sneakers I.D. Card that allows for them to join their local Fitness Facility and use any other facility in the country that is in the Silver Sneakers Program. The Health Care pays that Facility ON THE SENIOR CITIZEN'S BEHALF !!! , every time the Senior uses a facility that is IN the Silver Sneakers Program. It is a fact that Stephens Family YMCA chooses not to be in this highly beneficial and CHARITABLE program and does not allow Seniors living (in most cases) all or most of their lives in the Champaign area nor visitors from out of town (whom may have lived most of their lives in the Champaign area) to use the Facility. Is this Snobbery? Is this a Financial Decision that they already have enough members & making enough money that they don't need these poor vagabond Seniors hanging around, trying to stay healthy? Maybe that extra member volume (by the way, most Seniors come weekday/A.M. slow time) makes them think they will have more wear and tear. They will. But extra Silver Sneaker income would easily more than pay for that. Extra Silver Sneaker income would also pay for their "Towel Problem" and allow them to quit charging that inconvenient and OBSCENE $1.00 Fee to have a towel! (My YMCA and probably most all YMCA's) doesn't charge anything! Their Income is enough to cover this cost. (Perhaps because they have "Silver Sneaker" Senior Income?) It could be any of the above or all of the above. The basic core to the problem, I think, is non-caring, a kind of greed that doesn't make sense, a business sense that doesn't make sense, and a lack of empathy because the Local Y-Facility Board of Directors and Upper Management have plenty of money and can pay the Y's High Monthly Fee when THEY retire! I think it is a crime, at least of ignorance and at most discrimination, that the decision-makers at this YMCA, which is located in a town of higher education where thoughtfulness should prevail, aren't "able to see past the end of their nose" as to what the average Senior is feeling when you are rejecting them. The two most popular desires for Seniors is walking/running and swimming. This Facility is the only place in town where Seniors can participate in both these things year round, as in the Heat of Summer and the Freezing of Winter. These may be all they can do and MUST do them to avoid a condition called, "Early Death". Yet, this Y puts up a virtual sign that says "SENIORS NOT WANTED AT THIS FACILITY". IF YOU ARE A SENIOR AND ARE READING THIS, MOBILIZE EVERY SENIOR YOU KNOW AND (notify the Press first, then) PROTEST!!! SENIORS UNITE!!! MARCH, FOR FAIR TREATMENT!!! read more

I attempted to register my children for the summer camp and it resulted in a complete disaster. A man named Alan, clearly didn't know what the hell he was doing while I was trying to register one of my children. He didn't bother to register him in the camps I desired and he had him registered twice. This man was also rude and dismissive when I had questions about the paper work. With the exception of Yvonne, everyone behind that front desk were rude and confrontational. I never even received an apology and here's the real kicker, Ms. Heidi Cordes, calls me, initially pretending to resolve the discrepancy. Her demeanor completely escalates with her accusing me of yelling at her staff and causing a scene! And she has the audacity to brag that she's responsible for 12,000 plus members. I guess that was supposed to impress me. Whenever I tried to speak, this woman continued to yell and talk over me and had the audacity to tell me that my son will not be able to register for their summer camp!!! And to top it off, Stacie Young informs me that my oldest son will also not be able to attend camp because she doesn't have the staff who is trained to deal with him because of his particular behavior/disability. Unbelievable!!!! Why won't they hire staff who are trained in crisis intervention? Let me guess, because they simply don't care. But I guarantee you it's important that they continue with raising an enormous membership of 12,000 plus members. Quantity over quality right, Heidi???? I know. These idiots screwed up my child's registration, falsely labeled me as being confrontational and have the audacity to exclude them from participating in their summer camp. Oh, and I'm still waiting for my refund by the way. After all the headaches I encountered with these idiots, it is considered a blessing in disguise. Because the people behind that front desk are clearly incompetent and rude. And the disrespectful tone that Heidi was using with me was appalling! Does she speak to the children in such a harsh tone? How would my children be treated? I shudder at the thought. I don't give a damn how many scholarships they award, I would never allow my children to attend here. And if this low grade level of customer service continues, you can rest assure that the 12,000 plus membership that Heidi obviously loves to boast about, will quickly decline!!!!! read more

I've been here three times. Outstanding facilities and friendly staff. Everyone is eager to help. Workout area is spacious and bright. Terrific programming like posture reviews. Good sense of community. Urbana is lucky to have this Y. A big thanks to Vince and all for the generous welcome to this "Y Away" member. read more

Good place to work out, work, take classes, it's an inviting atmosphere and you meet a lot of new people. The facilities are clean and bright, I only wish there was an outside pool! read more

Pro: This gym has a lot to offer- variety of equipment, basketball, indoor pool, group fitness, rock wall (extra cost), child care (extra cost), spacious locker room, parking (free). The facility is clean and set up nicely. I have tried several of the classes and have found a few that I really enjoy. Although a little expensive for a single membership, the family plan is very reasonably priced. Con: Overcrowding. I like to get in/get out when going to the gym. For others, the YMCA seems to be a place where people like to socialize, so often I wait on equipment where people are sitting to chit-chat, play on their phones, etc. The staff in the weight room do not address this, nor do they talk to people about not racking their weight. Evening group fitness classes are so packed, it is sometimes hard to find a space and can feel cramped. read more

Let me tell you my experience with the new Y so far: 1. My 2.5-year-old son was able to leave the Child Watch ("Watch"?) area his first day there. The staff told us he "left unnoticed and was unattended and for some time" - and they didn't take any responsibility for this. None. Not even an apology to us. Apparently he bailed and tried to find us. This is a calm, quiet boy who is used to being places without us. The Y's solution? To tell us to tell our son to stay in the room. We are apparently supposed to ask a toddler to mind each time he's there because the staff cannot watch him or address the door issues that enabled him to get out in the first place? Aren't we supposed to be the parents that are working out while he's there? Do they understand the definition of "watch"? I was very unimpressed. 2. There's a TV in the toddler room. Very inappropriate and we do not allow our toddlers to sit in front of a TV for 1-2 hours at a time. When I brought this issue up with a Y manager her response was "maybe the Y isn't for you". Wait...and it somehow is for those that are ok with their kids being plunked down in front of a TV? Where's the being accommodating for all families and the sense of community talk that they stressed over and over in orientation? I'm not seeing it. I brought the issues up with the Child Watch manager. No response. It's been ignored. I brought it up with leadership...again, no response. We discussed it on the Facebook page for the Y and some good suggestions were brought up - that post was deleted as being "not the right forum". Note that they didn't discuss what was the right forum or actually deal with the issues. I'm giving the Y until the end of the month to take any level of professionalism before I drop membership. I really want to love the Y. It's close to our house. It has everything we'd want at a reasonable price. The hours are great. I just cannot leave my children with people that can't actually watch them or have them plunked down in front of the TV the entire time. So the kids that go there will get the idea of "I'm going to the Y to watch TV" and not "I'm going to the Y to climb or play or ...um, anything physical?" How ironic and frustrating. I'd probably be less outraged if I didn't get the impression they were actively blowing me off for having any criticism. It very much feels like "the Y or the highway" in their tone and approach so far. I'm giving them until the end of the month to learn anything about basic levels of customer service before I ditch them. Our children are members of a community too and deserve better than sub-par treatment. read more

Going to list positives and negatives here to keep it simple. Let's do the good first: 1. Spacious; a lot of free weights. 2. The area's only indoor family pool. 3. Lots of programs for kids and adults. 4. Childcare provided at times for up to two hours. 5. The staff is generally friendly. The Bad: 1. Overcrowded; it's like O'Hare airport. The weight room is full of people there to chat with each other or play on their phones. They are past due for an expansion. 2. Funky pool hours; don't plan on just showing up and using the pool. They typically have some private class going on (water aerobics or swim lessons, etc) that will preempt your ability to use the pool. 3. The WiFi is extremely spotty. Be prepared to use your data if you want to stream anything. 4. Many things are in disrepair. Frequently the sauna is down or the "hot tub." 5. Until there was significant outrage, the facility was content to let robbers break into people's cars in the parking lot and refused to put in security cameras. This has recently changed. 6. It's expensive. A family membership is $80/month. An individual membership is $52/month. This is after a $90 start up fee. Compare that to Planet Fitness which charges $10/month. 7. They close for 1 week+ in the summer for "cleaning." No other gym facility finds the need to do this and many of those are open 24 hours. The YMCA is only open 6 hours on Sunday. read more

This place is excellent. The facilities are always clean and even during the busy season I feel it's not too crowded. I wish they had a hot tub but other than that this is all I could ask for in a gym. Friendly staff too. read more

I had to put my son for the half day summer camp at this YMCA facility. I had a very terrible experience over all with their process and camp. While registering at the camp they didn't even mention me about any late pick up program and they told me hours are bit flexible to pick up till noon. My lunch time starts only by noon so I was fine enrolling him. First week camp went in and I pick up my son before 12. On next week camp they charged me $20 for late pick up. We are fine paying money but just got surprised and asked hem why suddenly this week we had this fee.Then, I had to talk to Summer camp manager Jeff. Here comes the real thing!! He was explaining me all the process they follow and then he says you come from different background and I come from this background. Still don't understand why he has to bring my background.. I got really hurt by the way he talks..Never deal with him again. We like the YMCA facility with nice pools, gym..if not I will not visit this site again.. read more

I signed up just for running, the track is padded and most the times the walkers stay in their lane, the place is always clean, the staff is friendly and I would recommend it to everyone. read more

One of the best YMCAs I have ever been too. I visited this facility while in town for work. I took advantage of the AWAY program as I am a member at my local Y. Pros: -AWAY members get free access up to 5 times in a year -8 lane lap pool!!! -HUGE aquatics center, lap pool, play pool with slide and therapy pool -2 basketball courts, gymnastics area, 2nd floor 1/16th mile track -studios for classes, 2 story rock wall -tons of Sun through a lot of windows -plenty of free parking Cons: -No free towels -No hot tub Great facility, the people of the greater Champagne area are super lucky. read more

I think it's a shame how money hungry the Stephens Family YMCA is in a time when approximately 25% of Champaign residents live in poverty. Some of those people are disabled veterans who could benefit from the use of a swimming pool, or elderly persons on a fixed income. There is no discount program for these people. They will tell you they offer financial assistance; however, my dad was turned down when he applied. He is elderly, and a disabled veteran, and they turned him away. I grew up in Champaign when the Y was The McKinley YMCA. I spent a large part of my formative years(3-18) there, and it was a place that accepted all people. Unfortunately, today's YMCA is a place for those that walk around with their noses in the air, and feel they are better than everyone else around them. Your site states your mission is "To put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all." I didn't see anything Christian-like in the service(or lack there of) you provided my dad. read more

What a great Y! I'm visiting town for several days and went heretofore work out this morning. Fantastic new facilities--plenty of machines, lots of space, two pools (plus a therapy pool)--a GREAT place to work out. Friendly and effective professional staff--they quickly provided me with the info I needed, including pool hours and a class schedule. What a great resource! read more

Wifi is terrible, most of the time it won't even stream Pandora. I expect better, especially when paying $50 a month.

I absolutely love this gym. It's clean, it's big, and they offer a ton of classes and options for kids. Members get two free hours of child care each day, and the child watch area is phenomenal. My kids always leave happy. They have a great pool area with large slide and also a sauna a family locker room that makes it easier when you have small children. This is the best ymca I have been to. read more