4.3
5.7
Overall Score
Author: Kalicia Bateman
LAST UPDATED: April 8th, 2022
Founded in 1844 in London, the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) is the oldest operating wellness facility of its kind in existence. The original purpose of the organization (and its female counterpart, YWCA) was to provide low-cost housing in a safe Christian environment for rural young men and women journeying to the cities for work during the industrialization era. The YMCA combined preaching in the streets and the distribution of religious tracts with a social ministry. Philanthropists saw YMCA as a place for wholesome recreation that would help to deter youth groups from the temptations of alcohol, gambling, and prostitution. Today, YMCA programs throughout the world still hold strong to the values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility. These values continue to be taught in its facilities today to help teach children right from wrong. YMCA has since developed a culture of fitness and wellness at its locations communities with paid gym membership programs and fitness classes that promote healthy living. The association conducts many different types of outreach and social programs to raise awareness of its services, and currently serves over 10,000 neighborhoods across the United States.
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The Good
- Price and contracts
- No hidden fees
- Cleanliness
- Classes
- Trainers and nutrition
Price and Contracts
The YMCA lists its membership prices upfront, which include a recurring monthly membership ranging from $47 to $55. For $90.00 a month, a family can join. This membership can be paid monthly, or annually in one lump sum. YMCAs across the globe also promote healthy lifestyles through fitness and nutrition by allowing their communities to access their exercise equipment and take group fitness classes for a very affordable rate. If you can't afford the monthly fee, you can "pay-as-you-go" for $10 for a full day pass. For $10, you can take any class for free or use any of the facilities' amenities, from the pool to the basketball court to the weight room. There are also special perks for seniors, who can get a free membership under the Silver Sneakers program offered through certain insurance plans. As a community center, YMCA also offers financial assistance for those in need. Applicants should bear in mind, however, that they would have to go through a full paperwork process, and provide information W-2s. Also, YMCA may disqualify anyone receiving public assistance-the demographic that needs this help the most.No Hidden Fees
While many gyms we found had hidden fees, the YMCA does not. Pricing is pretty straightforward but a few members ran into additional fees with family memberships. Most gyms we reviewed have at least one or two "hidden fees" customers encounter after joining; but the YMCA does not seem to follow suit.Cleanliness
The level of cleanliness at the YMCA depends on the specific location; however, most tend to be clean and well kept despite the caliber of neighborhood. Members are responsible for cleaning any equipment they use, and YMCA provides disposable paper towels to wipe the equipment down. Staff maintenance overall appears to be consistent at keeping the facility clean.Classes
The YMCA offers an average of over 700 classes each week. This is the most out of almost any gym or fitness center we reviewed. Classes cover the broadest base of activities in the industry and are tailored for beginner, intermediate and advanced levels, so members can choose which level is best for them. Most national gyms do not offer levels, just one class for everyone. This can be problematic for a novice to take an advanced class and risk injury. The YMCA's classes include low-impact group exercise and chair classes, stretching and strength training, indoor cycling, boxing, boot camp, water exercise, tai chi, Couch to 5K Beginner Running, yoga, and X-PLODE Group Training. The YMCA also provides massage, pool, locker rooms (you have to bring your own key or pay for one), mind and body rooms, an indoor track (in suburban locations), and a full-length basketball court and skating rink.Trainers and Nutrition
All YMCA locations offer one-on-one personal and group sessions with personal trainers. Members can purchase sessions in 1-, 5-, and 10-hour packages. YMCA's personal training sessions focus on goal setting, cardiovascular conditioning, muscle strength and endurance training, and overall body restructuring. Sport-specific training is also available. It should also be noted that the YMCA does offer programs for health and wellness, some of which incorporate some nutritional training. For example, they have a Chronic Disease Programs which offer nutritional consultations.The Bad
- Upfront Fees
- Equipment
- Other Available Amenities
- Training limitations
Upfront Fees
The YMCA has one membership type: month-to-month. The enrollment fee is $100, which is expensive, though, occasionally the Y will advertise specials where this fee is dropped. Some of the other major gyms we reviewed had similarly expensive enrollment fees.Equipment
The quantity and quality of the equipment at the Y varies from gym to gym. Facilities in inner cities are lacking updated equipment while locations in the suburbs have all the best machines. Quantity also varies according to facility location. Some YMCAs have less equipment than others.Other Available Amenities
As with any fitness facility, the complaints and issues will vary from gym to gym. The majority of reviews for YMCAs across the United States are positive, but there are quite a few complaints about a lot of children in the fitness area. Many fitness clubs have rules against bringing children into the fitness area of a gym. Because YMCA offers family passes and are very family-oriented, the majority of the complaints are about the number of children present at the gym throughout the day. In addition, the YMCA's many amenities are not consistent across all locations.Training Limitations
Prices for training programs at the YMCA depend on the branch you are a member of and are not advertised; rather, they require in-person consultations with YMCA personnel. This is less favorable than some gyms that offer their pricing packaging upfront. YMCA's personal training programs do not seem to be as holistic as other gyms' in terms of nutrition and exercise training. We also found the YMCA doesn't offer nutritional plans for one-on-one training.The Bottom Line
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Vcraft Columbia, MD
Unethical and unauthorized billing. Consumer unfriendly. Management is unresponsive when problems occur. Not as it used to be. Supervisor (Miranda) refused to acknowledge that they changed billing info to me without my consent. When registering as a member initially, supervisor (Miranda) started that she could only register one card for billing. Unclear how they got my credit card info. Even after I requested a stop to service and changed my card number they were able to bill me for yet another month using “updated services” which means you will be billed at your new card. I had a confirmation email. This was also disregarded. I was also denied access to speak with her boss EJ. At first she led me to believe that my partner at the time called and requested the change. Which means he accessed my wallet. Based on this I filed a police report. She later stated that I gave her my card and authorized its use. That in fact this person did not call. Something is not right here.
5 years ago
Sara Anoka, MN
We were not impressed with the gym set up at all and it is always packed. This place is not worth the money.
I recently contacted the customer service department to cancel our family membership. I was told there is no way to cancel the membership other than physically going to the location to fill out the cancellation form. This is not a viable option for me at this time as I am traveling for work for the next few weeks and my husband is also working 12 hours a day and taking care of the kids while I am away. After I asked a few additional questions the customer service representative revealed that the site may be able to work with me in regard to the cancellation. I thought it was distasteful to have to draw that information from them instead of having them try to meet the customers needs at the beginning of the conversation. I was directed to the Andover YMCA and spoke with a lady named Sharon. As soon as she heard that I needed to cancel she was rude. I explained to her our situation and asked if my husband could cancel the membership as I am away from work. She said that they don't usually do that sort of thing but might be able to work something out. I told Sharon "I am surprised that the YMCA does not have some sort of system for its members to cancel other than having to physically be there as it is extremely inconvenient and that as a customer I would recommend not making this such a difficult process." As I was saying this she kept on interrupting me before I could finish my sentence and hung up the phone on me! So I called the YMCA customer service line a second time to register a complaint and was directed back to the person that would not help me in the first place. Thanks but no thanks YMCA.
7 years ago
Donald Dayton Lancaster, NY
If i could I would not give any stars
1.As per the Y policy, a 30-day notice in writing is required when terminating a membership. As your February 1 draft did not process, as a courtesy, your February dues were cancelled and your membership was terminated effective 01/31/2019. Your masterkey membership gave you access to all YMCA’s in the Buffalo Niagara area, including the Southtown branch, which you mentioned in your email. In confirmation with my supervisor, January dues would not be refunded. We will waive the join fee for you and Carole, as well as for Evie, if you should decide to give the Y another try.
We appreciate your interest in our community here at the Independent Health Family Branch YMCA. If you have any questions, please contact me.
My step Daughter is disabled and lives at home with a seizure disorder she would not have been able to use 90% of the gym but would have used the pool. They would not work with use and wanted her to have a separate policy. Will not issue a refund because it was done over the internet. Would not recommend this gym
7 years ago
Not happy
After being a plus member at this gym for over a year, I was harrassed by a staff member because apparently I was sitting too close to a friend in the hot tub, with our legs touching. I asked the staff member his name and he wouldn't tell me. I came closer to look at his name tag and he physically pushed me. I filed a complaint because I felt that this was totally inappropriate and homophobic but nothing came of it (I got a voicemail a week later from someone and was never able to get ahold of them). Tensions Rose in the changeroom and I heard stories about other members complaining about the 'intimate incident', apparently he said I was sitting in my friend's lap! I wondered whether the staff member was spreading rumours, since practically no one else was there. On my last night this staff told me I couldn't wear my bathing suit on the elliptical in the change room workout area. There was a rule on the wall so I left the elliptical. When I attempted to broach a conversation about what had happened in the past the staff refused to talk to me. When I went to the pool, moments later he was following me with another staff pointing me out. Later in the hot tub this staff asked me to speak to him privately. He reiterated the rule about not wearing the bathing suit as if I needed to hear it again. When I talked to the manager about this she claimed she had been told that I had refused to follow the rule when told. This was a lie. All in all the staff harrassed me by stalking me around the building, shamed me for being close to my friend in the hot tub, pushed me physically, lied, gaslit my claims and I suspect spread rumours. I quit.
7 years ago
Ennock
One day I went to ymca and was this guy at the redemption who was bringing his own laws saying that I can’t play basketball cause two months younger than 18. I tried to ask him if I can play only that day but he tried to act like he is the coolest guy in ymca
7 years ago
Durk Helferich ,
They care more about money and have a very poor selection of classes at the Southwest Y
6 years ago
