Downtown Branch YMCA

So I'm this state senior pay 91.00 dollars a month for membership. So just come out and say we the seniors are not welcome at the YMCA. So many other options seniors, never go where they try to price you out. It's very sad.

Multiple floors, stay is respectful and acknowledges you with a smile coming in and leaving equipment clean well spaced not too many people there around 5-6 and we'll priced.

I've been a member since 2007 and wow has the customer service and amenities here plummeted in that time. First the cost is almost twice as much as other gyms, but without things like towel service, which they used to provide. Studios and back workout rooms are no longer available for guests to use, they are always locked. They have very limited hours compared to most gyms, but because the YMCA thinks they have more than enough hours, they will randomly close the building hours earlier than they are supposed to every few weeks.

I've been checking to see if their hours have ever improved since this is the most convenient location for me. I rlsee that they are now closed on weekends and not open for any hours during the where I'm available. What a joke.

If you're in the mood to deal with some blatant sexism, then this is the place for you! Every time I've tried to play BasketBall at this YMCA, I get to play for maybe 5 mins before a bunch of guys group up and decide to take over the whole court. Every time me(female) and my friend(male) are playing at one of the hoops, 8 to 10 men(all random players) always decide to group up and occupy the full court, pushing us off. There are never any YMCA employees there to make sure this kind of behavior doesn't happen either. Like I said, if you're in the mood to endure some hardcore sexism, then have fun!!

What kind of gym is closed on the weekend? This is crazy. Makes no sense. They should change this.

Great gym. Large space, good equipment, friendly staff and professional trainers.

For Y members who don't know what to do in a gym other than running on treadmill or elliptical machine, I strongly recommend the free trial private trainer session (one time) and free group exercise classes.

I've been a member for 2 years. I go 3-5 times a week.

June 2016, after doing half a year elliptical(really boring), I started going to the Total Body Conditioning classes in the morning. It was a very challenging class but brought so much benefit and fun to me.
I didn't know how to do anything in the beginning (that's why I was only doing elliptical). With trainers and other members help, I was able to learn all kinds of workout movements.

For a while, I was trying out all kinds of group exercises in the Y. TRX, HIIT, Insanity, turbo kick, yoga, zumba, boxing, all great classes, meet people's different needs. Many of these I did with trainer Kelly who's full of energy and love. We both are Seahawks fans so she often motivates me like "one more pushup for the Seahawks!" :) Oh I like Kelly so much.

After doing total body conditioning class for more than a year, I developed interest in one sport more than others: power lifting.
Downtown YMCA has a great trainer for this sport: Teagan. He's a very strong and professional trainer. He teaches the total body conditioning class in the evenings(highly recommend).
I joined his 6 week sessions class Lifting Squad a while ago. This kind of series training sessions in the Y are always very reasonably priced and have very high value.

This Lifting Squad class helped me in two big ways:
1. I learned the basic techniques of power lifting.
2. Before the class, I never walked into the free weights area because I felt it very intimidating. Many women share this common feeling. The class helped me overcome this fear. Now I'm able to go there to do stronglifts 5*5 training all by myself.

People sometime just need a little help to start. That's why group exercises with trainers can be a good thing to try.

Now when I look back at the 2 years work out experience in downtown YMCA, I found that fitness is not only about the will power.
If I was just doing elliptical which I didn't really enjoy, it's very possible I already gave up long time ago.
Having fun, seeing the improvement, learning new things, making friends, getting inspired , those are the things that motivate me to go work out consistently.
Downtown YMCA offered me all of those.
Thanks a lot to the Y!

Thanks for the reply 2 years later.
The staff know they check the steam room every half hour.

The Y just raised its prices & frankly it's just not worth the $ for what you get. Staff runs the gamut from pleasant & engaging to rude & adversarial. The facilities are ok but again, nothing you can't find at gyms half the price. The locker room can be sketchy & a lot of the classes & activities are extra, adding to an already steep price.
I have always tried to support the YMCA no matter where I live but I just can't justify the spend at the Seattle branch when my support is met with unsavory workout conditions as well as staff apathy & rudeness.

I am definitely happy with my decision to move on to another gym. It's just a lot less cozy and less chaotic and there is a lot more personal space respected.

I chose 24 hour fitness and I'm happy with my decision.