YMCA-Young Men's Christian Association

 

0

9

CAL L.

Sacramento, CA

The YMCA does actually front W street with a view of the freeway from the front doors -- that and the state parking lots under the freeway that have become homeless camps at night.  Despite that, I feel pretty safe at the gym and in the parking lots.

The Y is definitely no-frills.  It suffers from being really old and poorly maintained.  It smells like mold or mildew in the locker room and the showers are worth a pair of flip flops.

I go in the evening and never have any problem getting on machines.  The staff is really nice. I like the Y despite its ambience because it is not a place the beautiful people work out at.  I like that the locker room is filled with naked, fat, older ladies walking around.  I like that my body isn't the best or the worst one there.  

Marcus is the only water aerobics instructor who really makes water aerobics a work out.  The other nights, the work outs are lighter and more about moving your body in the water than raising your heart rate.  Its great for folks with limited mobility, disability, very overweight, or elderly.  There is even a device to lower you into the pool.  But those classes won't help you lose weight.

Trainer quality varies widely.  The trainer I had did mostly education. He wasn't the work-out monitor/motivator style of trainer like you might see with a celebrity on TV.  That was what I needed so I was disappointed.  But you might hit a trainer who is not so chatty.  The price for individual training is a steal.

The cost for my partner and I is about $70 -- we don't qualify for a discount, but many people will.  At this price its equivalent to CA Family Fitness or other gyms.  We went with the Y for the low-stress environment, the classes, and the location near work.  Not so much the good programs the money supports, but that's a nice perk.

The weight room downstairs is usually empty in the evenings or has a few guys in there.  But ladies -- don't feel intimidated.  Its a casual, friendly place --just go in, grab some free weights, and do some exercises while looking at yourself in the mirrors to watch your form.

There is on-site child care in a small room downstairs.  I've never used it, but there is usually one or two kids in there with the child care monitor.

The kids basketball and swimming classes are really popular.  I try not to arrive when the kids are getting out of class because the dressing rooms become a zoo with naked dripping kids.  I go ahead and get naked myself and figure if the parents don't like it, they can lump it -- its a gym.

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Elite '08

140

133

Alisha K.

Sacramento, CA

Is this YMCA on V Street?  I thought it was on W?  Anyway, I have been a member of the Y for a couple of years now and I love it.   The staff is always very nice.  The cardio and weight room is rarely crowded.  They give great discounts, including a student rate or a sliding scale for those who can't afford the full rate.  

The thing I like the most about the YMCA, is that when I am super lazy and not going to the gym as much as I should be, I never feel like my money is going to waste.  I know that my monthly dues are still going to some good services for the community.  Don't you love how I can turn my guilt of not working out into a charitable gift?

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12

48

K F.

Sacramento, CA

I'm also a member of this YMCA and you'll see me frolicking in the water many times each week, particularly on the nights there is a male water aerobics instructor who I affectionately dubbed "Sgt. Hulka."  Points to you if you immediately know who that is.  

Pro:  The cost is affordable. Kaiser members -- you get a discount on your fees, and my enrollment was waived when I presented my Kaiser card.  

Pro: Sgt. Hulka (I think his name is Marcus, actually) who teaches water aerobics on Mondays and Fridays in the evening). His classes are brutal and I love them.   Come prepared to work your ass off in the water.

Pro: They never once have looked at or asked for my member card. I take guests with me to the pool all the time. "Just follow me in and turn left at the stairs, when I do, like you know where you are going."  They do, and no one is hassled. So sue me, I sneak people into the Y.

Con:  Mold and mildew smell is everywhere.

Con:  Really outdated buildings and grounds could use a face lift.

Con:  Walking down a steep flight of stairs to the pool can be dangerous.   The street level access is for the disabled, only.

Con:  I recently was a guest at the Toby Wells YMCA in San Diego and this multimillion dollar facility, for which my brother pays the exact same monthly fees as I do, has so many programs, so much more equipment, and is such a stellar place, that I got pissed off that we are not doing the same for our members, up here.    Typical Example:  They have swimming suit extractors mounted in the locker rooms. You drop in your wet swim suit, press a button, and 5 seconds later, it has been spun to nearly completely dry for the ride home.

I mean it, we looked like the bastard child of the YMCA, compared to that facility, FOR THE SAME MONTHLY FEES.  

What makes it a WASH:  Like Alisha, I like that my money goes to programs which benefit the community and other members, as opposed to the corporate slugs over at Alhambra Athletic Club (so overrated), where I had a constant battle with double debiting my checking account for the monthly fees.

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Elite '08

171

225

Greg B.

Sacramento, CA

No frills gym. There's a couple levels. Upstairs they have the cardio with stationary bikes, cross trainers and the treadmills. They also have the nautilus-type exercise equipment upstairs. Not a typical gym crowd. A wide range of people from teens to the elderly. Although I have yet to run into anybody from the Village People.

Downstairs there's a large weight room which never gets crowded. Free weights as well as some machines. If you're in the mood for a swim, they also have a pool downstairs.

The YMCA also offers gobs of classes from Yoga to a healthy back class. As a member this is offered for free. Dues are reasonable and the initial fee up from isn't too much.

And without further adieu, YMCA.....

Young man, there's no need to feel down
I said, young man, pick yourself off the ground
I said, young man, 'cause you're in a new town
There's no need to be unhappy

Young man, there's a place you can go
I said, young man, when you're short on your dough
You can stay there, and I'm sure you will find
Many ways to have a good time.

It's fun to stay at the Y.M.C.A.
It's fun to stay at the Y.M.C.A.
They have everything for young men to enjoy.
You can hang out with all the boys.

It's fun to stay at the Y.M.C.A.
It's fun to stay at the Y.M.C.A.
You can get yourself clean
You can have a good meal
You can do whatever you feel.

Young man, Are you listening to me
I said, young man, what do you want to be
I said, young man, you can make real your dreams,
but you've got to know this one thing.

No man, does it all by himself
I said, young man, put your pride on the shelf
And just go there, to the Y.M.C.A.
I'm sure they can help you today

It's fun to stay at the Y.M.C.A.
It's fun to stay at the Y.M.C.A.
They have everything for young men to enjoy.
You can hang out with all the boys.

It's fun to stay at the Y.M.C.A.
It's fun to stay at the Y.M.C.A.
You can get yourself clean
You can have a good meal
You can do whatever you feel.

Young Man, I was once in your shoes,
I said, I was down and out with the blues
I felt, no man cared if I were alive
I felt the whole world was so jive

That's when someone came up to me
and said young man take a walk up the street
There's a place there called the Y.M.C.A.
They can start you back on your way.

It's fun to stay at the Y.M.C.A.
It's fun to stay at the Y.M.C.A.
They have everything for young men to enjoy.
You can hang out with all the boys.

Y.M.C.A.
It's fun to stay at the Y.M.C.A.
It's fun to stay at the Y.M.C.A.
Young man, Young man, there's no need to feel down
Young man, Young man, pick yourself off the ground

Y.M.C.A.
just go to the Y.M.C.A.
Young Man, Young Man, I was once in your shoes,
Young Man, Young Man, I was out with the blues

Y.M.C.A.
Y.M.C.A.
Y.M.C.A.
Y.M.C.A.

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