YMCA- anyone else?

the best part about the Y is traveling... if i have to travel i can find a local Y wherever i am and my membership carries ove r

I absolutely love my YMCA(s). I have a city-wide membership and mostly go to one near my house, although sometimes I drive a little farther to a newer one. I love the people who work there. I love that there is a wide variety of people who work out there. I like the fact that the equipment is clean, safe and up-to-date. I love their free childcare, and my daughter does too. I like being able to take my daughter to swimming lessons and also like being able to swim all summer for no added cost.

I pay more for my Y membership than I do for a regular commercial gym membership, but I feel like I get my money's worth, plus they contribute a lot to disadvantaged youth and offer a lot of programs for senior citizens, as well.

I wouldn't go anywhere else!

LOVE the Y!!

We have been members since February and I have been there 3-4x a week pretty much EVERY week since then.

I started off just on the treadmill, then 2 weeks later I picked a few strength machines to start with...and every few weeks I would add another one. At my particular branch, there is one trainer that is there M-F when I am there. he is like 20ish and super cute and sweet.

If you do join, take advantage of the fitstart classes. That will give you an idea of how to use the machines and give you an opportunity to ask a trainer any questions you might have. The trainer that works when I am there is really approachable and I am comfortable asking him for help with my lifting form or whatever...

Yep. We have a membership at the Y.
The only downside are the "C" hours on Sundays.

I do my lifting at the local YMCA. It has every thing I need, plus my kids enjoy it.

I love my YMCA. State of the art, friendly staff, absolutely the best thing that ever happened to me. I lift weights twice a week, use the arc, treadmill, recumbant bikes, and stairmaster. I can honestly say I shower there more than I do my own home nowadays lol... And the dry sauna is awesome!

http://www.hornellymca.com/PhotoGallery.html

WOW that's a nice Y!

OMG I love my Y ! I get a great workout, our Zumba instructor is wonderful and I'd put her up against one anywhere. People are friendly, it's not a meat market, and the people that work there are nice and courteous. You can get a personal trainer there to help you get in shape, and try lots of classes and activities till you find the ones that you really love. It's very easy to meet new people.

I joined at the end of June. I have access to 12ish different locations in my area and then can use it when I go to my hometown Y. If yours has the Fitlinxx system, you can track you exercises and some of the strength machines are hooked up to it. It keeps track of the machine seat/back settings, range of motion and the weight to lift. Its definitely helped me with getting used to better form and being more aware of my muscle locations. Plus, its kinda cool when you finish your workout and the system tells you that you lifted 17,000 lbs

I LOVE the Y because the kids get a workout, too! Yesterday I thought the kid zone was open but it wasn't when I went, so I had my 7 year old son with me, we played basketball for an hour instead (that's what I like about it!).

You don't get "pressured" into contracts or anything, it's month to month and if we decide to stop then we stop for a few months only to start again without any joining fees. We had zero joining fee anyway for State employees, which my husband is one. Everyone is nice, the equipment is cleaned regularly. There's a skatepark for the kiddos, swimming, teen center, child watch or kid zone for kids and an outdoor play area (jungle gym) so kids get exercise too or help with homework. There is also free tea and coffee at all times.

I swim, elliptical, lift weights, bike. I don't do any classes (yet). I do the treadmill once in a great while.

Y lifter here!

I also have a membership there... Love it! Go to: Zumba, Yoga, Pilates, and my favorite.... Body Pump!!!! :glasses: I saw the dietitian there and she was very helpful. She and her assistant help me out each week to make sure I'm on track with my food and exercise. As others have stated, they have a sauna, and not sure if someone stated, but they also have a massage therapist!

They have other classes like TRX, Dawn Patrol, Aqua Aerobics, Belly Dancing, Tai Chi, and others. Not to mention the 'normal' activities & equipment of basketball, pool, elliptical, treadmills, weights, stairmasters, spin classes, racketball, and more.

The instructors make the classes fun and the staff members are really nice. Even the members are friendly.

Anyway, that's my two cents!

Y member and staff. I teach and take group ex classes f many varieties. Love the Y's mission statement and way of "being"!

I love my YMCA. This is where I workout almost every day of the week. I do the majority of the classes there, and have tried them all. I love the staff and the instructors to my classes have become great friends. I had met so many incredible people through the YMCA!

I love the Y. It's cheaper than most gyms in my area -- plus, my employer has a partnership with them that says if I go six times a month, three months in a row, I get the fourth month free.

I mostly use the treadmill and stationary bikes. I have a student ID for a local university, so I use the pool there. But, I like how the Y has a branch in my building, and it's mostly friendly.