YMCA of Birmingham

Probably one of the top YMCAs I’ve ever been too. Always clean and the equipment isn’t tragedy or worn! Never to crowded! They are constantly upgrading equipment, such as new spin bikes are coming that calculate your mileage, calories, etc. Too cool! Finally a Y that gives me My money’s worth! They have a great massage therapist, pool, and indoor track!

Great gym! Always clean, cardio machines are plentiful. The monthly fee is slightly more expensive than most other gyms, but I find the benefits of the Y worth it.

YMCA is a great place for family membership for team sports, pool fun, or after school care. But if you are looking for a place that doesnt have kids go somewhere else.

I had to really force myself to give this place two stars above only one. When I first decided to join this YMCA, my thought was that, since it’s in a nice part of Birmingham, and surrounded by nice gyms, it would be a nice place. Oops, I was wrong. It’s not that it’s «bad», it’s just mediocre. It’s very middle of the road.
So let’s review high points vs. low.
High:
It’s on 280 and convenient.
some equipment is very nice
lap pool is separate from the «kiddie» pool
Low:
It’s a mediocre gym.
It’s hit or miss whether you run into an employee who is nice.
Some equipment is not very nice.
Here’s the biggie:
It’s dirty.
I don’t mean a dirty from being busy, I mean a dirty as in no one cares to clean all of it. I say all of it because I have seen people clean, and it appears they are working hard, I just don’t see the results of their efforts. Everywhere I turn, I just don’t get a warm and fuzzy that it’s real clean.
Now if you have children and want to put them in summer camp there. Here is what you need to be prepared for.
It’s a type of chaos. There are kids everywhere and I can’t seem to tell who is in charge and who isn’t. Of course that’s because it’s mostly teenagers supervising the kids, and their ability may or may not be adequate. Speaking of supervision, let me introduce you to a word that does not apply here…“consistency”. When you pull up to pick up your child, you may or may not be asked to sign them out, and I cannot recall every being asked for ID. Yet if you go inside, they will ask for ID and be very adamant about it. Now if your children see you waiting for them, they can just walk away from the line and then the both of you can wait to see if anyone comes looking for them so you can sign them out. My personal record is 25 minutes at which point we left. As a parent I cannot tell you how comforting that is (sarcasm).
DO NOT send your kids with something that they do not want to lose because they will lose it and it will be gone for good. And good luck getting any help finding it.
If you’re pointed to the Lost and Found, make sure you have a Hazmat suit on. It reeks of wet clothes, towels and mold. And that doesn’t take into account the left over lunch boxes with food still in them. I was really surprised at the condition of the L&F.
We wont be going back. There are too many other options and our first experience/​impression here was not positive.