YMCA of Greater Seattle – Northshore

I’ve always been a fan of the Y and this is a nice YMCA. The facilities are clean and well kept. Yes, it can be pretty busy if you go at peak times (as some others have said) but what gym or fitness club isn’t during those times. Our grandkids are in swim lessons here and they love it. They’re making great progress in the pool thanks to the lessons. If you plan on taking swim lessons here, you need to sign up quick and they fill up very fast. I recommend you sign up online the day they open up the classes. If you go in person and wait in line you’ll probably miss out.

This YMCA is swamped specially the pool. I had to get in line for almost 2 hours to register for swim lessons. I called it quits after their walmart approach to attracting new members while providing little to poor service to the existing ones didnt work with me. The prices of the swimming lessons will run you around $ 14 – 17 per lesson per kid, if you are lucky to get a spot. Non-​Members – GOOD LUCK. I now have my kids in private swimming lessons and they are actually learning how to swim rather then being distracted from 50plus people in the pool at the same time. The locker rooms are horrible and need to be updated as well.

My family moved to the Bothell area recently. We needed a place for our son to go to in the mornings and looked at the Y’s program on-​line. The website stated it was 300.00 for the school year. We called and it was suggested that we sign up as soon as possible because they were getting full. My husband went in to the Y to sign him up, was rushed through the paperwork and verbally confirmed with them the cost of $ 300 for the year and was told yes. The first months deduction was done immediately and we thought we were done. Mid-​way through the first month of school, I called the center where they do the care and left a message to let them know that my son probably wouldn’t be attending until mid-​October. We received no call back. October rolls around and we receive another $ 300 deduction. We immediately started calling and after numerous days passing and no return phone calls from the center, we moved up the chain. After doing more research we found an e-​mail address for an administrator and sent an e-​mail. We never received a response from the Administrator, but did get one from a program or business manager stating that our paper contract that was signed had $ 300 monthly listed but did thanks us for pointing out that their website was not clear and that their program should have called us directly after a couple of days of our son not showing up, which never happened. I’m glad that our $ 600 was put to good use for pointing out the problems that they had and their unwillingness to correct any mistake on their part all because my husband was rushed through signing a contract and their staff and website are misinformed. My son hasn’t attended a day there.

I love the Y. I have been going for the past 10 years and have been to most of the YMCA’s in the Greater Seattle Association. I love that I can use the weight room at Northshore and not feel judged. It is such a positive atmosphere here, always a great class to go to.

This place is a joke. Overall the facilities are not back but the staff and their programs are horrible. A bunch of teenagers running a facility and a staff that all seem to leave the office at 2pm everyday is not the way to run a facility like this. I signed my son up for soccer. After two weeks his team still did not have a coach. I told the athletics director, who is one of the most incompetent people there, i wanted a refund. His response is that the Y doesn’t do refunds after a program has started. Two weeks in, there is no coach, the program is very disorganized, and you tell me the program is in full swing and you can’t do a refund. That is absurd. I cancelled my membership today. Not worth the $ 120 a month plus all the program fees I paid. Stupid mistake on my part.

Generally a good staff. The pool is nice. The price is alright. The workout and playrooms were pretty good as well. A good place to have fun.

I have been a member of the YMCA for 15 years and I have to say the Staff at the Northshore YMCA do not have the experience of those at other Y’s (eg Dale Turner and Mel Korum staff are excellent). We have experienced poor communication at both summer camps and swim lessons, causing ourselves and other parents much inconvenience, extra travel time and inconsistent schedules. The staff do not exhibit a caring attitude that is respectful of the parent members, giving parents an «oh well, that’s life «response. Parents spend a lot of time and money to provide care and recreation activities for the family and the Northshore YMCA needs to exhibit it’s values in providing services. One star is too much, this place deserves a zero.

The YMCA Nothshore site has dropped in supporting its members over the last year. Today was the worst at the site when my children left crying because of the swim instructors unwillingness to work with them. The front desk offered no help just telling me they could not help. This type of don’t care about members has become constant at the Northshore site over the last year. Don’t know the reason for the change, but it is awful to watch your little ones cry.

What comes in your mind when you think YMCA? I thought a place where there is enough opportunity for a kid to learn. However, let me tell you the truth — place where a kid get chance only if you are a member who is paying monthly fee. Very limited classes which usually fills with member.
So I don’t see this as a different one where you are not being ripped off your money. If you don’t believe, try yourself. Just say, I don’t want to be member paying monthly fee and you will come to know where you stand for them to support.

Equipment is fine, but nothing special. Good childcare area, I like that they have a pool. Overall, the staff is super nice with some great adult group exercise teachers. High price if you don’t use the childcare. I do, so this place gets an A!

We love it here! Our son goes to the Early Learning Preschool and we are members. My three year old son loves the preschool and his teacher, he has learned so much in the past few months and his speech has improved. The staff is wonderful and highly trained — great with children! The other building has wonderful facilities — we love the pool and get quite a bit of use out of it. The children and family programs are amazing and my son is starting t-​ball soon. I know there are some improvements being made to update the building and the front lobby has been revamped — which is really nice!

I have belonged to the Y for 4 years now and have enjoyed several features of it, especially its proximilty to my home. I have taken Tai Chi and have used some of the machines. But I have endured its high cost — now its up to $ 60/​month for a single person — that is a chunk of change. I did a bit investigating of other exercise providers and it turns out that having a pool at a facilty adds about $ 20/​month burden on everyone no matter which company. I don’t use the pool as I am not ot a an indoor water person, especially with kids. I don’t like having to pay for this major cost increasing feature when I do not use it. This Y also has their all too familiar parking problem at peak times. Now with a recent tigther budget, I am seriously thinking of quitting.

My family has been members at this facility for over 20 years.
In general, this YMCA is a good all around facility for families and senior citizens.
Over the years, this YMCA is gone distinctly downhill as follows.
–Just too many people — facility is very oversubscribed,
–The price of $ 105 for a couple per month is expensive compared to other gyms,
–Routine price increases for the last 5 years or so of 5−10% a year (no changed services),
–The pool and locker rooms are aging fast,
–The pool runs too hot most of the time for lap swimmers and is 50% chlorine/​50% water.
–The shower temperature varies a lot — this is the place for you if you like cold water — :)
So this place works but know what you are getting into.
YMCAs never deserve a 2 so I’ll give this place a 3. If you want a place to just exercise without the benefit of noisy children, overcrowded locker rooms and an aging facility, try someplace else.

All around great, healthy, family-​friendly environment to work out in and get fit. I use the Fitlinx system to track my workouts and it’s pretty cool. The people are more helpful than ever and you just feel welcomed.
The only negative is it can get very crowded, but that’s what happens with a place that’s great.

I work in Bothell about 2 minutes from this facility, so I find myself going here quite a bit during my lunch break or after work. This facility is pretty great.
There are lots of cardio machines including treadmills, elliptical machines, and lots of stationary bikes — no stair masters, though.
Also, there is a huge gym for basketball and an Olympic-​sized lap pool. Also two racquetball courts. Really, it’s all in all pretty decent.
The weight room is satisfactory: it’s split into 3 different rooms, however. A lot of the machines are in with the cardio machines, and the free weights are in their own separate room. But you can definitely get your workout done here.
The locker rooms are big and comfortable with all the YMCA amenities: towel service and the like.

Nice gym for all kinds of folks. Not a membership up-​sell scam like another one I looked at. Lots of basketball area — a big double one and a full size family court. Aerobics group uses one or the other at times.
Great cardio gym and a smaller resistance gym too. Weight room is fine. Pool has too much chemical for me personally, bit is top notch!
If you lose your job, they work with you. Very kind and prevents depressing times — big tip of the hat there!

Sure, Northshore YMCA isn’t a fancy gym, but it does offer a great place to work out, swim, take classes etc. What I like about the Northshore YMCA is that they offer a variety of different programs for kids, teenagers, and adults; and there are always staff members around if you have any questions.
The one thing I love about this YMCA is that you can take all of the classes you want if you have a membership. I frequently take pilates classes here and the instructors are extremely knowledgeable, and give great classes. I would rather take classes here than spend $ 10 – 15 on a class elsewhere.

I’m generally a fan of the Northshore YMCA. While it’s not necessarily anything to scream about, it’s a nice place to work out and spend some time.
The workout portions of the YMCA are divided into the Cardio/​Weight Room (large), Total Health Center (small), and then the Weight Room (small). I spend the most time in the Cardio/​Weight Room, then finish my workouts with a trip to the weight room. It’s a cool routine.
The workout machines are nice; getting newer, with the older machines aging out. TVs are attached to most every cardio machine, and the weight machines are acceptable, though slightly old.
If you’re looking to drop the kids off and workout, this is an okay place to do so. From what I can tell, the kids are supervised, and have other children to play with.
As well, the Philips Ultrasound Room is geared more towards the junior high /​high school crowd, with ping pong, foosball, and computers /​xBox for the kids to use.
The rates are acceptable, for an adult member, there’s a $ 100 joining fee, and then it’s $ 58 per month from there on.
Overall, the Y’s a good place to work out, or let the kids spend some time.

I’m new to the area and needed to find a nice place to go and workout.
Recently I joined the Northshore YMCA and am pleased with the staff and services offered by the Y.
They have some of their equipment connected to Fitlinx (sp?) which helps me keep track of what I have done during my time there. The other thing I like about the system is that it helps me maintain a decent pace when using the strength training machines. Breath in breath out.
The other day, I was walking by a Tai Chi class and sat at the door taking a look. I have always wanted to drop in on one. The instructor waved me in. Ok I’m not into any sort of martial arts. The important thing is that I had a good time and met some wonderful people in the class. They all let me stay even though I’m sure I was messing up their routine. I will be coming back and trying more of the classes.
I do wish the swimming pool were a little bigger. But it’s all good.

Unless you have a child, this place sucks. I can see the appeal for those who have children for daycare purposes, and children’s programs. It seems like it is really good in that aspect, and a lot of people use it for that reason. Unfortunately, for everyone else who needs a nice sized gym with up-​to-​date equipment, this Y falls short.
The cardio room is large, and has a good amount of equipment, but it’s always been very packed, unless I go at 6 am. The weight machines in the cardio room are old, and there is not a good selection. The elipticals, treadmills, and such are nice, and a lot of them have built in tv screens, but I can’t help but get grossed out by all of the sweaty, grunting people in a large, but cramped room.
The actual free weight room is even worse. I’ve never seen such a tiny, sparse, free weight room. Our old gym was about a tenth of the size of this gym, and had triple the size of a weight room, with brand new equimpent.
I don’t understand how it costs $ 80 for a couple membership, when I’ve been to other gyms that are way nicer for around the same price. Our old gym (retrofit) in Mountlake Terrace was small, had pretty much no extra amenities, but was clean, and had a better weight room and selection of weight machines for half of the membership cost.
YMCA Fail.