YMCA of Greater Dayton

So disappointed that they charge $ 2 to park in the lot. If you happen to go with any regularity it makes it really financially burdensome. And the equipment isn’t that great, the space is somewhat small, and probably most offensive is the in-​your-​face displays of scripture everywhere. I get it, the Y is a Christian organization based on Christian principles, but it’s unreasonable to think that everyone who uses those facilities is Christian or even if they are that they want to be bombarded with bible phrases when they’re just going about their workout. Honestly, I miss the Englewood Y. They were superior in so many ways, from the updated equipment with individual TV’s, to the cleanliness, to the lack of overt proselytizing. But this is what I’m close to now and it’s not enough to keep my interest. I ended up cancelling my membership, or at least attempting to. They have a very inconvenient process for cancelling that involves you having to physically go to the gym and fill out paperwork, as if computers do not exist. And god help you if you happen to have a corporate plan set up, which apparently takes 10 – 12 business days to process. Seriously, I’m not entirely certain they’re not still charging me. :(

Compared with the YMCAs in NYC, this place definitely places a much heavier emphasis on the «C.» The aforementioned scripture cards attached to the workout machines is totally real. There are quotes from the Bible painted on the walls; a banner thanking the Pope (as well as the other the «donors,» to be fair) in the basketball court; and a sign warning you about using naughty, fowl language while weightlifting (though you can, apparently, still grunt way too loudly while using the bench press and unsafely toss the bar with a booming CLANG, just so others know you are SERIOUSLY shredding in up in here). I haven’t (yet?) witnessed anyone being baptized in the pool, and certainly hope it stays that way, but definitely have noticed that the pool is a) clean b) has excellent availability and c) pretty glorious.
This place is pretty great: excellent, highly accessible location, deeply affordable, decent business hours (especially for Dayton «everything closes way too early» Ohio), and overall a lovely facility. Some of the machines are little odd or just outdated, but between the offering of free weights and totally useful machines, the offering is quite good… and, when considering the price point (and the free classes!), it’s actually pretty excellent. I just purchased a Family Membership (for two students/​workers, as the YMCA truly takes your personal finances into consideration); the Introductory rate was just $ 25, and the pass is ~$ 51/​month ($ 10 extra for private/​lot parking, which is optional). You can put it on direct debit too so there’s no hassle every month. And that membership gets you access to any Y in Dayton… and ACROSS AMERICA. Now that’s beyond 100% worth it (and will be truly fabulous in the winter, when you’re able to bring/​keep sexy [and healthy] back all year long).
Now go listen to the Village People already. I know it’s hard to resist.

This YMCA downtown Dayton, used to be one of the best places to work out and has a great Sauna and Steam Room. However, in recent years to has become so religious it’s unbearable at times. Scripture cards attached to each of the workout machines, peaching and some sort of bible study in the sauna and the last straw was witnessing baptizisms in the pool. enough is enough. I go to the gym to work out and while it is a christian based organization religion was never forced down your throat as it has been done the last couple of years. I don’t go to church to work out and I don’t want to go to the gym to worship GOD. PLEASE STOP ALREADY.