YMCA-YWCA Community Center

Great facility. I’ve been a member since 1996. Best pool in Dubuque with a nice nine person whIrlpool near by. I’ve used the free weights area and aerobic address regularly. Birth added are more than satisfactory. PleNty of machines. Small walking track around the aerobic room. court and gyms available. Just check on availability. Kids programs change first.

I attended the YMCA years ago as part of my training for my high schools swim team. After applying to become a lifeguard at the YMCA pool, they put me through a written and physical course, along with first aid and CPR (all of which I paid the course fees). The instructor brought me aside after the end of my last session, and flat out told me that even though I passed all the tests, she didn’t feel like I was serious enough to be commissioned as a lifeguard, and would not grant me certification. This was complete discrimination. The YMCA needs to hire better people.

As a gym, the Y is decent enough, with separate rooms for free weights and cardio/​resistance machines (and in case you’re confused, follow the music… heavy metal behind door number one, top 40 at door number two). There are lots of ellipticals and treadmills — at least ten of each. Of course, there’s usually at least one that isn’t working, and sometimes weeks pass before they’re repaired. On the plus side, the fitness room recently received a new floor and paint job which has brightened the room considerably. I also like the fact that there is ample space for stretching — usually an afterthought at other gyms. On the other hand, you can only sign up for cardio machines twenty minutes at a time, and you can’t sign up for multiple time slots at once, which forces you off the machine if you’re interested in going longer than twenty minutes. Other Ys in the area seem to have newer equipment and facilities — Muscatine and Cedar Rapids, to name two. But the membership fees are reasonable and the staff are friendly.