Hatboro YMCA

There really is only one purpose for this building. It is a small location and not well maintained compared to other local YMCA’s.
This is basically the gymnastics YMCA. They have a large space devoted to the program.
There is a pool. There is a make shift fitness center with minimal amount of equipment compared to other local Y’s.
I really try to avoid this location, but on occasion went here when a child was attending the gymnastics program. And that is the only reason to be at this location.

I have been a member of hatboro ymca for about five years now. My two girls are on the hatboro swim team. I am extremely happy with the team and can say my girls have come a long way from where they started. Bre is an awesome coach and great with all of the kids. She is super responsive and very in tune with the needs of everyone on the team. The coaches are great and Heidi keeps up with the many details involved with such an endeavor and keeps things running smoothly. The communication with the parents is great. The team is a great family oriented activity I plan to have my girls involved in for a long time!

Generally, I frequent the Ambler Y because it rocks. And then there’s this place. I came here because their gymnastics program is stellar and I wanted my 4-​year-​old have some basic skills and encouragement with beginner level gymnastics (he loves it and has taken classes locally elsewhere as well as Philly). Before I get into anything else, I have to say: this Y is dilapidated and has a sort of yellow tinge, maybe from age, maybe from filth, hard to say.
Now, from the first day, I noticed how unenthusiastic the little people’s instructor was. I mean, he was all sort of robotic-​like. So, I went to the front desk and said as much. Soon after, a women approaches me while I’m on the bleachers and pretty much reprimands me in a threatening tone. «You need to come to ME if you have an issue» and etc. Puh-​lease. I have the right to approach whomever I feel is available to address my concerns at the time. And irregardless of the skill set you claim your young instructor to have, I happen to think that teaching ANYTHING to little people mandates SOME level of enthusiasm.
And then there are two more issues. Feedback and discipline. When I asked if there was any feedback for my kid’s progress from the front desk, I was told there was. I got a piece of paper last week with a check mark next to my son’s recommended class (the same one). Great, thank you for your amazing communication skills and feedback. A check mark… really?
Now, discipline. When I saw that there was a clear lack of instruction about where to go (this station, that station, stand in the back of the line and wait your turn, etc) combined with a total lack of enthusiasm, I was not surprised when my little guy partnered up with another little guy and started bouncing or climbing on whatever surface available to them. Now, MY KID? He’s very teachable and well behaved in classes and our past experiences speak for themselves. But how can I tell him to ‘calm down’ and ‘listen to your teacher better’ when they aren’t giving clear instructions in the first place? I cannot very well teach him how to be a mind reader.
Also, I am accustomed to SUPER nice staff at the Ambler Y (people that go out of their way to assist with general information, a very communicative aquatics department, and a nodding/​chatting acquaintance with the cleaning crew). When I go to the Ambler Y without the husband, I always forget my card for me and my son, but it never matters because after you give your name they can see your lovely face on their computer screen. For the Hatboro Y, the response I got was «have-​your-​card-​next-​time-​please» in a super monotone-​you-​irritate-​me-​I-​hate-​my-​job kind of way. Eew, really?
The extra one star is for the gymnastics program for the older girls. (there is only one main open area so you might see several classes while watching your kid). The instructor is excellent and they’re really very talented and it’s a good time to watch them flip around the floor and on the balance beams with proud parents beaming from the bleachers.
UPDATE: I was approached today by some gymnastics manager (or some woman with some title related to that) «I saw your Unilocal review.» Well, good that’s why it’s there. «We could have offered you a refund if you were so unhappy.» No, that’s ok, keep it, you need it. Cheers, happy holidays, and god bless my god given consumer review rights, the ones that Mr. Hancock signed off on.
SECOND NOTE: Holy car damage. The main entrance will wipe off your bumper. (try using the side entrance at the light.) Between the road and the entrance it’s like a ‘V’ shape (go down, go up). Coming off of a busy road no less. Just thought I would point that out while I was at it.

I have been a member of the YMCA for over 8 years. My son and daughters attend swimming and gymnastics at the Hatboro YMCA. The swim program is fantastic. My son swims and daughter swim circles around other kids their age and older. We have had our kids enrolled in swimming at two other area YMCAs in the past, however Hatboro’s program is the most consistent throughout the teachers and the levels. The kids enjoy the gymnastics program very much also. The staff are always pleasant and know us by name. The kids always have a blast playing in the babysitting area.