Harriet and Joe Foster Family YMCA

The YMCA is a good size for the demand members place on it. I always find machines available and the place seems pretty clean. I recommend you bring your own towell and water bottle.

Never in my 36 yrs of life did I think I would go to a YMCA. But here I am, nice gym, nice pool. It’s actually better than I imagined. My son took his group swim classes with an instructor named Tristian. He has done a great job. Everybody working there is nice & helpful. I’m looking forward to putting him in sports.

I love it here. Family and friends can join you in workouts for free. The personal trainers are informative, helpful and encouraging. I love the different workout classes offered daily with the various instructors. It’s a great way to figure out what works best for you. It’s the best gym/​recreational facility for the entire family.

I consider the Downtown Y to be my main gym, even though the Foster Y is like, a 10 minute roundtrip drive from me. I was feeling lazy one night and didn’t feel like driving Downtown, so I came here and have been hooked since.
Why I like this gym:
* All of your standard lifting equipment is here, and it’s not terribly out of date
* There are plenty of treadmills if you like running on those
* OUTDOOR POOL
* It’s nowhere near as busy as the Downtown Y
Why this gym might not be the best:
* The cardio/​lifting area is cramped, and there’s only 1 of each weight machine
* No towel service (I assume since most people live nearby and would prefer showering at home, but I like rinsing off after a swim)
* The locker room isn’t very big
…and that’s about it!
As you can see, there aren’t too many negative things going on at this gym. While I think it would be frustrating trying to get some lifting done during peak hours, the hours are pretty flexible for you to squeeze in a workout at your convenience.
I think the Foster Y is going to be my main gym in the very near future!

My momma lives around the corner, so I came here while visiting. I think that every older gym normally has ONE awesome niche (unless you are a rarity), and this is no exception. The facility and amenities themselves were mediocre with breathing staff, but they have one saving grace which will make my trips to Houston so much more enjoyable:
Cons:
— Small. Weight and cardio room are combined into a tiny little space. I would not want this to be my permanent gym. Don’t bend over to pick anything up, or your ass might touch someone else. Or if this place has hot guys lifting weights, maybe it’s a good place to get your ass touched.
— No towel service that I know of. Guy at front desk said locker room had a dispenser, but I’m not sure if you have to pay for it.
Pros:
— Equipment looked new and well-​maintained.
— ***** Group Exercise classes get lotsa stars from me. Two well-​maintained rooms with plenty of equipment and great classes. I used to be an aerobics instructor, and I can tell you that theirs here are fabulous and experienced. Solid kick-​in-​the-​pants provided, all to the tune of Whitney Houston and (gotta sing it) «Jason Derulooooo!»

I’ve been going here for pretty much all of my life! It’s a great family oriented center with a super friendly staff! The gym and locker room is super clean and well-​kept. My only complaint is that the weight area is TINY!!! Maybe about 5 ppl max in the free weight area. And only one set of each dumbbell. On the other hand, there are plenty of super new Precor cardio machines (no really — they are newer than the ones at other Y’s, with HUGE touchscreen TVs on all machines) and I have always found a free one even during peak times. Also, never seen a broken machine! Let me rephrase, if there was a broken machine, the next day it would be working again!
I’ve taken a few classes and instructors are great! Very motivating and they really push inspire you to do your best. Only downside is that as this is a small Y, it doesn’t offer the number of class times or types as say the Downtown Tellepsen YMCA. I often find myself Y-​hopping to attend classes that work with my schedule. Good amount of evening classes though.
Oh and like another reviewer mentioned, WIFI isn’t super reliable. It works great in the Lobby, but it’s pretty spotty in the Wellness Center (Workout area).
Overall small but solid family oriented gym.

This Y is great however I would strongly reconsider if your thinking about putting your kids in youth sports here. They promise a minimum playing time however when the teams are actually made they are overloaded with kids and the sports director tells you all the teams are like that and he’s sorry. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to make another team with all these «extra kids». I just expect when I’m paying $ 120 for my child to play more than he sits and chats on the sideline, or at least play an equal amount of time as they sit out. We switched and played for a church league for the same amount and the difference is amazing! For as much as they charge I think they could figure out the youth sports a little better.

I love working out at this Y. Best summed up as follows:
Pros:
1) Very friendly staff. Nicest people ever.
2) Lots of equipment, rarely a wait.
3) Equipment is generally new and in good working condition.
4) A large number of free classes.
5) Diversity. People of all ages and sizes.
6) If you have kids, I hear the childcare alone is reason enough to go here.
Cons:
1) Wi-​fi is very spotty. I try to watch shows on my Kindle HD, and it’s about ⁵⁰⁄₅₀ whether it’ll work.
2) Cross-​fit takes up the gym from 7 – 8, so no basketball during prime basketball times. Although I suppose it’s a pro if you do cross-​fit.

Member since 2002. Friendly staff. Equipment kept in good working order. Gym and changing rooms kept clean. Katy’s power flex class on Saturday morning is like being put through a wringer. This is a great gym for people who like to exercise instead of posing.

This YMCA is smaller than some of the other ones in Houston, but it’s still really great!
There are lots of really fun fitness classes, and you don’t have to pay anything extra to take them. There is plenty of workout equipment, and even when it’s busy there seems to be enough.
The childcare is awesome; the workers are very nice and always remember my son’s name.
This YMCA does not provide any towels, and the pool is only open in the summer. Other than that, I really like it!

When I first went to this Y, I wasn’t too sure how I felt about it. It is much smaller than the other YMCA’s in the area, and it has far fewer classes. Also, there were a lot more children around than I am used to being a single dude. But, once you get past the relatively cramped space and random progeny, you’ll see the awesomeness within.
The yoga classes are exceptional. I’ve been doing yoga off and on for a while now, so I know going in to some classes can be a bit overwhelming. There’s usually a bunch of really thin people doing Cirque du Soleil movements and (at least it feels like it) looking at me and wondering why I’m not keeping up. The teachers at this Y, on the other hand, create an atmosphere that both the Yogi and novice can both feel comfortable in. The only thing keeping it from being perfect is, like all gyms, if there is not a lot of people in there creating heat, it’s insanely cold.
Even though I’ve seen other classes like cycling and Zumba, the only other things I do in this gym are lift weights and cardio. In the small space provided, there is actually a decent number of machines. If you don’t mind getting acquainted with the smell of the guy next to you, you will definitely find a spot without much of a wait. Also, speaking of weights (see what I did there?) the resistance exercise section is in the same room as the cardio machines. There isn’t a large number of options or a great amount of space, but it is sufficient for any gym rat who knows how to economize.
Overall, I think this gym is pretty good. If you have a workout regimen with goals to attain or classes you want to attend, this gym offer you everything you need.
That’ll do gym… that’ll do.

I just got back from there a couple of hours ago, it’s very nice and clean. They have it nice and cool which is great considering how hot it is in Houston right now. I definitely plan on going back, next time I want to check out the swimming pool and basketball court.

Zumba is a fun way to workout. The classes can be very packed but its still fun. I wish there wasn’t a wooden bar that cuts through the mirror so you can see better but oh well. facilities seem clean. I have only tried Zumba and will update if need be.
Yin Yoga. Highly recommend. It’s not a great workout but compared with other Yin I have tried, its more intense as we did a few lunges and downward dog’s. Its good for the joints and flexibility as well as stress relief. Focus on breathing and stretching.
Yoga for all levels: very low intensity workout. Maybe did like four flows. I would say this class is more of a beginner. I like the instructor as she has good energy but I wish would walk around the room some.

I signed my family up for this Y when my husband was staying home with our kiddo. The childcare facilities are excellent and the people caring for the kids are sweet. You put a tag with your kid’s name on it on you while working out, and if something happens (kid won’t stop crying after 15 minutes, poopy diaper, etc), they will come get you. The littles have their own room with mats and excersaucers which is nice.
There are a ton of classes offered. I took a Strong Woman class last spring before baby #2. It was a really reasonable amount of money ($ 30?) and four of us worked out with a staff member there. She showed us how to use the free weights and bands which was really nice.
The swim classes are fun for the kids and led by really enthusiastic lifeguards. We did the baby class last summer which was fun.
The biggest downside is the smell. My husband would say smell is my spidey sense which is totally true. During pool season, the entrance and locker rooms smell really mildewy. They need a dehumidifier for the locker rooms at least.

I love this Y because I can ride my cruiser over for a good workout. (And there are plenty of icehouses on the ride home for the necessary R.B. (recovery beverage).
The workout area is small compared to other Ys. And it gets crowded during peak hours. And there are plenty of workout loafers who will sit on equipment and talk non-​stop. I do wish the staff would police those non-​working out offenders.
But they have a good variety of equipment. And if you hit the non-​peak times, you can have the place pretty much to yourself. The one stretching area is small, but you can always go to one of the class areas and do your thing in there.
The hours are good except for the noon opening on Sunday. Why can’t it be 10am like the downtown Y? And beware the parking lot. I am not sure what the deal is, but I have seen 4 accidents with people hitting parked cars.
I wouldn’t say this is the best gym I’ve belonged to, but for a neighborhood facility, it fits the bill.

I really like this location. It may not be the biggest Y, but it has a medium-​large parking lot and a very friendly staff. Here’s my breakdown:
The locker room: The ladies’ room is clean and usually empty. There are quite a few lockers for personal things (remember to bring your own lock!), showers, a scale, hairdryers, etc. It’s way better than a locker room from high school and on the same quality level as a college’s locker room, but much smaller. I left Lifetime Fitness in November, so the locker room at the Y is a definite change for me, but I don’t mind it at all.
The gym area: I wish the stretching area was larger, not just a tiny corner by the stair machines. There are no good places to stretch while the gym is busy because you end up bumping into someone else who is stretching. Other than that, the gym is small, but very nice. Lots of new equipment (machines and free weights)! All the machines (treadmills, ellipticals, stairs, etc.) have mini-​tvs, so you can watch a show while working out.
I haven’t taken any classes yet or gone to the pool, but both look great. Tons of early morning classes and weekend classes.
Now, my big pet peeve: Not every member of this Y wipes down the equipment after using it. Ugh. However, there are sprays and wipes all over the place, so as long as you don’t mind wiping down before and after your use, then you are fine.
tl;dr Good, small gym. Don’t go during peak hours and wipe down your machine before and after use.

I love my YMCA. It’s very family oriented. I love that group classes starts early as 5:30am and there is a class every hour. The instructors are awesome.

I love this place! Located convenient to the Oak Forest/​Garden Oaks area, this YMCA features a very good gym, many exercise classes (that are free with your general membership), quality instructors, and reliable child care. I have a toddler, and have always felt comfortable leaving her in the care of the staff while I work out. Plus, we took an excellent baby swim class last summer. The primary downside is that the gym is a bit smaller than other, competing facilities. However, I find it intimate compared to mega-​gyms, and I’m able to perform almost all of the crazy exercises that I’ve learned from my iPhone workout app.

The staff is very friendly and helpful, and the location is great, but why did I pay $ 95 (45 monthly membership + 50 activation), primarily for use of the basketball court, if it’s open 30 – 90 minutes on any given week night? Saturday, when I joined, the court was closed for half the afternoon, Monday, it was open from 8pm-9:30, tonight, from 9 – 9:30 (seriously? why even bother?), and tomorrow, from 8 – 9:30.
They suggested that I drive to another YMCA and explain the situation and they’d «probably» let me use their court. Great. If I wanted to shell out money to call around and drive all over town, there’s way better places than the Y to do that.
I understand that there are summer activities and the like, but at this price, I’d like to be able to escape the heat to play ball once in a while.
So far, this place is an extraordinary rip off. You’d think for this much money, they’d be the least bit accommodating (maybe keep half the court open for paying regulars or something), especially with all the car break ins and kids running around.

I love how close this gym is to me, along with the great instructors they have for the classes I have taken. This branch offers many of the classes you would find at larger facilities. It is a small facility, though, so the offerings aren’t as plentiful.
My main complaint is that I wish there was more room in general. There is only a tiny area for stretching that is frequently filled with people taking an obscene amount of time or chatting. The same applies to the weight machines. Quite frequently there will be people sitting on machines for prolonged periods, texting, chatting, or just relaxing. I think that there could be a bit more enforcement by the employees, particularly during peak hours when it is hard to find free spots.
Overall, it is a great facility. The staff are friendly, there is plenty of (free) parking, and they do offer a variety of classes. I only wish that when they recently remodeled there would have been more room added to certain areas.