Gertrude Ederle Recreation Center

Very nice staff. Clean facilities. The pool is a good since.
Definitely a great bargain and a good use of tax dollars.
Ellis is very helpful.

Okay, I have no complaints about the location since this gym was right in my backyard. The fee I had to pay was really minimal especially for a city recreation center since I was under the age of 24. The really neighborhood friendly Jim please. I come from a suburban areas some kind of reminded me of the city type of YMCA. The weightlifting equipment and exercise machines were understandably limited, but there still at least five or six really good leg workout arm workout machines and two shelves of different sized barbells and a weightlifting dumbbell. They offer different classes, but I have not had the privilege to take it advantage of any of them but I should have. The best part that got me to join the gym aside from the really cheap membership price which I think was $ 25 for the whole year and the location convenience, was that the treadmill faced the mirrors which was so important to me because I like to see myself run. The staff are friendly and they keep it clean. I was very happy with my membership.

Nice Rec Center. My biggest complaint is the location. If you take the 1 to 59/​Columbus Circle, you have to walk down W 60^th into a construction zone, a good 15 min walk, plus the 30 – 35 min train ride, it took me about 45 – 50 min to get there. If they had just said «We’re across the street from John Jay College» I think I could have found it better.
The front desk lady is stern about the lock rule (she asked me to produce my lock) i like this, as it means she takes her job seriously. The main thing is that the place is small. Gym: Small (only enough room for 2 hoops) Fitness room: Small.
The Aerobics room is nice n spacious though. If size is an issue, don’t come here. The Fitness room is a mix of free weights, machines, and cardio equipment. There are no barbells. the best replacement is the Barre weighted bars in the Aerobics room.
Like all of the NYC Rec centers, the fitness setup is basic, but doable. They have free weights ranging from 5lbs to 50lbs, which I like. Also, they have kettle bells in the same weight range. For me, the best part is that the fitness room was quiet. No music, no one talking, just training. The rules of etiquette even include no swearing, so that’s a plus in my book.
The locker is clean, if hot and wet because of the swimmers and showers. Like all other rec centers, they need better shower curtains.
My only issues, aside from the location, was Mr. MMA taking up space and shadow boxing while i’m trying to get to the free weights, and the Euro Lady in the locker room walking around like she’s on a nudist beach.
Overall, good experience, will go again.
(P.S. I went to Center on a fri, in the early evening-​around 6:30)

I’m under 18, so I’m free. But even if I had to pay full adult price, it would be totally worth it. The pool is gorgeous and not crowded, the exercise equipment is amazing, the ambiance is great in general, the staff are super friendly, and the rules aren’t quite as strict as some people say.
If you use a combination lock, it’s no big deal. You can’t take bags out of the changing room, and while I don’t know why, it’s not a huge deal. When I go to the pool, I put my towel on a wire basket that’s lying around. If you ask the lifeguards for a place to put it, they’re super friendly and will try to help.
Also, to the people complaining about needing a swim cap, I’m eternally grateful for that rule! If you don’t like swim caps, buy a nice soft one (
) and you’ll be fine. I love the rule because in pools that don’t have it, there can be yucky hair everywhere, which is SUPER gross when you’re trying to do some nice, relaxing laps.

This is a newly opened recreation center in Upper West Side.
As for the other reviewer said $ 25 annual fee for those under 25 years of age
I’ve been to the Lap Swim from 5 pm to 7 pm on weekdays.
The swimming is a pleasant experience! Definitely recommend it to others.
The best part is :
It’s clean
Not a lot of people (10 – 20, around 2 – 5 per swimming lane)
Cheap (especially for people under 25)
Some caveats though:
1. you need a swimming cap, and a strong lock for the lockers. NYC recreation centers have pretty strict rules
2. The changing area is not that big

You get what you paid for. horrible gross place. their rules are ridiculous and they have rules for every little thing. They make you take a towel to the pool area (which does make sense) however there are no hooks to hang towels so they suggest you put it on the FLOOR and when you are done dry yourself with this towel (FROM THE FLOOR) before entering the changing area. Who does it?! and they don’t let you bring a bag for the towel. They forbid using combination locks in the changing room only locks with keys so you are expected to swim/​take a shower holding the key or again put it on the floor. They would walk in the changing room and start opening every locker that is unlocked to make sure nobody left their stuff unattended (again makes sense) if only the employee have some respect for those who are standing there and changing because they would push/​literally step on you if you don’t move.
Also the employee would walk in the changing room and start yelling for one thing or another just like a teacher in the kindergarden scolding little kids. Definitely not a pleasant environment. They have no respect or manners towards their clients.

I have no excuse not to exercise when this newly open center is right at my backyard.
$ 25 annual fee for those under 25 years of age. You can’t beat that price and that covers the entire facility, which I must say has a pool and offers free classes with membership such as cross-​training, body conditioning, kettle-​blast, cardio kickboxing, HIIT Bootcamp.
Additional Info: water fountain in the basement, lap swim hours, (I think) 5 treadmills, 4 ellipticals, 6 bikes and your typical weight room. I haven’t met any crowding every time I come in (which is at least 4x/​wk).
I hope they will fix those lockers at the cross-​training room to avoid using the downstairs lockers, which tends to get wet due to the showers and pool. Even better if they offer toddler programs on other days, not just Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10AM.
Other than that it is a great clean and affordable facility.
Ages 17 and younger is free.

I’m so excited for the new recreation center to open. Its going to be gorgeous and only $ 150 per year!!!