Downtown Oakland YMCA

Waaaay tooo pricey for this low value.

I’d also like to update that shortly after this transpired I was sent an email from their department telling me I had to pay a higher rate because I had «aged out» of their «tiered» system. Not only that, but they sent the same email to at least 50 other people and DID NOT ENCRYPT OR BCC THE EMAIL. I could see everyone’s full names and email addresses and they could see mine. When I reached out to their district supervisor she SAID she would drop everything to meet with me but then didn’t. She couldn’t accommodate my schedule and they still have not addressed this by letting the people know their information was compromised. This is despicable. All I asked for them to do was to pay for a years worth of monitoring and to alert to other members. They refused. Think about this the next time you want to join them. They won’t tell you voluntarily when your account/​information has been compromised.

I really want to like you more. You used to be my gym.
My how things have changed over the years, and not for the better.
You’d think for $ 80 + per month, they’d actually keep this place
functional and clean. I hate paying premium prices for below average everything.
The hot tub is always gross. The swimming pool smells like dirty diapers.
Totally crowded.
And now if you want to use the other Y’s, they charge you a one– time upgrade fee, on top of the additional $ 25 per month. But I already paid my $ 99 joining fee, why would you charge an upgrade fee, too?
Dont nickel and dime people, just b/​c you can. It makes for grumpy customers.
I am seriously thinking about Planet Fitness. @ $ 20 per month, no joining fee, and I can use their other clubs w/​out having to pay all these obnoxious, made-​up fees.

Love the pool and the fact they have a wood sauna here!!! bus full of all the YMCAs close to me!!!

If you’re primarily interested in weightlifting, this gym simply does not care about you. Two power racks is miserly but standard, but the single flat bench is a huge bottleneck, especially given the crowd that only cares about that one exercise. Be prepared to wait up to half an hour to do the exercises you came to do while the majority of the machines on the floor stand empty, and while off-​brand CrossFitters abuse the power rack you’re waiting on for an hour, and while everyone else who wants to use the racks stakes their claim viciously and for the rest of the night because racks are so scarce!
Two stars because it’s the only gym in the price range with the equipment and hours, but seriously, every minute here is a giant middle finger in your face if you want to use free weights. I’m out the second my budget or my schedule allows.

While it seem s like a nice facility and I don’t have a lot of experience with it other than the pool, I have never been reprimanded so much for seemingly small violations if they even have a policy on those violations. The last straw was when I was yelled at for touching the railing on the track above the basketball court– the game stopped, a whistle blew, words ensued– I don’t even know what they were because I wasn’t doing anything wrong as far as I could tell. OK this is not the end. Then as I’m leaving a black kid was hanging on the railing (i was just touching it) and I waited for the whistles and yelling and such and no not a sound, I waited by the exit for something 3 minutes… nothing. Yes it was the black referee that got all up in my business but just couldn’t enforce whatever rule it is about the railing –I looked for a sign but didn’t see one.
They seem totally inflexible and negative on the customer service side of things– if I am a paying member perhaps they could treat me a valued customer instead of meat to harangue.

The Broadway Oakland YMCA is a perfect example of what could be a wonderful facility that caters to many different segments of the varied and diverse Oakland community at large.
1) Great facility. A very nicely laid out facility with a good balance of space for many activities and most indoor sports.
2) Great pool. The pool is kept at a very comfy 83 degrees and it is large and versatile.
3) Location, location, location ‘nuf said
4) Staff. My number one heartache about leaving this facility is not being able to see these wonderful young people. They are sharp, courteous and professional. All I can say is this staff is Top top top notch! I love each and every last one of you! You know who you are! Please stay in touch.
The rest of this review concerns the less than stellar management. This facility is run by a conveyor belt of the dimmest bulbs of female business/​health facility/​community center candidates out there. No matter who is in charge of this Y, in this constant succession of directors, none among any of them have a clue how to handle the wide range of skills necessary to bind the facility itself together. They don’t understand the problems with the saunas, steam rooms and locker rooms because they’re never in them! And they certainly don’t possess an iota of men’s perspective at all. The problems worsen, the issues go unanswered and the members get a half-​ass facility.
All stars in this review go to the Oakland YMCA staff. I love you all and you all deserve 5 Stars. So I give you all a 5 star review. Management gets Z E R O stars.
And, dear readers… dare NOT to criticize the powers that be at this hallowed palace of ineptitude — lest you be banished from their kingdom… no scratch that — queendom for exposing the Emperor’s lack of clothing! My membership was revoked as an example. Now granted, I probably deserved it because I am a very passionate and angry fellow when it comes to matters of injustice, ineptitude and just plain stupidity that I witness. I have a big mouth! And I can be downright rude!
Let me get one thing clear here. Able and talented women should be given every opportunity to excel in whatever field they choose. Men have screwed the planet up quite handily. I’m all for women to take the reigns and do better! So the very LAST thing I want to convey is any bias towards the fairer sex.
Please, please let this facility fall into far more competent hands to better serve the City Of Oakland.

I absolutely love this place. I have worked here before and to this day I am still a member. Everyone is so nice here. When I say everyone I mean everyone! the staff and all the members. It really is like a little community. They offer tons of fitness classes and programs for kids as well. I have done spin class, water aerobics, body blast, yoga. Pretty much everything. The facility is always clean. They also provide clean towels. And I love the steam room after a good workout.

My first and only gym membership. As I’m writing this I can say without a doubt that the good outweighs the bad thing’s I can say about this gym.
Pro’s :
* It’s always clean.
* They always have fresh towels available.
* Most of the staff are friendly, knowledgeable and helpful.
* The members are chill and respectful.
* They have a wide variety of amenities to chose from to fit your fitness needs.
* They have a pool, jacuzzi, steam room, track, basketball court, tons of classes and a sauna.
Con’s :
* Some of the less knowledgeable (clearly) staff at front desk and management can give you the run around and aren’t helpful or consistent.
See I told you the good outweighs the bad! Lol. I’ve only had one bad experience here concerning my fee’s when I had to replace my debit card and renew my membership. Other than that it’s been smooth sailing. Don’t think I’d cancel my membership anytime soon.

I had a great experience at the Ymca today, staff was great and well maintained for a gym. I was fortunate enough to sign up right before the sign up fee ended. Nick showed me around the facility and gave me a tour, he did a great job and I am amazed at how big the place is! It looks a lot smaller from the outside. Courts look great and it’s not too busy.

Since I have been on break from school I thought it was time to get back to working out but I didn’t want to return to my old gym so I went and checked out the YMCA and was surprised by how clean, organized, and quiet it was. The person, Nick, who showed me around the facility was especially helpful and informative when it came to answering my questions about the YMCA and helping me find a membership that worked for me.

Amazing pool. Warm, clean and always available. Kind of pricy for membership though.

I loved this gym! I was a member here until last April, and I wish I lived in the area again just to go to the gym. It was always clean, the staff were super friendly, it had lots of amenities, great classes, modern equipment, and my favorite part was all of the different people who went there of different ages, body types, fitness levels, and economic and cultural backgrounds.

It’s a good gym, good equipment, good vibes. The staff can be difficult. I think they may not be very well paid, which is odd considering the fees.
I have read through the reviews and I am puzzled by people who complain about naked women in the women’s locker room. How please are we supposed to change clothes, let alone take a shower? Fully clothed? This objection is lunacy. If you’re that delicate stay home.
Not to mention the insults of people who are too fat/​too old/​otherwise not movie stars in their teens. Gyms are for everyone, not just fashion models!

I really love coming here, the members are really nice and the staff are great. I absolutely adore the Saturday morning membership team. Only thing off about this Y is the new red color the group ex studio.
My saturday morning line-​up starts with Angie Shin (Zumba — i am addicted in the best way ever). Angie inspired me to work out harder and just let go! I you want to try Zumba with Angie… get there early, her class is always packed! Rain or Shine!
Next is body sculpt with Sari Smithline (I call her Furiosa). This woman makes me happy and cry at the same time. I take her class 3 to 4 times a week!
My favorite Sari quotes are:
«Keep those shoulders back and stop swinging your weights»
«eiiiggghhhht — eeiiiiigggghhhhhttt»
«Okay, warm-​up over»
«Who said that»
«Hated it»
Did I mention she has he best music selection ever!
Never have I ever been so happy to wake up at 7:15am on a Saturday!

Weightlifters, this is your review.
Of the three YMCAs I’ve tried (Chinatown, Berkeley, and Downtown Oakland), this one has the best combination of space and facilities (I only use treadmills and free weights, so I have nothing to add about the pool) Front desk staff were super helpful too. I love the high-​celinged free weight and treadmill area with an indoor track around it.
Free weight area is my favorite and most extensive of all the Bay Area Ys I’ve tried (others: Berkeley, SF Chinatown, and Albany). Equipment includes two power racks, extra Olympic bars for barbell rows, and a smith machine. Room was lightly used when I worked out on a Saturday afternoon. No wait for a treadmill either.
Only downsides were a strong mildew smell in the men’s lockerroom, not just once but erry time, and a low bench to locker ratio, two problems I haven’t had at the other Ys.
… and that dude who loads 40lb plates on the bench and then doesn’t put them away when he’s done. If only Unilocal allowed me to put a look of stern disapproval here …

Just as an update to my original review: I just returned from a trip to NYC. I was able to use my «AWAY» status as a Y member in SF to use the Park Slope Y in Brooklyn. They could not have been nicer or more accommodating, and told me I was able to use their facility TEN times for free before I’d have to pay a fee.
Contrast that with the insulting treatment I received at the Oakland Y and it just highlights how inept and pathetic the Oakland Y staff appears to be.

I joined here when I was in high school. I really enjoyed playing racquetball and using some of the fitness equipment. I was a member of the YMCA at this location for about 8 years. I used all the facility had to offer. I’m sure things have changed since I was there though.
They’ve got a great pool area, Basketball court, weights area. They have a snack bar here, and I’m hoping that they still do. One of my friends from Piedmont, he was working there. I never took any of the classes, I would usually use the weights or cardio equipment.

The Downtown YMCA is great. I’ve been a member here for a long time, 10+ years, and I have seen constant improvements to the weight room, locker rooms and gym. It seems they are always looking for ways to improve and they take member input and ideas also.
The staff is always friendly, and they have a lot if different equipment to work out on, and the indoor track is great to run on. It’s never overly crowded when I go. I don’t do the classes, but they seem to be very popular. If you want to get your workout on, wether cardio or strength training, this is the spot, highly recommended!!!

The YMCA shut down for a few weeks for repairs. «Huzzah!» thought I. «Things are gonna be different now!!!»
Le sigh. Not so.
Granted, they ripped out the nasty-​ass carpet in the women’s locker room, much to our (and the Health Code’s) relief. But the pool is still over-​chlorinated (3 showers-​worth) and full of floaties. Last week some dude was actually picking something out of the bottom of his oozing foot while dangling his legs in the pool. NOT SANITARY!!!
The stationary bikes are still hit-​or-​miss; either they’re missing pedals, are mysteriously «out of order,» or the attached TVs don’t work. Sadly, some of us require that extra level of motivation to work out. Please, YMCA, can you fix them??? I’d like to dedicate my monthly dues to this cause alone. Even more frustrating, the recumbent bikes are still missing stirrups, so your form is ultimately going to be poor. These bikes are specially designed to be *good* for your back, not hurt it. Are they waiting for a lawsuit from a physical therapy patient??? How many «suggestions» do members need to drop in the suggestion-​box? Stirrups aren’t ornamental, they’re fundamental.
The staff remain sweet — they always are — but that’s just not enough to complete my work out.