Rockaway YMCA

I love taking classes at this YMCA because, there is more than a fair share of great instructors to guide you on your journey. This gym has a ton of great equipment and awesome aquatic facilities. I love the total body classes as well as bootcamp, because these really have you working up a sweat. Kevin’s workouts are intense, especially if you are as out of shape as I am, but I am glad I gave them a try after some initial hesitation. He pushes you to work really hard. I actually feel myself getting stronger with every class and see myself progressing, so as hard and hot as these classes are they are worth all the pain. The total body classes with Alex are hard work, but they can help to get you where you want to be. Alex is great at motivating the ladies in the class to push harder. There is an instructor that’s always late and never apologizes, texts during classes, puts members on the spot with rude and condescending comments which is very annoying and off putting, but I will just try to take different classes with instructors that care and are professional.

This YMCA should be ashamed of themselves they charge a lot of money for one, why because of the dirty beach a block a way. You go to any other YMCA in the tri-​state and their prices are very reasonable. I thought I canceled my membership clearly I didn’t they went ahead and charged my CC. I called Eric Rainey and he clearly did nothing he said «sorry you were misinformed but no refunds» I’m not sure where he works besides there to give up $ 65 just like that. I’m not under any circumstances letting them get away with this. I’m taking this to the higher ups. I work to hard to give these people my hard earned money. He even said I see you haven’t been to the gym since January and you still feel it’s okay to take my hardworking money. Not by chance Mr. Rainey you will give me a refund, you haven’t heard the last of me.

The lack of staff in the morning is unacceptable and i feel angered knowing i pay my membership and scan my card every time i walk in (like everyone should), and lately there has been no one at the counter there to scan so who knows if the people ahead of me are even members? I also used to enjoy my morning workouts before work but recently i don’t even know if the workers have clocks that work because you never know what time it will be opened anymore. Anyone agree?

Fantastic gym to go to. It’s brand new, spacious, and clean! The staff can sometimes be unprofessional from the front desk personnel to the security guard flirting with the ladies.

My name is Thanisha Mitchell. I was excited to join today. I was a previous customer from Planet Fitness which I decided to cancel. I saw this gym offer more to clients pool, class, more equipments, sauna, steam room. I feel that this gym fill all my expectations. Thank you to Brian to sign me up with my Friend Christina Suida. Brian has a very professional attitude towards us, and his customer service was superb. He make us feel like we were buying a home and it was worthed to be there. I mean the guy got some sales skills. Awesome guy, I am glad I join.

Very clean gym. It’s new so it hasn’t been trashed so far and hopefully it continues to be this way. I come here often enough to safety say that I have yet to find the cleanliness standard sub par.
And they have parking! Boy, I was so happy that it is not a struggle to find parking just to workout. Huge kudos.
They also have a nice variety of classes, I’ve tried Zumba, Yoga, Spin and Pilates. Zumba by far have my favorite instructors… those two ladies can whip some ass into shape. Weds night Zumba is super fun. Wasn’t a fan of pilates nor the Vinyasa class taught my this male instructor.
Asides from the great classes and parking, equipment is pretty awesome too. Tons of cardio machines and a well rounded weight collection.
Like most gyms come on the weekends because this place can get pretty busy during peek hours but I’ve never had a problem getting it in here.
Location is in a very up and coming part of RB. Some people say hood, but I don’t see it.
My least favorite part of this place is staff. They aren’t rude but just lifeless. When I sign up I had to force myself on them that I wanted a membership, like they didn’t want to do any work. They really don’t greet people and just stare as you walk in.
Also, if you take Weds night Zumba there is a creepy guy who just stares at the class periodically… not sure if he works there but if he does than he should get fired. Way to make people uncomfortable.

Loving the y lately other than a few people with attitudes zumba classes are great! Michelle and lisa are awesome teachers !!! Everyone behind the counter has been helpful and i am loving the lockerroom so clean and nice!

I come here routinely and it’s more than just a gym. Members can find themselves greeted by courteous staff to start with. It’s pretty affordable and family plans are a plus.
You will enjoy full gym facilities along with an Olympic swimming pool, family pool with water slide (both indoors), family, male and women locker rooms accompanied with showers, steam rooms, and saunas. To top it off they have an indoor full basketball court. They do have classes, and a day care as well.
The only things I would say I didn’t like that they do not have towels for members, you have to bring your own. Also, around peak hours good luck finding machines.

Like most gyms it crowded between 5p-​8p and 6am-​7am. I personally only use this place for the treadmill and weights. I truly, TRULY love to work out there Friday, saturday and sunday because all those who abuse the time on machine and just talk are getting ready for the clubs friday and Saturday. To drunk on sunday to workout. Those who maybe to shy or embarrassed to attend, WELCOME!!! less kids and less people in general. The up keep surprisingly is still great from when it opened. When it rains the buckets will come out or the workout machine will be under the leak to cool you down for all your hard work. overall good place and convent for distance, especially if you are in the rockaways.

It’s been a while since I worked out. Had everything I needed to get back in «shape». Id recommend it to anyone who needs a good work out and it even has a pool and a sauna.

The YMCA of Rockaway has lots to offer. The gym it’s self is beautiful, the pool itself are beautiful. Most of the staff is helpful and the classes are very good especially the Zumba which my daughter loves. The only knock is sometimes it’s extremely hot inside the gym, with temperatures around 75 degrees which makes all the equipment very sticky and gives you the feeling as soon as you leave you need to jump into a bath of alcohol to kill the germs.

I registered early in the year and so far it’s been good. The facility is really clean and they maintain it this way. It does get busy some days but the people are usually considerate. In case you need help, there’s staff located upstairs that are able to assist you with the machines as needed. The pool is great and the sauna and steam room are excellent.
I’m taken back by previous reviews about the area and concerns with safety. Not any Joe Shmoe can just walk in and do something crazy. The area is fairly quiet and safe. Crime can happen anywhere, even in the upper east side so don’t let that hinder you from joining.
The only negative is the amount of available parking in the parking lot on the weekends. I usually park across the street.
This place offers residents and anyone with a membership a place to exercise and unwind. I think it’s a great addition to Rockaway.

I joined this place because it’s closed to home and I’m in love. Super clean, state of the art cardio equipment and lots of weights. Spinning classes is also awesome. The staff is respectful and helpful. I would definitely recommend this ymca to people to join. Thank god for this gym because cyber zone down the way is horrible and the staff is unfriendly.

This gym is great. All of the people who have helped me behind the counter have been nothing but pleasant and accommodating.
I usually go mid-​day so I never have a problem getting a cardio machine or weights. It would be nice if they considered opening a womens weightroom during all hours, but usually I just head into the studio room.
The womens restroom attendant leaves the place looking flawless
The classes are great, but the sauna is what really won me over in comparison to other gyms.
— 1 star because they don’t have a towel service, I’ve never been to a gym that doesn’t

I joined the YMCA on ⁰⁹⁄₂₀₁₄. The place is not overcrowded I have been to the gym during the morning, afternoon and during the night and I have not face any problems. The place is very clean and I’m always able to find parking. It is well under control now.

I just joined this location after using up my 3 guest passes. I have to say I disagree with the reviews. The supposed overcrowding must have been a result of the hype around the brand new facility. I haven’t experienced this in the gym or in the fitness classes. In fact I’ve been there on several different days of the week including saturday and have never had a problem. The change room usually has between 1 – 5 people in it at any time. Always more than enough room in there, as well as the steam and the sauna room.
The fitness center is packed with cardio and weight machines, there’s a ton of variety for whatever you are into. I’ve taken some of the classes as well and I love them. There’s plenty of room. And very clean.
As far as the «kids» running around everywhere, yes there are some teenagers and kids but they’re harmless and at least they’re spending their free time engaging in something beneficial. They’re never rude or loud really.
The employees are super nice and helpful. There’s plenty of parking and it’s right next to Stop and Shop so it’s really convenient to pop in after the gym to pick up groceries.
You can cancel at any time and they don’t charge a cancellation fee. I checked out the other big gym in the area and it cannot compare either price wise or facility wise.
I really have nothing bad to say. I’m very happy with it. Rockaway needed this very very badly.

Updating my review. They have gotten somewhat better. Still on the fence about this place but I will keep giving it a try.

Employees need to take control of the gym, the amount of young kids running around is ridiculous! Children a certain age should only be allowed in the weight room at certain times. 90% of them do NOT work out and do nothing but cause problems running around and hanging out with friends. It’s not a hang out area, it’s a place to exercise. It’s dangerous to everyone else, makes the gym more packed then it should be. It will probably take someone actually getting hurt for things to change its ridiculous!
The gym itself is excellent and it’s unfortunate that everything else makes it hard to go work out

Okay I’m giving 3 stars now because I’ve only done a tour of the facility but I’m definitely not new to YMCA’s nationwide. Yes, there was a lot of people and yes I did spend some time there waiting (I didn’t join yet my cousin and her family did) but the crowd control was effectively done by the staff.
They did a great job building this facility but I dislike the open pool area as soon as you walk in. The kiddie pool looks very inviting and playful. There were plenty of lifeguards keeping watch and parents are expected to stay within arms length. The lap pool was tiny compared to some of the Olympic size pools I’m accustomed to seeing at other YMCA’s.
There’s a men, women, and family style locker room areas (mainly for mom and kids). The gym area is a decent size but also not the biggest I’ve seen. Still wasn’t impressed but then we take a walk upstairs… tuh!!! This Y was designed for fitness. Tons of ellipticals, stationary standard bikes and spin bikes, treadmills facing a nice outside view, weight lifting machines, plenty of benches… I was happy! The upstairs is very spacious. I’m looking forward to possibly giving it more stars when I use my first buddy pass
I haven’t joined because I’m a bit cautious given the area of what type of people may frequent this place but the staff seem to have a good handle on making sure it doesn’t get infiltrated by vagabonds (yeah I said it and that’s being nice).

First day opened to the public. I had heard that it was a 4 hour wait in order to register and get signed up over the weekend. Figured I would sign up and register at 12pm on a Tuesday. I walked in and saw a line of 15 – 20 people to pay for their membership and take photos. I figured that wasn’t too bad. I was then greeted by an employee who told me people were registering in the back. As I was walking to the back, it was quite a waiting room, I asked how long it would take to register…“we are at a 1 ½ — 2 hour wait. I responded «can I just sign up for everything online?». «Unfortunately Sir you cannot», that is unfortunate because I walked out. I will be back… however the only reason for that is due to the fact that they have a pool. Initial perception of this business is not very good.