Tacoma Center YMCA

I really like this facility it’s clean and I really like the new updates. My friend used to volunteer for the teen Friday nights made me what to volunteer to so I went to see how it is I would go there to hang out. It’s fun to watch all the children have fun playing basketball and doing some exercising instead of being on their phones and watching television. I usually go there when it opens so I can really get my work outs out of the way. I will continue going here for my daily work out.

Very welcoming place. I think it is absolutely fantastic that they allow young people to play basketball into the evening hours to keep them off the streets! The staff is great for the most part, all smiles and good vibes. My only complaint is a group of crossfit guys and gals that seem to work out for 5 min and stretch and show off their tight cloths for a few hours and get in everyone’s way. Aside from them, great place!

great gym and great staff. love this place!!!

Great convenient location. Good parking options, especially for the location in town that it is. Took a core class with the teacher Danny who is so sweet and takes the time to get to know everybody who takes his class, and remembers you and your name! Truly cares about his class and the people! The only reason I didn’t give 5 stars is because the layout downstairs with the cardio machines facing each other is super awkward. I don’t love being on the elliptical while staring into the face of someone on a bike 2 feet in front of me, all while being in the middle of the entire flow of traffic of the gym members going in and out of the front door and bathrooms.

It’s ok. Not great, not terrible.

Hoops court gets decent pick up games. The equipment is clean and new, plenty of cardio equipment as well. There’s just a lack of space that keeps it from 4 stars. The free weights area is very segmented and everyone is right on top of you.

This is a nice little gym that caters to folks who live and work in downtown Tacoma. I like the fact that most of the people who tend to work out here are professional types who are trying to sneak in a work out while on a break. The machines are in good shape and they seem to be updating them fairly regularly. The staff has always been nice and helpful and there seems to be a nice variety of classes at different time of the day. Yes, the building is a little old and parking is kind of hit or miss, but I’m more than happy with everything else.

This is the second YMCA I’ve been to in Pierce County. So far I like it. I am not sure why everyone said that the staff is rude. The associate that helped me today was very professional and nice. Yes, it can use some updating, but realistically this isn’s LA Fitness, and you aren’t paying a ton of $$ either. The other customers were also pleasant. The music was fun too. For those that want more tv or cable on the machines or tv’s, well maybe you should stay home then. A plus is that there wasn’t a ton of little kids running around like the Lakewood YMCA. Your there to focus and get your work out on. Overall this is a nice YMCA and I like the option to work out at others also.

Personally not my favorite Y.
The steam room wasn’t automatic, had to go in and out to push a button to keep it on (annoying) … Bathrooms weren’t clean and I was charged for towels when all the other facilities have never done that. The front desk guy wasn’t very genuine and was kinda rude.
Hate to complain but me and my friend definitely didn’t feel welcomed.

First time here and now want to be a member! This place is clean, equipment looks new and they have much larger variety of things to do than la fitness.

Don’t I already have a review here?! They have a great pool, nice and new equipment, classes and friendly staff.

Admittedly, I haven’t been to many other gyms, but the downtown Tacoma YMCA is where I prefer to be. I’m pretty sure it’s adults only, at least during the week, which is awesome. They just updated all their equipment this year, and renovated several areas of the gym last year. The people there are friendly and I always feel welcome. I rarely park in their lots, but I never have a problem finding a spot on the street either in front of or behind the building (it’s free).
In terms of classes, I recommend Sunday afternoon gentle yoga, and Thursday evening indoor cycling. There are a ton of other classes to choose from, including Zumba, abs and glutes, and boot camp, but I have yet to try those.
Also, if personal training if your thing, I recommend Lisa Hunt! She’s fantastic. She pushes me but also takes care of me. There was one session in particular where I was feeling really lightheaded and weak, and she pulled an apple out of her bag and let me have it. I’ve lost more than 25lbs since I started seeing her in May 2011.

Staff have always been nice and helpful. The locker room is clean. The equipment is clean. I really like that there are no kids at this Y. Oh, lots of classes, too. Better parking now that we can use Fransiscans lot after hours.

I LOVE THE TACOMA CENTER Y! I feel like I live here, as I spend so much time here. The staff is amazing. I feel like this Y really tries to think of different ways to incorporate it’s members. From Young Adults events, to knitting, to bingo, they are always trying to make the gym going experience more than just a workout.
I love Kristines Zumba class on Mondays and Wednesdays. She gets us dancing like we are at Carnival. Danny has a great Abs and Glutes class right before Kristines class and he motivates us through inspiring quotes as well as gets us bikini ready.
I also love the spinning classes on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Though the instructors have been changing recently, I have been exposed to many different styles of spinning and have learned some very practical tips if I ever decide to begin riding outside.
There is also a fun circut class that is Monday Wednesday and Friday, although I only am able to do Friday’s class occasionally. It’s a great class to end the week.
The women’s weight room upstairs is great. I love having a place to workout where I don’t hear all the grunting sweaty men do their workouts!
The gym itself is pretty small, but I feel like they use the space well. As a former competitive swimmer I wish the pool was a bit bigger but it gets the job done.
One other thing that makes this Y so attractive to me is that though I love kids, and work with youth as part of my job, I love that kids under 15 aren’t allowed on week days. It offers a calmer atmosphere and also attracts a more youthful group of people.
I have made a lot of friends here and I hope to make more!

I didn’t utilize my membership to this gym nearly as much as I should have, but regardless, it’s a good spot. The facilities were very nice and well maintained, the price was fair (and I hear they are very good about giving assitance to families in need), and there was a subway INSIDE the place… (By the way, I’m not entirely sure I’m talking about the right YMCA so apologies if there isnt in fact a subway in this one — but the one I went to had one)… Anyways, it was never overly crowded to the point of discomfort and they offered plenty of classes and programs, etc. Give it a try… You just might love it.

So I started going to the Y back in October. So far, I had been pretty impressed. There is an ample supply of cardio equipment with TVs. The classes are excellent. The staff members are very friendly and always smiling. They are open on Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve and even offer special holiday classes. On Thanksgiving there was a pre-​feast calorie burner workout, and on Christmas Eve they offer peaceful yoga. They also have a running track, basketball court, racquetball courts, weight machines, swimming pool, and more. I truly have not been able to take full advantage of everything they offer, but hopefully I can start using the pool soon.
Here are my complaints. First, the parking situation sucks. There is a pathetically small parking lot adjacent to the Y. However, the spots are almost all taken all the time. I have seen cars in the driveway just sitting and waiting for a spot to open. There is street parking, however that as well can be hard to get. Market Street will soon be metered so street parking will not be free starting in January.
Second, starting in January they are increasing their rates. In a recession??? Shame on the Y! My salary has actually decreased and they are increasing dues?!? I plan to submit an application for financial aid in the hopes that my monthly fees will be lowered.

I love this gym! Staff is super friendly and remember me by name! The atmosphere is great and not full of meat heads :)

I like this Y. I go to the Zumba and Abs classes a couple times a week and the intructors are really friendly and the classes are great because people from every physical ability level can feel comfortable. This isn’t one of those gyms where you walk in and feel puny because there are huge body builders everywhere or feel fat compared to the perfectly trimmed Olympic-​looking athlete running ever so elegantly on the treadmill with her fuzzy pink Juicy Couture iPod. This is a place where anyone can go and feel comfortable which I think is great. Gyms can be pretty intimidating sometimes.
Definitely check out the classes they offer. They’re a lot of fun, they motivate you to go to the gym on a regular basis, and they’re a great way to make gym buddies!

I have gone to Y’s all over Southern California and a few in Seattle, and this is definitely the nicest one I’ve ever come across.
Firstly, there are tons and tons of cardio machines. Some are out in obvious places, huddled together and usually snatched up quickly, but some are hidden on the second floor and in other workout rooms. They update their equipment constantly, and always seem to have the coolest, newest machines. If one is broken or down, they do their best to fix it within the week. There are also tv’s attached to practically every machine, which is a huge incentive for me to get off my butt and work out.
Secondly, it’s dirt cheap. My boyfriend and I are on the couples plan and it’s around $ 40 a month for the both of us, which is unheard of elsewhere. With all of the classes, equipment, cleanliness of location and convenient hours, I’d probably pay way more to go here! (But don’t tell them that!).
Thirdly, the staff is ridiculously helpful and sweet… sometimes too sweet. If I’m in a rush or a crummy mood, I’ll sometimes run off and try and avoid their smiling faces. But seriously, if anything’s up with your account, you forget your card, or a machine is wacky, they’re eager to help you.
I’m not sure any more justification is necessary, but the location is definitely a plus as well, as lots of people live or work fairly close to the excellent downtown spot.

I live around downtown Tacoma and wanted to find a gym where I could walk to regularly. So the location is perfect for me, but the biggest selling point has to be the low monthly fee ($ 35/​month for those under 30 y/​o with $ 75 one time sign up fee) with no contract. There’s even more discount if one of your family members is affiliated with Ft. Lewis. It’s not one of those fancy gyms, but they do provide sweat towels and shower towels for you. And don’t forget to bring a lock for the locker.
The facilities seem up-​to-​date: the treadmills and ellipticals on the main floor all have individual TVs attached to them, they have plenty of weight machines, squash courts, and they just finished doing some work with the pool today. But I’m more into classes and was glad to discover that they have plenty of those as well. I just went to one of them tonight and it was a lot of fun. I’m planning to go to another one tomorrow.