YMCA

The Ott Family YMCA is amazing! If you approach a staff member with a problem, they will bend over backwards to fix it for you, or help make the y work for you. The front desk staff is so friendly and cheery in the morning, I feel very comfortable leaving my 16m old twins in childwatch knowing they will be well cared for, and I know I will get a fantastic work out in Hillary’s classes every morning. I have been a member of other Ys around the country, and the Ott Family YMCA is a true gem! I guess I can see how others can not like the equipment or the older building, but you have to remember you are joing more than a gym… Parking does get crowded and members do drive way to fast in the parking lot, but if you know this going in, get there a few minutes before the rush and go slow and look both ways in the parking lot– it’s no different than any other lot.

I think this is the 1^st YMCA in town. It has the indoor pool. Lots of cardio machines and sauna.
The place is handy and convenient.
There is a strong strange smell (not chlorine) smarting in the lobby.

I have no clue what the others are talking about. I drive extra miles to get away from my local Y which is just like Jodi describes here. Except Ott is completely different. I love it here. Yes, it’s well attended, so choose wisely, however, even during peak, I can get equipment at the gym. No kettlebells, brah, you’ll have to go to a private gym for that, but this place is well lit, with lots of light and windows, it’s really a nice gym. The basketball courts are nice, the pool is gorgeous. Is it perfect? No. Is it just for my own use? No. Is it for the professional athlete? Probably not. But short of that, I have no complaints. The whiners on this review site are very misleading. You want misery? Go to the Lighthouse YMCA in Tucson; you’ll be back to Ott and never say another whiny word, I promise!

We joined this Y for use of the pool and associated facilities only, so that’s what I’m going to focus on in this review.
Well, first of all, the parking lot is stupid. It’s a long shotgun style lot that fills at 6:30, so you keep driving further and further back in hopes of finding a spot and when you can’t, there’s no turnaround point so you get to Austin Powers 30-​point-​turn your way out of it, all while clueless soccer moms stack up behind you and you can’t even get out. Fun stuff.
The locker rooms really leave a lot to be desired. The Ott YMCA has a swim team that finishes up at 6pm and heaven forbid if you’re in the locker room at the same time as them. Water. Everywhere. Candy wrappers, shampoo bottles, trash, you name it. Everywhere.
You can pick up a pool schedule at the front desk, but don’t believe it. For example, it says Lap Swim is from 5:30am-8:30pm, but that’s not true. If you go at the same time that swim team is practicing, they say they keep three lanes open. Try 0. Goosegg. Or one lane.
They have another pool, the north pool, which is four lanes. According to the schedule, it’s also open all day. False. I’ve been going to the Y for a year and have NEVER seen it open or anyone swimming in it (except pigeons). It’s totally green and nasty.
When I do swim in the main pool, it’s always a fun experience of hairballs and bandaids. Enter at your own risk. Some of the lane markers are also missing the plastic disc pieces and have been replaced with foam noodle pieces. Seriously?
Anyway, we’re probably going to be looking into city pool memberships soon– we’ve complained about lack of lanes and no north pool multiple times (as have other people– we overheard the lifeguard meeting one day), but they don’t really seem to care to actually do anything about it.
For the time being, I’ll just put on the big girl panties and deal.

I just went for the gym part of the Y. It was horrible. A lot of cardio equipment but they didn’t have a pull up bar and no kettle bells. This gym could be a lot better if they put some more money in to the gym rather than the pool.

I’m a big fan of the Y in general — have a membership back home and try to visit Y’s when I travel to get a workout. It is amazing the differences between Ys. I have to say I was sadly disapointed with the state of affairs at this Y. The building is run down, dark and smells funny. I hate say that about such a good organization overall. The women’s locker rooms and private showers smelled like urine… the pool had a great deal of debris and was very warm. Anyway I’ll check out another Tucson Y tomorrow and hope to find it in better condition. On the up side the staff was friendly.