YMCA of Delaware

I have literally been a member of this YMCA with my entire family off and on for as long as I can remember. I recall waking up at the crack of dawn as a young buck to hit up the pool for swim meets, I have distinct memories of attempting to dribble basketballs in the upstairs gym and now, as a «grown up», I frequent the fitness room, the group classes, and (who could forget?) the sauna.
The facilities are always clean and well kept, and the schedule on group classes has a wonderful variety and frequency. I’ll admit, many of the classes are geared towards lower impact, so sometimes (being accustomed to a more high octane group fitness style) I can feel like I’m not getting as tough of a workout. However, most of the time, I come out winded and sweating along with my fellow attendees (soccer moms, workout barbies, retirees, the occasional college-​aged student… these classes are full of any and all folks you could imagine!)
Though the workout room full of cardio equipment, machines, and a free weights section can get crowded at peak times (holidays, right after work are always the worst), most of the time, you are able to get something to work on, and the weights section is stocked with weights for any level, from the juice head to the newb.
I’m always the most excited for the end of my workout, mostly because that means it’s time for the sauna. One of the best saunas I’ve experienced at a gym, it’s always got a solid heat going (I’ve tried some gyms where the sauna is hardly hot enough to break a sweat). My favorite part, though, is that, for whatever reason, everyone gets much friendlier in the sweltering heats. I feel like the community vibe is alive and well in that tiny sweat box, and I’ve had some of the funniest conversations with strangers and friends alike. Don’t’ worry, though, if you’re not a sauna chatter, there’s no pressure to participate, but good to know it’s an option, right?
My biggest complaint is the parking situation, which can feel a bit like a cluster**** at times. They’ve also had a number of break-​ins in the parking lot, especially the back, so make sure you don’t leave your valuables visible in your car!