Cambridge War Memorial Recreation Center

I teach Deep Water Aqua Aerobics here and truly enjoy my classes! I am pretty sure that everyone has a good experience coming to my classes, and I feel that everyone I work with has been decent also. I took a star off because they could really update the showers and clean the locker room area more, but overall I do love everything I’ve done here and it’s great to see so many programs going on like Synchronized Swimming, Aqua Zumba, etc.

The teachers are ok but pretty much every member of the staff is very rude. There are a lot of rules — do not go out though open doors in the gym, do not stand waiting to pick up your kids 5 minutes before class, sign in and out. Unfortunately the rules are not posted anywhere and somehow people are supposed to know them. A normal conversation with the staff seems difficult — instead some of them prefer to yell at the customers.

The workout for the War Memorial Masters is exactly what you make of it. If you want to challenge yourself, the workout is there for you to do that. It’s never easy unless you allow yourself to make it easy. If you ever want MORE of a challenge, you simply ask Elissa for a few critiques or perhaps moving to another lane. It’s really about YOUR approach to her excellent laid out workout for the evening. The workout is flexible in terms of quantities, so the slower lanes get a great workout as well as the faster lanes. I think that’s what makes Elissa’s program adaptable, but not overwhelming for anyone. It’s ideal for beginner masters, in fact. As an experienced swimmer myself, I find it to be a great workout too, but also one I always WANT to attend (I don’t have to dread the weekly 10×200 on xxx)… It’s always a good variety and I always feel challenged. I also LOVE the group! Amazingly friendly people in the pool and always up for a little drink after practice! HIGHLY recommended.

now that i’ve stopped coming here, i feel comfortable writing a review letting other cantabridgians in on a little secret: the war memorial gym!
ok, «gym» is a bit of an exaggeration. it’s literally the CRLS high school weight room. and it has limited hours — 6 – 9 pm monday to friday and 2 – 5 pm saturdays and sundays. however, if those hours are convenient for your workout, you can sign up for a membership here for $ 150 A YEAR. My husband and I were members last year and we paid $ 300 for the two of us for a year. That is a steal! They also have options for 3 or 6 month memberships — say if you want to sign up for a membership just when it’s too cold or snowy out to run outside.
The equipment is a little limited — 5 treadmills (and usually one is broken), 3 – 4 ellipticals, and a bunch of bikes and steppers — but if you’re willing to be flexible this is an excellent, cheap way to get a workout. the cybex weight machines were surprisingly new and in good condition.
It tends to be a little crazy during the january and february new year’s resolution time (what gym isn’t) but i found that waiting a little and going at 7 or 7:30 instead of when it just opens at 6 meant it was a lot less crowded. (and by «crowded» i meant maybe there is already one person on each treadmill). and i wish they had signs up or signup sheets so people would limit their time on the treadmill — during the aforementioned busy period i would sit and wait while some dude sweated it out for 45 min to an hour (!).
but really, the negatives are quite small given the price. the only reason why i left was because i realized i work out better in the morning.

I am trying out several different masters swim programs in the Boston area and this is my second one I’ve tried. (See my other review for Quincy masters).
So, I have to say, this one is just okay. You get a decent workout, but it’s not HARD. And the reason why is not because of the workout itself, but it’s because there are no SEND OFF times. Basically, the workout is, you do X amount of sets, but resting wise, you just do 10 or 20 second rests after each set. And so personally I’m not motivated to swim faster because I’m not trying to do anything on a specific time constraint. I find myself a little less focused to go faster without sendoffs.
Also, the workout is pretty much the same each time– you start with a warmup, then 2 underwaters, and then the main set, and then an IM set, and the same kind of sprints where you try and do each 25 with zero breath or one, or whatever it is. It’s not a bad workout, but I’m incredibly bored because I know it’s the same each time. The main set changes each time, of course, but the sameness of structure makes it kinda boring.
We get a decent amount of yardage in– anywhere between 2400 – 3200 per hour and 15 minute workout time. Practices are twice a week.
As for the coach, Elyssa, she is a lovely woman. However, she doesn’t quite have the enthusiasm I’m personally looking for. I want somebody to yell at me and give me critique. However, in her defense, she does have to coach 6 lanes of people so I understand it’s not easy to give personal attention, so I don’t blame her. But personality wise, I like a little more spunk in my coach. But everyone is there for different reasons so it’s hard for a coach to be everything.
The one thing that really bugs me is the staff that works there at the front desk– they are SO unfriendly, rude, impatient and clearly underpaid. They are CRANKY and they are the first people I see when I walk into that building so it makes me want to not be there.
The pool is about a 10 minute walk to Harvard T stop (cut off across Harvard campus will save you ample time), so it’s not terrible in terms of location.
Oh, the pool itself really sucks. First of all, there are bulk heads that’s separating the different sections of the pool so there’s nothing to GRAB onto when you’re doing two hand touches; it’s completely awkward and irritating. Imagine finishing and doing two hand touches on a wall. Also, when you get into the pool, they have these blocks that are covered by orange covers that sorta get in the way and make it hard for you to get in– not to mention it is IMPOSSIBLE to get out because of the depth. You have to swim to the ladder to get out of the pool, because there is no way you can get out from the pool otherwise. It’s kinda ridiculous.
Cost wise, it’s $ 105 for 20 sessions, so that’s $ 5.25 per session, which is pretty cheap. I’ve looked into many other programs and this is probably the cheapest one.
So pros:
–Pretty good location if you’re in Cambridge
–Decent yardage of workout
–Nice coach
–Inexpensive
Cons:
–Sucky pool
–Unfriendly front desk staff
–No real send off times, just go at your own pace (which can be a pro if that’s what you are looking for)
— A bit dull (atmosphere, people, some of the workouts)
If you are in Cambridge and are looking for twice a week workout for fitness, this is probably a good option for you.

Caveat: I am not a member of this gym and cannot speak to the quality of the equipment, staff, or classes
What I can speak to is the hours. I live and work very close to this place and I wish I could join, but it’s only open from 5:15pm-9:15pm on weekdays. Weekend hours are slightly better, but not by much. I work nights and weekends so even though I pass by here all the time I can’t use it! Just an fyi if you’re considering it as an option.

Clean 25 yd pool that wasn’t too crowded. I went after work and didn’t have to share with more than one person. Also, there’s a very large diving well and separate kiddy pool so the lanes don’t get full of aqua-​joggers or families.
Compared to some other local (non-​university) pools, it’s not quite as over-​chlorinated or quite as warm, and definitely cleaner. Cheap entry by day, multiple-​session card (I did the 10 entries for $ 40 which I think is budget-​friendly) or gym membership — although I haven’t checked out the gym yet.
Only complaint is limited hours of lap availability and no AM lap swim during the winter session.

I’ve just used the pool, which is indoors. It’s a bit over-​chlorinated, but OK for an occasional quick workout. It’s pay-​by-​entry.