YMCA – Donelson/Hermitage

I have mixed feelings about the Y. On one hand, I really like the Donelson location. Everyone at the front desk is super nice and welcoming. Ample parking. I like that ActivTrax is part of your membership. The trainers and wellness experts are great. You don’t feel the pressure of constantly being sold for personal training sessions. Mike in particular is extremely knowledgable, non-​threatening, super helpful and thorough. He is a big reason I gave as many stars as I did. I hope they keep him around for a long time because he is an asset to the Donelson club.
On the other hand, I have a hard time seeing the value in paying what the YMCA charges. I feel it is a complete rip-​off. I recently moved to Nashville from LA… where there literally is a gym on every corner. You can get a membership at a posh gym in LA for the price the Nashville YMCA charges. I do not see the value. There is only one machine for each type of exercise, the cardio equipment is limited during busy hours, the heavy traffic between all their programs they offer makes it difficult to get from one point of the facility to the other. The hours that they are open are ridiculous. Especially being an entertainment town where everyone works odd hours, it would be helpful if they would cater their facility and hours to a more broad audience instead of the traditional family set-​up. The Y does offer income discounts, but once you have a roommate or family member join who has income, you lose your discount. I recently got my boyfriend to sign up, and now I have to pay more money for my own membership because we live together??? I would hope there would be some type of incentive to bring the Y more business instead of having to pay more for doing so.
I’d like to stay at the Donelson club indefinitely, but due to the exaggerated price point, I’ll likely be going to another gym altogether.

If you are in it for the classes and pool the price is worth it, but there are better offers out there if you are just looking for cardio and weights. Also the hours were inconvenient for my schedule… especially the early closings on weekends.

I have been coming to the Donaldson Y for the group fitness classes for the past six months and have yet to have a bad experience. I enjoy the Sunday group fitness classes starting with Body Pump, then basic step with abs the last 10 – 15 mins. of class, and last top it off with Dance Blast. All of the instructors I have encountered here are energetic and knowledgable about fitness. The female locker room and showers are clean with an attendant who frequents the area to ensure that it stays that way.

Staff is super friendly! The yoga class on Saturday morning at 11:00 am is great– the teacher reads an poem or inspirational quote at the end of class which gives the class a more studio type personal feel. They do not have towel service here FYI!

At first I actually enjoyed being a member at the Donelson YMCA, but when I had to cancel due to financial hardship, everything turned sour. I cancelled 2 weeks before the next billing cycle, went in and filled out a form. They still charged me! What’s worse, is that it was my last $ 30. When I called for help, of course there was no one in that could assist me, as they apparently do not have managers on staff at all times. Now I have to jump through hoops to get my money refunded. I was actually planning to rejoin when my money situation allowed it, but this has left me with an awful taste in my mouth. I would NOT recommend this place to anyone who may have to one day cancel. They claim they are a Christian organization, but whatever happened to «thou shalt not steal»?!

The staff is always really friendly, equipment is nice and plentiful. The only change I would recommend is dusting the gym floor more often.

I’ve belonged to YMCA’s in three states and have gone to four locations in the Nashville area. I mainly use the gym but the water facility here is great. This location stacks up well with Maryland Farms, Brentwood and Smyrna. Responding to comments of others, I have attended classes that were so popular you needed to arrive early to get a «ticket» to a class in Florida, and I do understand that arriving anyplace excessivly late will both interrupt others and possibly crowd the situation on the floor once class has started. Dress codes are subjective, but I’ve never heard of anyone being asked to «cover up» before. Perhaps you need to take a second look in the mirror! The only problem I’ve experienced with locker rooms are the wet floors from swimmers coming in to use the bathrooms without drying off. I really don’t like wet floors in a bathroom, looks gross. Memberships are rather expensive so if you don’t like it, you should find someplace that suits you better.

Ok where do I begin, I have enjoyed the other Nashville area ymcas because of their extensive equipment and large number of class options. From zumba to ballet to circuit training its fun stuff. This y however is policing its members far too much. They have what I like to call a «zumba nazi» that gives you a ticket to the zumba class and wont let you go to the class more than 10 minutes late. None of the other ys do this. Then they really got me fired up when they tried to get me to wear a t shirt because i had a bit of cleavage with my sports bra. I have never had any other ymca or gym tell me this. I refused to wear it and left. I knew ymca had religious affiliations, but joined anyway because unfortunately there isnt a better option in Nashville. This y takes it to the extreme. If you are not fanatically conservative and you do not enjoy rushing for zumba class or having someone police your attire as if you were 12 years old, then do not go to this gym.

Great gym in Donelson with awesome kids outdoor swimming area!

I’m not the duchess yet… there are a couple amigos that go here who are more of the gym junkies than me… and we are all fighting for the title. ;) However, I’m happy to be the first to write a review on this Y!
It’s a a big corp, therefore they have the customer service down right… very friendly and helpful from the minute you step in the door to the second you walk out! I get a cheerful, «good morning» and someone almost always is there to open the door on my way out. My kids love it, the kiddie rooms are very organized and have continuous uplifting activities for the munchkins. You will never hear any of my kids crying bc they are going to the Y that’s for sure!
I’ve tried almost ever class offered there during the morning and evening schedule. They all have excellent and compatible teachers coaching swimming aerobics, boot camp, Pilates, yoga… etc. I must comment that I do frequent the Zumba classes more often than the other classes. It’s dancing for fun while burning the toosh fat. I love it. So last week, this young guy named Barry stands in front of the classroom… and I thought, «he certainly is not going to be the Zumba teacher… right?» to my surprise this guy was amazing… I mean AMAZING! Better than any female teacher I’ve ever taken a class from! Im telling you… this guy had the sizzle and the schnitzel! I was ready for some Zumba competition after this! Just put some samba, merengue, salsa… and it was ON!
Anyways, that was that, I also like Seth teaching the spinning classes. He is the biking guru. Ask him anything regarding cycling… He knows it and he’ll teach it to you the right way bc he’s learned from experience or from all his reading research.
I could go on and on about commenting on the greatness of each teacher, but I’m not. You get my point anyways.
Clean gym. Workout rooms and equipment all clean and updated, it is very rare I have to wait for a treadmill, there are enough exercise machines in the wellness center.
Indoor pool and two outdoor pools with slides.
Also a very important part of this Y that stands out for me… The GREENWAY trail!!! You can leave your kids in the kiddie rooms and go for your outdoor run or your bikeride and they will call you if they need you. The greenway goes all the way to the dam on one side and shelby bottoms on the other side. :)
Enough said. 5 stars from me! ;)

Wonderful chain of gyms. I joined for the group fitness classes and am so pleased with the variety and schedule. The instructors are very good at what they do, all of the staff is friendly. This location is always high-​energy and busy, but not in a bad way. I’m always happy when I’m there and it carries through my day