Asphalt Green – Upper East Side

This place is massive! It has an Olympic size pool, spacious locker rooms, and showers with shampoo, conditioner, and soap, along with make-​up stations with Q-​tips, gel, etc. Their sun deck has gorgeous views of the East River and the city and, unlike other sun decks in the city, is never shaded by buildings. They offer a day pass for $ 35 which, from my research, is a very good deal for those looking for a place to sun and swim in Manhattan. Every staff member I encountered, from the front desk to security, were very friendly. I had a really great experience, I would definitely recommend it.

I really wanted to like this place. Equipment is slightly outdated and shows heavy signs of wear. Locker area smells like a moldy NYC public pool. No issues with staff because I didn’t have much interaction with them. The gym floor is nice and bright but soon the garbage drop station will be your only view. For a non profit to charge $ 104 a month for basic gym membership with no upgrades and no top notch cleaning staff it’s not worth it. Unfortunately finding a good gym on the UES is not possible so this might be your only option.

Worse customer service ever! I called to inquire about the cancellation process 2hrs before a class and was told by an employee that it would not be a problem to reschedule. Then I received a call to be told that I lost my money. No consideration for first time customer, incentive to return, NOT even an apology! This is unsay and I am seriously appalled at their lack of care!
Don’t bother with this place, the classes are weak and it’s a complete waste of money!

After taking local swim lessons, I decided to have my four year old daughter try a summer semester here. Turns out it was perfect for her. The baby pool is much warmer than our local pools, perfect for her little body. She was able to relax and learn how to swim independently rather quickly. Some instructors are better than others, but overall it has been perfect for her.

Nice facility but the integrity of staff is questionable. They have a Lost & Found service desk, which is more like a ‘Lost but Never Found.’ I play in the adult sports leagues. My teammates and opponents have left soccer balls, gloves, hats, shoes, and personal items at the facility. None has ever been returned to the owner (0 out of 15 times that I’ve ever seen equate to 0.00% success rate). Staff always claim «I never saw anything» — sometimes even before we finish asking the question.

Filthy locker rooms, often urine and stool in bathroom toilets (especially family rooms). Expected to keep program cards from one semester to the next, hidden fees if you don’t. Wouldn’t recommend.

Great spin classes! Whatever you need to burn calories they have it here. Many machines and many classes are offered to choose from. Very friendly and helpful staff!

Have belonged for a few years. I just use the pool as the gym was not very impressive. The staff at the desk is not very friendly and barely acknowledge people has they go in and out. It doesn’t really matter I suppose. The lifeguards are friendly and can answer any questions. The pool is olympic size (although for most the day it is split in half into 25m lanes but that is sufficient) and enjoyable for swimming laps, but anyone considering a membership should look at the swim schedule. At some points in the day there are no lanes available (weekday afternoons) and others they are fewer lanes available. In the evening during peak times it can get crowded in the lanes. The water can be slightly chilly at times. There are a few hardcore types that think they own the pool, but for the most part the other members are friendly and considerate. The membership fee for the pool alone is a bit high, but if you want to swim has a frequent part of your workout then this place could be a good fit.

Tried out the gym on a one day pass. Was looking for a serious strength gym where I could olympic lift, deadlift, use chalk etc. They have 2 full racks, 2 half racks which is good, although I much prefer the full rack with attaching platform that most modern college gyms use. Unfortunately, they have no good place to olympic lift or deadlift. There is a platform but it is beaten up very badly (uneven surface). There is also a small rubber matted area, but it is cramped and small. They do have a chalk bowl and lots of bumper plates though.
Not a good spot for serious lifters.

I like the idea of Asphalt Green, a non-​profit which supplies recess enhancement for students who might not have adequate physical education at their respective schools, but it’s a horror to be a member there. I do not recommend this place. You’re better off going to NYCSC because at least their facilities match the monthly price you pay.

I got a Groupon last year for this place and since I travel I can’t sign up for a year membership so this seemed like a good deal. Well this year it came up again on Groupon and thought to try it again even though they raised the price to $ 79. Well when I got there the membership guy took me to a room (different from last time) and then asked my name, already I was suspicious. He came back and said since I had a Groupon last year that they wouldn’t honor it. He said that I would have to wait three years. He said he was sorry and that there wasn’t anything he could do because the computer «would kick my name off the system» as if the computer was some malevolent force that they have no control over. When I went there last year I wondered why it was so empty; even those that I talked to told me that it was getting emptier because the management makes stupid mistakes. I realize now better why it’s so empty; though it has good assets, like the one of the few 50 meter indoor pools, the management seems to arrogantly want to ruin their image by making poor management decisions. Though I told others that this was a good gym (I was even going to convince my friends who live in NYC to do the Groupon deal; thank heavens I didn’t) I can no longer endorse it due to an indifferent management that thinks it doesn’t have to care about members since it maintains a non-​profit like status by receiving contributions. It seems to me that it’s always important for a company to work on public relation but this one doesn’t seem to care.
UPDATE: Well I finally got my money refunded (be it only in «Groupon bucks» whatever those are) but ONLY after I threatened to sue. First I get a message from Asphalt’s Paul C through Unilocal who said «You can reach out to Groupon to get a full refund». Then I get an e-​mail from Groupon that said «I’m sorry to hear this will keep you from using your Groupon. However, since this restriction was included in the deal’s Fine Print at the time of your purchase, I am not able to issue a refund past 3 days from the purchase date.» So only AFTER I threatened to sue them for keeping money w/​o providing services they offered did they refund my money! What a nightmare! and only because this organization is so rigid and petty that they didn’t want to honor a Groupon which would have not changed anything to their organization! Be very suspicious of an organization such as this; they definitely could care less of their reputation.

Grab a free 3-​day guest pass to try this spot out near the East River. Nice facilities and more space than most rec spaces in Manhattan.

It is very sad this is the only pool of its caliber in NYC. As someone who loves to swim, is very good at swimming, and has injuries so pretty much can ONLY swim, it still isn’t worth it. In the end, the membership desk is the icing on the cake. They say they will cancel your membership when you ask them to. But they continue charging your card. When you bring that to their attention, they say they will reverse it in 1 – 3 business days. Three weeks later, nothing. If you think you’re getting a higher standard at Asphalt Green, a good ol’ swimmers’ gym, you’re not. The pool isn’t even yours either: it’s only for the kids. You’ll be crammed into a few lanes, miserable. Friday nights at 9:30pm…that’s when to go. The only time to go.

Very nice facility. I took the cardio kickboxing class (1 hr) and the mat pilates class (45 mins). Both were good but I really enjoyed the cardio kickboxing class because I actually got to sweat hard, the music was invigorating and the instructor was high energy /​awesome. There were only two of us in the class but she still gave it her all.
It being customer appreciation Tuesday there were light snacks and water/​wine. Some of the snacks were a bit on the unhealthy side for a gym (m and m cookies and wine?) But it is a nice way to bring all the members and staff together to chat and get to know one another.

If you sign up and they offer you a «free month» or something of that nature, get the terms in writing. Otherwise you will be charged and get a story about why you didn’t meet the required terms for your free month.
Wasn’t necessarily a bad place, but their shady business practices led me to cancel.

Very friendly and pleasant staff. Beautiful pool and one of very few 50m options for distance swimmers. My expectations started at 5 stars and deducted from there:
–1 locker rooms need renovation, not offensive or disgusting but small lockers bunched together makes one feel like a naked sardine while changing. Combined with the families and teenage swim teams it’s like changing while on the subway.
— 1 super busy and packed (even at 7:45 am Sunday morning).
–1 aggressive type A swimmers who are barely tolerant of regular people. I overheard two people making fun of a woman «she really has no clue… well, just swim around her, or even under her — whichever you prefer.» Didn’t understand what they were talking about until the woman and I got barked out of the fast lane… didn’t even realize there was a fast lane (unmarked, no-​one mentioned it when I asked which lanes were open swimming.) I’m sure the rude super swimmers would be titillated to know I’m advising people to look elsewhere. At least the broad shouldered barker was patient and kind to the disabled swimmer who was at least twice as slow as we were. Would be nice if people were nice to ordinary swimmers — not just disabled and elite athletes.
I will look for community pools — cheaper and more likely to be quiet during lap swim times without the Manhattan attitude (which I have no problem with when appropriate.)

Fellow Unilocalers!
It’s been about two months since I joined and I wanted to update my review to 5 stars and each one is truly deserved!
Gym environment and machine/​weights availability is amazing, the staff is extremely friendly (I have not entered or left the facility without a «hello» or «have a nice day“EVER) and they have a great group of personal trainers and instructors that really enjoy building relationships with members and always lend a helping hand or great tips!
Joe Rojas is an amazing and diverse personal trainer and has a challenging boot camp class if you are an early bird! Also Sharon and Paige’s classes are intense and fun !!
Still more to explore (including the pool) but I am beyond happy with my gym choice thus far. I’ve convinced my boyfriend and co worker to join as well, Asphalt green is definitely the gem gym of UES/​Yorkville!

Grew up swimming here and take my son for here swim lessons. He is a year and a half and there kids program is great. The locker room was clean and they have seats to put the kids in. They don’t provide towels which is a bit annoying but it’s a great place to swim.

I love this gym facility. I joined when I moved to New York from Florida. The atmosphere is what sold it to me. People are there to work out, not try to overly impress others. The facilities are clean. They have all the equipment I was used to and wanted from a gym. The staff is nice and helpful. It is not overly crowded even in the after work hours.
I have not used the pool so I can not comment on that. I have really enjoyed the selection of classes I have been to, but really use it mainly for the gym.
I also really like the idea that I am helping to support the community while I work out.

The pool:
Awesome, huge Olympic sized pool
It’s a bit intimidating at first, but its really easy to get a lane and jump it
The locker rooms are clean
Nice Steam room/​sauna
The gym:
Very disappointed by the state of the equipment, it feel old, looks old, is old
Good news is there is mostly only old people working out in it.
The few times I’ve been in the gym it was empty
They really need to update it
Membership:
They really need to get new people working there
The woman was pleasant but didn’t even bother to give me a tour or show me where anything is. This place is massive! She also hasn’t followed up with me at all to see how its going.

I just can’t extoll the virtues to this pool too much. Now that I have been over
several visits to NYC, I am even more ‘comfortable’ and have learned
that if you get there at 7;20 AM (when they change the lengths at 8) you can
have an idyllic swim, because most of the swimmers have departed, so
you can have a good swim and only have to share with one or two people,
or maybe even get your own lane. If you go at 8;30 during the winter, the
lanes are 20 or 25′ and you can pretty much get a lane at 9 am-​which is
just so ideal. And then you can go upstairs and ‘lift’ with people who
are committed and encompass all ages. i found the whole experience,
from Armina, who checks me in, to the lifeguards (many of whom are
young and «GAWGEOUS) to observing the Masters workouts (oh how
they swim like dolphins) to be totally satisfying, not frustrating and
a 50 meter workout is incomparable… especially if you don’t have to
share with too many folks, who, like myself, are in the slow lane and
may or may not be «Seniors.» Some are quite good and then, if
you get tired, you can go to the ‘warm pool’ for a cooldown, as long
as you realize it becomes the Mommy and Me pool at 9. And very well
guarded-​really i just must repeat: A fine fine fine experience!

Great place that has everything. Love that they have a Insanity class on Thursdays at 7am.

Definitely a great place to swim!
I have been going here for about a year and I love the pool. I originally tried it out on a two month Groupon and then couldn’t live without it so I became a swim member. It’s either configured into two 25yd pools or a 50m pool. I have swam at other pools in the city and like this pool because it is definitely a swimmer’s pool. There are some floaters here, but I think that everyone seems to have respect for one another regardless of their swim ability, just make sure you choose the appropriate lane for your speed.
92Y vs AG: I had gone to the 92Y for a few months before I joined here. I like the 92Y because it was cheaper, had nice locker rooms, and hot tubs. There was a separate locker room for kids and families at the 92Y so no screaming children there like sometimes there are at AG. The gym machines were all new the staff was friendly. The staff at AG is friendly too. At 92Y, the lifeguards were nice, but would blow their whistles every 5 seconds and seemed to get involved with dictating which lanes people should go in. At AG, the lifeguards here are more relaxed. They only get involved if you are drowning. Sometimes, I wish they would say something to people who are being inconsiderate, but overall, it’s pretty chill. I like swimming at AG because the pool is larger, there are more lanes available, and I don’t have to share a pool with an aerobics class. There are less sharks and jelly fish here too. At 92Y, there seemed to be several sharks (those who would have swim rage) that would leap frog in front of you in attack mode then slow down once they passed you. There were also many jelly fish, those that stung you. I had way more bruises and scratches at 92Y from being hit, kicked, and scratched. I haven’t had the same issue at AG, so in my book, there is no comparison in terms of the pool.
They have a rooftop which is nice to stretch out on or read after a workout. The locker rooms are pretty good. I like their bath products. I wish the locker room was not so slippery all the time and that people would dry off near the showers before entering the locker area. The sauna and steam rooms are small but effective. The alarms constantly go off because they get too hot, which can be a little annoying at times.
If you are a member or have a guest pass, they give you towels. Bring your own lock, swim cap, and goggles. If you are coming for a one day use, there is a guest locker room, which is nice too, but does not have towels or shampoo and conditioner. If I were you, I would just go to membership and ask for a 1 to 3 day guest pass to use the regular locker rooms.
I have been to the regular gym here a few times and like that it’s never too crowded. The cardio machines seem fine, and the weight machines look okay. It is nice to workout with a view of the East River… except now, that dumb Marine Transfer Station is blocking some of the view.
Overall, I like AG, because it’s a nice little community. I love swimming here and even though there are some inconsiderate swimmers here from time to time, the majority are considerate and just come here for the same reason as I do… to SWIM.

I just got a pool membership here, so far it’s clean! And i ll update on it again, but one huge thing that i didn’t like: when i was signing up (i was dressing in student mode) they treated me as i can not handle the cost and 4 – 5 people came and saw me (feels like being evaluated if i am fancy enough to get the membership)! I did not like that attitude at all! But the facility is clean and desirable!

I’m on a 2 month pass. Thanks Groupon.
I like that the gym is not packed, and they offer an array of classes.
A must is the pool, definitely intimidating but so worth it.
Also the locker rooms come equipped with a steam room & sauna.
I just wish the shower doors weren’t clear.
Overall having a great gym experience.

Beautiful park with great sprinklers. They have a very expensive day camp which we will probably not be taking advantage of any time soon.
Unfortunately Mayor Bloomberg wants to put a garbage processing plant right in the middle of it so it don’t think it will be nice for much longer!

**This review is for their business practices only**
Rates not published online and when you ask them via email they won’t tell you on email either.
Shady.