Hilltop Family YMCA

The Hilltop YMCA would have you believe that rather than just being a gym they are an integrated part of our neighborhood. More of a culture leader than a business.
I’m here to tell you it’s all true.
I had to pause my membership for my whole family including 4 children because of some individual health issues that came out of nowhere. If this had gone badly I couldn’t go anywhere else and replace this membership. No manager at any gym I’ve ever known would go above and beyond like these two ladies at Hilltop did for me. I realize that these policies are Bay Area wide and set up to favor the community, still I had to make this post to show that I’m abundantly grateful for the individuals watching out for us at Hilltop.
I will rejoin as soon as I can.

I have been a member of the Hilltop YMCA for over two years. I am glad I found this gym in the area where I live. They have a good variety of classes, I usually take kickboxing, spinning and strength training classes. The instructors are all very good! Their weight room has brand new equipment. The general vibe is friendly, safe and positive. You will encounter people of all ages either working out or taking advantage of one of their youth or adult programs. Management is very receptive if you have an issue, they will try to address it the best they can. The membership fee is very reasonable for what you get. I used to be a member of Club One in Oakland and honestly the Hilltop YMCA is a better gym for the reasons described here.

When someone sent me a hate letter labeled compliment about my review written in 2011 saying it was fabricated, I was surprised. ADD means telling the truth voluntarily or not.
My friend joined and loved Hilltop, said there was a discount, that it’s a warm and friendly place, so I checked it out again in Sept. 2015. More than remodel happened! I’m sensitive to the energy of a place and, boy, has this changed for the better! Friendly relaxed staff were kind and patient. A member teased a staff member comfortably. Entirely different vibe from my experiences of hostility before with a different manager and different staff.
While learning about prices I didn’t hear the grunting from the weight room of before. I still can’t afford the discounted price or might have given a 5-​star rating. Not having the opportunity to use the facilities this time, I can’t rate them nor speak to the air quality of the women’s dressing room, but the remodel leaves an airy, open feel, and the staff seemed stellar. Glad my hater reminded me to update my review from this latest experience.

Tbh this wasn’t that great compared to my old YMCA in Wa state. I mean the design and how clean it was, was awesome I loved that so 4 stars. But other than that I thought that the family bathroom and then women’s bathroom would be separate instead of together. And the sauna would be up in the women’s adult locker room. It was different and didn’t like it. But clean! I switched to 24hr fitness cause it’s cheaper. But YMCA is great for families (: I suggest families should go.

I love this place. I drive all the way from El Cerrito to work out here. Most of the staff are very nice and helpful. One member even remembers my name when I come in. This is important to me so that I stay motivated and I know someone will miss me if I don’t workout.
The cardio room is great because they have a lot of machines to work out on. I love the weight room machines because they keep track of how many reps and sets of weights I lift. Also, I can log my activities outside the gym online.
Negative: the bathroom upstairs needs an upgrade because the toilets take two or more tries to completely flush (water wasters). Also, there needs to be someplace to set your water bottle while you use the restroom.
Lastly, employees should constantly monitor the weight room. Too often there are small children in the weight room trying to lift heavy weights or playing on the weight machines. Also, an etiquette sign should be installed to remind people that there is an area for people to sit and have conversations but sitting on the weight machines and having a long conversation is prohibited.

Frequented the Hilltop Family YMCA since it opened and through its renovation. Its a quality facility with a very welcoming feel. Even after their renovation, it still feels like the facility lacks many basic amenities of other modern facilities specifically TVs in the cardio room. Cleanliness can be hit or miss and the YMCA is somewhat expensive compared to local alternatives. The atmosphere and staff more than make up for these shortcomings.

I have a love-​hate relationship with this facility. I love the amenities and the POTENTIAL this place has. Unfortunately, staff played a major role in my review. I’ve been a member for about 2 years now. The first time I was unhappy when I paid (40 $/​hr for private swim lessons) and my son’s teacher would consistently cancel their lessons at the last minute. I was irritated, because used private lessons as a means to substitute child watch. I would rather pay to have someone teach my child something productive while I work out, over having them sit in child watch, not wanting to be there (my own personal choice) next, their unprofessional teenage lifeguards were complete assholes when it came to filling in for lessons his instructor cancelled on, as far as one young man literally MOCKING my four year old child’s laughter. I’ve called them up and told them they didn’t bill me one month, just for them to tell me they were caught up, they didn’t need to charge me anything, to when I left for several months then came back for Tae Kwon do lessons that I had to pay that past due out of collections in order to resign up with my membership. Sports directors never return emails, calls, messages nothing. God forbid a mother wants to enroll her children (3 boys) in private lessons and pay the price for it. This facility doesn’t want to work for its money and asks for handouts and donations for a playground. The ONLY reason I’m here is because it’s the only place my entire family can do something to better themselves simultaneously while I get my workout on. I’m constantly dissapointed with their customer service, their lack of wanting to rake in revenue to provide an advertised service WITHOUT ASKING FOR IT FOR FREE. Honestly, I hate this place. But my kids like it, and don’t know enough about the world to not accept Insults, disreprct, and unproffessionalism all the way around for the money their parents work for. Services aren’t cheap. Step up your game YMCA. I’m ready to lakeridge and get the resort treatment for the money I’m trying to throw at you.

Relaxed, clean, friendly full-​service gym. Clientele from serious weight lifters to elderly and disabled all seem at home. Locker rooms and sauna are nice, generally pleasant except for occasional children/​teens not using their own areas. Pool is pleasant, usually not crowded, and there’s always a lane for exercising/​walking. Fees are reasonable for the quality and diversity of the facility and programs.

The Y is no longer offering the basic membership for $ 40/​year. They discontinued it a few months ago as part of a move to standardize offerings from the Y and its affiliates, so now we have to join and pay monthly. In fairness, the basic membership didn’t cover much, just special programs like the Arthritis Foundation class I take, adult swim lessons and other programs. It didn’t cover the cardio room, the weight room, the swimming pool and all the other classes offered, but since I wasn’t particularly interested in those, it was no problem for me. I love my exercise class and like the Y a lot, so we will pay the monthly senior membership.

Honestly, if you are in your own zone then this gym is perfect for you. I enjoy the Y, the people are friendly and it’s really a great place to go. People previously complain about the lack of customer service but, if you are polite, the people are so understanding and nice. They’re motivating. With the no music issue (they don’t play music) I am seriously glad, and that my be just me, but I like to listen to my own music. The people who work out too are ranged from high intense to just chilling and walking, me, being in the middle, like it because I get motivated by that. The Y is seriously what you make it and it’s very clean which is a major plus!

Great place to workout. The staff is very friendly and helpful. Love the sauna. Nice atmosphere to workout.

I tried them out using a free trial coupon and see them as a fair option. Not good enough to switch memberships, but ok if you don’t have one anywhere yet. They have a cool-​looking system in the weight room that allows you to track your routine, including weight and reps, so you don’t have to remember off hand, and it’s nice that each locker room (4, including separate men’s, boys’, women’s, and girls’) contains a sauna. The cardio room is fairly sterile-​feeling, with no décor and no TVs. On the plus side, they have racquetball and childcare areas.

Ok first time here and got a free week pass. Place is spacious and very clean. Usual gym rush hours don’t exist here. Never packed like 24 hour but then again not as much equipment either.
Staff was friendly. They need music in those weight room for sure. It does not motivate you to put on work. One of the reasons I give this place a 3. It’s so quiet. The patronage here is definitely different from 24.
Sauna is unbelievably clean!!! I hated going to saunas at 24s cause it smelled funky and always crowded. This sauna was empty and spotless.
I participated in Franklins cycling and weight class. Great workout and definitely challenging to say the least. However his teaching style is nothing like the instructors from 24. He’s not interactive, lacks relationships with his students and never does the workout with you!!! For sure experienced better instructors than him when it comes to motivating and engaging the crowd. This is the other reason I give this place a 3.
Overall, place is alright. Def gonna take advantage of my free week.

Love this gym. Everyone at the front is friendly & helpful. The group classes are fun… love working out with nice people. The locker room is clean. There is a child watch program so parents can take their children to the gym. What more can you ask for out of a gym?
Update: Kickboxing, Bootcamp w/​Jack & Zumba! Zumba with Denisse is awesome! I love Denisse!

My back pack got stolen from the parking lot. No one ever patrols the area but they have surveillance cameras near the building only, which really didn’t help. Made a police report and couldn’t bear to go back for my sons swimming lesson – due to the theft. I called the staff member and asked if I could get a refund since my son only went to 2 out of 8 classes and she passed me over to the aquatics director. I left a message to the director but no one ever called me back. The YMCA just wants their money! Never again will I or my family go back there. Besides the money, it doesn’t feel safe. I would NOT recommend this facility to my friends and family.

I have been going to this gym since I was a kid with my parents! It is really one of my favorite gyms — probably the best in my opinion. They gym is located right off the freeway — so it’s easy to get to. Plenty of parking — lower level and upper level.
The staff people here are really nice and seem to take their job seriously — except for this one middle aged women, she always seems to be in a bad mood and somewhat rude. They gym itself is really nice & always clean. The first floor has the check in, cardio room, cycling room, lounge area, 2 studios (A&B), weight room, personal trainer room, bathroom and elevator.
The second level has, the indoor basketball gym, child watch, racket ball rooms, men’s/boys locker room, women’s/girls locker room, indoor heated swimming pool and meeting room that views the pool. During the off school season you will find a lot of kids here because they have summer camp — which is kind of annoying.
The locker rooms are the cleanest locker rooms I have ever seen. You can have a personal locker (for an extra monthly fee) or a daily use locker. Both locker rooms have saunas which is nice after a work out. The swimming pool is heated and really nice. I take my kid here for parent tot swim which is really enjoyable for her.
For parents who are curious about the child watch area: the child runs until about age 6. It’s a really nice, colorful area for kids. They have cubbies for your child’s bag. It’s a really safe area, with plenty of toys for your child to play with. Busier times for child watch are 8am to 10am and after 2pm to 6pm. Staff there are pretty nice and welcoming. If your child deals with some separation anxiety give your child some time to adjust to the new environment. Child watch is open everyday, except for Sundays and hours may vary so ask for a schedule.
Overall a good gym, recommend it to people who are thinking about joining or looking for a gym in their area. Yes it’s pricey & you get what you pay for and it’s 100% worth it!

I personally like this place. The staff is always very friendly and helpful. It is family and kid friendly. I also like that I don’t have to be worried about being stalked or interrupted mid workout session. They have a childwatch, kids club, sauna, locker rooms, pretty decent size cardio room and weights. The selection is not as great as 24 hour fitness, but everything works even though it is a little old. There is plenty of parking, they do close at 10pm and childwatch closes at 9pm. I personally recommend this place to anyone. It offers a more relaxing, and friendly workout environment.

This has been my #1 gym since I moved to the bay area. I love their classes and friendly staff. The environment is very comforting as well as welcoming as well. The people that go here mind their own business and I never get creepers that whistle and think they can get their groove on while at the gym.
It’s two stories with a seperate cardio room. It has a pool, basketball, wall ball area. Their classes are awesome and its affordable for a young professional!

Forget the YMCA swim lessons. The experience was horrible for my 5 year old. The private lessons were being cut short because the instructor had to go somehwere and 3 x’s he was a no show.
I requested a refund and got sidelined for 3 momnths. I canceled my memebership, now they write to me and call me and find out what happened.
The Y is ok when your on your own but not when you join swimming from my experience.
The YMCA HIlltop is thumbs down, join a real gym.

Finally, I joined the Y here. I really like that the YMCA is not like other meat-​market type gyms.
On the plus side, The majority of people who work at his Y are extraordinary friendly, polite and cheerful. The facility is kept quite clean. There is excellent programing and the variety of exercise equipment is commendable.
On the other side… this place only lose two stars cause my reason for joining — childwatch– while I workout… Kids Club, Summer /​winter program, and swimming class for kids is not that all great, the staffs in charge have lack of professionalism/​instruction/​coordination and knowledge. They need to do something positive special @ the Kids Club.
The Zumba class is great!!! but it is always too crowded… no space to really do the Zumba =(I wish they could do something about it.