YMCA of Greater Seattle – Downtown

I used to have a fear of gyms — but no longer!
I love this place. I like that I can come here and just work out. No pretense, no nothing. No one bothers you if you don’t want to be bothered, people mind their own business and there’s no grunting or folks showing off. People legitimately come to here to work out. It’s great!
Staff are really nice — in person, over the phone and over email (and yes, I have communicated with them via all these ways!). If you don’t work a traditional M-​F 9 – 5, the best times to go in are in the mornings after 9am and in the afternoon after 1pm. Lots of free machines and less traffic in the locker room during those periods. I avoid the weekends (well, Saturday, they’re not open on Sunday). The lockers and locker room areas have been clean for the most part when I’ve gone in and remember to bring your own lock to use. Always eye the stools with caution, naked bottoms have graced them so the barrier towel is your friend.
I took a tour of this gym before signing up – a good idea because while the monthly pricing is comparable to other gyms (they even have a sliding scale based on your income!), the join fee is a buzz killer and I wish they would get rid of it. Other than that, this is a solid gym.

I love this gym mostly because no creepy guys hit on me when I’m working out And it has a private section just for ladies so no co Ed steam room I love that it’s affordable the hours are my least favorite thing I wish they stayed open later and would open on a Sunday its clean most of the staff are friendly and helpful if you have questions about anything they are slow answering emails and they have awesome classes however some of the classes are way way way overpriced for what some of the classes cost trust me you can do it yourself for free at home (￣(エ)￣)

Note: All my reviews since 2006 of this YMCA were censored by Unilocal.
The downtown Y is a Unilocal advertiser.
A consumer has the right to know about the prevalence of (1) obscene, violent language, (2) safety issues (bullying, theft, stalking), (3) racism, (3) member demographics, (4) staff misconduct.
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Businesses are responsible for the conduct of their employees.
On July 9, 2015 I, a disabled senior citizen, person of color, and a member since 2002, was verbally assaulted by Cynthia Klever, YMCA director, a young white woman.
It was like being kicked in the stomach over and over again.
The Y’s core values of «respect,» «caring,» responsibility,” and «honesty» were violated by Ms.Klever.
The Y selectively enforces its rules of conduct, which is DISCRIMINATION.
Contempt and hostility invite the same in return. I decline the invitation to lie.
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If we do not speak this week, I will put your membership on hold until I return from vacation, which is Friday July 17^th.” –Cynthia Klever in email dated July 8, 2015
BULLYING is the use of force, threat, or coercion to abuse, intimidate, or aggressively dominate others. The behavior is often repeated and habitual. One essential prerequisite is the perception, by the bully or by others, of an imbalance of social or physical power, which distinguishes bullying from conflict.
(Wikipedia)
I was bullied at the downtown YMCA by employees, including Ms. Klever.
At a meeting on July 9, 2015, there was a power imbalance that included (1) white prerogative and (2) having two people of the same race, gender, and approximately the same age against one of a different race, gender, orientation, and age in the room. They kept saying to me, «What difference does it make?»
Ms. Klever resorted to the use of a threat and a false pretext («to resolve an email») to get me to meet with her.
Noisily chewing a huge wad of gum in my face, she aggressively interrogated me. Finally, she dropped her customary jolly façade and in an scornful, insulting tone of voice, she harangued me blaming and accusing me of things that were patently untrue.
Through snow blizzards, shingles, ankle and toe fractures, acid reflux, and knee pain, over the past 23 years, I have swum at Evans, Coleman, Garfield, Queen Anne, 24 Fitness, Meredith Matthews, Seattle U., downtown Y pools, and from Honolulu to Boston and San Francisco.
Yet Ms. Klever viciously castigated me for causing problems for other swimmers. That is simply not the truth, as others can testify to. In fact, for the past 2+ years I have uneventfully swum 7 miles a week at the downtown Y.
The irony is that she had admitted to me that (1) she herself had difficulty not hitting the lane dividers and (2) the lanes were narrow.
Asking the Y to abide by its own rules is not, as Ms. Klever charged, bending over backwards to accommodate my needs.
Nor did she provide substantiation, as I had requested, of a young lifeguard’sinconsistent, muddled statements. She claimed he was autistic.
Several times I was provoked to the point of tears. Stripped of defenses, let slip an expletive, which Ms. Klever pounced on to terminate my membership.
Treated like a criminal, I was told to get my things and leave at once.
In a shell-​shocked daze, I forgot to lock my locker after I had pleaded to be able to take a shower and say good-​bye to friends.
This experience left me feeling betrayed, humiliated, and demeaned.
I am considering legal action.
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In the past year I had already noticed that Ms. Klever prevaricated. Ten months ago, in response to my dismay at staff gossip, grinning from ear to ear, her rejoinder was: «Gossip? Gosh, us? No… this is the YMCA!»
I had nothing to hide by meeting with Ms. Klever but everything to lose by doing it in her office, where what she said would be shielded from scrutiny.
I believe that the Highest Judge will say, «This was not a discussion but a premeditated attack on your part. You knew this well. You relentlessly goaded L. past the breaking point.»
I took this YMCA at its word («values» and «mission»), but I discovered it was not living up to them.
No, I had not spent time shooting the breeze with Ms. Klever in her office.
But, in a nutshell, I discovered that it is political & political agendas that drive this Y, not «mission,» distributed in sheets and plastered on the walls, courtesy of the national YMCA.
And when staff tell you, confidentially that they don’t like being harassed [at this Y],” you know something’s amiss.
Racial disparities and stereotyping have only grown, while security has steadily worsened.
I never experienced more racism, conscious or not, and bullying in my entire life than at the downtown YMCA.
That said, I honestly think the next time, Ms. Cleaver will think twice before she slams against the wall a person like me.

My boyfriend and I just joined as a couple and it was such a great deal. They have lots of amenities and the rate is affordable. I’m looking forward to trying out some classes!

I really love this branch of the YMCA. The staff are always incredibly helpful, teaching you how to use the machines if you dont already know. Its a very relaxing atmosphere. No one bothers you if you dont wish. Even on days i had a lot to study id just hoist my books on a treadmill and read while i walk. Or sit in the hottub reading my book on the side. The steam room is incredible; i could sleep in there, but typically many people have the same idea. The pool isnt the biggest, but usually ive never had a problem with many people using it at once.
My favorite part of this ymca is the scheduled activities. At first i was scared, i never tried a zumba or a yoga class, but i figured many people thought the same. So i went. Turns out you dont have to know or look like you know what you’re doing. And the more i tried new random classes, the more i felt compelled to keep going.
I really recommend it, especially if youre someone like me who likes to find excuses not to go to the gym. If you use it correctly, theres no reason to be too busy to better yourself.

this is a great place to support. the facility is very clean and the staff is helpful except for this one guy and I think they got rid of him. the YMCA is comparable to a gym I used to pay 110 a month for.

Got my membership almost a year ago and just as happy. Clean and great employees! Love this Y and come at least 4 times a week!

So I’d been a loyal member of the downtown ymca for almost 10 years, my 11 year old child basically grew up there. Everyone that has worked there has been wonderful. I love the downtown ymca! Having said that, I don’t need to be yelled at for not properly checking my child in only to be told I wasn’t allowed back at the facility until talking to management — my issue isn’t with the rule, but the way a single staff member addressed me and addresses other members at the y. Completely inappropriate!!!
This was over a month ago and I thought I’d let it go. I no longer go to the downtown y. W seattle and Meredith Mathews are much friendlier and child friendly.
Anyhow, I showed up to the w seattle y today only to find out my membership is flagged for not following policy. REALLY?! I’m the problem? This is ridiculous. How does the downtown YMCA let a single individual ruin their reputation?
If you read my review about thefts, this is the same individual who had to be begged to respond to a locker theft …
I won’t be back!
BTW — these are 3 separate reviews over the last 4 months or so
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Things seem to be getting better …
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I love the downtown y and have previously given it a 5 star review … based on the fact that there have been rampant locker thefts over the last few months (as many as 10 – 15 thefts almost nightly) with no progress or (what seems to be) care from the new staff it is unfair to recommend that anyone frequent the downtown y until they get their stuff together … as I left the y last night another member was reporting his locker was broken into and wallet was stolen, while the y staff (new employee) seemed to be more bothered by having to deal with this member … the member basically had to force him to go back up to the locker room to investigate … the y has always been better than this and I expect a lot more out of the y … I have also had my locker broken into, luckily I keep my valuables with me … I love the downtown YMCA so I hope they get it together before they lose me and too many other loyal members, but the place I want more than any other in the city of Seattle to be a 5 star review is now only 1 star … STAY AWAY! … unless you are prepared to keep valuables with you. I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt over a week or two or even a month, but this has been going on for months now, so the only conclusions I can come to are incompetence or worse … at this point I have to wonder if employees are involved … Please, please, please get it together downtown YMCA!!!

I’ve been coming to the Y about twice a week for two months now. I find the staff to be very friendly and the workout areas are always clean.
The Y offers cardio and weight machines, a swimming pool, a basketball court, classes (including pilates reformers), and more.
No need to bring a towel. They will provide them on every floor.
My only complaint is that the Y is closed on Sundays.

DOWNTOWN SEATTLE — There’s a wet sauna here, and an indoor track around all the cardio and resistance machines. Showers are private and locks for lockers are available at the front desk. Towels are endless!

The downtown Y is the largest of all the Y’s in Seattle, with the most amenities including a steam room and a more extensive weights section than any of the other area Y’s. Unfortunately (or fortunately, sometimes), it also attracts the most people. I’ve seen all different kinds of humans at this particular Y, from screaming old women in the steam room to mumbling schizophrenics in the squat rack. Sometimes this can be an amusing form of peoplewatching. Other times, it can be a distraction from your workout, or render the spa amenities virtually useless as it is impossible to relax while other patrons are yelling at each other.
But I appreciate the Y for what it is. The customer service is excellent. There isn’t that corporate feel of other gyms: paying my dues feels more like giving to a charity than lining some fat cat’s pockets. Canceling your membership is hassle-​free. The diverse clientele can also make for a better environment.
For a less crazy Seattle Y experience, the Dale Turner Family and University Family branches are great.

I love this Y– I am so glad I re-​joined. It is a block from my office, and has a hot tub, steam room, and dry sauna, all in the huge womens locker room area.
There are plenty of weights, and workout equipment.
I havent tried to classes yet and am looking forward to a yoga or pilates class.

I live here. I generally use the racquetball courts and go to yoga class. I’ve been a member for ~5 years on and off.
The facilities are great. This isn’t a 24-​Hour Fitness or young single person’s gym. It’s more old school. It also costs more than most non-​boutique gyms. I pay around $ 65/​mo.
My only beef is that sometimes I wish I could use the sauna, hottub, and steam room. These are always packed midday with steamy, naked dudes that appear to be homeless. Many have not showered for extended periods of time, have skin conditions, etc. I get it, it’s the Y, but still. Hazmat zone. Nakes dudes are sitting around everywhere with no towels; sitting on chairs that I need to sit on while getting dressed. Also the lockers aren’t all that clean sometimes. EW!
The staff is supreme, love them to death. Again, I’m always there, but there’s no way the Y’s getting 5 stars with the locker room sitch.

Two thumbs down the women’s locker room made me very uncomfortable. Women in the sauna the stem room and the hot tub all naked no towels around them everybody was just naked. Kinda weird otherwise great gym great workout area.

This is by far the second best gym I’ve been a member of. It only falls short of the gym that was at my college… which is probably impossible to beat. I make good use of almost every floor at the Y which is awesome because I feel like I’m definitely getting my moneys worth.
On Monday mornings I cycle in the very empty cycling room then run afterwards.
On Tuesday mornings I swim with the Masters swim team.
On Wednesday mornings I cycle with the cycling class.
On Thursday mornings I swim with the Masters swim team.
On Friday mornings I’m in yoga class.
The pool is hardly ever full and if there’s people already swimming they’re always great about either splitting the lane or swimming circles with you. Just make sure you choose the lane that best reflects your swimming ability because if people need to wait for you they can get a little upset.
Any morning that there isn’t a cycling class the cycling room is essentially empty. It’s nice to turn the fans on there and just ride for an hour or more. Even when the cycling classes are in session there’s always room for more people.
I am very pleased with the Y and will hopefully be a member for many years to come!

I used to love the YMCA downtown and was a member for over 20 years until the new policy of no nudity in the women’s only jacuzzi went into effect. One of the nice things about the Y was the accepting atmosphere of everyone’s inperfections. It had a nice spa like quality to it. Then new management came in and put this stupid rule into play. So — we’re supposed to exercise hard enough to sweat, requiring a shower and then have to put a swimsuit on for the jacuzzi? Stupid. and puritanical. I wrote to the Executive Director to protest and she basically blew me off by telling me some cultures find nudity offensive (same sex nudity is probably only offensive to weird Americans — get over it).
Why pay an extra $ 50 for a service I wasn’t using any more so I joined the cheaper gym in my building. I’m sorry to have quit because of this because the staff was fabulous (although the management treats the staff as badly as their members).
I hope the Y eventually goes back to the accepting ways of the past and fires their current management. If so — I’ll be back.

So great!!!
Friendly staff, nice equipment that is so easy to use, tv’s on every cardio machine, large CLEAN locker rooms, basket ball, racquetball, yoga, group fitness, etc.
I’m so glad I checked it out. Just what I was looking for in a gym.
Sauna, steam room, and whirlpool to boot!

I’ve joined other gyms in Seattle, and they either lacked basic hygiene or full amenities. I wanted a gym with an Olympic-​sized swimming pool, but I never considered the YMCA because, well, it’s got the word Christian baked into its organization. But when the YMCA states everyone is welcome, believe.
I get up early every morning and trek to the Y for a swim. The lifeguards and I are on a first-​name basis, but then they are that way with everyone. The staff are friendly, even at 5:00 A.M. Towels are plentiful, and the steam room after swimming is a godsend.
What I love most about the Y is its no-b.s. policies: no cell phones in the locker room area, and absolutely no funny business. If you’ve ever experienced these sorts of scenarios at your gym, you know what I mean when I say it’s bloody wonderful to work out and not have to worry about what you might run into around a corner.

I have been a member of the downtown Y for 15 years. THE benefit of going there is that the whirlpool, steam room and sauna are in the locker rooms so I could relax au natural with no problems; very relaxing.
The Y has just imposed a new rule requiring swim suits be worn in the whirlpool. I sent an email to a staff member responsible for the policy change objecting to the rule and asking they either reduce my monthly fee. revoke this arbitrary, unnecessary and Puritanical rule or I would need to find another gym. The response was basically, «sorry to see you go».
These days I am using the pool at the Y and it appears there is no other gym with a pool that is any where near as cheap as the Y (and I thought it was expensive) in the downtown area, so I may be stuck with this situation.

I have to say, I truly love the locker rooms here. They’re hot as hell (connected to a sauna), but SO big. I love being able to find a corner where I dont have to look at people/​can keep people from looking at me.
I also love the glorious racquetball courts! They’re not the dowdy old things from my college years — these have movable walls!
I dont like the lack of parking, but if you can walk or take the bus (or pay for parking) it’s a great location… minus a few people who look like they’re just waiting for the right minute to mug you. Seriously, people get mugged around here. Bring a workout buddy.