Bob Sierra Family YMCA

There are a plethora of gyms to choose from in Tampa, and there are definitely gyms closer to my house for way less money. There are a few key reasons I choose the Y over all of them. First and foremost, I have kids and I am a lot more likely to work out if the gym has childcare. As far as I know, no other gyms in the area offer this. I like that the Y meets the needs of my family– most days I work out in the gym but I also take group fitness classes, my daughter participates in soccer, and the whole family enjoys swimming at the youth and family center. This YMCA is clean, staff are friendly, and while it can be busy, there are few days when all of the machines are full. I have the everywhere membership so I like that I can go to other YMCAs in the county if I choose to as well. I truly do feel that you get what you pay for and if your needs are basic, you can choose a cheaper, more basic gym. If you are like me and know that you probably won’t go if you have to find someone to watch your children– the Y is for you. The staff in the daycare are friendly and attentive and ensure your child is safe while you work out. The instructors in the fitness classes I’ve taken have been great. I recommend this place!

To many young folks with zero training are running the YMCA here. Staff runs 20 minutes late with no apologies. No one else will open areas that staff is late for. Someone will tell you ‘x’ one minute and ‘y’ the next. Lacks consistency. They offer classes and cancel with little notice or concern to the members that have already paid for these services in advance. Management does not reply to phone calls or emails, unless you email the COO, but nothing changes even after that. Most of the management was promoted after their not returning calls or emails, so they continue that routine after being promoted. They care more about the folks or teams not paying than they do about those paying for the services. Most reviews posted are not recent — the only that is looks like the Y wrote it.

The best overall workout and family health gym/​programs in the area!
Unlike the other areas Ys, the Bob Sierra YMCA is huge, spanning two geographic campuses — the main Bob Sierra Y «the Bob» and about ¼ mile away the sprawling Youth and Family Center (YFC). The main «Bob» portion of the Y is a an older building that is fully maintained and sports a basketball gym, pool, raquetball courts, dance/​zumba/​jazzercise type rooms, work out gym, gymnastics gym, rock climbing room, Spinning room and has access to an adjacent park for youth sports. They offer water-​aerobics, kids swim lession, special needs and senior programs in the Bob pool. The Bob also has childcare. There is a swim team that meets at the pools for both buildings.
The newer YFC is devoted to youth and family sports programs with a very large basketball gym, rec rooms for practice, 2 big pools including water slides and a splash fountain type shallow pool for very young children, a climbing tower, grass volleyball courts and lawn areas for practice and camps. The child after school care is usually full and the summer camps are packed. Both campuses have locker rooms with showers. This facility and their staff are amazing — they are always helpful from the front desk staff, to lifeguards, gym trainers and camp counselors. You can pretty much get in and out without a wait for machines at all but the a few peak times. Even then you can just work another machine and by the time your are done, your original choice is free for use. I often see teens and men meeting up to work out as well as Moms and families working out together.
It is a great membership mix of people from all walks of life. There are newer Ys but none as practical and functional for working out and exercising for the whole family. Its also nice to be a gym where the focus is on working out and not looking in mirrors. ;-)
This is the most affordable physical and recreational fitness program!
TIP: Some insurance policies offer free Y memberships for Seniors as well.

Been a member for 7 years. The yoga is my main interest, with the pool being second. The group exercise manager is not putting much into the yoga program and the teacher quality has dropped significantly due to attrition (or just plain being run off). $ 50 month is a lot when I can get memberships at 3 different gyms for $ 10/​mo. You’d think we could get some quality yoga for that price. Plus, the yoga «demographic» is usually the paying membership demographic, too. Classes are 0-​dark-​thirty in the a.m. or pushing up against closing time. Hard to stay popular when they make it so darn difficult to attend. The other issue is the pool issue. The Bob Sierra Y is now using a weather alert system that tracks lightning strikes from many many miles away. In the summer, when there’s always a rain shower somewhere, this means there is little time to swim. Even if it’s clear, you arrive only to find they’ve shut the pool down and won’t re-​open because they’ve let the staff go home. The the Youth & Family Center pool seems to have been built for Gaither High swim team. There is very little time or lane access available for paying Y members to use the facility, and if there isn’t a weather alert. It’s probably a funding thing. They probably got money from government sources to build the pool for the school, and oh yeah if it’s convenient, the Y membership can use it. It’s a bit of a bait and switch with that pool. I don’t believe it’s really for us, but it makes for great marketing. I’ve written many «suggestions» and lately, to the Y leadership. So far, no one is paying any attention. I suggest you join all 3 other gyms and save yourself $ 20/​month. Some non-​profits think you’ll endure poor service levels «for the sake of charity.» I don’t agree. And though I have an MBA in Marketing and have worked as a marketing consultant for 25 years, they seem to know best.

Not the best, not the worst. It’s a nice facility, just feels a bit congested and lacks charm. The standard in my eyes in the St. Pete Y. It’s by far the best of the best. But I think 3.5 stars for Bob Sierra sounds about right. They offer racquetball which is a nice addition, two basketball courts, a decent size weight room with plenty of cardio machines, they offer gymnastic classes, and your usual youth programs and adult aerobic classes, the pool outside is not much to brag about, it’d be nice if they had an indoor pool along with a sauna room (ala st. pete)… All in all, if you come here, chances are you’ll enjoy it. It’s a decent Y, almost a maze like structure, but good enough to make a visit from time to time.

For an older facility, this place has a lot character! There are several group fitness classes offered with early morning and evening times. Arrive early for group fitness classes, especially Body Pump as there is limited space and equipment. Leyna is my favorite group fitness instructor because her fun, bubbly personality makes Body Pump bearable.
There is tons of machine to chose from and when I arrive later in the morning, there are plenty available. Childcare is available but check times. A full size locker with showers also offer hairdryers.
During the summer months, the spray park is a great place to escape the heat. This is not on site but a few blocks away from the main building.
If you are not a member, new to the area or just visiting, all the Tampa Metro YMCA locations offer a three day pass.

Not my most favorite YMCA but I think that it depends on what services you interested in utilizing. Their pool is nice, and generally if you find the right time you can get a lane fairly easily. The free weight area is to be desired, they have no incline bench for benching which is pretty annoying, it just felt to cramped and insufficient for the demand. Their other facilities seemed ample, but again I cannot speak to those because I have never used those amenities.

Family friendly and helpful staff.
The location is great, right in the heart of Northdale. The regular Y and the Family Y are both at great locations. The price is reasonable if you use the gym. While it’s not a 24 hour facility but it opens at 5:15am which should be sufficient enough for the main population.
Baby care and kids activities are great for those with family. I personally enjoy the pool and swim laps on a regular basis.
Highly recommended

leaving here for Cruch (competing gym) … the pricing at the YMCA has just gotten so uncompetitive & I can’t ignore it anymore … great for families but if you don’t have one, not the right vibe for you