YMCA of South Hampton Roads

First of all, this review should have been written April/​May 2015 after completing my free week trial, however, I did not get around to it then so I wanted to post now.
My family transferred to VB from San Diego last April. My first course of action was to find a YMCA and become a member/​employee. I am a certified group fitness instructor and worked at one in SD, and loved it. I was also a member for 2 years before landing a job there. The YMCA was insanely helpful to me during my husband’s deployment in SD. They had the best employees, and most importantly some of the best employees working with kids. I always felt my daughter was in a safe & and in a FUN environment at the YMCA.
The first thing I did was find a free week trial coupon and had it sent to my phone. I went to the Hilltop YMCA first. During the tour, I was biting lip trying not to scream out that I am a certified instructor and worked at the Y in SD, however, the young man that took my on my «tour» of the facility, NEVER asked my name, where I was from, what exercises I liked to do, what I did for a living… NOTHING. We barely walked in the cardio room! He jut let my husband and I peek inside. I told my husband, I was going to just tell him, but I just don’t think he was interested. Another thing I noticed during my tour was that the «kid fit» area was a room with video games and employees just standing around. When my daughter went to the YMCA in SD the employees actually ENJOYED working with children. They were always outside playing a game, or took them to various classes inside like Zumba. These were all older kids, but even in the baby room, the workers had not only the credentials but the desire to work with children. Back to my tour, I was so disappointed, mostly because I expect so much more from the Y. One thing I noticed about this YMCA and the Mt. Trashmore YMCA was the front desk employees do not have chairs. If there is one thing I can’t stand to see it is employees being treated as if they are props and not human beings. I don’t know who thought it is a good idea to have employees standing all day, but it is cruel in my opinion, and does absolutely nothing for me as a customer either! Employees should be given the choice. By taking away the chair as a company you are stating that you don’t trust their judgement on when to stand and when to sit. For a facility that focuses on health, I would expect them to treat employees better.
I am going to write a small review regarding Mt. Trashmore YMCA on here-​When I walked in I went to the front desk where I was not greeted with a smile, hello or how can I help you, not that I blame the front desk person really, I would be upset if I had to stand all day too. What did upset me is that I showed her the coupon on my cell phone and she just took my phone out of my hand without saying a word, and walked away. Came back started typing. Never said anything. I said can I workout here. she said yea. Did not offer a tour, nothing. Which was fine I wanted to take a class anyway. I took the class, which I did like. Left and went to another girl at the front. She was very kind and this time around I was just upfront about my fitness certification and job at the Y. I expressed my desire to work at the Y. She said she could introduce me to the group fitness director, but I had to wait until a meeting was over. So I did an extra workout and spoke with her. Told her I had already applied and spoke with someone at a another Virginia YMCA that SD YMCA introduced me too. I also told her I taught cycle, group, and am certified in Kettleworx. She never stood up from her chair, and kind of brushed me off. She also told me that Kettleworx was not popular there. She said she had just hired some people and wouldn’t need anyone until summer for 1pm class (never heard of classes at 1pm, but I can take a hint).
My last experience was around Veteran’s day. I had classes at ODU and my daughter was out of school. I had to pay around 50 bucks to have her spend half a day there. I was grateful to have somewhere to go, but again the employees seem so uninterested in the kids. One girl was very nice that did our pw. But, while we waited in the room with the kids the other employee NEVER looked up and spoke to me or my daughter! Never made us feel welcome.
So, I was completely bummed by both experiences. I must say what really blows me away is the price of the membership. I realize there is financial assistance but was told it may bring it 75 dollars for a family!!! I guess the YMCA does not generate a lot of donors here. I see why, it doesn’t seem to have a good presence or sense of community and it’s probably hard because this city is mostly military.

Extremely disappointed with their swim lessons. First class was canceled because instructor was unavailable but was told they don’t do make-​ups (unless you sign up for another session — then they discount one lesson.) Then when we finally did have class the instructor had no roster, so sorting out admin took 10 minutes (of a 30 minute lesson). Too many students for one instructor — no quality time with any one student. Next, this was a preschool class, meant for 3 – 5 year olds, but an 8 and 10 year old were allowed in, distracting the teacher. Instructor was not good with young children, but probably because she was distracted and frazzled with too many kids of differing skill sets and ages. Pool is also all wrong for preschool-​age students. This is a lane swim/​swim team pool only; there’s no adequate shallow area for small children to get out energy while waiting for their turn with teacher. Finally? The Great Neck rec center has longer classes (40 minutes) for a lower price ($ 50/​session vs $ 70) in a bigger pool with better locker room and overall facilities. So sorry I wasted money and time on this place.

Only did sports here for my son and we loved it. Very nice staff and sports director is awesome. My husband coached and we really enjoyed it. Only downside it the kids area doesn’t look too fun ESP comparing to trashmore or Greatbridge

Holy Expensive!
I recently stumbled upon this YMCA just driving around and was excited be able to check it this place out and to see all what different types of programs they offered. Upon walking in I was quickly greeted by one of the employee’s, I cant remember his name but he showed my around the place and explained the many different types of fitness programs they offered and even talked about how you can get one-​on-​one trainer advice and suggestions. At this point I was super excited about the place that is until the monthly cost was explained, it’s $ 63 for and individual and $ 75 for a married couple. I was like HOLY HIGHWAY ROBBERY! I asked the guy if he was joking and I then inquired about military discounts/​programs and he said they didn’t have any due to the military personnel PCS too often.
After recently transferring up from Jacksonville, Florida they base you YMCA membership off your monthly income. I was paying around $ 28 a month for a YMCA membership down there and they had all of the same programs as they do here in Virginia Beach. Heck they just recently built a «One-​Life Fitness» down the road and they are 24 hours and only charge $ 29 a month. This is SUPPOSED to be a community YMCA not one that milks you for every penny you have. For $ 63 they should have a valet parking service, people that open and close doors for you, heated toilet seats, etc. at a minimum for that price.
**Overall, please heed my warning and stay far away from this place unless you truly enjoy being ripped off.

Ginny at the front desk is amazing! I was in from seattle on business and she helped me with a few day passes. Great atmosphere in the gym, some good equipment. I was only in for a couple days, sure the building might be a little older, and the machines are not state of the art, but it’s a really nice place to get in and get out with a sweat on.

As far as a place to work out, this isn’t favorite place to be. But when my kid is working on her swim technique, I can be exercising. So we kill two birds with one stone here.

Don’t get me wrong. It’s not dirty. It’s not bothersome to be here.
But, as Unilocal puts it, «Meh. I’ve experienced better.»
This Y is a little smaller than the Y’s and gyms I’ve been a member of before, but I’m usually fortunate to find one open treadmill even between 5−7pm. When I visit the Y with my wife, it’s sometimes less likely that we’ll both find a treadmill in those hours, so she’ll retreat to an elliptical. When using the machines, there is often some delay in readily acquiring the machine you want.
I live close to this location, so it’s an easy pick for me. A $ 75 married rate give us access to the gym, it’s pool, sauna, and various classes ranging from Spin to Yoga to Abs and more.
While it’s not hard to find a smiling face from the staff, I don’t feel that they are as helpful* as one would expect from a gym that costs (though, maybe offers) more than a fitness-​type-​planet if you will. But at a lower cost, you can find more available equipment at the 24-hour…Earth of Workout…(you’re picking up what I’m putting down, right?)
If you need a place that’s very kid oriented or has a pool, this place will suit you well.
If you know exactly what you want in a workout or class and aren’t bothered by waiting a minute for a machine, this place may suit you fine.
*Just to offer quick examples of why I deemed the staff «unhelpful» in the event you’re dying for clarification:
–I purchased a membership online and when I arrived, I wasn’t offered a tour. Just a bag with information, flyers, and schedules.
–When I went to my first intro level spin class, I was told what the knob on the bike did, but not really guided as to what sort of resistance I should be gauging.