Christian Street YMCA — Attraction in Philadelphia

Disclaimer: I was a member at this YMCA location for several months, starting in May 2023.

While I’m sure this gym suits the fitness needs of many members, I can’t recommend it for anyone interested in powerlifting and training with barbells. The weight room is small, and it crowds easily. It focuses primarily on machines.

I also had multiple negative experiences with one staff member in particular: Leigha Coates. I was double charged for my first month of membership, and a different helpful staffer at the front desk (Dawn Minor) directed me to contact Leigha to resolve the issue. I reached out to her several times over both phone and email, but my messages were never returned. I ultimately had to file a chargeback with my credit card company to get my money back.

A few months later, Leigha then confronted me in a public way in the weight room while I was doing deadlifts. She claimed I was “dropping the weights” and “disturbing other members”, when I was simply performing the exercise with proper form and technique. I was not “dropping the weights” in any fashion: instead, lowering them in a controlled manner back to the floor with each rep.

She then tried to lecture on me on how the descent of the deadlift should involve gingerly lowering the weight as slowly as possible…as someone with over a decade of powerlifting experience, this is horrid advice that not only leads to lower back injury: but also contradicts the instruction taught to me by every strength and conditioning trainer with whom I’ve worked.

Since this was my first time meeting her, I took the opportunity to flag the missed phone and email messages from my double-charge situation. She failed to take accountability for the mishap, instead claiming that Dawn was the right person to speak to for resolving the issue.

Her unprofessional attitude was the nail in the coffin. I canceled my membership a few weeks later and haven’t...

Majority of children activities are all set forth and scheduled. So one need to be prepared to follow their schedule in order to part take in most children activities.

This mainly includes but does not disclose GYM. For the children's physical activities which varies different age groups and schools I would assume.

I always thought schools had their own GYM activities at their own location? Not sure, why they hosting entire after school programs there at the Y? Much has changed since I came up.

I guess if you can meet their schedule and pay extra for some activities, you can make it work for you and your family. The experience was an enlighten one, on the down side. Children were expecting a nice swim. So disappointed they both became, no pool nor GYM for that day.

Their first time interacting. They do have some out going staff there especially in the children's day care center.

Takes time to get used to it and aline your schedule around theirs or pay to fit in.

It's like this one pink rose my four year old Granddaughter nursed to life again. It had to adjust and fit in once it was given the proper nourishment and location. I simply thought it was time to dispense it? Move on, but my Granddaughter decided to deal with it keep going at it. After playing with it for two or three days.

Moral of this story, give yourself some time. To adjust to their schedule and grow as you go alongside of other's. This way you can adjust as your family are being nurtured into different...

I just signed up for this YMCA today and can’t believe how impressed I am with it. The front desk team that gave me the tour and helped me sign up were incredibly welcoming and kind. This welcoming energy extended to every area of the Y as well.

I was also so shocked by all of the facilities and things that they have to offer. There’s a massive basketball/pickleball court, pool, sauna, kids zone, cardio room, weight room, and studio for classes. The cardio room even has two pelotons for members to use. Schedules are posted everywhere so it’s easy to find when a class is or when members can use the basketball court. They also have an incredible app.

I think my favorite thing was seeing all of the young kids, moms, and dads having a place to spend their Saturday morning. All of the little kids seemed so happy to be there, and it feels like a real staple in the community.

I could not be happier that I switched from City Fitness to the Y, and I’m already recommending it to all...