Jamerson Family YMCA — Local services in Lynchburg

I've been a member of this YMCA for probably 10 years or more. At one time, it was a nice place to workout, but a lot of the equipment is now outdated and worn. If you want to work out between 5 and 7, you can expect an extremely over crowded gym and horrible parking lot. For the price of membership you do not get much. Yes they have a pool, but it is so over booked and crowded, I don't attempt to use it any longer. My biggest grip is the cost of membership. $75 dollars a month for family. If you do anything extra such as swimming lessons, t-ball etc, you have to pay even more money. Because it is so over crowded, I decided to go to Planet fitness which is only 10 dollars a month and right across from my work. It's not near as crowded. I was then going to reduce our membership at the Y down to a single adult, which I think is also high at $46 a month, after my wife had confirmed with the staff that our young kids would still have access to the kids gym. Apparently, we were mis-informed because when she tried to check the kids in a week later, she was told their membership cards were inactive, because the single membership does not account for young children. My wife likes the exercise classes otherwise, she would be at planet fitness as well. If we wish to have a place for our kids to go for 4 hours a month, we have to pay the full membership price of $75. I spoke directly with the membership director who pretty much stated that is their policy and there was nothing they would do to change it. I received the impression that they could care less if a loyal member for over 10 years canceled their membership or not.

Equipment - outdated and crowded. Parking - Over crowded especially between 5 and 7 pm. Classes - good Kids gym - average Pool - over booked and overcrowded. Cost - over priced Membership for one adult with young children - Way over priced!!! (No consideration of single mothers/fathers). Membership Director - Never helpful and seems to be all about herself and...

Myself along with close to 600 members were told that starting January 1st 2025 our membership were no longer active. I personally was told by several of the staff that it was United Healthcare who was completely responsible for this as they have made this location a Premier location. After close to one hour on the phone with United Healthcare trying to make sense of it, I was told the reason we all were not active anymore was because the YMCA did not renew the contract for this year. I then called and requested a call back from someone concerning this at the YMCA. I received a call from a Sharon at the YMCA, who initially put the blame on United Healtcare but finally admitted to me that she did not negotiate with the insurance company last year and probably will not work with Insurance companies next year. She suggested I drive to another YMCA that is 35 minutes away so myself and my disabled husband could go to the Jamerson 49% of the time.This has left many older and disabled elderly people out of luck. Even if they would have negotiate a small co pay, it would have been a much kinder thing to do. They represent a religious organization. Apparently this is truly...

While the team that interfaces with the public within the gym, pool, etc. are incredibly polite and helpful, the front desk could use some work. All of the trainers, the lifeguards, and janitorial staff were amiable during my two months of use, but the front desk staff made the process of cancelling and starting a new membership at another location unnecessarily difficult.

When I came in the first day, I spoke with a rep and explained that I’d only be in the area for under two months before moving the Charlottesville to begin medical school and they cheerfully assured me that this was no problem and that I could use their facilities and then change over to another YMCA whenever I moved. Turns out the membership did not transfer and when I called to ask about this and cancel well before the renewal for a third month, they only then explained that cancellations to a membership must be made 30 days in advance and that YMCA memberships don’t transfer seamlessly between locations.

Again, couldn’t speak more highly of the gym staff and others, but the front desk and customer service team should put in a little more effort to be transparent to...