Dayton YMCA at Gaviidae — Local services in Minneapolis

Been going to this gym regularly since December 2018. It is okay. The staff are fantastic and I love the programmable locks in the locker room. The women's locker rooms have been consistently clean when I've gone. I love my personal trainer and the rooftop workout area is amazing.

The problem is the layout. It looks amazing on first viewing but then there are some issues. The space outside of the classrooms spaces is almost entirely dedicated to cardio machines with some weight machines scattered around. There is very limited space for independent weight lifting, stretching, and other movements. If you do crossfit like me, it gets very stressful to have to fight for space and weight equipment when it gets crowded. To be fair, I've seen some improvements on this front where things are being rearranged to make the space easier to maneuver.

Unfortunately, there are other aspects of the layout that can't be remedied. Someone thought it was a great idea to put a basketball court on top of the yoga studio (it's very loud in the studio when you're trying to relax and a pick-up game is going on), or not double pane the windows in the fishbowl that is the powerhouse so it isn't freezing in the dead of winter or placed the powerhouse (with weights and music) right under the wellness center (again, very loud when you're trying to relax). The gym doesn't feel like it was planned with a lot of thought about what each piece would entail.

Finally, my last complaint is that area in downtown the gym is located is surrounded by one ways or bus only streets making the hunt for street parking very difficult and on top of that you have to pay for it. Recent'y they have been offering discounted parking at a parking ramp but still have to pay for it. If you live or work near the skyway, it's very easy to get to but if not, it's very difficult. I have found the bus is the best way but it is time consuming. Biking works too but the area is a hotbed for bike thievery so you take...

Facility is beautiful, but make sure they communicate with you the price of the membership. I got ripped off. Not only did I already have a membership through my employer whom I get the membership "FREE", but they patched me with another Member in order to offer the other party a discount. We both paid our fair share of the membership "buddy" pricing, but when the other party decided to cancel the membership, there was no heads-up or warning known to me, and I had been paying my share of the membership for months. So this one day I decided to come in and do my usual routine (scan my card, and workout), I was not allowed to without paying $75 because the other party cancelled. I thought that was ridiculous. If anything they should have reduced my membership back to what I had prior to adding me to a buddy system. Maybe suggest adding a membership for just Members who only use the Pool. But the manager, the black male at the desk that was giving direction to everyone was extremely rude and didn't have any conflict resolution skills whatsoever. Didn't even bother to ask me if I wanted my prior membership back. So instead I paid for a day pass ($20), but I promise this place will never get another dime or cent from me again. It's so unsettling when establishments have Managers, but no one wants to or knows how to manage a...

Pros: New and unique layout. Great downtown views. Cancellation is super easy. You can cancel at their service desk up front and they do it for you no questions asked. Monthly memberships.

Cons: Sales people who help you with the tour don't help you learn how to use the locker combinations. Yes, I followed the directions on the sign, but locker still wouldn't open.

Not nearly enough strength machines available. One of the main reason I cancelled membership.

Workout rooms/classes are way too small to accommodate for a busy downtown crowd. Not enough room to actually MOVE your body. They just make you jump up and down a lot in the classes. Can't do any actual interesting or challenging exercises due to too many people and too small of a room.

The fitness classes I tried there were really boring and totally unfulfilling. Usually after a really good fitness class I always feel energized and stronger right after and for the following days. The classes at the YMCA does not provide the right kind of training, you do not feel stronger or healthier after their classes.

No track available to run around. Considering that the space is an oval, I'm really surprised they didn't include a track on their 3rd floor. Would've been the perfect fit. Duh.

Guess it's back to Lifetime Fitness...