Downtown YMCA — Local services in Richmond

I’m extremely disappointed in my treatment. I was an employee of two YMCAs and a member all through high school and college2016-2021. I recently contacted them excited to see the new facility and asked for a free day pass because I wanted to see if I liked working out there. They confirmed over the phone I would absolutely get a free trial. I arrived and there was an extremely rude front desk woman. She did not say hello or any type of greeting. This is the front desk employee working on April 17 at 3:30. I informed her I was offered a free day pass and she said no it’ll be $10. I said I was an employee and a member for years, I left during the rebuild to another gym and want to consider rejoining, she said I do not even see you in the system. I said since golds gym rates have gone up I’m considering rejoining here, she said well our rates have gone up too (it seems like she was trying to make me not want to join) I asked to speak to Nader who is one of the kindest Gms I’ve had the pleasure to work for. She said sorry he’s probably busy in a meeting. I stood there awkwardly. This is extremely infuriating she acted like she didn’t believe I was an employee even after I mentioned all the old staff who I knew, she didn’t offer me a free trial even tho I was promised it and have been a lifelong ymca member and employed by them. I will not be going back here. Whoever she is needs to learn the ymca culture because they’ve always been so good to me in the past. I may return when my family joins in another studio bc it will be free but I couldn’t imagine willingly giving my money to this type of employee. There was a nice gentleman who gave me a tour and the new equipment is super nice. I’m very frustrated this my...

They keep the temperature really warm and it also gets extremely humid inside when it’s precipitating outside, so it gets very uncomfortable while exercising. Often times I’ll have to stop my workout 2/3 of the way through because it’s unbearably warm.

I usually use the weight room and people have been letting their little children into the weight and stretching area which is dangerous, but the staff have never said anything to the parents that I’ve seen.

As with most gyms, the patrons are awful at reracking their weights and gym etiquette is pretty much nonexistent, but I suppose most gyms are this way. The staff should educate new patrons of gym etiquette for better cleanliness and general safety of the members.

I would say the amount you have to pay for a regular membership is not worth the benefits. There are no fixed weight barbells, only 2 squat racks, 1 Smith machine, and 1 weighted vertical leg press. Most of the weight room is dedicated to arm exercise benches and the space is extremely tight. There are a handful of treadmills, ellipticals, and stationary bikes in the main area. It may be worth the costs if you qualify for a low income membership, however, gold’s and crunch are much cheaper and have more equipment. The only reason I remain a member is because I live and work downtown and there are no better...

I would definitely rate this gym higher, however I cannot rate more than 2 stars due to the fact that the YMCA promotes Jesus and scripture, but turns around and promotes pride month? Marriage is supposed to be between a man and woman. And sex outside of a marriage is fornication (lgbtq is not by God's design, and when they lust after each other and fornicate you are directly sinning). I hold the YMCA to a high standard for promoting God, but it just seems like they don't do that, and instead want to be inclusive and promote everything in the world. That's not godly. So either take the pride stuff down or stop promoting God in the same building. You all need to be held accountable. Aside from that, staff is very very nice and treats everyone with respect. I feel comfortable at the gym aside from the...