Albany Branch YMCA - Albany, California

Sam H

Not a lot of reviews talking about the gym so figured I'd do one. Was considering joining the Y and this branch was my closest one, but the gym is woefully lacking unless you're only doing cardio or calisthenics. No barbells, no squat rack, can't even do a proper bench press anywhere. All of which are foundational to properly build build muscle and do proper resistance training in a balanced way. But, if all you need from a gym is to keep your joints healthy and moving, it'll do the job.

The gym is also very small - which isn't always a bad thing. But there wasn't much space to "breathe" if you were working out and not using machines, or even any space to do something like yoga. Positives - the staff were nice, the free group exercises seemed good (if you're into that sort of thing), it seemed well maintained. It was also not very busy at all during a peak time. I also liked that all the east bay Y's are bundled together.

That said, I feel like if all you need from a gym is what this Y has to offer, you're better off paying much less to go to planet fitness instead, if you are willing to drive.

Nobutaka Tanaka

I’ve been a member less than a year and I’ve witnessed 3 fights. 1) in the sauna. Some men wanted a wet sauna and others a dry sauna. Shouting and cursing ensued when they couldn’t agree 2) in the locker room. A man was changing in the bathroom and not in the locker area and another man cursed at him telling him not to (no children were present) 3) two men were getting into each other’s faces in the weight room over…? Cursing and stare downs ensued while the rest of us on the treadmills watched on. 4) I’ve seen grown men get naked in the family changing room (this is not a fight I witnessed but could easily lead to one). The “family” “Christian” ymca of the Willamette valley had better start taking serious action against such individuals or others just like them will be emboldened to do likewise and perhaps worse. Administration seems to be soft when it comes to maintaining a peaceful and calm order. I’ve documented these incidents. If the day comes when a repeat offender, whom administration refuses to remove, physically hurts someone, there will be a lawsuit. I’m sure of it.

Stephanie Farve-DesVerney

It's a friendly, clean gym. The people who work there greet you by your name. Upstairs are the cardio machines. Downstairs are the free weights, Cybex weight machines and also cardio machines. No in-person exercise classes (for now). For the health of the members & staff people wear their masks and clean off the machines after use.

John Giese

The building has been undergoing a remodel since June 2016. It was closed completely for about a week and then reopened with some of its facilities, including the weight training equipment, available. However the men's bathroom was closed, so I had to put my gym clothes on at home, drive to the Y for my exercise routine and return home to shower and put on my regular clothes. During warm weather, this was an inconvenience but it became impractical when winter weather set in. Walking to my parked car in my sweaty gym clothes in the cold was unhealthy and unacceptable. So in the months of November, December and January I couldn't use the gym at all. Finally, in February 2017 the men's bathroom opened. The new layout of the bathroom is gravely deficient. When I first joined the Albany Y in 2003, there was enough room for three men to change their clothes at the same time. A few years later the bathroom was mildly remodeled leaving room for only two the change at the same time. Now, the newest remodel leaves room for only one man to change at once. The old roomy metal lockers have been replaced by small, cheap particle-board lockers that will probably last only a couple of years. The shower room lacks soap dispensers, towel racks and hot water. (Water temperature choice is room-temperature or cold.) The selection of weight-training and cardio machines has been improved, but that doesn't make up for the sub-normal bathroom. Overall rating: D+.

Heather Hornbostel

Mixed information. We were camping in the area and had no access to showers. One day the let us purchase a quick pass to use the showers. Three days later and several layers of grime, we make the trek up here only to be denied any entrance and given no help. I won't be supporting the YMCA organization anymore.

Stan Hakes

Great community gym. Friendly helpful staff. Very clean. Reasonable COVID protection measures, such as distancing and cleaning the equipment after you use it.

Kaiandmaureen Hennig

I joined at age 60. I’m 79 today. Thanks to the teachers, classes, the welcoming atmosphere, the workout facility, and friendships made, I am in good condition, humming along. In never thought I would be looking forward to 80! Thanks Albany Y!

Eddy

Mostly machines, dumbbells go to 60 lb

Showers also available