McBurney YMCA

I really enjoy the homie atmosphere.
My fav staff are Samantha who works the front desk (so friendly and helpful), Ryan (great trainer who also teaches a great kickboxing class that I create my school schedule around) and Toni (she teaches classes and teaches the right way of doing moves). There are other great staff but that was just to name a few.

I’ve been to four YMCA’s in the city, and my hometown Y’s back home. I really like McBurney for one main reason: I’m a swimmer, was competitive for 13 years growing up and 2 years in college, but every other lap swim pool I have been to in Manhattan (West Side Y and Vanderbilt) is FREEZING. (Dodge Y is an exception — but it’s in BK… and like McBurney it has one pool so it is kept warmer.) McBurney is not too hot or cold, mainly because they have only one pool, unlike the other Manhattan pools I mentioned. That means McBurney has to keep the pool temp moderate for all kinds of swimmers — lap swimmers, kids, babies, elderly persons, water aerobics fans… etc. The down side of this is it can be a bit more crowded during peak hours, since pool space is shared, but that hasn’t bothered me much.
My one complaint is that the lifeguards don’t really manage the swimmers well. I’m «fast» for lap swimming (not compared to how I swam way back when, but I’m usually the fastest in the lane, or one of the fastest). I get that people just want to swim and I try not to ever «run people over» — try to tap the foot once, gently, to give the message, then hang back until the end of the lap so the person in front of me can let me pass. However a lot of people don’t understand this «lap swim etiquette,» they think people are «running them over» when really they are in the wrong lane (the «fast lane»), or not respecting the «foot tap» signal. It means I wouldn’t be able to do a real work-​out at this pool since in peak hours I have might keep lapping people who don’t always know to let me pass. And the lifeguards don’t do much to reshuffle the lanes, which is what they should be doing (I can’t get in a medium or slow lane, even if there are less people, because it will be even worse for the people in those lanes — then it would be really hard for me to swim slow enough not to run into them). That said the lifeguards are nice enough… but they really should do more to ensure the people of the right speeds are in the right lanes.
Now one thing to note: I’m very thin, on the cusp of underweight according to doctor charts, so I don’t have much insulating me to keep me warm. I also just have a really low tolerance to cold. So if you are of a more normal (and probably healthy!) weight, or have a higher resistance to cold, you may prefer another pool so you have potentially less crowding. I’d say if you’re a serious lap swimmer like me, check out a few pools and see what you prefer. Vanderbilt facilities are really amazing, and West Side is cozy but still nice (went there for years). McBurney is best for me right now, but if you have other priorities aside from temperature, look around!

The people who run this facility need more customer service training. Atrocious.

If i could put no star i would. If this place wasnt convenient i would not have joined. Childten run around the exercise maxhines and use them while no one says anything. People scresm ar the top of their lungs as if rheyre singing in the shower they talk loudlt on the phone and staff come in to call me out cause i was wearing jeans i dont even think she was staff. Ugh i cant stand this place

McBurney Y summer camp is a complete fraud. The information they provide in their summer camp bulletin is a work of fiction. The camp councillors seem to have no educational training or background. The activities are planned on a whim without any attempt at understanding of the children’s’ age or appropriate level of instruction. The apathy among the camp councillors is palpable and it spreads to the children as well. Very rarely is an adult counselor/​supervisor present during the day. During the first day of camp my son got lost twice in the building after the attendance was taken three times. The camp is pricey, unsupervised, and amateurish. After numerous attempts to communicate with the camp management we were met with silence or avoidance. I shall be writing to the New York State Department of Health and the office of the trustees of the Y to gain further understating of this gross incompetence and trying to reclaim our money back.

Service here SUCKS. I signed up for the summer a week ago, and was told there are locks to rent if to oh forget your own. I get there today, and no locks. Meaning, I wasted an hour getting ready and schlepping to the gym and CAN’T WORK OUT.
The woman directed me to «Hardy’s Hardware Store.» Guys, it doesn’t exist. Thanks for nothing. Seriously, don’t give out misinformation!

Use to be a member of this YMCA and it had its perks and downsides.
To start off, the place REEKS of chlorine. The children’s swimming program is horrible. When I was part of it, the teacher never showed up and we barely learned anything. The basketball program was also nothing great, just a bunch of kids throwing around a ball.
The workers are not great and quite honestly, lazy.
My father is a member of the gym and enjoys it. He says there’s good equipment and he likes the atmosphere.

(My review isn’t about the facility, but the knowledge the employees lack in.)
I had a strong feeling that something wasn’t going to go well in the end. I had called several times regarding their adult swim lessons they were offering. I specifically called beforehand to sign up for the spring session II classes, not the spring session I that was going on when I called. The lady informed me that I can only make an in-​person payment, so I did what I was told.
I came in and filled out a form, and a lady named Sam was helping me. Saying that my spring session II intermediate adult swim classes will start on such and such date. She gave me a YMCA membership card and told me that I can use the facility before and after my lessons. Cool. I thought this is too good to be true… because it went by so smoothly.
Fast forward to the day of my lesson, I came in early and the really obnoxious dude that sat in the front (didn’t get his name) scanned my card and said that I wasn’t even in the system. I explained that I signed up for the spring session II classes and he informed me that I had registered for the spring I session instead. And that it was my mistake for misunderstanding the person that helped me out. BITCH. PLEASE. Suddenly, it’s my fault? Also, why the hell would I pay full price for swim lessons that already started? Really?! Idiots.
He brought me over to the same woman that helped me out in the first place: Sam. He said that I had a unique situation that he couldn’t help me on. I didn’t want to put poor Samantha on the spot, so I just pretended like she wasn’t the one that signed me up for the wrong classes. But I think she secretly knew that it was her mistake because she was extremely calm and nice to me. Totally opposite from the first dude.
Before I make this review any longer… I’m really disappointed in this Y. I’ve heard and read nothing but great things about McBurney but after this «unique situation» that took place, and taking a little over a month to get them to issue a refund to me, I don’t think I’ll ever return. The aquatics director (who was really understanding and the nicest of them all) said I would have a complimentary swim lesson, but it’s not worth it.
Ugh.
On the plus side, they had a rowing machine and a track.

SMH.
I joined this YMCA for the pool. After REPEATED incidents of overly aggressive swimmers swimming into and through me, I have stopped using the pool. The YMCA life guards, swim staff, and management have repeatedly dropped the ball on addressing the situation or clarifying what is appropriate conduct. I strongly believe there is a contingent of swimmers who are intentionally intimidating and bullying other swimmers out of using the pool.
After watching my girlfriend give up on the pool long before me, and seeing the same behavior play out with other swimmers, I have been made to feel like a crazy person for asking other swimmers not to swim into me. Poor form YMCA, and a HUGE disappointment!

I was here as a guest from the DC YMCA, using the AWAY program. The signup was pretty effortless, I just showed my ID and keychain tag, signed a paper and done. The only advice I would give is to extend the hours that AWAY guests can come to work out. I was told that it was 8am — 8pm, which I think starts too late. I think most people who use the AWAY program do so because they’re away for work, and try to work out before going to the office — for which 8am is way too late. It forced me to be a bit more creative with my workout schedule, but I really loved working out at this Y.
The pool is great, I haven’t seen a pool anywhere else with seven wide lanes. It also helped that there’s a really deep part on one end of the pool to practice some vertical kicking — the Y that I usually go to doesn’t have that.
The only downsides to the pool are the kick boards and pull buoys — they look a bit dirty and scraggly. Also, it would be helpful if the staff would direct slower swimmers to slower lanes instead of letting them hold up faster lanes.
The weight room is awesome! I’ve worked out at a different YMCA in New York before, but their weight room was minuscule and overcrowded. This one was just perfect, with a huge amount of machines, free weights and other equipment — I could get everything done without waiting for other people to free up any equipment!
One more piece of advice: make sure to have more spinning bikes available. Right now there’s only three of them where you can use biking shoes with cleats, and they’re occupied most of the time — while there’s a room full of spinning bikes right next to the reception desk! It would help if it could be made more clear when these can be used and when they can’t.

I joined solely to run on the indoor track for the winter and found myself getting involved in swimming and other things because I love the atmosphere. It’s very clean, the staff and other patrons are friendly, the pool is amazing — I’m not a swimmer but I can usually find a spot in the slow lane and chug along. Oddly, the pool gets pretty crowded around 10:30 pm (closes at 11 pm).
If you pay $ 1 more you can go to any Y, which is nice for runners who like the Park Slope Armory but need something else when it’s overrun with kids. If you’re female, be aware that there are teenagers and subsidized patrons who don’t know how to behave respectfully, but they are few.
The biggest con is, of course, all the kids, but it’s the Y so you know it’s coming. The price is pretty high for a gym swarming with undisciplined and disrespectful kids (the other day they were in the gym throwing basketballs at the people running on the track), but the price comes in lower than other gyms. If I could afford a kid-​free gym with an indoor track I might switch but the McBurney Y is still a great deal and you meet the real New Yorkers here!

Please read the «not recommended reviews «for all you need to know about the Y. Clueless management, filthy urinals, obnoxious elderly people, demented people who somehow are members, disgusting classless members who do not have any manners or any type of gym etiquette. The list goes on and on… Place is a little ghetto and management is non existent. If you are coming from a higher class gym, this is not the place for you.

Best gym in all of NYC and I have been to them all. Great staff! Great monthly price! Great facilities! Great classes without over crowding. They offer so many options it is ridiculous that this is in Chelsea. Love and extremely family friendly!

Never have I ever seen a pool like this in Manhattan. Swimming brings me great joy and it is so nice to find a good pool at an affordable gym that offers reasonable lap swim time.
I’ve been coming here for a month and as you would expect the best times to swim are mornings, later evenings, and Sundays. No matter what activities are going on there are at least a few lanes open for lap swim. Yes sometimes you have to circle swim during peak hours, but not for your whole workout.
They have a sauna and steam room for relaxing after a good swim.
The locker room has an attendant and is always spotless.
The cardio area upstairs has more machines than you will ever need and a small track (¹⁄₁₀ of a mile). There is a huge amount of studio space (free to use when classes are not running) and a basketball court. Next to the gym is a great weight lifting room with machines and free weights.
He staff is super friendly and the atmosphere is relaxed. Nothing pretentious.
There is a lounge area outside the pool, wifi, and free computers that encourages hanging out, relaxing, and socializing.
My only complaint is that it would be nice to have clean towels near the cardio area so we don’t have to go down to the locker room to grab them. Time is of the essence when squeezing in a cardio before work.

One of the better YMCA branches that I have been to. Has a swimming pol, basketball court, workout facility, child care services, yoga studio, and probably more things that I haven’t bothered trying to find. Great place for kids to take classes.

I was a member at the McBurney YMCA for two plus years, and would probably still be a member now if I had not moved to an area that makes commuting to this location more difficult (plus, now I live across the street from a different Y!).
The McBurney facilities are wonderful. A large room of cardio equipment (I regularly used the recumbent bikes, the ellipticals, and the rowing machines) is located upstairs. Occasionally, there was a wait for machines, but it was never too bad. A good-​sized indoor track is excellent for cooling down, though perhaps it is a bit too small to comfortably run.
Downstairs, you’ll find a large (but often very busy) swimming pool. Although the pool was one of the chief draws of McBurney, I have to say I rarely used it. It was often crowded, and the few times I did swim I had trouble finding a lane that was not congested.
The weight room is clean, well-​maintained, and has plenty of equipment. I was trained (for free) on how to use the various machines, and it was at McBurney that I first really got into strength training.
I took several fitness classes (included in the membership) and particularly enjoyed Iyengar Yoga.
The women’s locker rooms are always clean. It’s nice to be able to rent a locker and not have to lug your stuff around all day. I also appreciated the steam room and sauna.
Negatives? Even with a student membership, McBurney is not inexpensive. Otherwise, it was an outstanding place to work out.

Ive been to a lot of YMCA gyms within the city and this is by far the best one.
It was renovated I recall 2 – 3 yrs ago. It has a great swimming pool, towel service, individual shower stalls, a sauna, decent size track area and a big gym area. They have good events during the week like volleyball, ping pongs at nights.
Overall this is easily the best YMCA in NYC and I occasionally go here when I get the urge to go swimming or participate in one of the events. Otherwise I just go to my local YMCA in Queens but its nothing in comparison with this one!

Ahhh, the YMCA — back to my chlorine-​filled childhood roots. I’ll start by saying that I’ve tried too many gyms in NYC. I’ve tried the hole-​in-​the-​walls, the big names like NYSC and Crunch, and pretty much everything in between.
I decided to return to the Y after injuring my foot so that I could switch up my normal routine with a swim here and there. Walking in to the YMCA locker rooms, you won’t see girls caking on make-​up before heading out to do squats in front of the mirrors. On the gym floor, you won’t find yourself awkwardly avoiding the trainer who won’t stop texting you to schedule your «free training session.» In the weights area, you won’t be forced to endure the awkward grunts coming from overly juiced bros in sweaty tanks.
The Y is a clean, quiet place to come to before or after a stressful work day and unwind, without getting distracted by those around you. You’ll get a full mix of every race, age and body size in this gym — and it’s friggen awesome. I only hope that when I’m 80, I’ll be struttin’ in to my neighborhood YMCA with a silver tophat on (yes, I actually saw this), ready to get my workout ON.
McBurney, I think I love you.

I recently cancelled my membership to the McBurney YMCA after being a member off and on since 1999.
My chief complaint was that the Freelancers Union discount was halted and no one on staff bothered to inform me of the change. After I saw my full price billing, I went to the front desk to re-​supply proof of union membership and clear up the over charge. The woman at the member desk said, «Oh we don’t have that anymore. No one called you? They were supposed to.»
Before canceling I reached out to the YMCA Member Services on multiple occasions and no one ever got back to me.
Clearly, this Y is only interested in raising the fees on as many people as possible. Honestly, for $ 94/​per month there are plenty of other gyms available with cleaner and better maintained facilitates. And the member services couldn’t be worse than the Y.
It’s a shame that this Y cares so little for it’s members. I did like the multi-​generational aspect to the branch but the lack of customer service is TERRIBLE.

My boyfriend and I visit this YMCA from time to time. On Sunday we came here to work out.
New, Improved, and Comfortable machines. The staff are still super friendly. The gym itself is well maintained and clean.