YMCA Silver Spring

What has happened to customer service?

So I’m really torn about how to rate the Silver Spring Y. I was a member there for 2 years before canceling my membership. I joined because I was taking swim lessons and training for triathlons, so it was nice to have a heated outdoor pool as well as an indoor pool that opened at 5AM. I paid about $ 80 a month for a family membership, which was great considering if we had all joined a gym it would have been over $ 200 a month, and most gyms don’t have pools. Now for the downside. The facility is old and run down and I don’t think it was ever really meant to be a gym; maybe back in the day it was only meant to be a swim club. It’s sad because I have seen some really nice YMCA’s. However this one, as far as the facility ranks dead last. Because the facility is so old, it seems that something is always going wrong, especially in the winter time. Many times the outdoor pool couldn’t open because of boiler problems, which meant the indoor pool would become extremely crowded.
In the summer, it becomes even more crowded, as I’m sure many other Y’s do. It’s great that they have summer camps for kids, after all the community is what they are all about. However the facility itself is simply too small and not setup to handle summer camp in addition to the normal day to day patrons.
If you’re looking for just a pool you should be Ok. If you’re looking for a gym, you might want to look other places.

My kids love to swim. So any place with a year round pool is alright with me. My first impression of the place was that it looks a little old, but it gets the job done, and the biggest plus is that its not overcrowded. The staff members are very nice, and helpful. You won’t be blown away when you visit, but you will definitely leave satisfied.
The one big draw back for me, especially since I come with at least 3 children is the naked old guys in the locker room. Seeing a grown man butt naked first thing in the morning os not my idea of a good start for the day, or something I want my kids to have to endure.
Not sure why this seems to be the culture at every YMCA that I have ever been to, but by now you would think they would have developed some way for those that feel the need to shower on site to have some privacy. That way I dont have to have the talk with my son every time we need to access the locker room. Seeing him squirm in awkward disgust, while trying to avoid eye contact is kind of funny, but its not preferable. My daughter gets equally creeped out in the womens locker room. Other then that it’s a good low key place to go.

Let me preface this review by saying that I am hesitant to press «post» because I want to keep this great place on the DL!
I LOVE the Y in Silver Spring! Yes the weight rooms are somewhat small, yes some of the equipment is outdated but to me that’s not what’s most important. The people are what makes this place great! I will break it down my favorites for you guys below.
1. Staff= Every single staff member I’ve met so far is so nice! The instructors are very knowledgable as well. I haven’t taken many classes but I know people who have and everyone likes them.
I’ve taken Susan’s core conditioning class multiple times and I lost almost 20lbs in a short period of time… and then I got pregnant! Susan is a great teacher. She is direct but nice about it! Unfortunately, I am unable to take her classes anymore because the times are bad for my schedule.
Marketa is my personal trainer and she is wonderful! She has great energy and she is extremely knowledgable. I have trouble with my knees and Marketa is always able to find an alternative workout if I feel uncomfortable. She is really easy to talk to as well. It’s like working out with a close friend who just so happens to be a personal trainer!
2. Babysitting= i am so lucky to have a babysitting option while working out. What makes this place far beyond comparison is the women who are taking amazing care of my baby girl. They are so friendly and great with all kids. They seem to remember all the kids names too! They treat Kaya as if she were one of their children. This quality is invaluable!
3. I hear great things about the daycare. If they start an infant program I hope the wait list isn’t too long so that my little one can go. Either way, when she turns 18m I am sending her there the second a spot opens up.
4. The members= equally as nice as the staff! You have an occasional weirdo but what place doesn’t? It’s also diverse, which is very important to me!
Well, that’s it! Hope you found this review helpful!

The Y has made some strange choices recently. And I am not talking about the bright paint that’s been thrown everywhere by what I assume are blind painters.
The biggest complaint: The new weight room. The management of the Y has traded classic free weights that fit into the rather compact weight-​room for modern looking junk that feels flimsy and seems rather oddly designed.
Also, the new junk doesn’t even fit into the room.
For example, why put a lat pull down arm nearly directly over one of the bizarre
new bench presses?
Cybex still has no idea how to manufacture a pull-​up bar which is about the most generous thing I can say for their new equipment.
Their pull down machines have what looks like a metal sail fish fin right down the middle like the devil’s pizza cutter.
Also, what genius bought a miniature pull down machine?
If the Y needed a new pull down machine for people under 5’5″, they could have at least stuck in the other weight room that no one uses.
Really, who would buy a bench press with only 2 permanent racking points.
One too high, one too low.
Anyone who actually lifts weights should take one look at the before and after to see this is a downgrade.
Also, anyone who knows anything about fitness equipment manufacturers is that they’re desperate to move their newest, latest models.
Sorry, cybex, gravity still works the same and the dumbbells and barbells you sold 30 years ago are better than nearly anything you make today.
So, YMCA, why buy a whole suite of weird looking stuff from these people? If the Y has money to burn, then update something else.
I also understand that the «moms in yoga pants» contingent probably felt the weight room was too imposing and scary.
Free weights don’t ask for much, they’re the best fitness option out there, and they’re safe.
Well, yeah, don’t do pilates underneath someone’s free weights.
Put the stupid inflatable yoga balls in a room where they’ll be appreciated, eh?
While the new weights may be less scary looking, they’re junk, basically garbage, and one of DC’s hidden fitness gems has been desecrated.

This place is unsafe. I have complained 3 times to management. Even talked to the director and NOTHING. Does someone have to get hit in the face with a free weight before they take safety seriously.
The free weight room is chronically over crowded with personal trainers standing around with clients yakking up a storm. The room is maybe 10×20 and there are routinely 10 people in there throwing big heavy metal up in the air. I can’t tell you how many near misses that I have had!
The pool is typical the bathroom showers are disgusting and moldy. The kids programs are ok but the pool is almost unusable during peak hours.
This place costs way too much money. There are other places that are ¹⁄₃ of the cost who will at least be safe.

The Silver Spring Y is a great place, especially if you have kids. When I was a kid, I went to the Y babysitting all the time, and my mom loved it. My family has had a membership since before I was born.
Now I go to the gym there every day. I’ve got to say it’s not a gorgeous place, but the machines in Cardio Room 1 were recently replaced with much nicer ones. I have never used a trainer, but they seem to know what they’re doing. The staff is very friendly.
The only exercise class I’ve been to there was a yoga class that was pretty good.
It may not be the nicest-​looking Y there is, but it’s a great place.

We were a member of the Arlington YMCA and I really enjoyed my experience there. I was excited to be purchasing a home near the Silver Spring branch, thinking that I would enjoy this location the same as Arlington.
I emailed to inquire regarding membership and despite the automatic response email promising a reply to my question within 24 hours, no reply was ever received. So a week later, I call at 11:30am on a Wednesday. No answer. Odd. I check the number and call back. A woman answers and I ask to speak to someone about membership. She says «ummm… sure I guess.» She places me on hold. After 6 minutes on hold, I hang up. I call right back, no one answers but I leave a message. No one returns my call.
If it’s this hard to inquire about membership, I wonder what it would be like if I had an actual problem, concern or even question… Too bad they will never know as they will never see a dime of my money.

The gym rooms are compartmentalized. It’s small spaces and I’m always bumping into someone. But I can work with it cause its the only nearest gym in Takoma Park.
If you can stand the downtown traffic for the SS Sports Club I’d suggest going there but the Y works for me.
The staff is friendly and I feel like I’m at home. I love the yoga classes especially with Diane on Sunday mornings.

For outdoor swimming in the summer, this Y is pretty good, especially if you have kids.
But as a gym, it’s rotten. Old machines. No towel service. The workout rooms look like a dilapidated 1960s elementary school. The lockers look like prison.

The parking lot is always packed.
The pool water is always cloudy.
In six years, I have never once seen a lifeguard actually ask someone to shower before entering the water.
Families are always confined to a small corner of both pools, while whole lap lanes go unused.
And $ 10 for guests is half what every other pool in the county charges.
Campers and swim lesson groups are constantly kicking out families (though it’s unclear to me why they’re given a priority?)
And yes, as others have noted, the entire infrastructure looks as though it hasn’t been
updated in 30 years. Very dreary.
On the plus side though, the staff do seem genuinely friendly and trying to the best they can with obviously very limited resources.
Just to follow up: For less than half the price of the Y, Montgomery County gives you access to ALL of their much nicer pools through the All Access/​Pool pass program:
This includes four indoor aquatic centers, 7 outdoor pools with water slides, rivers, splash parks.
Really kicking myself for wasting my money at the Y all these years.

It’s decent for the value. I had an issue with security, where one of the staff members accessed the system and started texting my phone number. Despite reaching out to the management, they were unable to take any disciplinary action against the employee. Makes for an awkward experience, since I see that employee every time I visit.
The classes are okay, but I wish they would have more modern music (hip hop or rap) for the dance classes.
The circuit training room is all brand new, and they have some new aerobic machines, but it’s still pretty small. Family friendly!

They have new equipment in one room now. Other than that… cardio equipment is not dated but a little grimy. Swimming Pool is nice… they have an outdoor heated pool! Weight room has good equipment but is a bit stuffy! Staff is nice… buy watch out for old sweaty naked men in the saunas –_​_​–

Unfriendly staff… crowded parking lot (some people have to wait to someone leaves) and $ 10 bucks for other Y members to use it… no bueno!

Dated and creepy. It’s a shame because there are some really nice Y’s in the Metro area (Reston, VA and downtown, to name two). Too bad there are no nice ones in Maryland. There is no way I would choose the Y over a normal gym, based on this being the closest one. I have an «association» membership, which allows me to use any Y in America, so I can use this one for free when I am in Maryland. However, I would rather pay to use somewhere else. Boo!

I was born and raised in Silver Spring and I’ve been going to this YMCA since I was born. Twenty-​two years later and I still love it. I learned how to swim here, went to daycare here, went to summer camp here, I have to say I’ve definitely grown up here.
I’ve been to other YMCA’s and this is by far the best one. The gym equipment is really nice and updated. There are TV’s on half of the cardio machines which is cool so you don’t have to stare at the wall, with good channels too! The weight machines room (whatever they’re called) was just updated as well. The free weight room though is a little small and cramped. It can be hard to workout in such a small space with a few people in there.
There are so many classes to take from dance to yoga to aerobics. Most are included in your membership, some you might have to pay extra.
The pool is year round, big ups to the ones that can swim in the freezing cold! The pool might be heated but what about when you get out?! There are also indoor pools for people like me that can’t face the cold. The pool can be pretty crowded during the summer.
Everybody that works here is so nice I’ve never had a problem and that’s saying a lot since I’ve been a loyal member for 22 years!

My daughter has been going to the YMCA daycare/​preschool for 2 years now. I LOVE WHAT THEY HAVE DONE FOR HER. The staff is wonderful. She is a little swimmer now because the daycare provides year round swim lessons (included). The preschool manager/​principal (Teresa) is WONDERFUL and on top of things. Love that the hours are 630am– 630pm too!
I am so impressed with how much my daughter has learned. From writing her name and letters and numbers, to speaking spanish, to singing songs, to reciting stories. I love love love this school and will be bringing all of my future kids here.
BRAVO YMCA SILVER SPRING PRESCHOOL! I am so lucky to have found you!

I am a huge fan of YMCAs in general and of all they do for the community. I was a member of the Embarcadero Y in San Francisco for years and loved it. But, sadly, I had to quit the Silver Spring Y after being a member here for several years.
This might sound trivial, but I happen to really like to lift weights and, bottom line: I got sick of the uneven floor in the weight room. Several years ago when they renovated, the contractor completely botched the job in the weight room. So you can be deadlifting or squatting and have to search for a spot where your right and left feet will be on level ground. It’s a small, often crowded room, so it actually becomes impractical to improvise in this way. And if you lift heavy at all, doing so on a completely uneven floor is actually kinda dangerous.
Unfortunately, at the time of the renovation, they also got rid of some of their older equipment and replaced the machines with LifeFitness (I think?). I don’t use machines that often, but for the few that I do use, I’m not a fan of this particular line or of the machines they selected to purchase. This Y also doesn’t have towel service, and the classes are okay, but not great. Most are led by local moms. Dianne’s weekend yoga classes do get very crowded, but I stopped enjoying those because she has people doing handstands who really aren’t ready to be doing them.
I believe this Y’s regular rate is about $ 70 a month, though there are scholarships, young professional and family rates.
On the plus side, this Y has both outdoor and indoor Olympic-​sized pools, which are quite nice, so it’s a great place for swimmers and for families, especially in the summer. There are a couple of good trainers here, and the members are also polite, very friendly and respectful of one another. While there are a few equipment hogs in the small weight room space, most people will share equipment and work in.

I go to the Y for their gym. They have indoor and outdoor pools, both open year round and the outdoor one is heated during the cooler months. They have a good selection of cardio and weight machines, but their free weights room is a bit lacking. it’s rather small and becomes smaller once you add in weight racks and benches.

Been a member for many years.
The YMCA is a good gym for families. They have programs for all ages. The two pools are aging but serviceable. Both my kids learned to swim there. It was nice to have as a winter activity. They have a good location near the Beltway with a good amount of free surface parking.
As a facility for a fitness minded adult it’s fair. Lanes in the pool are reserved for lessons on many weekend hours. At certain times the locker rooms are full of kids. During the summer the kids from camp will swarm the facility. Their mission includes community service activities so those programs will sometimes trump regularly scheduled classes.
The fitness machines are maintained fairly well although broken machines can stay broken more than a week. The update the equipment every 2 – 3 years. The HVAC in the facility is old. Usually it’s alright but, like the fitness machines, if it breaks it’s often not repaired immediately.
The fitness class offerings are plentiful but not updated frequently. They often rely on just a few instructors so if that person leaves or quits the schedule can have holes. During the day they’re oriented towards Seniors. Generally they offer whatever is mainstream. You won’t find new or innovative fitness offerings at the YMCA. Their building space is limited so some offerings will never make it there because they don’t have space for the equipment. Some offerings require extra payment.