My family and I have been involved with the Burban...

My family and I have been involved with the Burbank Y for over 12 years. I didn't give the Y 5 stars because 5 stars means I'm perfectly satisfied with all levels of service and the facilities and I'm not.
I joined the Y in 2006 to rehabilitate my right arm after breaking my shoulder and to get back in shape. They had a first class fitlinxx system then that was really fantastic to work with. They also had a full time staff of trainers on duty to instruct you on the usage and operation of the machines. They helped you keep track of your workouts. There was an incentive program of prizes for when you hit your weight lifted goals. All of this slowly went away. More cardio machines came in and it seemed at the cost of staffing. Over the years more renovations, new machines were bought and staff cutbacks were made. The result, new rooms, new machines and no staff to instruct a member on how to use them. Which is all right. I don't lift anymore. I understand how to run a treadmill and recumbent bike.
Moving on to Aquatics. When we first joined family swim times seemed more generous. Lap swim times were very accommodating. You could come in and get a lane or share one most any hour of the day. Over the years this changed. This past winter and spring the pool was closed from 2-3. This used to be the best time to go swimming in the afternoon! From 1:30 to 3:00. People have gone back to work. Mom's are getting ready to go get their kids from school. The rest of the world has an hour and a half to swim! Recently the Aquatics dept started closing all the lap lanes during swim instruction times even when though only half the pool is being used for instruction. There are still 2 lap lanes open that could be utilized by members for lap swimming. All that said, the pool is the best thing about the Y. It's why I continue to come and where I spend the lion's share of my time. The staff on the deck is best. Jen, the director does a fabulous job given everything she has to juggle - laps, classes, lessons, CDC, employees, etc. The guards are conscientious and well trained. The instructors all put forth a lot of effort to ensure everyone in their classes gets a good workout and has fun. Me, I'm a machine. I swim laps. Lots of laps.
Finally, membership and facilities. Membership hasn't really changed over the years. They're mostly young, friendly and cheerful. If you need an answer to anything but a general question ask for the MOD. They're stickers for the rules. If you're from out of town have ID ready and they'll be happy to accommodate you from what I seen. Overall, the Y is clean and tidy. The family and Men's locker rooms are nice. The Men's Locker Room at one time had a lounge area with a pool table, a couch and tv. Nice for hanging out after your workout. Then the age limit was lowered and that went away rather quickly with the under 18 crowd. The pool table was thrashed. It and the couch were removed never to be replaced. Now that room is being remodeled into God knows what.
So... All in all... a good facility. Parking is something from the 11th level of Dantes Inferno. If you're looking for a great adults only workout gym, join 24hr fitness. If you're looking for a family friendly place, that's community conscious, that's friendly, where the staff knows your name, where your kids are safe 'til 10 at night M-F, that's clean, has great classes, reasonably priced for today's economy and generally accommodating to everybody's schedule, then consider joining the Burbank YMCA.