South Oakland Family YMCA Review

Warm, inviting, tailored to the community it serves. Mostly youngsters and old timers. We love the childwatch staff, they take phenomenal care of our 16 month old daughter. FREE COFFEE most days as you walk in. Dry sauna is a nice bonus. Front desk is attentive. Takes a little getting used to, as many rooms are on the second floor, which had a somewhat tight corridor. But it's all very charming in it's own way. Definitely bring the kids here.

The best gym in the area for your money. The only reason it doesn't get 5 is because it is an old building.

The staff is very friendly and helpful. They always say hello when I come in to work out. The Pool was just remodeled this year (Sep 17). Their is a variety of equipment to use in the fitness center. The Personal Trainers are incredibly knowledgeable and create routines that are helpful to each person. The only downside is the building is smaller and slightly dated.

Great water aerobics classes and chair yoga class is also great

The problem was still unresolved.
Poor Customer service, I have been trying for over two years to resolve an issue I had with my swimming class. I wasn't able to complete my course, and wanted to reschedule for another class; I contacted the YMCA office to no avail to speak to the Aquatic director or the department head, no one got back to me. One of the problems I had was that the members were not showering before they enter the pool, it was allowed at this branch, which was a public health violation. I went to the Royal Oak Branch last week to speak to a manager; it didn't happen, the clerk at the front desk stated there was none available, she also said the system has changed, and she couldn't find my name, I felt this woman was trying to call me a Liar,

Nice opertunity for work out.
But only after Pandemic restrictions are removed will you have the best work out

Clean facility with helpful friendly staff. Parking was a little bit of an issue the day I was there.

Been a member here for over 20 years and they offer one free class per each session. Best place for kiddies to learn how to swim. Plus your membership helps others less fortunate than yourself.
They have teen night on Fridays it's a safe place for teens to go and mine actually looked forward to going. I only wish that they could update the ladies locker room and it's closed on Thursday between the hours 1-2 pm which means that you have to use the family locker room. I still do miss the hot tub in the ladies locker room.

It's getting better.
My wife and I joined this YMCA because we were members of the Y in Oklahoma City. So when we moved, we wanted to just transfer here and not pay the joining fees.
Our initial reaction was not good. We encountered some rude workers, some outdated/not working machines and cramped workout rooms.
In January, I had a really rough experience with staff and left a rather biting review. Since then, they're putting a lot of focus on the members and we've seen some positive changes. Staff is getting friendlier and more outgoing and we're starting to enjoy our experience a bit more.
They're definitely making changes for the better.

I love the ymca! This location has great classes, awesome ppl, and my kids LOVE the pool.

Nice enough facilities, but the theft is pretty rampant. In the two months I've been a member I've had two combination locks vanish from the locker room. I'm lucky I didn't have anything valuable in there.

Staff is incredibly arrogant in discriminating clients with body modifications..
Gladly not coming back.

The personal trainers here and group fitness instructors are great. I used to be a cardio/weights person but the glasses here are really friendly and fun.

We were disappointed to find that this YMCA almost exclusively caters to the elderly population. The gym equipment is severely dated and all of the workout classes seem to be of a silver sneaker variety. We do like the complimentary child care and location though.

If over 45, do not bother to go to SO YMCA in Royal Oak. Their only interest is kids, which is not bad, unless you are over 45. If a Senior, you are an afterthought, if that. If interested in joining an exercise swim class AND over 55, beware!!! Many of their instructors are not qualified, let alone certified. Danger of injury and a threat to personal safety is high. Same goes for lifeguards, with no plans to correct the problem that has been on going for months. Good staff are leaving, or are being fired at rapid rates. It is a mess! Check back next year. Hopefully, current director will have been replaced by then.

Had a great swim and the staff was very accommodating. I am taking out a membership!!

Excellent place to exercise and bring your family for activities. The staff is very hands on and dedicated to helping you in whatever your need is .

Love this YMCA!!!!! Family atmosphere, friendly staff just a great place for you and your family to work out, swim or join any class they offer. My son loves their Summer camp and he is an advanced swimmer thanks to lessons he s taken here. We love the Y!!!

Best kid's swimming program in the Detroit area, that's been my only experience and it's been fullfilling

For decades, our family members and friends have chosen the YMCA for personal and family growth. The YMCA is always enjoyable and community oriented.

People make or break your business. Rude people are the cause for this low rating.

They had whiteclaw, but ran out of grapefruit very early in the day...

Very friendly staff they are so cheerful and polite

Great day summer camp for kids of all ages. Well organized.

Love this place if you looking for a good basketball run every m-w-f at 12:20pm and Tuesday n Wednesday at 8pm & Saturday at 8am

Worth every cent. My special needs daughter looks forward to swimming daily

The staff is good, by this is an old, outdated and poorly designed building that needs to be leveled and re-built from the ground up. Unfortunately, the Y does not have this type of funding. Nonetheless, I visit this location because it's close to home. However, I have a major complaint with them scheduling a yoga class right next to a room where young kids are at play.

Imagine my disappointment at the sound of kids chattering loudly right as yoga starts. I couldn't even hear the instructor that well for the shrieking. Kids will be kids--obviously, I don't blame them, but someone wasn't thinking things through, when they planned this yoga class. Maybe they lacked space during this time...I don't know. All I know is that I couldn't get my Hatha on and I ended up walking out of the class.

Swimming lesons seem ok but, the Daycare is terrible! Very cheap quality. The staff in the daycare appear bored with their job. I am a parent who witnessed a baby, after being dropped off there who was just staring, not knowing what to do. She was ignored. I gave her a few toys. Another time, I saw a a girl cry for 10 minutes for her mom. The staff ignored her. Finally one of the swimming teachers came in & made her feel better.

Friendly staff! Great classes but pricey, even for members. My kids loved the summer day camp.

The facility is alright. However, the staff is obviously not fully trained or educated on their policies. I was severely misinformed regarding the procedure to cancel a membership, and have therefore been charged nearly $140 (two months worth) for only 3 visits (I was only in town for one week.) Since leaving Royal Oak, it has taken me 4 months of hassle, phone calls, and 2 attempts at cancelling that membership. I just want to warn people so that you won't have to deal with this or will at least know what you're getting into with this rude, under-trained staff.

Very nice people, great parking, and lots of activities and groups!

Terrible staff . Not for all ages, only for teens and adults. The swimming lessons don't teach good and overall not a good place .LA fitness is so much better.

My kids and I have been members for two years now. The staff is friendly, the facility is clean. We enjoy the pool, gym, and workout room. My children and I feel comfortable and it's very affordable. I love the indoor track and sauna as well.

Very family friendly staff. Neat and clean facility. Wonderful and informative people who are there to work out as well as swim!

Very family oriented. The staff is frieny9, helpful and motivating! The equipment is great for all levels of fitness.

The building is more outdated than the new Boll Family YMCA in Detroit. Still have enjoyed the workout classes and the pool. Pilates and yoga were both moderate sized classes, yoga slightly more full but they had a great community feel and a learn at your own pace environment.

Upgraded cardio equipment was a nice change for 2020, but the facility is still pretty outdated. VERY friendly staff, good cardio classes and very involved in the community. I wish they would have better lap swim hours.

Great place to work out and great community for children to play, grow and stay active

In there on average two or three times a week; always a good experience....

The South Oakland Family YMCA has been home to our family for more than 30 years. Our children learned dance, swimming and martial arts as they grew up, and now - as a senior citizen - I value my membership as much as ever to stay fit and healthy. The staff is wonderful - they take a personal interest in you and your goals.

A great place to work out. People are friendly, but not intrusive, and the people who work there are all awesome, especially the lifeguards. The older crowd seems to gather in the mornings for coffee and conversation.

Convenient
For the family

Great place for your exercise needs, with super staff and friendly dedicated membership!

I met Jack, also Lorna. We had a nice conversation solving the world problems. Personal trainer Joe was nice enough to let me talk to him a few minutes about physical injury recovery. The staff is available & nice. The facilities are clean & up to date. There was a slight chill but with the weather & building solutions, I trust it will be ok soon. All in all, a great place to be.

They have it together as far as function of the facility. But no one calls me back. Rude or too petty. If you are going to say leave a message & I will call you back, then call back for Christ's sake.

It's a great place to work out and the staff is fantastic!!

I believe you should be able to buy a guest pass without an adult

Been going here for over a year and can say this has been the best gym experience we've ever had. We use child watch every day and they do an incredible job with the kids. They always act so excited to see the kids, and everyone knows them by name. The exercise facility is a little dated, but all the equipment is new and in top shape. I rave about this place to all my friends with kids...

Excellent gym. At $37/month it is one of the least expensive gyms in the area. The lifting area is never too crowded, has a well balanced range of weights and machines. The people are more polite than at any gym I've ever been to. The staff is friendly and always says hi on your way in and out. This is a place where you really feel welcome.

I love this gym it's clean and safe a great family place to work out for the hole family

We go for swim lessons. Nice coaches. Nice bathrooms