YMCA of Greater Charlotte, NC Reviews

I joined at the Simmons YMCA when I moved here, around October 2019. I joined for the pool, which could have had more lanes open for lane swimming, but overall, it was nice. Locker room was fairly clean and staff was always super friendly and helpful.
I have been quite disappointed with the Y's customer service since COVID. I am not comfortable with going to the gym right now and wanted to cancel my membership. This has been such a difficult task. It is hard to reach anyone on the phone (long waits and frequent 'accidental' hang ups) and Simmons hasn't even been opened to go in and handle it in-person. Finally got the cancellation form, submitted it, got confirmation, and was still charged the y membership monthly fee.
While I'd give the facilities and staff 5 stars, their management leaves a lot to be desired.

A Charlotte Institution for many years. A clean and safe place to go exercise and be involved in different types of events.

Always feel good majority of the time I leave this possible!

This place has literally become a second home to me. It's easy to join a gym, but to find a welcoming place to work out, spend time with the family, develop socially as well as spiritually, that is rather difficult to find and the Down YMCA is exactly that.

If you are considering a Y membership or testing out one location, I strongly encourage it as well as encourage reaching out and trying new things you might not have ever intended to do pre-YMCA.

I personally had never tried yoga, cycling, personal fitness classes or even triathlon training and masters swim classes until joining the Y. Though I don't still do many of these today with three kids, I learned a lot about how to enhance my workout and made some life-long friends in the process.

I also love that the hours are convenient for even the busiest of schedules and I can visit any of the 16 Charlotte YMCA branches whenever I'd like. The overall value is great and the long-term benefits are even greater.

Very nice gym, but men's locker room smells like men's locker room :)

Sometimes really busy, but very clean amd nice staff

Actually I can't which Y branch is more favorite for me the DOWD of University city. Because they both are amazing. I like dowd branch because it's really clean and the staff is probably the best in this branch. If I could I would probably give them 10stars!

Friendly staff. Whirlpool and steam room. Great group aqua classes

Very mixed feelings about the Dowd. When I first started going a few months ago, after the renovations, I loved it. Brand new, beautiful equipment and a great space to workout in. But the cons are beginning to outweigh the pros. It is EXTREMELY crowded. I get there at 5:45am and it is packed. Don't even think about going in the evening, it's twice as bad and feels like a social club. While there are plenty of squat racks, there is only one leg press, one proper leg extension machine, and one lying leg curl. Also only one pec deck. They do have some older machines in the corner, but they are a total joke. In disrepair, do not allow you to move through a full range of motion. In a place as crowded at this, there should be AT LEAST 2 of each of these.

The other big con right now is half the main parking lot is closed, which forces everyone to park in the YMCA parking garage across the street. Then traffic backs up because there is a constant flow of foot traffic to and from the parking garage. Why didn't anyone think to build a foot-traffic bridge for a super busy YMCA like this??

So, in conclusion, the facility is nice but the renovations could have been planned better. I guess there isn't much they can do about the crowds, except make it even bigger.

Lots of good and healthy things to do at Dowd YMCA. Enjoy!

The facilities and service is top notch. The membership is beyond worth it, and I teach Barre here on 1, 3, 5 Fridays.

Large, clean, friendly staff. Exactly what you'd want from a YMCA.

This is a great gym with friendly staff and plenty of equipment. I can't wait until the remodel is over.

I got sexual harassed in one of the bathrooms by a female member of the cleaning staff. Dowd refused to even acknowledge the complaint.

Best Y in the Charlotte area. Staff is friendly and knowledgeable. Facility is well maintained and clean. Recently renovated, with ongoing renovations at this time, but this Y never closed. Great job on letting members continue to work out and renovate at the same time.

An excellent gym with 4 floors of weights, assistive machines, and cardio equipment. It gets busy but rarely do you have to wait for equipment. Locker rooms are a little sketchy... people can be very chatty, even in the group shower. Parking can get a little tight during the busier hours but still, rarely have to wait for a spot.

They're going through a renovation which is greatly needed. The facility is huge as it is but very dated.

10/10 gym. The Dowd is my favorite with the rooftop track!

Great place to work out! All the trainers are great. The facility is always clean and put together and they make you feel very welcome. Classes are always challenging but fun. It does get very busy so finding cardio equipment or free weight bench can be difficult during peak hours. It's currently under renovation so there's a little less space. The new parking garage makes parking a little easier!

The facilities are well kept, nice and clean. I come here to play volleyball, and what makes me upset is that they do not have a per day fee. You have to get a membership and that is not cheap.

Not a fan of some of the front desk people and the crowdedness but they have the best Barre instructor, I go just for her class and the steam room , which is amazing

Well organized layout of gym, cardio, and weight space - an active and nice YMCA in the CLT area.

Best YMCA in Charlotte. Biggest badest. And the hottest chicks too ! Oh yeaa

The one Y in Char-Meck with a hot tub. Every conceivable weight machine but they need a area just to stretch out in. Two indoor pools, can be crowded after work

Very busy place still under construction need to fix something

Great for bball would love a flag football field tho

I love the YMCA the Classes and that it's Founding Purpose for Jesus Christ, to Reach, and Empower People are still Visible. I'm Praying that in 2016, that the YMCA Will have for Late Night Classes. Also a few Overnight sites! All this is needed to remain Competitive with such Gyms like Planet Fitness and Life Fitness! Please Consider!

They have a full gym connected to the locker room that is women's only. Great amenities and helpful staff. My favorite Y!

Tons of room for lots of activities, modern design, and friendly helpful staff

The Dowd YMCA is a great facility. The pools are well-maintained, the staff is kind and helpful, the equipment and workout areas are substantial...there are a lot of machines, there is a lot of space. I have been a member on and off for years and I love it.

This Y is very fancy. It has everything you need including towel service.

Great place to exercise. Great staff and facilities.

Loved the Y, but not the yoga. There was a horrible substitute teacher, Mardee ( I think it was). Her energy was off from the beginning. Not sure what that just was but it wasn t yoga and it wasn t relaxing. She played country music and top 40s. She was making up move and putting people at risk for injury. I thought about leaving but didn t want to be rude, but I should have for my sanity. In all my years of yoga I have never walked away from yoga angry. This was a first. Very sad. I m headed home to meditate...

Everytime I go there, I am greeted and by name. Staff is friendly and very helpful

They have the largest selection of group classes at this YMCA location. The classes are current, relevant, and fun. The instructors are all very friendly and make modifications to any of the moves if you need them. Everyone is so friendly, you can't help but feel included here. They building is currently 4 floors, which can be a bit confusing at first. Once you know where everything is located, it is very nice. The machines are well-maintained. Just like every gym, it is hard to get the equipment you want in the evening times, as that is the gym's busiest time. They do have a large selection of machines, though. Some of my favorites are the weight racks, rather than just boring Smith Press, rowing machines, and more. They have medicine balls, kettle-bells, bosu balls, and other work-out related gear for you to use. They also have a selection of machines and weights in each locker room so you can work out in a same-sex environment if you are uncomfortable in the general weight room. This location has many amenities, including a cool pool, warm pool, basketball courts, racquetball courts, general store, dry-cleaning service, and more. They have an on-site parking lot, in addition to a parking deck that is half a deck away. This location is also child-free. You must check your child in to the day care center, and they are not allowed to come to any classes. That is, to me, a HUGE perk of this location! Overall, this gym has a large selection of group classes, machines, amenities, friendly stff, and it is a great experience.

I like it because working out feels good and I can walk there from my office.

New renovations are excellent. Awesome hot yoga room.

So many group exercise classes to choose from! The instructors make excercise fun!

Really nice, new addition! Great workout space. Rooftop view is amazing.

People who work there are very nice and helpful also is very well kept.

It gets really crowded sometimes and parking is tough to find, but it's a great place to meet people!

I mainly love it for the clean environment provided and great service

Love this place but parking is a struggle. Classes are high quality and showers are adequate. Nothing luxurious but YMCA membership allows you to visit near work and home.

You get all the things to keep yourself fit! This facility has everything.

Huge variety of group classes and convenient times as well

Great facility. Wide range of activities for exercise. The equipment is up to date and the staff is very friendly. Parking is still a little difficult until the new parking garage is finished being built.

I played a pick up game of basketball. During which someone pick up my loaned YMCA basketball. I went to the counter to ask for help and the guy there was extremely rude and not helpful. And basically said i was on my own and he was keeping my car keys. He wouldn't even point me in the direction of the camera desk. There were no guards to be found. to see who might have took it. It took the help of another worker who seen my interaction with this jerk to get help. I did not feel like a valued member at this gym.

They have great staff here, and a lot of equipment. However, some of the equipment is old and needs to be replaced or at least have maintenance performed.

The customer service here is amazing. You truly feel that you are apart of the Y family every single time you walk in. The Towel service is also an added bonus.

The Dowd is undergoing rennovation at the time of this post. Don't be alarmed, it is still a great place to work out. Some meat heads but also a lot good people that don't judge. Many levels of workout floors depending on what you're in the mood for. When the rennovation is done, this place will be spectacular.

Best gym I ve ever been to! Hand down, the yoga studio is like none other

Very helpful staff. Beautiful facility. Must go to others in the city to fully compare. I'll be back...

Very disappointed in the staff at the YMCA. Front desk staff denied my guest pass as it was a Sunday and it s members only. I advised I had to use the restroom and staff ran after my guest and I in the bathroom scolding us for bad behavior of going to the bathroom without permission!! I have been a member for 15 guest and have never felt so disrespected. My guest is immediately turned off to the idea of joining a facility like this one.

I love this Y. I've only been to three so far but this one has a variety of classes, televisions on the machines and interactive stationary bike rides. The staff is nice and the facility is very clean. BUT it gets very, very busy, it is hard to get a machine and parking SUCKS!! BUT they have a huge locker room, wet/dry sauna and a whirlpool. I just go to other less busy Y's after work but would prefer going to this one.

Great and clean place to work out at. Always different workout classes and the customer service is A1

Good facility and a great staff. Some guys are very arrogant but most are kewl. Always someone willing to help if you need a hand. Over all a good place even with the remodelling

Amazing facility with lots of equipment and resources for anything you need! The group exercise instructors are awesome!

Joe was excellent answered all of our questions and took us on a tour to let us know what was open and things that have changed. Glad to know sanitation and social distancing is being practiced in Mecklenburg County with the number of COVID-19 cases increasing.

Nice gym after the renovation. The locker can still use some updates though.

Nice men's locker room with steam room, hot tub and sauna and shower room.

I love the Y . Sometimes it gets really crowded but it s a huge building and they are expanding so mostly it s comfortable to exercise there . Not to forget the clean environment and very nice and welcoming staff . Every one working there is a professional

Dowd is a nice facility, mostly. It's popular because of its location, not because of how nice or amazing it is. Thankfully it now has a parking garage.

The guest service desk was helpful and very through explaining the facility. Parking at the moment was congested and people were waiting for spaces.

Great place to work out - only issues are the low ceilings in the basement weight room make it difficult for tall folks to do overhead presses.

Best of ymca
YMCA app is the best fitness app

I believe this is the best athletic facility in the USA!I I am partial because I have been a member since 1990! awesome place to workout!!!