Albany Ymca Preschool

I called and asked whether I could drop in and was told that I could do that for $20 for the day. I walked over a mile in the rain (no parking available) to get there and was told that I needed two forms of photo ID plus a credit card to even enter. I should have been told that on the phone. I left and won't be going back. The front desk staff was not helpful or sympathetic and acted as if I should have known I'd need a passport (!) to use the Y.

Not a lot of reviews talking about the gym so figured I'd do one. Was considering joining the Y and this branch was my closest one, but the gym is woefully lacking unless you're only doing cardio or calisthenics. No barbells, no squat rack, can't even do a proper bench press anywhere. All of which are foundational to properly build build muscle and do proper resistance training in a balanced way. But, if all you need from a gym is to keep your joints healthy and moving, it'll do the job. The gym is also very small - which isn't always a bad thing. But there wasn't much space to "breathe" if you were working out and not using machines, or even any space to do something like yoga. Positives - the staff were nice, the free group exercises seemed good (if you're into that sort of thing), it seemed well maintained. It was also not very busy at all during a peak time. I also liked that all the east bay Y's are bundled together. That said, I feel like if all you need from a gym is what this Y has to offer, you're better off paying much less to go to planet fitness instead, if you are willing to drive.

Great selection of classes, but many are full. Only one Peleton bike so fans are often left to find other options or come back at another time. Another Peleton and maybe a sign up could improve the situation for that piece of impacted equipment. No online message board (could not find) to leave comments to management. Dodgy APP keeps failing on my iPhone and the scanner has many fails. All in all I m still registered, and would prefer to have sent this as an email to manager rather than a review

Clean. Lots of free weights and a deceit selection of weight training machines as well as other equipment.

The building has been undergoing a remodel since June 2016. It was closed completely for about a week and then reopened with some of its facilities, including the weight training equipment, available. However the men's bathroom was closed, so I had to put my gym clothes on at home, drive to the Y for my exercise routine and return home to shower and put on my regular clothes. During warm weather, this was an inconvenience but it became impractical when winter weather set in. Walking to my parked car in my sweaty gym clothes in the cold was unhealthy and unacceptable. So in the months of November, December and January I couldn't use the gym at all. Finally, in February 2017 the men's bathroom opened. The new layout of the bathroom is gravely deficient. When I first joined the Albany Y in 2003, there was enough room for three men to change their clothes at the same time. A few years later the bathroom was mildly remodeled leaving room for only two the change at the same time. Now, the newest remodel leaves room for only one man to change at once. The old roomy metal lockers have been replaced by small, cheap particle-board lockers that will probably last only a couple of years. The shower room lacks soap dispensers, towel racks and hot water. (Water temperature choice is room-temperature or cold.) The selection of weight-training and cardio machines has been improved, but that doesn't make up for the sub-normal bathroom. Overall rating: D+.