Mulberry Bush Preschool

My doctors have been insisting I start exercising but I can't afford a gym membership. Fortunately, the YMCA has discounts for seniors and disabled persons as well as programs of financial assistance for those who qualify and have a medical need for the benefits that membership can provide. The woman I spoke to was tremendously helpful and most of all kind & understanding. She did not make me feel awkward when I realized even with the senior rate my budget wasn't going to stretch that far. She provided me with all of the information I needed to get the ball rolling and I left there feeling lighter & calmer than I have in months. I was even lucky enough to mee the yoga instructor for the class I'm interested in and she explained in detail what a typical session consists of. I was greatly encouraged to discover that I can skip the "chair" & go right into the "gentle" yoga class! This lovely woman out front also told me about their book club and crochet club which both appeal to me. I've thought about, but never joined a book club and I haven't crocheted since I gave it up for driving my car at 17, but I'm seriously considering both groups. When I discovered that the crocheted items are given to various charities I decided I'm definitely in, if I can make the time work! I found the book for this months meeting on Amazon for $1.32, can't beat that so what the heck, I'm a fast reader & have nothing better to do on a Tuesday evening. Looking forward to starting 2026 in a more positive frame of mind and in a safe & friendly environment. My thanks to the YMCA staff!

Feel bad sharing a post like this- but feel it is necessary & fair, being an Ocean County resident. 1st time visiting the YMCA in Toms River- $15 day pass as a non member, which was fine. I brought my 12 year old Nephew to play basketball because we are very limited with gym space in Southern Ocean County. The basketball court was small (only half a court) to run some pick up games. The other kids were really nice and provided competitive match ups. There were buckets spread out over the gym to catch the leaky water falling from the roof. I don’t know how anyone didn’t trip over it while playing. Court was open until 2:45pm, and as we were exiting & getting our belongings- I took one last shot from the free throw line. An older woman staff member became extremely rude/inappropriate with her directed comments. She was hostile- as she also approached the middle/high school kids to vacate the property. Safe to say we won’t be coming back in the future due gym conditions/extremely uncomfortable environment created by staff.

Honestly, if you have an alternative, better go somewhere else. I have no alternative as I come here mainly for swimming pool. Boys locker room next to swimming pool is quite scary - you can literally shoot horror movies in there, just dim lights a little. I think they changed lockers themselves fairly recently, but everything else is pretty scary to look at: walls, floors, showers, etc. Obviously I wasn't to girls locker rooms - so can't say. Gym equipment and weights are probably from the times when Arnold shot "Pumping Iron" or even older. Everything is dirty, barely functioning, weights are rusted and beaten up so bad you can't even read the numbers on them. You don't even want to touch those weights, honestly. When it's a rain they put some buckets in certain spots otherwise water drips directly to the gym floor. My main highlight of coming here is little steam room in adult locker room, especially in colder months - if you used a swimming pool you have to go across the building to get there. Unfortunately, that steam room doesn't work 90% of the time. There's no clear reason why, and seems like nobody cares. Maintenance guys do not know, front desk doesn't know, no matter how many times you ask. It wasn't working for few months this year because they couldn't 'fix the door handle' to sauna room - it wasn't closing properly or opening properly (again, nobody knows). I physically tested the door and it was fine, but again, steam room is closed and no one knows or cares to explain why. Management either doesn't care or doesn't have money. Probably both. There are few positives here, obviously. They try to decorate foyer for every season / holiday, pool is always warm and properly maintained and people who work here are generally nice. However, if I'd have an alternative for a pool I'd go somewhere else. Unfortunately in Toms River, as far as I know, there's no alternative.

This experience was not quite what I expected. I was disappointed, as I didn’t think the Y operated this way. Scheduling the initial evaluation for adaptative swim lessons for an ASD child was challenging, and communication about the class schedule could have been clearer, especially when classes conflicted with swim meets. Additionally, the instructor was changed midway through the lesson session. It just felt like we were being overlooked at each step of the way. Sadly we will not be going back to the Y for swim lessons.

Very friendly staff who actually remember your name. All the essential weights are present, pool, sauna and steam included. The main weight room has poor lighting and has storm shelter vibes to it, but other than that, this is a solid YMCA.