I like my gyms like I like my men - clean, authentic, and not full steriods or BS. I love the Downtown Berkeley YMCA so much that, yes, I would marry it. Excellent and diverse classes. Not a bunch of amped up coke or roid heads. Just a really electic mix of people trying to get their move on. I love it. There is, as I discovered recently, a strictly ladies cardio room as well as a weights room in the back of the ladies locker room. Three swimming pools. Basketball courts, squash courts, cardio room that you don't have to wait in line for the machines, weight room that doesn't include overblown egos. The belly dancing class at noon on Tuesdays (I think it's Tuesdays) is excellent as well as the Yoga I class around 5 on Thursdays. Occassionally the front desk people ignore you, but most of the time they're eager to help. The teachers, people working out, and people helping out all have the same feeling - you're working out? RIGHT ON. Clean. Wonderful. Electic. No gawkers who look like they should be at the Power Exchange and not the gym. A+++++ read more

I'm still giving this 5 stars because I still think it is the best gym in the East Bay. Unfortunately, I had to quit because getting to it takes so much time :-( ... Berkeley traffic. read more

I understand that there are rules but what was terrible was that I was let in regardless of me being 17. I showed my ID and I told the man in the desk I was from another branch and he let me in. 2 TIMES. And today this lady rudely told me that I could not go in and snapped and asked me for a YMCA ID and I said I don't have that, I have my ID and my CARD and that was all I really needed in the past to get in. I was so angry when they brought a white male in front of me just so he can tell me that it's been overlooked or unnoticed. This is terrible service. I really think I'm going to stop going to YMCA. read more

Expensive. (currently $65 per month) Worth it. In the locker room you have to put up with the more-than-occasional hyper privileged Berkeley matron who can't seem to co-exist with her fellow humans - i.e. they love to block the aisles. I can't pretend to understand, but these are former-hippy folks who assume that they saved the world so they own it - or something like that. I've dropped this Y when money became thin but always came back. You can NOT compare this to 24-hr Fitness or a herd gym, it's calmer, better, less crap, no high-pressure sales, room at the facilities, locker-rooms with Everything You Need, and plenty of classes. If you ask for advice from a fitness councilor or the front desk, you don't get someone with a sales agenda. The showers - amazingly forceful, hot, delightful, can't do without it, better than home. Seriously. Better than home. They've recently installed an ultra-violet purification system so the pool and environs barely smell of chloreine at all. They only use the legally required minimum now, because.. law requires! The UV system does a complete clean on its own. Love it. Classes are FREE with membership, they are varied and almost always packed for peak-hours, peak-interest, but the schedule is full - if you're flexible or can get to class 5 min early, you'll get in. Being late is rude, anyway. =P I like that I can get a training touch-up or massage if needed, but mostly I just use the facilities on my own. Parking deals with the next-door garage gives 2 free hours during after-work hours and weekends, which really makes a difference in unpredictable Berkeley traffic, so near the rep theatre. OH - TOWELS: they are NOT fluffy. However they are perfectly clean. Seriously. When you take them from the rack up at the entrance they are sterile. They are typical rough-use white cotton. Don't scrub them over your face unless you want to exfoliate your nose. But don't be afraid to blot yourself dry - they aren't "tumbled in a dryer" for show, they are STERILIZED. Hey, don't mooch towels from the pool or steal them from the locker room and you'll know you're getting fresh/clean cotton. Also, I keep a microfibre small towel in my locker for face only; i worry more about me keeping that one clean than the gym's freebies. I don't understand the carpet in the locker room either, but they're in the process of swapping out the flooring - the materials and colors were submitted to membership earlier this year for preference polling. Woot! I ALWAYS wear flip-flops - shower, changing, steam room, sauna - anyway. Do you seriously trust Berkeley barefoot culture NOT to deliver the street to your feet if you stomp around unprotected? No way, hah! .. seriously, I love this place. read more

I absolutely ADORE the Berkeley YMCA. LOVE IT. TONS of equipment, great lessons for kids, childwatch is an absolute life saver for busy parents who love exercise but work and have a real life. I honestly would not survive without the Y. I have been a member for 20 years and it just gets better and better. Yay for community based organizations that help kids, run great programs and have no corporate ties. read more

This is a great place to work out, the pool is always clean and they have classes such as Zumba ans Salsa :D

Place is great. 3 pools a hot tub, saunas, 2 basketball courts, separate gyms for men and women. Treadmills bike. This is a great full service facility that would cost you $300 bucks a month downtown. If you qualify for the financial assistance membership is only $37 bucks a month!!! All the classes are free with membership and the quantity and quality of the classes and teachers is fantastic! read more

After coming here for 2 months, it is safe to say that I really like this gym! For $40 a month, you access to all amenities such as the different classes, 3 swimming pools, free towel, lockers, and all the machines! I like that it's convenient to get to from the downtown Berkeley Bart station. If it was even slightly out of the way, I'd probably not make it to the gym. I like that there's a pretty awesome women's only gym area for those who are uncomfortable working out in front of others or being around a ton of testosterone. There's even a dry sauna room inside the women's locker room. Now if you have not already caught on, this place is HUGE. I try to take the HIIT (high intensity interval training) classes as often as I can because it really pumps your heart rate and is as challenging as those classes where you have to pay $30/class! I also tried a hip hop and Ujam class which gives you a workout and fun at the same time! You'll have to bring your own lock if you want to secure your belongings. One of my main concern was theft, but I did not experience that as I always used a lock and double check it before walking away. I never have to wait to use the treadmill or any machine, really. So it's pretty nice ! read more

I had a 5 day guest pass to the YMCA so this review is based on the 5 days I went to the YMCA. The locker room was clean and smelled okay. There were showers and toilets. All clean. There are 2 women's locker rooms, one on the second floor and one in the basement. I only used the one on the second floor. The locker room is connected to the women's weight room. There is a women's weight room with cardio machines and a women's yoga/meditation room. I didn't use the women's room, I used the coed cardio/weight room. Coed side had a lot of cardio machines. All the machines worked. The stationary bikes have tvs attached to them so you can watch tv while you work out. There is a wellness coach sitting at the table in both the women's and coed fitness areas so if you have any question, he/she is there to help. I also took 2 classes. Total Body Challenge. This is a whole body workout. It's pretty much, 20 min cardio, 20 min weights, and 20 min ab. Personally, I thought the cardio portion was lacking. The weights portion was very intense, you can definitely feel your arms hurting. The ab section was also very intense. Cardio Kickboxing Wow, this class was 50 min of intense cardio and I mean INTENSE. From the first minute to the last, you are punching, kicking, jumping and moving at breakneck speeds. I have no idea how the teacher does it. If you are out of shape, this might not be a good first class for you. I could barely follow all the transitions, they came so fast. I considered myself at an intermediate/advanced workout level but this class really kicked my bootie. The last 10 minutes of the class is dedicated to ab work, toning and stretching. You don't get too much stretching in this class so it is a good idea to stretch out your muscles on your own after the class. Just some tips: Monday after 5pm is by far, the most crowded day of the week. The Allston Street entrance to the parking garage is exit only on weekdays so you have to enter from Center Street. The YMCA will validate 2 hrs of parking after 4pm on weekdays. The YMCA provides free towels and the swimming pool has lifeguards. Even at the most crowded time of the week, there will always be several lockers available. You don't have to worry about every single locker being taken. read more

Good - lots of baby stuff, 2 warm pools and baby gym space Bad - overcrowded - there's a first come first serve, you have to come super early to get a ticket so you and baby can enter baby pool, others moms/nannies look like they'll run you over - day care, over crowded and super loud, over stimulating for babies under 1 - staff dîdnt feel like giving us a tour, just told us to walk around ourselves, they ended up giving us a tour because I didn't have my id read more

Thought I'd write an update since they seem to be done with their recent remodel. Air conditioning in the women's fitness center is very welcome. Looks like they tried to brighten up the locker room a bit (i.e., new bathroom stalls), but it's still only just okay as locker rooms go. Remodeled bathrooms on the second floor are much less grungy-looking. Overall, they seem to be cleaning better. Haven't noticed that thick layer of grime on the walls in a while. But the best thing is the new co-ed cardio room on the first floor. Very nice with plenty of equipment, and bright and sunny. Much better than what it replaced. It still doesn't top Embarcadero in SF (which also just finished its own REALLY impressive remodel), and parking and crowds are as bad as ever. But its definitely good value for the money. I'll keep going. read more

I'm naturally a lazy sack. But the wonderfulness of this Y makes me look forward to working out. The facility is updated and clean. Staff is friendly and helpful. Diverse members. Fun classes. I work out in the evening and there is never a wait for equipment. read more

Despite its grandeur and many facilities, I find it hard to give the Berkeley Y a better review, simply for the ridiculous level of anxiety endured to get there and find a place to park. It is not a place that I easily felt inclined to visit more than twice a week. This is a problem that for sure is causing membership to suffer. read more

This gym has great pools and gyms. They also have a fantastic 'kindergym', a multi-level padded play structure for kids to play in. There are stairs, ladders, nets, slides and a trampoline. Everything is perfectly safe and yet still feels very adventurous for the toddlers. If we lived closer we'd be members. read more

Men's steam room was to be opened Dec 1st 2016 It is now 2 months later and it still isn't open. What's going on? Great facility and lots of activities. This is the 3rd redo of men's area in 10 years!!! read more

When I moved to Berkeley I think I looked at every gym in the city and unfortunately I don't think there are any fabulous gyms, so I settled with the downtown Y. Pros: Separate Women's gym upstairs where I can always use the machine I want with usually no wait. Free parking after 4 pm on weekdays, and weekends before noon. Parking is $1 on weekdays if you are in before 8:30am and out before 10:30am (2 hours max) Almost all classes are included. Cons: no TVs in the Women's cardio room. Although there are TVs in the coed bike room. read more

I am a newbie, although being a Berkeley native, I have gone here through the years. I like the option of the womens section, but in reality the co-ed area is newer and nicer. The co-ed area has machines with TV's attached to distract yourself while on the elliptical or stationary bikes. I like the womens new dressing room. It is in full swing now, with both the steam and sauna up and running. (It was under construction when I joined). The layout of the entire YMCA is odd, having three levels. But I have never experienced crowding, which is nice. None of that machismo that you find at 24 hour. I'm sure there is a little in the free weight room, havent checked it out yet. All in all it is nice and down home. There is something for everyone. read more

I go here for the really scratchy towels that they wash and dry with a JET-Engine... I use em to scratch the shit out of my back so I don't have to ask one of the naked senior citizens, or special Ed kids in the locker room to do it for me. read more

This place is the shit! I can't say enough good things about this place. The staff is very accommodating. Gym is very clean. People I've met are pretty friendly. It's a good place to go. With that said, it's a great gym. If one cannot go to a hardcore gym, this is honestly the next best thing. read more

Mofos lost my ymca card because your supposed to leave something like for ex: keys, wallet, or ymca card for a basketball. They lost my card and took them 30 mins to replace it. There basketball open gym schedule is never on time as well. Trash ass ymca. Go to downtown oak instead. read more

I love swimming in the lap pool and the lifeguards are great, always attentive and friendly. Locker rooms are very clean but they will only give you one tiny towel (water savings) so either be prepared to pay $1 for second towel or bring your own big one, as I do. Also love the hot tub and steam room. read more

Great gym, pool, and community center. If you want to use the YMCAs in San Francisco, you can get a Bay Area membership for a little over ten dollars a month more or pay $5 or $10 dollars a time. read more

As far as the facility, it's excellent. It's very large, several pools, one specifically for lap swims, large cardio and strength training rooms. I don't use machines so I can't attest for them. I mainly come here for the group classes and the lap swims. There are tons of group exercise classes and the popular ones get really full and cramped inside of just one aerobics studio during the popular after-work hours. There doesn't appear to be many exercise tools there except for steps, mats and weights. The mats are disgusting. Don't know the last time they were changed and are filthy. There is no antispetic spray or paper towels to wipe it down after use like I have seen with another Y on the east coast I'd go to. With that said, I have no idea how often the staff clean it. Not often enough. The weight are also gross. The instructors are hit or miss. Most of them don't really have the energy I like in group instructors and don't ever mention or talk about proper form. If you can't afford anything else, the Y is a good option, but I'd go to a different gym if you're looking for some really high quality fitness classes. read more

Pretty good, except that it closes early on the weekends, has tons of high-school students taking the group cardio classes for school credit (crowded!) and not having a wifi - the wifi would have been useful for parents waiting for their kids to finish their lessons. read more

It's as good as it gets around Berkeley. It's not the best over all, as the Y wastes a lot of space, in my opinion, If they got rid of all those walls, they could probably fit twenty more machines! In Berkeley, Probably the best gym, including RSF (always crazy busy), Iron works (limited equitment, though has AWESOME Rock climbing!) and 24 fitness (a little dark, like in a basement)As it is, it's a clean gym (A plus, the janitors are always walking around and keeping everything reasonably clean) and the staff can be by the most part be friendly. If they seem unfriendly, you might have to communicate with them first, then they become friendly. read more

I have been a member at the Berkeley Y since 1997. I spend most of the time there swimming in the lap pool. The pool is well designed with nice wide lanes. The water is sometimes a bit murky and you can see sand at the bottom. I've been told that the sand comes from the filtering system. my only complaint is that the lifeguards doesn't always enforce the rules, especially fast, medium and slow swimmers, and as a fast swimmer i find it hard to swim at times, when i am sharing the lane with someone who is significantly slower than i am. This is not an issue if the slower swimmer is considerate and let me pass, but unfortunately many slower swimmer just swim and ignore everyone else. In my opinion the lifeguard should pay more attention to this issue and educate swimmers when needed. The showers and dressing rooms are convenient and clean, the staff is usually very friendly and the atmosphere in general is pleasant. The Y also offers many classes, which is a big + ! My four year old daughter has started to take swimming lessons in the shallow pool and she loves it! She is starting ballet classes next week. My wife has been taking yoga classes for several years and i hear only rave reviews about her yoga teacher. Over all i definitely recommend the Berkeley Y. read more

Let me start off by saying the way these people are trained to turn down people are snobbish my 6 month old daughter threw her bottle out the stroller i had no money for bottle water YMCA was the nearest place i seen im not from Berkeley plus Ymca been around nationwide for years im thinking they would let me run in the bathroom 2 minutes rinse the bottle an refill it with water No Since im not a member no access I didnt plan my daughter to do this I was so polite at first just so be it no supervisor nor manager was available like be nice to mothers we have enough hardships outside of what u see an being nice doesnt hurt brings better karma Like really i felt i was treated like second hand to nothing unacceptable read more

Excellent GYM with excellent services. They have a great child watch program and for $45.00 a month you can bring your child there every day for 2 hours while you work out. It's an excellent service. I really like that they have a separate woman's gym with weights and work out machines. read more

Very comfortable shallow pool for parent/ child swimming lessons. We so enjoy our swimming time there with teacher Carla. She's been so wonderful and loving, helping my son feel comfortable in the water. He's 20 months now and already feels comfortable putting his head under water. He's had lessons with Meredith as well and she is also really wonderful. Both teachers know a lot of cute songs and they so obviously love the kids. We're always excited to go to class. It's so much fun! read more

great facilities. good selection of classes. it even has a women-only room with all the cardio and weight machines through the women's locker. it has a sauna and steam room. the showers are pretty clean, but could be cleaner. the yoga room smells of OB if a previous class was in there. some instructors are not as qualified as desired. the pool is a bit crowded for laps. the staff is nice enough. parking is only free for 2 hrs in the structure. if you stay longer, you have to pay a bit. i have been to a lot of Ys and gyms and these problems are everywhere, so overall, i am fairly happy with my membership here. i would recommend it. read more

This is a review of their youth swim lessons. My daughter learned to swim here in a supportive program that was set to her pace. We did a year+ of semi privates with Julian. He was upbeat, fun, kind and knew his stuff. She is a strong, independent swimmer. Thanks YMCA! read more

I miss the Berkeley YMCA already... The hip-hop dance classes are awesome, as are the body sculpt classes and the water aerobics. Truly a fun place to work out. read more

The Berkeley Y is simply awesome. My previous experience with gym-ing was a Ballys Total Fitness in Baltimore--and it doesn't even BEGIN to compare with the greatness of the Y! Everyone who's there is there to work out -- not to pose or look pretty (as far as I can tell). The facilities are well maintained, towels are provided, and staff members will create personalized workouts for you as part of the general membership! I get bored pretty quickly, so I find it's a great way to keep things interesting and fresh. The Women's Fitness Center, where I spend most of my time, has lots of cardio and weight machines, as well as a quiet stretching room. read more

Very friendly (and I mean exceptionally friendly and helpful and just plain lovely) staff, great facilities, great programs, weight rooms, and members. read more

Friendly, reasonably appointed in both cardio and weights (both machine and free-weight).

The Downtown Berkeley YMCA is awesome, awesome if you have kids. I drop my kids off at Fit kids (free for 8 yrs and up) and at the child watch (under 8 with addn. fee) and go workout in the the newly remodelled cardio center. My kids LOVE going to the Y, they beg for it. The people that work here are amazing and friendly. The childwatch is huge and has separate areas for babies and kids. They have a little trike race track, a crawl space, a play house, a train table, books, art, etc and a snack area. Fitkids was recently updated and truly has the kids in mind. Exercise bikes are set up with wiifit games for racing, an air hockey table, dancedancerevolution, etc. I used to spend a lot of time in the women's fitness center but kind of like the newly remodelled cardio center so have been hanging out there. There is a big cardio area, free weights, equilinxx weight machines, cycling studio, 2 gyms, 3 pools, 3 studios for dance, yoga, aerobics, etc. It is pretty great. My only complaints are the rug in the women's locker room (gross) and one of the pools is really dark and dreary imo. read more

The renovation of the fitness areas was a big success, IMO. It's more spacious, lighter, and things are arranged more logically. They've also started to buy more conditioning equipment, which is great. So they've gone a long way to improving the things I complained about in my earlier review. read more

Amazing club...and a great space for women to work out as there is an entire area devoted just for women! HIGHLY recommend!

This is mediocrity at its best! A bit of a backhanded compliment but...ya.The Bldg. ,gym, facilities, equipment itself - all good. The people are Grrrrr8! Love instructor Jennifer B. but all staff is cool. The peeps are representative Bazerkly. (haha including me ) read more

Rashad is an excellent guide and he is courteous and made my visit one to remember. He even gave me pointers on lifting techniques as I was working upper body muscle groups. If your ever in the Berkeley area and in need of a YMCA with a warm welcome, ask for Rashad! 5 stars!! read more