I see no reason to not go all the way providing Bow Creek Recreation Center a full 5 stars. It's the newest center in Virginia Beach being completely rebuilt around 8-10 years ago. This was my first visit since it's not in my area. However, I attended a pickleball clinic that was available. Plenty of parking and the area was clean. The center is back in a neighborhood is really the only negative, but not enough to deduct a full Star. There is an outdoor playground at the entrance. It appears a track too! Staff was welcoming when I checked in and directed me to the gym. Bow Creek has a high ceiling entrance of glass. The pool is the first thing you notice. My visit will focus on the gym and clinic. The two staff of Kat and Rob were great providing and overview of the game of Pickleball. I had never played and did not know the rules, the two hour clinic involved actually playing to learn. I walked out with confidence to actually play a game. I'm a huge fan of Virginia Beach Recreation and Bow Creek is a shining example of our new eras of centers. My understanding is others will be renovated/rebuilt over the next 10 years. read more

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Bow Creek recreation center is is a nice surprise. It's not necessarily in a bad neighborhood, but it's nestled into a squarely working class one. As a city recreation center, it's one of several across VAB that offers a gym, pool, classes, event spaces, pickle ball, etc. There is a very nice pool inside when you first enter and they always have activities going on. I recently visited bc I wanted to rent one of their event rooms for a baby shower. I had a bit of an issue at first bc they were short on staff but was able to view the rooms and come back a few days later to sit and write out the paperwork and make payment. The event staff are excellent and it's such a good deal to be able to rent a room here with tables and chairs! They're so easygoing and helpful. I couldn't be happier. My event isn't until April but they furnish as many tables as you need and chairs for 30 people per room - so you can rent the half room with partition up for $45 an hour, or the full room for double with partition down and it fits 60. One of the rooms is larger and a few of them have water views and a small sink. I will update once we have our event but I'm thrilled with the service so far. read more

Bow Creek Recreation Center - Hours. - Gyms Near Me - Virginia Beach, Virginia

The gym on tuesdays is open to volleyball. They just recently started making it to where you have to be 16 or older. This is all because a few adults complained about children who were causing a problem. This caused the people who are well behaved and experienced players to not be able to play. This is wrong and unfair to people who come to the rec to exercise. Some people pay money just to come and play volleyball. This is outrageous. read more

Employees and David Green supervisor is rude and attack members who work together enforcing a fake policy of "perception". A friend asked for emotional support and to share knowledge on using gym equipment - and I was accused of being a "coach" which I explained I was not- I was just a friend helping a friend. He continues to accuse me of being a coach answering "well it's about perception". No- that's not a written policy. He didn't care about written policy. Written policy defines a coach/trainer as certified trainer being paid and training a client without the approval of the rec center. That IS policy- NOT 'perception' - yet now I am "prohibited to return to the location" due to a power tripping supervisor and their employees working off PERCEPTION. Let's not permit these employees to continue abuse their power and treat us like this. I'm calling out the director of the rec center to address this issue and appropriately enforce written policy- which PERCEPTION is NOT written policy. David Green should NOT be supervisor and enforcing FAKE policy. Read the other reviews below multiple complaints on rude staff and multiple complaints identifying a consistent and signifiant issue on employees not knowing or understanding the policy and regulations! Maybe because it has to do with leadership enforcing MADE UP policy which is NOT written policy. Let's make a change! do better Bow Creek read more

I came to Bow Creek because my local rec center was closed for maintenance. The gym has everything that one would need for a workout - plenty of free weights, about 8 or 9 treadmills, a couple of stairclimbers, and weight machines. I thought the layout for the weight room was nice for a conducive workout. I probably went during an offf-time because there were very few people in the weight room, which was great for me. Since the weight room and cardio machines are upstairs, I was a bit annoyed that there was not a water fountain on the upper level - maybe there was, and I missed it. *However, I will say that's my fault for leaving my water bottle in the car.* While I did not swim, the pool looked a little smaller than expected. The treadmill section of the weight room overlooks the swimming pool so one can look at the pool running crushing their miles. *Perhaps, being on the upper level made the pool area look smaller.* Also, I thought it was a bit strange that the locker rooms did not lead directly into the pool area because you have to walk through a hallway to enter the pool. However, that's not a big deal (at least for me.). Although I did not have significant interactions with the staff, the front desk clerk seemed nice. She greeted me by my first name (and even verified that she said it correctly) when I checked in. read more

The staff is super nice and the facilities are very clean and they have a whole range of classes for all ages. They have an amazing kids area where they can play games and have a great time. read more

These people are great! The recreation centers can never be clean enough but I guess it's the nature of the beast. read more

Bow Creek Recreation Center - Yoga. - Gyms Near Me - Virginia Beach, Virginia

Had my daughter at the fitness class area since kids weren't aloud in the weight room. They rudely told me and my daughter to leave with no clear explanation. She was not in the weight room. Just racist probably. read more

*** Gym Review Only *** So I have been to this location twice now in the past year. I only visit this Rec center location when my go to rec center (Kempsville) has maintenance week going on. The gym area is definitely much smaller than the Kempsville one and easily gets busy if there are more than 25 people in this one area. It does have all the things I need though for a work out free weights, upper body machines, etc. You do have to go up a set of stairs to get to this gym area... but it's a pre workout before your actual work out! Check in is easy and the parking lot is fine. Just glad this isn't my go to gym because I would have to go during odd times to avoid the gym being too busy and waiting for a machine or a bench. read more

I love all of the Virginia Beach parks and rec centers. They have been a big part of my life and my children's lives. This location is renovated and nicely so. Very clean and modern looking from the exterior. Inside you have high ceilings and great lighting. Staff members are there to help as soon as you walk in. Pamphlets are provided for extra info. Parties can be held here which I've attended a few. My daughter did school swimming lessons here. I love that they partner with the schools for child care and lessons. read more

Bow Creek Recreation Center - Gyms Near Me - Virginia Beach, Virginia

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This was the Taj Mahal of recreation centers compared to what we have in Lakeland, Florida. We were visiting good friends in VA Beach for a week and had to go play some pickleball and weights or else suffer withdrawals (LOL).WOW! Indoor lap/ swimming pool with tube slide for the kids to boot and and upstairs weight/ exercise machines on par with any new LifeTime Fitness etc.. When we are back in VA this will be our go to Rec Center. Thank YOU! read more

I came here from out of town for my nephew 1st birthday party. I kind of wish that we had this kind of rec center where I live at. We rented a party room and had it for 3 hours which was perfect for a one year old party. Inside the rec there were a game room which we could not play in due to it being rented out. There was a basketball gym which my nephew used while we was there and a nice pool that had different things. I also saw a gym and this is a popular place to host parties because it was a lot of rooms full. read more

Goodness! My husband and I loved coming here to workout and use the swimming pool! Loved how everything was new, and well kept! Hours were good for a rec center, and the staff was always friendly and helpful! This seems to be more of a family type rec center, lots of kiddos, but for $100 a year, it's great for our family! Definitely recommend! read more

My husband and I have been going to this gym for about four months now. We pay$14 for a month for residential price and if you want the whole year, it is $114. I believe that the price is pretty affordable. The gym is a nice sized gym but the pool is a bit small if you are an avid swimmer. The weight room is a bit small but has everything you will need. So far I come here in the evenings and the amount of people varies. Sometimes it is packed and sometimes there are less people. The staff is really friendly and will answer any questions that you may have. Pros: has the right amount of equipment, Professional staff Clean Modern feel A lot of programs Cons: I wish they had yoga in the evenings read more

I joined the Rec center a few months ago. I am thrilled that the group fitness classes are included in the membership. I love the yoga classes! Yin yoga, chair yoga, restorative yoga & more! I am more than getting my moneys worth. #lovevb read more

Bow Creek is my favorite out of all the VB rec centers because of the newness of the facility and the proximity to my apartment. While Great Neck is closer, I primarily take classes so I prefer Bow Creeks schedule and offerings. I take Body Pump on Mondays and Wednesdays with Lisa and Bill, respectively. They are two of my favorite instructors as they keep my energy up, even when I'm sweating from my elbows to my thighs. The class has really transformed me while I'm on my fitness journey. I would highly encourage anyone to take this class, especially with these instructors. The classroom is large with lots of fans and good ventilation to keep the room from getting stuffy. Even in a crowded class, you have more space than some of the other centers offer. The staff is a mixed bag. Some people are very friendly and speak every time I see them. Some are too involved in their own conversations to even acknowledge the people around them. read more

Today I did body pump with Bill l. He's like a handsome Santa Claus with guns on each arm lol the class is an hour long with different techniques using deadlifting and bar exercises to give you a full body workout. My heart rate started to rise in the warm up so that was surprising. I've always said I don't like group but I'm doing not of what I don't like. ( FUN FACT: I used to be able to only eat cooked peppers , uncooked peppers are pretty good with a little ranch ANYWHO) I liked this class because you were doing so much the time went by pretty quickly. Everything could be modified or intensified. There were all levels of people in this class so everyone is welcome and there were also some regulars. I plan to come back Bow Creek has more drop in fitness classes throughout the week and weekend that I want to try so I'm excited. Woot woot ! read more

Bow Creek Recreation Center - Open gym area - Gyms Near Me - Virginia Beach, Virginia

I haven't been to this rec center even though it's vloser to my house but now I came here more often now because they changed their schedule for the gym, and I appreciate that. They used to have open gym for members under 17 so I couldn't use it but now they are just open gym. However, same thing on the pool. Only 1/4 of the pool is available for adults to swim. The fitness room is too hot but their machines are new, so it's kinda ok. Also, I don't think the constructor did a good job on the spacing of this rec center. read more

i don't like the staff here. one day it was adult ball and only one court was being played on so i asked the lady if i could play on the open court, and she said no because the court was taken. There was nobody on the court read more

Don't even waste your time going here. This is a forgotten about rec center in Virginia Beach. If you want to workout instead of wait your turn for a machine, you need to go to one of the larger facilities (Great Neck, Bayside or the fancy Princess Anne Rec). At this rec, you actually have to sign up to use a machine and you could be waiting a half an hour to go into the postage-stamp sized room to work out. There are no designated aerobics rooms, but a large activity room is used for group exercise. They offer mostly senior classes. The facility is beyond a face lift. A drive further to a newer facility is well worth your time. read more

This place would be a great value and it's a really nice facility but if you forget your card they make it impossible for you to work out. They wouldn't let my daughter play basketball because she didn't have her rec card on her which makes absolutely no sense if you know that she is a member. read more

I really enjoy coming to the Bow Creek Rec center and swimming with my 2 best friends for 2 hours the staff are really friendly thank you Bow Creek for making my friends and I experience always awesome Sincerly Brady McPherson Age 16 read more

This is a nice rec center for the area. It's not big, but it is clean and easy to get around. I joined after enjoying a week of free group fitness classes. Sign up took less than 20 minutes including the tour of the facility. My experience with the staff has been pleasant. Whenever I leave they always say goodbye and when it's not crowded you can expect to be greeted. The classes are fantastic and the weight room is never too crowded that you can't get a decent workout. My only complaints are that parking can be challenging and the group fitness room is always hot! Whoever designed that area missed an opportunity. Other than that I really like it here. read more

I've been to all the Rec Centers in Virginia Beach. I've been a member to Virginia Beach Rec Centers since I've moved to this city. Although, this is the newest remodeled Rec Center, it is the smallest. Prices have gone up year after year, and possibly multiple times during some years. It used to be cheaper for a Rec Center pass than any gym membership. Although, now I'm considering getting an actual gym membership as the prices are close to equivalent. I just turned 26 this year, so hopefully no offense is taken when I say, the Rec Centers are flooded with OLD people. The reason for just 2 stars on this review - I go to work out early in the morning, I play basketball as my warm up. And for the past few months, they stopped allowing me to play ball in the morning(even when there are absolutely zero people on the basketball courts) because it's "old people walking time" for the first few hours in the morning.. How ridiculous is that. They've said old people go to the front to complain that basketballs get in their way while they walk. It's a damn basketball court. What do they expect?! I'm not sure if this "rule" applies with other Rec Centers in Virginia Beach, but Bow Creek is currently the one I go to before work.. for now. read more

Definitely a fan of this rec center. Just recently moved and now this is the closest one to my house. Clean locker rooms/bathrooms. Not too busy when I went so no wait for the treadmills. Has everything you're looking for in a rec center. read more

The New bow creek rec center had me very excited after the new remodeling of the building. I was very disappointed when I saw the weight room. Very small and seems very amateur. I then went to the pool area which was divided up into very strange sections but very good pool area. There was a lifeguard that was very rude and stared me down in the locker room like I owed him money. His poor people skills and rudeness had left me with a sour taste in my mouth. The locker room and showers were very nice. The basketball courts are very big. This deserved a 3 rating cause of prestigious locker room and basketball courts. I would not go back cause of the gym and that one lifeguard. read more

We decided to visit this new rec center today, being that I have the kids for spring break. It is a newer center and the building itself is great, but I did not find the staff to be pleasant or friendly. The staff appeared to be bored and not as informative as I'd like. We waited for over 10 minutes just to sign the kids up as guest and pay the day fee for them; which I thought was reasonable but we were not offered the option to sign them up for a monthly pass, we weren't informed about activities going on, or anything. It's like the self check out line at Wal Mart. The staff all seemed to be on sit down duty, no one offered help, information, directions, or any information of what the kids could do while we were there. We got more information from the website then inside the location. We found our way to the locker rooms, which were clean, and made our way to the pool. Fairly crowded with unsmiling lifeguards who barley communicated with any guest unless a child was doing something they didn't approve of. We had a good time within our group but the atmosphere did not seem welcoming or friendly. Staff seemed as if they were very young and there just because they had to be. There were several birthday parties, and I noticed several people looking to be accommodated but no luck. After the pool we made our way to the game room and was playing for about 20 minutes before a staff member came in and turned off the air table that the kids were playing on, demanding their day passes. I watched how she spoke to them from the corner then approached her with the passes and asked her to turn the table back on. I feel it was rude and the kids should not have to be approached in such a manner because she wasn't in the room when we arrived, to do her job in a timely manner. She could of asked in a more professional and kid friendly way. This is not a location I would leave my kids at and feel that they were in good hands. They seemed as if they were all doing there sit down work and could care less about people after they arrived. There were to many kids there for them to have not kept an upbeat attitude and atmosphere. I didn't have a great visit and will probably continue my rec center experience at the other locations, I don't care how old they are. The older the better, I'm sure they'll be more experienced in customer service......Great job Mike on your customer follow up in a timely manner. I'll be deleting this review after my second visit here. The manager did call and apologize and say they take customer service very serious and he will look into it. Requested that I give them another try and I will do just that and hopefully write a better review. read more

The negative reviews you read were from the OLD Bow Creek Rec center. They totally tore it down and did it up from scratch, so it appears. It's a beautiful, awesome, state of the art building now. Gorgeous workout room that over looks the pool area. It's a smaller rec center, but VERY beautiful. They have a smaller zero entry area in the pool, for the kiddies, too with a mini splash area. So it's not a larger Rex center, but probably the most beautiful rec center, by far, now. read more

More of a dumping place for parents to drop off their kids. Came here today with my two young grandchildren. The kiddie pool is full of older children and they will not let the little kids play on the rafts. My 6 year old Grandson was told he was too old for the kiddie slide but the 10 and 12 year olds can play on the kiddie rafts. Go figure. The game room is 50% smaller due to summer camps going on. It consists of 1 air hockey table, 2 game systems, a pool table and a stand up game. The basketball court is full of older kids and no available basketballs due to the older kids. The man behind the table is yelling at the older kids about their language because the curse words are flying freely. At least he's getting on them. There's a bunch of kids just hanging out on the bleachers doing nothing. And there are older boys in the hallway yelling the F word and telling young girls who walk by that they would " like to eat their bootie." Yeah not too family oriented. I wouldn't leave a kid here unattended for anything. This is a lawsuit waiting to happen. read more