Avoid this gym if you have other options. Unfortunately for me, this gym is right next to my work and the only option in the near vicinity. Cons: 1) Unable to keep their AC working. Since I've been a member (year and a half), it has broken no less than ten times between the workout areas and the locker rooms. It's an old building, and they never seem to get it fixed properly so it doesn't break again. 2) They cancel group ex classes without notice, just a sign once you walk in the door, which is too late if you're already there! They don't even cancel it on the website. 3) Most of their good trainers have left, and any new ones typically don't last long. They do not replace classes when an instructor leaves. If they do, it's typically a lower caliber class. 4) The machines are incredibly close to each other. Also, the ceiling is low. If you're on an elliptical, you will most likely be blinded by big lights above your head. There is even one elliptical machine that has legitimately 3 inches of clearance with the ceiling. 5) The stretching area is WAY too small, leaving you with little room to do free weight exercises only stretch and get out of there ASAP. 6) Toilets in the women's locker room (I can't attest to the men's) are pretty gross. They don't flush properly, and the handles are always soaking wet. I'm not sure why, but it's so nasty I've taken to flushing using my feet. 7) Overall locker rooms are dated, tiny, and always soaking wet. The locker room connects to the pool, so be prepared for perpetually wet socks and slippery floors. There are only two small benches to put your things. This is very quickly overrun especially when there are many children in the small space, mixed with swimmers tracking the pool across the space. Pros: 1) Relatively low priced (although my $10/month at Planet Fitness was a much better spend) Would rather spend more money for a gym that was actually fixed up with reliable and challenging group ex classes. 2) Locally convenient for me to get to, as there are no other options in the Navy Yard. read more

The Charlestown Y is the best. Sure, the selection of workout equipment is limited, and the basement (where the fitness classes, locker rooms, and basketball court is) smells musty - but the people are nice, the location is excellent, and the price is right. The sauna is an added bonus; that baby really cranks [160 F]. Nick read more

We have been members here since at least 2011 and love it. We are both active triathletes, so it is really important that it has all the training tools for that sport. The price is perfect, the classes are great, and the pool is great too. I've participated in the Master's Swim class (which is awesome) and my husband has taken part in swim lessons. I love how they are open on the weekends and pretty late in the evening during the week. I do wish they were open a little later on Saturdays so I could go after work. I'm thinking about signing up for some personal training to jump start my fall fitness. Don't expect the fancy pants gym...expect something clean, friendly and useful for even serious athletes at a price everyone can afford. Can't imagine paying cross-fit fees... read more

I decided to get a day pass here back in March and I've been coming back since! I was intimidated by older reviews, but this facility is great. There are many cardio machines (at least 2 of each with a dozen treadmills), a fair number of weighted machines, and a few benches in the barbell area. The stretching area upstairs is quite small, but when there are no classes, the downstairs room has plenty of space and equipment for floor work. The locker rooms always have soap, available lockers, and are in good repair. Generally cleaned up, good water pressure in the showers, they just bought new shower curtains! The pool is nice, clean and inviting with friendly guards. People are very respectful of the shared space, including the kiddos with swim lessons or open swim! The sauna is truly lovely down by the pool, it runs hot and never too crowded. There haven't been any AC issues that I've known about and I'm a pretty frequent flyer. The hours are solid, 6a-9p during the week (though they do change so check their site) and mornings on the weekends. This community center is always hopping, but never too busy even with the post-work crowd. Water bottle refills are a nice time-save too. There are plenty of disinfectant wipes around the facility, though a bit questionable how often people use them. Overall a good fit for me, since I can swim my heart out! read more

It's an ok gym that is great for a quick workout - do not expect anything fancy or much equipment - it's just enough to get by. It is great to have a gym in this location of Boston that is easily accessible. read more

Love love love this gym! The group exercise classes are FABULOUS. The instructors are so nice and so dedicated. I especially love Sinceree's On the Ball Class; She is so helpful, and pushes you to really be your best! The location so convenient, staff is very friendly, and although the facility is small, it's well maintained, and always feels clean. read more

I've belonged to gyms all over Boston and for me this is the best both in absolute terms and value. In absolute terms: they have all the equipment of any gym and fitness instructors and excellent group classes; plus they have a full sized pool and basketball court. In value terms you can't beat the price. The weight room is adequate but small. read more

Great gym with a great value. Highly recommend for anyone local.

This is all you need in a gym! Staff is lovely, location is great and I love their mission. During the summer months when I was marathon training (outdoor runs mostly), I actually did not come to the Y the entire season, but I never thought about canceling or suspending; I had no problem at all giving $30/month to this great resource for Charlestown's community and youth. The weights area is kind of crowded, i like doing body weight work outs in the basketball gym, which is often vacant read more

Not a regular, but came to try a workout class (Strength & Conditioning). The class was fun, used various equipment, and the instructor, Meghan was great. I've tried many classes at different YMCA branches, and this was one of my favorites. Also, free parking, and had no issue getting a spot. The location is in the beautiful Navy Yard which is a plus as well. read more

I've been a member for nearly two years now after a Groupon for a free month a while back. This location is great, the exercise classes are my favorite, especially weekend morning Zumba classes with Lelys!! The location is equally as beautiful, sometimes just walking around the Navy years before a workout is a great way to get your blood pumping. Parking can be an issue (it's all street parking and meters, no designated lot), but I'm usually able to find something. The weight and cardio areas are a good size too, especially since some renovations over the winter. read more

Equipment is kinda dirty. AC has been broken for months and there's no air circulation which isn't ideal when working out. Ceilings really low. Staff is great! read more

A typical gym in a city environment: pros: - it has a variety of features that your average gyms do not have (i.e., pool, sauna, basketball court, group class area that can be utilized when no classes are in progress. -the number and variety of classes appeals to a a variety of individuals. cons: -the locker room is shared between swimmers and gym users, so that if you are not a swimmer, you have to deal with puddles all over the locker room, making it difficult to change without stepping into water. -parking is pretty limited so that the gym mostly appeals to individuals who live a walking distance away. when you add the cost for meter parking to the membership, all of a sudden this does not look like that good of a value anymore. they charge for towels, which added to the cost of the parking makes this actually as or more expensive that going to a boston sports club or a similar tier gym. -the free weight area is tiny and looks very crowded as soon as there are 6-7 people inside. there is only one set of each dumbbell weight, making it very difficult to work out most of the time. -there are constantly leaks in the ceiling, which would not be that big of a deal, except that most of the times, they do not get addressed for a looong time. you will usually see large trash cans all over the place capturing the leaking water for weeks without a repair being made. -with the before mentioned city environment comes the other "typical" city stuff like screaming and swearing teens and theft issues (they actually had to hire a security guard who walked around and gave people dirty looks until the theft issues stopped) read more

First Y I have ever joined and was pretty surprised by how much I like it! Has just enough equipment and if you go late in the day (7:30-8) it will not be crowded. Really wish they had a stair master though - if they did I'd give them 5 stars. The women's locker room is always clean and was recently remodeled. The front desk associates can be grumpy but don't take it personally. The younger staff are more personable and inviting. read more

Love this place. Close to home. not crowded. great new equipment. It's no frills, so please don't go expecting some slick shiny glossy, meat market. it's simple, and it's a gym, just what i need, people go there to actually work out. love it. read more

Definitely a great gym. The employees are very friendly and the other members are nice as well. They recently did some renovations that really improved the place. The equipment is new and well laid out. It is certainly the place to exercise if you live in Charlestown. read more

Love this YMCA. I'm a nearly life-long member of the YMCA, I'm committed to their mission of being a resource to their local communities - not just a gym. One great thing about the YMCA is that you can use your membership at most other YMCAs. While my primary6 membership is Hanover, I work in Boston and use this Y almost daily. The gym is compact but has everything you need and rarely have to wait for a machine or cannot get a spot in a class. Great spin program, boot camps and other classes also well rated. Staff are friendly and helpful, locker rooms updated and clean. . read more

The gym is small and always crowded. The pool and sauna is downstairs and often closed which can be frustrating because when the pool is closed they don't allow access to the sauna that is still in working order. And to be honest the sauna is the only real upside to this tiny terrible gym. Equipment is halfway decent but for the money you spend you could afford to buy your own equipment. The only reason to join this gym is location. If you don't live close don't bother. read more

I've been a member for several years now. I swim only. I'm reasonably satisfied. My major complaint -- and it's a big one -- is that when there are unplanned closures of the pool they make no effort at all to inform the membership. They don't send out emails. They don't even keep the schedule on the web site current. Several times now I have made the trip to the Y and discovered only when I arrived that the pool was closed. I drive from Arlington, so the lost time is considerable, at least an hour. If they would get there act together about keeping the membership informed I would be pretty happy with them. read more

It's cheap and convenient as it's very close to where I work. Beyond that, I can think of no reason to stay, and am contemplating canceling my membership and paying more to access a gym that is clean and well maintained. The A/C isn't reliable. I expect a gym to smell a little from time to time with people working out, but this place reeks of mold. The men's locker room is disgusting - floors are rarely clean, half the lockers are falling apart, showers have mediocre pressure, toilet area needs more cleaning. read more

I love this Y, it has everything I need and it is a great deal. Here are my concerns, the staff is friendly but do nothing but socialize at the front desk. They should put more effort into picking up the towels and trash left in the locker rooms, encourage people to clean the machines and be a little more diligent about who comes in. I see many people come in without scanning a card. This is only meant as constructive criticism. Much of this may be a result of under staffing at times. read more

This place is well-run, the staff are friendly and helpful, and they have a terrific tae kwon do teacher who is good with adults of all ages as well as kids. The class size is small enough for students to get individual attention when they need it and it's a great twice-a week workout. read more