Planet Fitness's Black Card enables members to use their gyms around the country. Our center in Ardmore, PA is great however branches in NYC where I live parttime, give me the heebie-jeebies. Dilemma: I'm not keen on working out, but I know I need to. Do I join an expensive gym in Manhattan which would be under-utilized since I come-and-go? I was excited to discover the city-run Constance Baker Motley Rec Center on East 54th Street. They've got a fitness center, gym, track, pool and -- hold onto your hat! -- my annual membership (since I'm a senior citizen) is $25!!! Can you believe it?! Even if you're not old it'll only cost $150 per year. In Manhattan! I've read complaints that seem to permeate the facility. But for my needs -- and I really just joined -- it's great. The fitness room is somewhat antiquated, but has enough of what I want and so far (knock wood) everything works. There's a decent locker room, the staff is polite and the building itself, which dates to 1911, is pretty cool. Curious about the name, I learned that Ms. Motley was an American civil rights lawyer and the first African American woman appointed to the federal judiciary. (I love that the city pays homage to her.) read more

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There hasn't been any heat at the Constance Baker Motley Rec Center for sometime. It's so cold in the building. I can't hold a racquet to play pickleball. My fingers are so cold. Wear a sweater as well. Sent a note on the portal to the commissioner...true to fashion has not responded back. I paid for a membership that I am not able to use since they seem to refuse to get the heat fixed. Staff has communicated the building has no heat...falls on deaf ears. SHAME ON THEM. read more

Check in at the 1st fl was kind a lazy......I've asked about the scheduling if they could give it out or not...they told me to take a pic....(till they asked me to take a pic, I kept asking him at the front several times lol I've never had any issues like that!) Williamsburg location is giving out a paper for everyone! Changing room to the pool, you'll need to use the steps 3fl down to the basement. That's going to be very long steps. pool is cold, a male life guard didn't let us use the long puff!! Although other guy used 2!! (Look at the picture, he's using it) This moody place is hard to get back again. Locker room and showers are pretty good. it's located at good area many restaurants and cafes you might enjoy coming here. using pool, good luck! read more

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i went to swim on a friday. facilities are ok, i honestly dont have too much experience swimming at rec centers though so i dont have too much to compare with. its a bit dirty and i didnt feel super safe leaving my stuff in lockers given all the signs to put locks on. the staff seem organized / stern though read more

Constance Baker Motley Recreation Center - pool - Recreation Centers Near Me - New York, New York

Warning to members, Yesterday I was harassed by lifeguard. I and 1 other person were swimming in narrow 3 lanes section of pool. I waited till she left that lane then switch to her lane and swam to end of the pool. When I got to other end of pool this new woman was standing at the opposite end of pool and waved me to get out of that lane I was in. When I swam to where she was standing she told me that was her lane and I told her I was in that lane first and that I waited and switched into it when I saw the other women getting out of the pool from where she is standing now. The life guard came over and said to me "she was there first and SEE she put her stuff there." I told him I switched into that lane first when I saw the other lady getting out the of pool because I'd been waiting for it. Lifeguard just kept telling me repeatedly that I was having a hissy fit and that I think I own the pool and he bullied me so that I had to stop and get out of the pool. I immediately went to manager and so didn't life guard and he screamed frantically over me several times non stop to manager . Life guard would not let me talk. "He said several times to me and manager that I think I own the pool and I'm having a hissy fit" which in fact that was what he was doing. Manger later denied that lifeguard said that. Manager never corrected life guard or stopped him from using hissy fit slur 3 times. I swim 5 days a week for 2 hours non stop and that disturbs this lifeguard. If she said to me she needed this lane I would've gladly given it to her instead she waved and bullied me out of a lane I waited for 35 minutes for. I use whatever lane is available and given up lanes for people that ask for them and take turns switching lanes. lifeguard bullied and pushed me out of my lane. Also while manager tried several times to stop this woman but she ignored manager and life guard did nothing to help manager to stop or pause this women lifeguard did nothing she did try try several times to stop this women. lifeguard targeted me. He was VERY ANXIOUS TO NAIL ME . He has a problem with me swimming 2 hours non stop every day EVEN when I'm the only 1 in the pool. This was his opportunity to get me. Im courteous to swimmers and normally they're courteous to me. This lifeguard had it in for me and it came to a head today. He ruined my swimming exercise regiment and later smiled about it as he was pleased he was able to get a way with it. When I ask manager to review camera in pool she said they don't work. read more

The staff are especially friendly and helpful. The facilities are great for the price. Can't beat the price and access to locations throughout the five boros. I can't understand what people are whining about on Yelp. read more

My friend and I were walking past the building, liked the architecture deciding to walk-in to see more. Denise White (at front desk) could not have been nicer or more welcoming! She gave us detailed information and took us on a tour. Everyone there knows and loves her too - smiling and waving as she walked by. This is a nice facility with a user-friendly atmosphere and easily affordable (great rates). Not pretentious or arrogant; just people enjoying themselves and wanting to stay in shape, of all ages. I feel Constance Baker Motley would be proud! read more

In my previous review, I complained about asshole employees, people who hog the machines, broken treadmills, eccentric people loitering in the locker room, and cold shower water. Since then, half of those problems have gone away. This douchebag security guard who used to harass me no longer works here. The guy who used to use three machines at once also stopped coming here. They fixed the plumbing and the shower water is nice and warm. Unfortunately, some problems haven't been addressed. The majority of the treadmills are still broken and a few weirdos still use the locker room. Fortunately, those nutjobs keep to themselves. The guy with the foul mouth who talked to himself no longer goes to this gym. This definitely isn't the best gym in the city, but given the price, it's a good deal. read more

***REVIEW FOR POOL ONLY*** One of the greatest things about the New York Public Pools is their variety and their ability to exist in the damndest of facilities. After picking up a lost sweater from a bar in the NYU area, I was going to take the 6 train up to 23rd and see a pool there. But destiny intervened, and my legs simply refused to unfold at the stop, and I found myself at the 51st/53rd stop. Dodging through the broadcloth shirted Midtown East crowd and putting on the blinders to all the wine bars and steakhouses around, I made a beeline up to E.54th, took a right, and headed East until I saw #348, a flat facade of a brick castle. The elevated, oval front desk faced away from the entrance, so I walked around to see two staff members bobbing up and down to the music of a pop/hip-hop radio station. They were quick to help me, though, and point out a shelf of handy schedule printouts for the indoor pool schedule that had started on Sunday 9/11. The guy was nice and let me take my time trying not to look like a total asshat in my membership ID photo. The card was produced on the spot, and I was free to go in. First, I took a peek through the window down two and a half stories at the pool. Only a part of the pool was visible, and I could see one lane cordoned off and a big blue free-for-all elsewhere. "No lanes, huh?" I asked, only to be reminded that it was free-adult-swim until 7 p.m. - the current time was about quarter 'til. Nevertheless, I went into the wide, rectangular locker room. This is actually one of the more neglected locker rooms I've seen. There were changing cabanas, but the benches and waxy curtains were stained to the point that no one was using them, electing to get buck nekked out in the open. The floor itself was okay, but made of large square tiles with grouting in between...and grouting is always gross and creepy no matter what. Several of the lockers were broken, which I found out after putting all my stuff in a defunct one. Signs shouted, "DO NOT LEAVE YOUR WALLET OR MONEY IN LOCKERS," "USE A STRONG LOCK," and such. So much for that... Anyway, I suited up, contorted myself under the shower because its head only reached my boobs (and I'm 5'4" on a good day), then walked out the wrong door to the spectacle of two sweaty men practicing tai chi at the top of the stairwell. Doing an about face, I found the other wetter and therefore dirtier stairwell and descended into the pool area. People were swimming the pool widthwise, and the lifeguard cautioned me that I only had about ten minutes before the pool closed for fifteen minutes before lap swim. I thanked him very much for the info and plunged into the side that was 7 feet deep. All was dim and blue. The shape of this pool was extremely unusual, and therefore thrilling compared to the monotony of other pool floors. The poolside had a platform that cut a square U-shape into the pool, from which extended a 9-foot deep trough. Meanwhile, the rest of the pool progressed from about 4 feet to 7 feet (or 9 feet in the weird middle portion) deep. I'm sure this makes no sense to anyone; you'll just have to check it out. About twenty lengths later, I realized people were leaving. How mellow! I'm not even sure a whistle had been blown. Forced to leave the area, I plopped back up the 2.5 stories up the drafty stairwell and alternated between doing stretches and standing stupidly in the shower to pass the 15 minutes before adult lap swim began. The door to the pool was accidentally locked when I went back down, so one other lady and I had to pound on it with both our palms until the lifeguard let us in, saying, "It's open," when it clearly was not. The pool was amazingly empty, so I split one of the ultra wide three lanes with a super slow lady who was basically floating in some weird apparatus. I felt like I was in "The Cell," minus J-Lo and the endearing serial killer. Or maybe not. Laps flew at first. At 98 lengths per mile, I could get from one side to the other in only two breaths. After a while, though, all the turns and sheer repetition kind of wore me down, and at one point, a contact lense even ejected itself from my eye. Luckily, it was captured in my goggle cup, and I managed not to drop it into the abyss when re-inserting it at the end of the lane. When a few others joined the slow lane, I went to the fast, where I swam all the way at the edge, along where the pool floor dropped into that trough. It was great; except for some mofo in plaid boardshorts who kept grazing me even if there was a TON of room, then stopping every two laps to laze around. I ended in the middle, doing easy backstroke laps since the lengths were so short and the ceiling so full of beams for visual guidance. All in all, spinning 'round this liquid cocoon might make you a bit batty if you do it on a daily basis, but once in a while, it sure is a change of scene and potential confidence booster. If you're lucky, too, it'll be uncrowded. read more

Recreation Center 54 $75/year or $37.5/6 months - access all NY Parks & Recreation Centers *Remember to bring a medium or full-sized towel and strong key lock. Good staff. Indoor pool, indoor track and HS regulation basketball court. Treadmills Ellipticals Steppers Recumbent Bike Upright Bike No power rack 1 x Flat Bench and Incline Bench 1 x Preacher Curl 1 x Smith Machine Limited Selection of Weight Machines Complete Dumbbell Set 5-100 lbs in 5 lb. increments. Abysmal quantity of Olympic Plates. 6-8 x 45s, 35s, 25s, 10s, 5s. Don't remember if they have 2.5s. Powerlifters see Brownsville for three 9 foot closed power racks! Or Thomas Jefferson for two open power racks. Or Asser Levy for one power rack (not recommended for +500 lb. lifts). Olympic Lifters see Lost Battalion Hall for a dedicated instruction and training facilities (additional fee required). read more

I have been using their pool for few years now. When I started, the membership fee was $75 for whole year. A year or two ago, they bumped the fee to $150 per year. Nevertheless, the price is unbeatable considering that its New York City and that you can use any New York City Parks and recreation centers in the City with that membership. The staffs are nice and friendly depending on their mood, which is hillarious. Some days they will greet you from the moment you walk in, and some days they don't even bother to stop their personal conversations and help you unless you wait for a while. The locker rooms are probably the most disgusting I have ever seen. Everything is so old and broken and dirty. You'll see the cleaning lady mopping the floor every now and then, but the facility is so old, it doesn't do her justice. Despite all of that, I don't mind going here for a swim every now and then. The location is very convenient and the price is reasonable. The pool is clean and the water is consistently warm. They have scheduled open and lap swims everyday. The active life guards in duty makes sure that the swimmers are following the rules and staying in the fast, medium or slow lanes based on their speed. read more

It's a nice place, though the staff is iffy. The locker room is big and pretty clean. There're some really cool things about this place: there's an indoor track (small but existent!) and the building is really cool, with high cathedral ceilings. The pool is right out of the 1920's (I imagine) :) The floor zones around the track are too small but it's survivable. I think there's just 1 class room and it's taken every night from what I gather. read more

This review is for the pool only. I am a big fan of this recreation center: it is, surely, not a luxury gym, but it's perfect for the price (NYC parks membership, which gives you access to all recreational centers across the 5 boroughs). The pool is divided into three really spacious lanes, and people usually split them, I only had to circle swim once or twice. This is a luxury you rarely get in NYC pools. If you're lucky, you can sometimes get some natural light coming through the shaded windows, which is a real treat. The vintage building and some of the elements in the interior give this place a nice atmosphere. Locker rooms and showers are decent and clean(ish). The only disadvantage is that the pool is on the small side: especially the middle lane. read more

Review for pool (I went one weekday evening at 8pm) Pool is clean. Because it's small there is very little crowd. Men's locker room is not great but way better than the Chelsea Center. Overall, well worth $75 for 6 months. read more

Only went for the pool. Super tiny, less than half Olympic size in the middle lanes. Not too crowded though, which is nice. Prob won't go back. read more

Recreation Center 54 is a fairly decent sized park and recreational center located in a very nice neighborhood in the charming and lively New York, New York in Midtown East. This park can be accessible from the Queens Midtown Tunnel, Queens Blvd. to the Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge and FDR Drive. Perfectly nestled in Manhattan on the East River adjacent to Roosevelt Island. This park features many parking options. Recreation Center 54 features many engaging amenities, programs and water activities for all ages. This park features opens fields, courts and paved pathways for outdoor activities such as walking, biking, skating, jogging, strolling, soccer and baseball. Also, this park features gyms, dance studios and swimming pools but need regular tlc! read more

Wonderful friendly staff. Pool is beautiful with exceptional lifeguard, Vladimir. Ladies' locker room leaves a lot to be desired, however, and cleanliness is below par. Great yoga class with Terry. Can't beat it at the price, for seniors, $25 per year. I'm lucky, 3 blocks from my home. read more

This place is straight out of the early 20th century. Vaulted ceilings, spiral staircases, and whatnot. It's a little dark and very small. But, it's clean. The indoor track is SUPER tiny, no one was using it a what I call "prime exercise time". In fact, I really liked the fact that the place had a fairly low population. Much easier for me to use the facility. I'll be going back for sure. read more

Extremely rude and unprofessional lifeguard. I tried to ask him a question, and he yelled at me and told me to go back upstairs. Not sure why. And I said to him "Can I just ask you a question?" And he told me to go upstairs again. I said "But I don't want to go upstairs, I just want to ask you something." And he said no. Guess he was just mad I interrupted his Candy Crush Saga. What is he going to tell me if I'm drowning and need help? To go upstairs? read more

My review is for the swimming pool and the locker room. I have been to a few NYC recreation centers. This one by far has the cleanest locker room. The pool never gets extremely crowded and the water temperature seems to always be on point. read more

Great value for health club. Beautiful swimming pool & gym. Equipment is old & men's locker roomiz dismal. Hours not so convenient, but cannot beat price. read more

This is one of the gyms I go to for a decent swim. This location has a pool that graduates from 4ft at the shallow end all the way to 9ft at the deepest end. I really like that its deep, so I can indulge in diving all the way to the bottom. Its rarely ever too crowded, you can almost always ensure you get a spot for yourself to do laps, at worst you might have to rotate around a lane if it gets too busy. They also have a weight room and some machines, but nothing fancy. Definitely give this place a try! read more

Two of the 3 treadmills in the main gym room which has AC have been out of service for months now. It's weird no one complains! The AC doesn't work well on the top floors either. Other than that it's an ok place to workout. read more

Seniors have a right to the gym on the 2nd floor except equipment geared toward the muscle men. There is an old recumbent bike but for a senior it is too hard to get on. So I go up to 3rd floor (3 1-2) to use that recumbent bike (different brand). I need to take the elevator vs. stairs because I am a senior. Now I need to use an elliptical machine and the 3fl has one--2nd floor does not. But most of all I need to use the elevator which is now out of service awaiting the NYC Dept. of Parks to send a service man to repair. It was out week of September 3, September 10, and September 17. As of today, September 19, 2018, it is still out of order. Repair work for any piece of equipment takes a way too long. The flush in the women's bathroom toilet was not functioning properly for a long time before flushometer was fixed. Two walkers on the 3 1-2 floor are still waiting for service for over 6 months. This is unbelievable that all repairs take so long to be done...if done at all. This situation does not deserve a rating. For the safety of all these repairs should be done promptly! read more

4/3/2018 There are some really great things about this place. I go three times a week. Twice a week I go to water exercise class that starts at 6:30 p.m. It is fun, the workout is great and I sleep like a baby after it. Chris (a guy) runs the class, is really nice and does a great job. After two months at the class I feel healthier, stronger and more agile. I almost hate to post this because I don't want the class to get too crowded, but Chris deserves a shout out. The Rec Center is old, but you can't beat the price. I am so glad I found this gem. I am not going to mention the other class, because it is pretty full, but Terry who runs it also deserves a shout out because she is so genuine and the class is excellent. I am grateful to the City of New York for the Rec Center. The place makes me feel that I am getting something terrific for my tax dollars. The locker room and pool are clean. The people are nice. read more

So, maybe compared to the other recreation centers this one isn't bad. (I haven't been to the others though, so I can't really compare.) However, if you want a regular gym membership and think this will do, you're in for a rude awakening. The "track" can only have a max of 3 people running at one time. The place smells like the subway (aka urine) and it's very barebones. If you just want a place to exercise with basics, and don't mind the smell, this is the place for you. read more