Before I begin let me start off by saying that this review is based solely upon my personal experiences and my personal experiences alone, so without further delay let's begin!... I have passed this location a thousand times or so ( there may be a slight exaggeration in the amount of times I stated ) and today was a great day to stop in!. I wanted to see what this particular location had to offer as well. I walked in and asked if there was an indoor track to walk/run on? The employee at the front desk as soon as you walk in to your left said there was not an indoor track and wanted to know if I wanted a tour of the facility. Of course I said yes, why not?. He showed me where everything was at, the outside pool, the room where you take classes and also the weight room along with the location of the men's and ladies room and the locker rooms as well.. I didn't get a chance to snap any pictures because he was brief during the walkthrough. I would visit this location again, but next time I will know that there is no indoor track to do my cardio workouts, but there is everything else available here for all your other workout needs! I will recommend and return here!. Thank you for reading!.. read more

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After all these years, I still love it here! I love the small and friendly atmosphere of this center. The location is perfect for me as well. It's located right off the exit and only a stop light separates me getting back on the exit...super convenient to home. They have recently added an outdoor playground in the past year or two... great addition. I absolutely love it when the weight room is pretty much empty. The weight room consists of free weights, a Smith Machine, a couple of benches, cardio machines and weighted machines. While this isn't the best center in the world to someone who appreciates the simplicity of a workout center... this is your place to be. The parking lot can get a bit tight, but I have never had a issue with parking. I am usually in and out in 30 minutes. A few years ago I enrolled my daughter in their Summer Camp... very super active children. But one year in that camp was enough for my child. Instructor classes are offered throughout the week and on weekends as well. Check the schedule or ask an employee for a listing. There's only an outdoor pool here... The sauna is unisex and super small. Have fun and enjoy life :) read more

Effingham Street YMCA - What a difference 4 years can make... it's a lifestyle - Gyms Near Me - Portsmouth, Virginia

This place is amazing it was my first time going we were really looking for a place to go to since we are having a vacation and this place was top notch.friendly staff,good service and great things to do for the kids and it's overall very welcoming! read more

Took my friends to open house, the manager at this site never recognize my guess. She was so busy dancing and socializing with her friends, that's not good for the company .I took several people to join however they preferred to visit Taylor Bend. Also even though it was open house no one asked if they where members or intererested in becoming a member ,so after the affair we went to the Western Branch location. They joined and received there membership packets and cards. We did speak with Ms. Jackie and she was very welcoming. The manager was so busy dancing and entertaining her friend these members said they will not be returning to this site. I was very disappointed because I really enjoy visiting different locations read more

Effingham Street YMCA - Open house - Gyms Near Me - Portsmouth, Virginia

5 stars why not? 1st off great experience when you go to the pool on a Saturday afternoon and there are not only any kids running around unattended, there are no kids at all. Lol, the lifeguards could give my kids private lessons for the next hour and a half. We could have our own private pool party. Quick RSVP and get over here ASAP! Pros and cons of no other kids. My kids have to play with each other or fight with each other. The front desk lady and lifeguard let me know that the weekends are the best time to avoid the crowds at the pool. I know our home pool is most definitely packed. This pool does not have any bells or whistles like the other pools we have visited. No slide or spray park. No bbq area as some of the other Y's have as well. We changed in the locker room then walked through the hallways past front desk to the outside pool. I did see their are bathrooms (and maybe changing rooms) and showers. The locker room was smaller and they have a co-ed steam room. A nice park bench in the locker room to take a break on. This Y seems clean just smaller and definitely arranged differently than others I have visited. Membership does have its benefits. Which Y is best? Who has the best outdoor pool? Depends on what your looking for. Quiet and personal is nice though. My kids could have brought all their bath toys and we wouldn't of had to worry about sharing them. read more

Effingham Street YMCA - Pool to ourselves! - Gyms Near Me - Portsmouth, Virginia

It has been more than a minute since I was here last, and maybe there Was a Reason. Today's Yoga group with Mrs. Ruth was a nice return experience, until Zumba Bulldozed in. Carry over or not. Where is the Professional Courtesy? NOT HOT read more

Effingham Street YMCA - Current schedule, or classes for November. - Gyms Near Me - Portsmouth, Virginia

Wow! A tacky laminated message taped on every cardio machine? Is that really necessary? What a turn-off! I felt as if I were working out in a high school gym. We had all kinds of messages and demands taped everywhere in an attempt to maintain order among a bunch of rambunctious teenagers. Here's the message that was posted on every cardio machine: "Cell phone use is prohibited in the fitness area. You may take your conversation to the hallway or locker room. Thank you for your cooperation." I'm a 40 year old educated professional. I do not need to be told where to take my conversation. I have my cellphone to listen to my music. You will not find me chatting on my phone while working out and I have never seen this take place in any of the YMCAs that I've frequented. I have been in almost every YMCA in the 757 and this is the only facility that has these messages taped to the cardio machines. I have never witnessed people talking extensively on their cellphones in the workout area. If this does happen, all that needs to be done is for the attendant in the workout area to simply remind that individual to refrain from holding conversations there. This should be done in a professional manner, of course. It is as simple as that. A sign in the cardio and weight area with a simple message "Cell phone use is prohibited in the fitness area." is all you need. Don't insult our intelligence by adding where we can take our conversations and placing these messages on every machine. How ridiculous! These tacky messages taped on the cardio machines need to be removed. I don't want to look at that every time I check my status on my machine. If cell phone use is a serious problem at this facility where members are chatting away on their phones as they workout, then enforce the message by monitoring the cardio and weight areas more closely. Don't punish everyone who uses the machines by having these messages constantly in their face as they workout. It's annoying. Another suggestion: If you happen to be on the phone and notice someone is waiting to be served, please kindly acknowledge the person or ask the person on the phone may you please put them on hold for one second so that you can request additional assistance at the front desk. When I entered the facility, the attendant was on the phone and I waited close to 5 minutes before she acknowledged me. So, I picked up my Happy Birthday email for my gift and said, I'll come back after my workout. When I returned to the front desk, the attendant was on the phone and again, I stood there and waited. She was friendly and she did apologize for the wait. Unfortunately, they were out of the Happy Birthday gifts. Oh well, I'll simply get it from another Y. read more

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Had a great greeting from the staff this morning..The woman that runs the front desk in the morning..Man does she rock..Always, always pleasant..And always says good morning...She had some very informative info to share with me about one of the programs that's offerd at this location which was very helpful..People like her sets the bar very high for other competing fitness centers...In closing I thanked her and she said sure no problem we care about our members..And ended it with a very warm hug...Lovvvveee it!!! read more

The absolute WORST Ymca in Hampton Roads. I havent been here in about 8 months due to horrible past experiences that I had to call the corporate office about so when my friend suggested we go there to play basketball for one hour I was reluctant but soon caved as time was fleeting. Upon arrival we were greeted with the front end associate carrying on a personal conversation on the phone as if we were not standing there so after what seemed like forever, I said,"excuse me we would like to check in." She then turned the key tag machine around so we could scan our cards but never once got off the phone. So we went in the gymnasium at 8pm and at around 8:30pm someone turns the lights out! So we were forced to stop playing even though the gym doesn't not close until 9:00pm! This has happened in the past at this location because the employees are so lazy they want to shut everything down 30 minutes prior to closing so they can leave at precisely 9pm which is not my problem. I pay my monthly membership and I just like everyone else deserve proper treatment. I am seriously considering canceling my membership. Also the employees in the workout area are rude, can never seem to be found when needed and the play area is not good for older children. If I could give this place zero stars I would. read more

So I don't frequent this particular YMCA like the others in the area, however I think that it is pretty good. It is VERY small, so if you intend on lifting, you might want to look at another YMCA as this one is very limited as to the type of machines and amount. Whenever I come here it is very early in the morning and of the small amount of people there I would say 98% of them are on the cardio machines. I cannot speak on peak times since I choose to come here in the early morning on my way into work. The staff however is extremely friendly and accommodating. I have not been to any classes and honestly won't be able to attend due to the time that I arrive, so I cannot speak on that. But the machines are in good working order and around the facilities are clean for the most part. I say that because I use the female locker rooms and it just appears as though the showers need a little bit more attention in regards to wiping them down better (random hairs, etc...and with me being there that early in the morning I highly doubt that someone came before me and showered but it's possible). Anyways, I would recommend to family and friends. read more

Had the most unpleasant phone experience with the manager. Very rude and generally unhelpful. Will definitely taking my business elsewhere. read more