YMCA-YWCA Of Greater Victoria

Love the Y!

Love what they have done through the pandemic ... the staff are clearly all knowledgeable of the latest public health measures AND are friendly about making sure the customers follow them!

Also, super appreciate the vibes at this location - you can tell that quality to the customers is prioritized!

Y for life!

Well, after almost 3 years I was forced to give up membership due to COVID mandates which I refused to go along with, (getting jabbed), because I care about my health, and it didn't seem right. My membership was taken on the first of Oct. from my bank, but as of the 13th. I was not allowed in. When I asked if I would be refunded for the half month fee, I was told no. They kept it. I go to a new and more updated gym now which is cheaper, 24hrs., more modern building, and newer machines. Much happier and saving money too.

Big supporter of the Y's. Nice facility. Big Hot Tub. Big Steam Room. Very small Suana. I was in the " Plus " section. Didnt use the pool this time . I enjoyed a Hot Chocolate and a Date Square after my visit. Very good !
Staff were very freindly and attentive. Free Wifi too.

Pool is okay. But the City pools are just as good and cheaper... and include a hot tub. This particular YMCA/YWCA doesn't have a hot tub for women, only for men (in the men's elite-membership locker room). This is 2015 and the Y is supposed to be committed to equality. Surely you could upgrade your facility so all amenities are equally available to all?!

This is the main thing preventing me from getting a membership here. It sucks, because I live close the Y (have to take the bus to get to any City pool) and it would be super convenient. But I love ending a lap swim session with a few minutes in a hot tub. :-( Sorry YWCA.

DON'T JOIN!

The Greater Victoria Y has just sold their current building and they will stay at the same location for another 7 years until they find a new location. No wonder the management is doing nothing to fix any problems when it comes to any maintenance issues!

My family joined the Victoria Y 3 years ago because of the swimming pool but very disappointed with the pool temperature. The pool management/coordinator (Lydia Sielopp) never bothers to address the issue.

They closed the pool for 3 weeks in June for maintenance and now the pool temperature is extremely cold for the past few weeks. Some members already complained to the front desk but the management is so laid back they do nothing about it. My wife complained to Lydia through an email, she advises her to do laps in a little pool (less than 3 feet in height, not more than 15 feet long, and the pool temperature is almost like being in whirlpool. Frankly, anyone who has any common sense would not have made that kind of suggestion).

They put the temperature tester on the surface of the water instead of the bottom of the pool. They claimed that the pool temperature is 82, in fact it is the room temperature, not the actual water temperature.

Too bad I have been a member of the Y since 2000 in Ontario before moving here but this Y really gives me horrible experience.

By the way, do not assume the Y is as clean as you think. I caught a male cleaning attendant who was using the floor mop to clean the surface area of the hand washing sinks......it was totally gross! I wonder what kind of training the Y provide to their employees!

The person who runs the swimming pool should look for another employment opportunity that will tolerate her work attitude.

I would not have given them one star rating if ZERO star is available!

Needed a gym for a long-term project going on in downtown so I signed up at the Y for the 18-24 year old "young adult" rate which comes out to about $29/month. The adult rate is $37/month.

In terms of equipment, many of the treadmills have personal TVs, and the free weight and machines are in good condition. The clientele is either much older individuals or young people in the evening. The gym is never too full when I venture over in the morning or at night.

For my needs, the gym works. Several of my co-workers take advantage of some of the included classes such as spinning and hip hop, all of which are included in the membership fee.

There is a GoodLife Fitness a couple blocks over that I'm curious to see the pricing for -- I have a feeling there may be a contract required, boo. It looks like more of a commercialized fitness chain much like a Bally's in the States.

I cancelled my membership today after 5 years, the machines are nice, people from all walks of life and almost all are friendly(ish). I would run into old work acquaintances, people who lived in my apartment and I would see many of the same Y staff. I would receive a quick glance away many times to the point I began to think something is wrong with me.

The whole area around the YMCA has changed over the past 10 years. More families are moving in along with younger white men and women. The YMCA can argue about not having a "Gym Attitude" but it does, it might not be as "douchey" as other gyms but that arrogance is still there among its clientele who feel good that the money is being used for some white liberal do gooder cause.

YMCA helped transform my life I was overweight and sick when I joined and over the course of 2 years I lost 80 pounds. I have seen a few other brown or black people join and within a 2-4 months they would be gone. Where I don't know but I would love to find out! Don't get me wrong many international students and a handful of brown and black people.

Like a relationship coming to an end you wake up one day or like me, you're on a exercise bike, you look up at the television which is playing some old HGTV, you look down thinking "just 10 more minutes get through this workout" but you look around at the sea of white faces and you think of all the passive aggressive old people, the snobby young women and gay roid monkeys and think "fuck it!" It's time to move on and find another gym with weights, treadmills, and a gym culture I can fit into.

I love the Y in so many ways...

Included with my membership is access to spinning classes (3 a day!), a plethora of free dance, yoga, pilates, and cardio classes (offered all day long), a pool, a good selection of all the necessary cardio machines (bikes, rowing machines, elliptical trainers, treadmills, stair climbers), weight rooms, basketball and squash courts,... the list goes on and on. I also pay a small extra fee for a couple of registration-only yoga classes - these are the most affordable yoga classes in Victoria, and are taught by the most highly qualified and wonderful teachers.

The Y is an exceptional resource, and I'm grateful for it.

Sadly the environment around the Y has developed into a significant problem as a result of the lack of security and law enforcement in the surrounding area - the problems have spilled over into the Y parking lot and bike locker areas and are a public safety concern. Unfortunately, I will be moving to a new gym.

I am a YMCA member in surrey and used this y when I was over visiting a friend. Had to sign in as was a visiting y member. Enjoyed the membership plus - steam room, sauna, towel service, blow dryers, not as crowded as regular membership change area. Great location to downtown Vic.