Hollywood Wilshire YMCA

This is only regarding the Pool:
Cons — 30 minute time limit per swimmer if it’s busy, though it’s always busy. Pool length is only 20 meters so its tougher to keep track of distance. Only 3 lanes are available because it’s a small pool.

I judge the quality of a gym based on how often I go, and if I stick to it. Based on that criteria, this gym should get five stars. However other readers may feel that fewer stars would be more appropriate because this gym is not super slick. It is a funky older gym located in a historic building.
I signed up thinking I would just work with a personal trainer to set up a routine I could do on the weight machines a couple of days a week. Instead, I ended up sampling all of the different classes they offer, and have discovered that Zumba and Latin Dance are my new favorite workouts.
All of the Zumba/​dance instructors are excellent. Rachel is infinitely cheerful and encouraging. Gabriella teaches a very aerobic latin based class that will burn some major calories. Jody is just plain awesome, combining hip hop with african and latin dance. Alfredo teaches Latin Dance with a flourish. I also really enjoy Deborah’s stretch class on Wednesdays when she adds light weights. Rebecca offers a yoga class similar in style to an Iyengar class on Mondays. Tanja offers a very robust Hatha Yoga class that will leave you invigorated. They also offer pilates classes with and without machines and a HIIT class that is really intense. They have two swimming pools that offer regular classes that are great for older adults. They also offer classes for kids in the summer that are always packed.
I am going to the gym regularly — taking at least four classes a week. I have finally lost the pesky five pounds that would never come off and I actually look forward to going to the gym. It makes my day. There are two conveniently located parking lots that offer $ 1 parking with validation.
My experience with the staff has been positive. There are antibacterial wipes provided in the workout area so you can wipe the machines before and after you use them. They have the full set of Cybex machines and I have never had to wait for a machine. The Y offers everything you could want for one affordable monthly fee. I spent a long time trying to find the best gym close to where I live, and this one is everything I personally want or need from a gym for an affordable monthly fee.

I bought a groupon for a 25 day pass and am so glad I did. The staff is very friendly and helpful. I have been going to the group exercise classes, which are intense, yet fun. I really like that they have classes in the morning, at lunch time and in the evening. It gives me a ton of options, unlike many other places. They also have 2 parking lots which are $ 1 for 3 hours with validation. I will be purchasing a membership once my groupon pass is up.

It’s a place to save money while you work on getting in shape and there is zero glamour or glitz to this location but it’s really fun in that it’s in the middle of everything

I’ve been going here for almost a year and love that they have plenty of cardio machines and it is a large location. I’ve had gym memberships with ballys-​turned la fitness, 24 hr fitness, and crunch gym and what I love about the Y is that they don’t harass you for adding trainers or call you up for promotions and other annoying hassles like otherwise experienced at the other gyms. The parking is $ 1 for up to 3 hours (which is very good compared to places in this general location, however, but I still think free membership parking should be considered. If you think about it, if the membership is roughly $ 30−40/month and you tack on $ 1/​day if you work out every day, that’s already a $ 70 monthly gym membership… I primarily didn’t mind the cost due to the Y’s commitment to community and youth services. I love the group classes – particularly the dance class by Alfredo, he’s very energetic and comical with his routines. Love the kickboxing, you’ll really sweat everything out. And I just recently went to my first class of the gravity class. I was hesitant to try it at first because feeling self conscious if I wasn’t familiar with the machine, but the instructor was very helpful and helped me adjust and learn throughout the entire class.

Great machines. Nice staff. Darlene’s gravity class is kickass. And my son loves going to the clubhouse!

This is probably one of the best ymca there is. I came here on Thursday as a guest and I loved it, I specially loved Gio at the front desk who seem really busy with customers and still made me feel welcomed as a gest, thank you for making my day.

I paid up front for full years membership ($ 1,700.00) with the YMCA dual membership for the locations on Schrader and Downtown LA. A person by the name of Gino assisted me in signing up on or around February 10, 2014. I used the YMCA facilty at Schrader ONCE and NEVER got to the Downtown facilty. Unfortunately I was in a horrible accident that practically killed me in fall that I sustained at home and prevented me from going anywhere. I was incapacitated for nearly 5 months with 3 fractured ribs, a concussion 12 stitches in my head, a compound fracture of my left clavicle and injury to my upper vertebral column. Sometime during August 2014 I was able to go by and speak to this person Gino to let him know that I had called the YMCA weeks before and that I never got a call back regarding a request for suspension. Gino was to followip and never did. I was hospitalized later to remove hardware from my clavicle that was necessary. The YMCA during this whole period was the furthest thing from my mind. Still recovering January 2015, I recieved a renewal notice from the YMCA. I called again and asked for a refund. I’m still waiting! I finally had move back to New Mexico on Aoril 1, 2015. I plan to file a small claims lawsuit!

My family members review was taken down! Well, I am posting it back. She initially posted it in 2014.
I have been a member, on and off, for more than 35 years at this Hollywood YMCA location. My daughter first learned how to swim here. Our family has also worked at a couple of the YMCA’S in Los Angeles over the years while attending colleges. What happened to me weeks ago while trying to understand a recent billing mix up should not happen to anyone.
I am a 67 year old woman living on a tight budget. I came to this facility to have someone clarify my recent bill. You see, I had requested to cancel my membership because of the price increase weeks before. I noticed on my bank statement that the YMCA had withdrawn money from my account. I needed some assistance in helping me to understand why I had been billed again after requesting a cancellation and why the increase in membership. I was being helped by a front desk representative named, Maurice. He was was kind and did as much as he could to assist me but I didn’t get any of my questions clearly answered. A couple feet away was a woman on the telephone (her name was Ludmila) who was not part of our conversation. She, in fact, was concentrated on her phone call, never introducing herself as a manager and never offering genuine assistance to help me (she was on a personal call telling the person over the phone that her husband was a lawyer and something about money). After my frustration, she involved herself in our conversation (while still on the phone… again, not introducing herself) by commenting things here and there. I asked her to mind her own business since Maurice (the front desk representative) was assisting me & since I had no idea who she was. She goes on to tell me that it was her business and that she was a manager while still on the telephone. A spa worker (cleaner) was passing by and blurted out, ‘She is our manager… she runs the YMCA!!’ and walked away. Again, what business of this spa cleaner to get involved in a member’s conversation and add more fuel to the fire?! I was so upset and frustrated at the lack of clarity and lack of kindness being displayed at my home, YMCA! Ludmila’s attitude was absolutely unprofessional and rude! If she is indeed a manager then I am definitely glad that I have cancelled my membership but also very sad since it’s been part of my life. Words were exchanged between Ludmila and myself. I mentioned to her that if it weren’t for members like us, who pay for her salary, she wouldn’t have a job. She yelled out, ‘YOU DON’T PAY ME A PENNY! AND, I PAY TAXES BY THE WAY!’ If she were a professional she would have hung up the phone and assisted immediately and would introduce herself! She knew I was already upset. She knew that I was still uncertain about my billing/​membership. Why didn’t she offer assistance? Instead, she continued adding fuel to the fire & kicked me out from the YMCA office yelling, ‘GET OUT! GET OUT NOW!’ I have never been kicked out from any place of business, let alone the YMCA! I am utterly angered, upset and disappointed in the way that I was treated. There was absolutely no respect for this 67 year old woman who merely needed answers and assistance.
My daughter spoke with Pablo today (Ludmila’s supervisor) to share her concern in how I was poorly treated. He was polite and listened to what she had to say. I was too upset to share this earlier with my family and wanted to move on but my daughter insisted that this should be addressed. Thank you, Pablo & Maurice.
Shame, Shame, Shame on the YMCA for allowing worker’s like Ludmila & the cleaner to represent a place of family and community which they clearly do not!
Very disappointed! Still in disbelief!

I’ve been coming to this Y my entire life (so almost 30 years). I truly love the place but it’s probably the main reason I still carry my membership (and my office happens to be next door). Fact is, the gym has gone majorly down hill. Getting rid of the towel service was a huge, unsanitary mistake. Most people don’t use towels now in the gym (and if they do, who knows if people are washing them at home after every use) and having to carry around a wet towel after showering is less than ideal. I love this place but getting rid of amenities and reducing hours while not reducing the cost of membership has angered a lot of members. The things that do keep me coming back: not fussy, no tvs/​music, doesn’t feel like a «gym,» employing special needs kids and young adults like the greeter Dylan, and the family atmosphere.

I only joined a couple of weeks ago. I found the place acceptably clean, quite friendly and am satisfied with the machines. The staff is welcoming, (thanks, Gio) and except for one trainer with attitude, everyone has been helpful.
I had quit Bally’s/L.A. Fitness when they took out their steamrooms. The Y has an adequate steamroom as well as sauna in the men’s area, plus various pools and jaccuzi (overchlorinated). I haven’t tried the classes yet, but I can use a dance/​yoga studio anytime and do my own routines.
Paying $ 1.00 for 3 hrs. parking seems reasonable in Hollywood.
In summation, I’m very pleased with the place.

Letter I wrote to the YMCA:
My family and I have been a member of the Hollywood YMCA for more than ten years. Sadly, these past months at the YMCA have gone downhill really fast. You have taken away towels, reduced hours in the evening, reduced staff, taken the hose out of the steam room, haven’t given the building proper maintenance needed (i.e. water leaks, etc.), locker rooms are downright filthy, etc. I can give specifics if needed, as this is just a general overview of the situation. I know many people at the YMCA, and I would say 95% of the members feel the same way as I do because I have heard their concerns and frustrations countless times. Even your staff knows this YMCA is heading downhill. It needs immedaite attention in order to return it to what it was before.
Lastly, nothing angers me more and I wasn’t going even to write this letter — That is until I started noticing that the new cleaning crew is having men go into the womens locker room. I personally noticed this on Monday, May 18, 2015, at around 10pm. I saw one male enter the womens locker room with what appeared to be a vacuum. My daughter and another female member also witnessed a male man from the cleaning crew also enter the womens locker room a few days before I witnessed it. So this has been a recurring theme, and I don’t know if you are aware of this or if the rest of your members are aware of this? The women in my family who have witnessed this DO NOT FEEL SAFE in this environment, where men are allowed to enter the womens locker room. They don’t even knock, etc. Furthermore, it is an intrusion on womens privacy! I sincerely hope you change this, among many other things!

This was originally a 5 star review two years ago but I downgraded it to 4.
staff is extremely helpful and friendly. I always get a warm welcome and goodbye. The child care has never been used yet but I can imagine it would be wonderful for my son. My friend’s child also loves the child care area and never wants to go home. The classes for the kids are so numerous it is SO HARD to choose just a few each session. They have family night so you can swim together as a family. They also have a tot drop off where the kid stays at the Y while the parents go out on a date from 4 — 10 pm and its only $ 25!!! that is WAY cheaper and more convenient then arranging a sitter come to your house.
the fit links system is pretty good and I know it can get better but it is good to get started. The rooms and some equipment is dated and really worn but the cardio machines are in a pretty good condition. The dumbbell room smells musky like pine wood and like an old 2 star motel/​resort in the middle of the woods. The weight room needs updates and more machines/​weights. Only one smith machine.
The membership is not just for the facilities but what the place actually does for you as a whole family. The kids get to stay active while you do your own classes or workout and its free of charge for members!!!
Summer Camp: Wow, the counselors here are also amazing. There are SOOO many kids running around for summer camp but yet almost nothing gets lost, no one gets misplaces in the wrong group and they are super super organized. It’s around 200 $ a session but cheaper for members.
The negative:
–DISCOUNTINUED TOWELS!!! NO!!!
–Locker room is carpeted so it smells musty/​moldy– WHY!!!
–parking lots can get full especially on weekend.
–The male’s locker room has OPEN SHOWERS so you see OLD MEN’S DING DONGS AND SAGGY BUTTS sagging. It must cost $ 200 to just install some dam shower rods and cheap-​oh vinyl curtains.
–family locker room is very cramped and OLD. It makes my 1960’s shack flat look luxurious.
–no juice bar but hey, its not an upscale gym.
–no change machine. They have an atm in lobby but the drink machines do not accept 20 $. They should have vending machines that accept credit cards. Even my son’s swim academy has that.

I been a member of the YMCA for about 3yrs now and I gotta say, that the only reason I am giving this place a 2 star is because of the unsanitary conditions going on. Having days old residue in the steam sauna without having the ability to rinse it off is DISGUSTING!!! The tower service Isn’t that great of a deal… but why am I paying 55 $ plus the 1 $ parking fee which is about 68 – 75 monthly without it being ‘worth it?’
The YMCA is still great thanks to some great people… but things do change and maybe so will I.

Look elsewhere, The Hollywood Sierra Club, er, I mean YMCA is a progressive nanny state FAIL. They are way more interested in «saving the planet» than their customers. No towel service, in order to save water. Pathetic water pressure in the showers, same deal. Steam sauna, no hose to wash it down and maybe a whopping 110 degrees. Someone needs to point out to them that they are not in the water conservation business. Staff is full of attitude. No thanks.

If you’re looking for a gym membership with value go elsewhere. The LA YMCA’s seem to be on a decline… with the Hollywood location leading the way.
Some reviewers are missing the point. It’s not about towel service, it’s about reducing hours, eliminating classes, and removing services while still expecting members to continue to pay the same membership dues each month.
The other day I was chatting with an older women about the declining health of the Hollywood location and it turns out she is on the Board of Directors. Her response to me was «the YMCA isn’t trying to be a gym.» Really?! Then what have I been paying for every month for all these years?!
If the Los Angeles YMCA would rather be a collection of non profit community centers then they should present themselves that way, vs the bait and switch routine with people looking for legitimate gym facilities.
I think the YMCA is a great organization and I will continue to support it via direct donations but will be joining a different gym.

I think it is very silly for people to be that upset about the towel service being taken away. I belong to a YMCA elsewhere and they do not have a towel service and if you ask me that is a privilege to have. You are there to work out so bring an extra towel or two. I went there and liked the fact that there was a towel service but I did not depend on it either.
Staff was friendly and gym was like a maze but it was clean. What more can you ask for?
My experience was great here and they have everything you need to get a workout in. All the other stuff are just perks. If the lack of towel service is really the make-​or-​break issue for you, maybe you should reevaluate your priorites in life.

How can you discontinue towel service if you have hot tubs, pools, sauna, steam rooms, etc?
To preserve water due to the drought? Come on. We have to wash our towels now. No water saved. You’re not helping anyone but your pockets…
How about buying bigger towels than the rags you provide and doing a towel check at the door?
Bad move. Will likely quit after many years.

This place is awesome. However my review goes out to the asshole who works in the parking lot. His job is simple, take money, tell people where to park, and if someone has to ask any questions pertaining to this then obviously they haven’t been here before. He knew I was new and made me go all the way back (with 2 kids) for some stupid stamp. Could of told me. Then i asked him where to exit since the entrance was so small then he points me to the end of the parking lot where there’s no where to exit. He also did this to another family member. I only Park here because they offer a cheap price if you’re going to the ymca.
Summary: bro, if you hate your easy job then do something else.

I was a member here for a few months while training for a triathlon because it was convenient and had a lap pool. I can’t give it a bad review because it is great for what it is, it’s just kind of not for me. If you are looking for the family-​friendly atmosphere, you’ve found yourself a winner. If you prefer a more grown-​up gym, keep on trekking.
PROS:
— Lots of class options
— Lots of equipment variety
— Nice staff. Mario is great!
— Large locker rooms
— Towel service
— Children are relegated to the Family Locker Room only
CONS:
— 20 yard pool (most gym pools are 25 yards)
— TONS of kids everywhere. Meh.
— Kind of pricey; $ 50 per month for individuals for an average workout experience
— For $ 50 a month, you still have to pay to park!
— Not enough open floor space. There is one room with mats upstairs
— Not enough water fountains. I only know of one above the first floor