YMCA – Alexander Family

I don’t get to go as much as I would like, but this is the closest Y to me so this is the one that I frequent. The gym is pretty big and has everything you could need, but it gets sooo crowded… especially early in the week right after work, that it is nearly impossible to get the bench or machine that you want. I often end up waiting or doing something else until it frees up. Half the time someone is watching it more intently than me and grabs it first, so then I have to wait for them too. There have been a few times that I have been pretty frustrated and just left (Can’t wait for all the New Year Resolutioners!!!). They also have an Olympic sized pool, basketball courts, a track, Racquetball/​Handball courts, etc. too which is cool.
Parking can be tricky at times too (who am I kidding, most of the time!). Their lot fills up and they have gravel lots across the street that can fill up as well, along with street parking on Hillsborough St. — a pretty darn busy street.
Overall, a great gym, just really busy and frustrating at times.

There aren’t enough good things to say about this Y. It is such a community amenity!
The location can’t be beat, the staff is always friendly and helpful, the programs are top-​notch, and the facilities are always clean and stocked. I have expressed some concerns before with the staff (especially re: the crosswalk on Hillsborough that drivers blow right through) and they have always provided genuine, friendly responses. All of the classes are good and my favorite is toning (with the exception of the Tuesday/​Thursday morning ones; a little too slow for my taste). I like ALL of the toning instructors. Great value!
Thanks for being in the neighborhood, Y!

I love this y! I am a new member ad it has been fabulous thus far. even in spite of some mess ups with my new account. it is a very busy y but have always been able to get a good workout! Shoutout to Megan at the front desk, she has been super nice and supportive of me working out! I feel like the staff has been very friendly. The one thing that could be fixed is the lockers upstairs, the coins do not always release the keys to lock the door. Other than that I love going to this y it has really motivated me to be more healthy and I finally enjoy working out!

I will have to say I have found some outstanding staff who care about the ethics the Y has placed value on. These women and men are hard working and go above and beyond. They need to spread that culture around to all employees.

While the YMCA is a huge facility that is new and shiny, the management of it is lacking in some regards, in particular with the aquatics director who cannot seem to accommodate those who want to lap swim after work. They pack in so many classes that at times there isn’t a single lane open.
And, for as large as the facility is, it’s not big enough for the rush hour yoga/​pilates/​aerobics/​spin class demand. The herds of people thundering through those fitness studios leaves them filthy, and the clean up crews do not keep up.
Parking is an absolute nightmare. Basically, if you work 9 – 5, do not bother joining this gym. Going outside working hours will leave you fighting mobs. And the weekends? They close super early, so if you work weekends you’re pretty much out of luck.
I’m sorry I wasted the $ 110 initiation fee on this place. I’m seriously disappointed.

Alexander Family YMCA is huge, clean and full of friendly workers. I always feel so welcome when I head here to work out. I usually stick to the work out equipment upstairs, but I have also tried a couple of classes which were enjoyable (and tough!). The only issue I have with the group classes are there they are really jam packed (to the point of being uncomfortable at times) and the instructors can sometimes come off as entirely too happy… Like fake-​happy if you know what I mean. There’s nothing more annoying that a bouncy instructor joking and laughing when you’re trying to focus on not flopping over like a dead fish. And then remarking happily about how easy that was.
Every now and then you may see a stray child wandering around the equipment as well, though the staff is usually pretty good about making sure the kids know what their doing before they kill themselves on free weights. The wait for equipment isn’t too bad either, i’ve never had to wait more than 10 minutes for a treadmill to open up.
The locker rooms are great, though they could do with added a few more changing rooms. I feel like three isn’t enough for peak hours when the wait to change is long. I’ve also heard that the men’s locker room has a few more amenities than the women’s, and i’m curious to know if that’s true. The women’s lockers have some exercise equipment, a sauna and a steam room.
Also, because it’s always worth mentioning: parking here is a NIGHTMARE. there’s never enough spots. There are a few satellite lots a few blocks away, but none of them are particularly well lit. Luckily if you feel super worried about going to your car they do offer to walk with you. I appreciate the consideration!
I can’t really comment on the value of coming here; my job pays a decent chunk of our gym costs so it only costs me a couple of dollars a month to be a member (make sure to see if your job or school does the same!). I heard it’s rather expensive without any discounts… I’m not sure I would attend if I had to pay the full monthly member price. But for the price i’m paying this is a solid spot for a good workout!

My review has changed drastically after I’ve been frequenting the YMCA more often. Since I work a mid-​shift, I often go around 9am, and the gym is just fine. However, when I go in the evening (after 8pm), this place goes to pot. Why the inconsistency, you ask?
The phrase «it’s like night & day» totally applies to this YMCA. The staff during the day are amazing, and the night-​time staff are quite aloof and disengaged. In the morning, you have several staff members coming around saying «good morning!» and cheering you on as you’re sweating to the 80s at 9am. But at night… oh, at night… you can’t get staff acknowledge you, let alone say something positive. It’s a feat to get them to stop using equipment as benches to text & talk to their buddies, and they certainly don’t raise an eyebrow to someone acting out in the gym. It’s quite foolish if you ask me.
At night, I’m fairly certain the YMCA turns into an evening daycare; adults drop their kids off and come pick them up at close. During this time, these kids plague the weight room, and that’s OK per YMCA’s policy that they must be 12+ to workout in the weight/​aerobics rooms. Seriously?! I’m all about kids working out, but I think they need a bit of supervision… also seems like a huge liability for the Y, who knows.
Looks like I’m going gym-​hunting next week… anyone have any suggestions for a new gym that’s not full of unsupervised youth & apathetic staff? Anyone?

I highly recommend the YMCA for everyone. People here are fantastic, they do so much for the community, and it’s a great place to get in shape. This YMCA doesn’t have the class selection you see at other YMCA’s, like Kerr or Finley, but that’s why a triangle membership is worth it. If you have kids, bringing them here is a no-​brainer. The childcare is excellent. My kids beg me to go.

This is the place where I work out on a daily basis. Great place.

I’ve been going to YMCA’s (or YWCAs, JCCs, etc.) my entire life and this is by far the nicest one I’ve ever been to! The facility is just amazing, and the staff are so kind. I highly highly recommend it!
My only advice is that if you want to avoid the rush try not to go right after work (4:30−6:30ish) because it gets very crowded.

I have nothing but love for the Alexander Y. If I didn’t like exercising outside so much, I’d be there a whole lot more.
Here’s what to like about the Y:
1. Price: Totally affordable and even more affordable if you’re 28 or younger.
2. Quality: Most everything is brand new. There are always plenty of exercise machines, multiple weight stations, nice locker rooms with sauna/​steam room/​free lockers/​TV, a great pool, a small track, a full gym…
3. Classes: There are a HUGE number of classes with multiple options per day of spinning, yoga, pilates, sports conditioning, etc. The yoga classes are great and I personally like them for instructors who play the Avett Brothers and other relaxing but non «yoga-​y» bands during class.
4. Clientele and staff: Anyone can and everyone does work out here. It is a supportive atmosphere that welcomes all levels. You’ll find elite athletes and total beginners.
If you’re looking for a meathead or pick-​up gym, the Y’s not for you. If you’re looking for a great place to exercise with a great affiliated community (I neglected to mention the auxiliary running clubs, fitness buddies, etc), the Y is great.

This gym is great even for those who have high standards in appearance and sanitation. Ample TVs and magazines to keep you occupied, pool, weights, cardio, frequent and interesting classes (even ballroom dancing!), track, raquetball, basketball… busy times are between 4pm and 8pm… they have «I got next» cards so the most you would wait even in the busiest of times for cardio equipt. is 30 mins. It’s a great and very safe gym.

The YMCA is USUALLY a good safe place to exercise at (Except for the times you must dodge cars when exiting the gym). I’ve visited the gym to swim, run or use the machines. I like the new exercise room which is a good haven for introverts. The equipment is high quality and the gym is usually clean.
The gym is large and has a bottom floor with classrooms and lockers, a second floor with a large desk, classrooms and seating areas. The top floor has a nice track and it has two main rooms with exercise equipment. If you actually plan to exercise (rather than stand and talk) do NOT come at 5 pm if you can help it. It’s reasonable to arrive earlier or try coming at 7 pm. Parking is horrible if you arrive at 5 pm on a weekday. The gym does have MANY Christian messages, of course, because it’s a Christian organization. If I say nothing no one will know that I’m a heathen. Right?
There are only three changing rooms in the women’s locker room, although the men (for some reason) have massage parlors and Jacuzzis? WHAT? Why is the women’s locker room half the size of the men’s?(There are just as many women as men who visit the Y) I would never pay for a membership to this sexist gym. Why do women not deserve the same treatment as men? Young man, young man, yep this gym caters to men. The men’s lockers even have machines and the women do not. Why should women not have a private retreat away from the noise and activity? Clearly women are second-​class citizens at the YMCA.
They also cater to children, if you dislike children– than this is not the gym for you! I don’t mind them, but often I find them unattended, playing with machines! Hazard alert!
The gym attracts a mix of ages; old men and women, middle aged men and women, 20somethings and teens. You will not feel out of place if you’re a minority– it has clientèle of various races. Most people are friendly, but as always there are exceptions. At least no one will bother you if you have headphones in.
The towels provided by the gym are too small therefore many women refuse to wear them (Ick! Please try covering your privates!) Try to use the locker room as quickly as possible or just arrive at slow hours. Use the towel… USE IT! There are not enough changing rooms… I prefer to change in private so I don’t have to stick my posterior in someone’s face while they’re trying to access a locker. If the rooms are full I just change in the shower stall.
The exercise machines are mostly new, and they are okay. The heart rate monitors are wonky, but I can overlook this. It will be difficult to find a machine if you arrive at the wrong time. They’re not super special machines, but they run smoothly and easy to use. There are stair steppers, ellipticals, bicycles, treadmills and gliding machines.
The classes offered at the Y are high quality, but it’s easy to be intimidated by yuppies and their bouncing blond ponytails. Oh I’m so inadequate. I’ve tried a few, but they are often cramped and they play the music far too loud. You can take classes in yoga, spinning, step, kick-​boxing and toning. I’m relatively fit, but I found that it’s tough to get into the rhythm of classes. Try them if you’re interested in the community atmosphere and challenge. They are high quality and are addicting when you ‘get into them’ says a friend.
The staff are either friendly or irritating and immature. Some of them would rather talk and tell jokes rather than do their job! The older staff members are mostly pretty awesome, overlooking a few irritating ‘good ol boys’ who insure that all of the tvs are constantly turned to sports. Some of them stand around an talk loudly when I’m trying work my tush off on a machine.
The parking lot is not fun. There are two lots and they’re full if you come at primetime, but otherwise there will always be a spot for you.
Try this gym if you want to get exercise for a low cost, but it is nothing fancy– especially if you’re female! Try to come at less crowded hours if you want to exercise is peace and quiet.

My stay at the Brownstone next door allowed me free access to the Y. Now I’m not Christian and I’m not really young, any longer. That makes it more difficult to swallow the Christian quotes in the hallway and hear about the missions (oh, the horror; convincing others to follow your way!) with photos on display.
But that being put aside for a great massage, I really enjoyed the mens locker room. Odd that it had all the TVs, the comfy chairs (a guy was actually eating lunch in there!) and the work out machines (in a locker room??? Nude workouts?).
Great massage, nice sauna and private shower stalls made for a really nice afternoon. Hope to do it again sometime (maybe I’ll actually get in a good workout first). I’ll just smile knowing you’ve made a Pagan so happy without buying into the religion.

I have been going to the Y for about 3 years now. During that time the gym has gone through a number of changed, completely changing facilities and moving from and old school «gym» to a really nice huge building.
I like to run, but sometimes the weather isn’t exactly conducive to that. The Y has an indoor track that runs above a huge gymnasium where you can run (12 times around = mile). They have a pretty decent amount of elliptical machines and treadmills, and a huge dedicated weight area as well.
One of the best things about the Y is the classes. They have everything from your traditional Yoga and spin classes to less traditional Belly dancing classes. All the classes are free with a membership.
My only complaint would really be that currently the pool isn’t on site (you have to go down the road) the pool is actually located closer to my house than the Y itself however which is convenient when I want to swim a few laps, but obnoxious if I want to swim and then run a while.

Young man, there’s no need to feel down, I say young man, get yourself off the ground…
Silly song, but the Alexander Family Y-​M-​C-​A on Hillsborough is pretty nice. Huge renovation going on, they’re still not done yet with the pool and racquetball courts (late 2008). Facilities are quite nice and clean, 2 basketball courts, indoor track, 3 fitness rooms for pilates, yoga, tae kwon do, a good set of aerobics equipment, a slightly disappointing machine/​free weight section. Free towel service, day lockers and clean locker rooms fill out the story.
Even though I didn’t sign up with the place, I was impressed. Definitely seeing it being a good choice for families and young couples looking for a good overall gym. Maybe not such a good choice for single people, or those who want a substantial free-​weight/​workout room. It’s also a bit pricey and looks like a family zone. So even though it ain’t my thang, I’d give the YMCA a thumbs up!