Somerville YMCA

Old and small, like a 1940s gym. At first you might think just the building and facilities are old, but I was surprised to see an elderly man watching a Laurel and Hardy film in one of the small upstairs offices. This may also strain credulity, but believe it or not -- there is a man in an iron lung living in the basement. Wow! I really liked the quirkiness of the owner of this particular YMCA a very nice guy, a brolic mustachioed man who typically wears pinstripe unitards.

Wanted to try pickle ball. Paid 14 dollars for one court and 20 people waiting. Can’t practice here. You have to be experienced and willing to play with strangers. Not for beginners.

Very bad experience with swimming classes to my kids. Teachers are like Ghost treating kids like slaves. They even don't care if any child can't take breath under water They let them die. They are seen always in bad angry and hurry mood. Please think twice to put your kid in swimming class or every time keep your eyes on your child.......Girls are rude and we are paying money not free...

Every time I have wanted community and a place to work out, the YMCA has come through. Weather I’m in California or Massachusetts, I know I have a home at the Y. Peace and love.

I do think that the facility could benefit from a remodel, but the space itself suits my needs. I swim and lift a few times a week in the early morning. The other patrons that I’ve encountered are polite and friendly, which makes me feel very comfortable as a frequently lone lady lifter. The staff has been able to address all of my needs and questions that have come up so far. I’ve yet to meet any rude people. Honestly, it feels like more of a community than other gyms I’ve been to in the Boston area. With the lower monthly fee and the small monthly donation I give, I’m still paying less than other memberships I’ve had previously. I feel like I’m getting what I’m paying for. I think the Somerville Y is a good fit for you if you’re more focused on your training goals than quality of facility. I’ve been going to the Y for about six months now and have yet to have a bad experience. I hope I can say the same in another six months!

Do NOT go here if you are going to use the pool or sauna. It's a weird maze of low ceiling hallways and filthy walls, lockers and staircases. The jacuzzi looked so terrifying that I had to take a photo. I would be remiss if I neglected clarifying that the rest of the place actually looked worse. My wife went to the women's "health center" side and the jacuzzi was just removed leaving an odd gaping hole. She was given vague directions and almost ended up in the men's dorm in her bathing suit while looking for the place. How are they allowed to operate this bizzare place? Everything is run down. I don't know if the monthly deal is somehow worth it do they pay you to go there? but the 12 dollar guest pass was a surreally bad deal.

I don't need fancy but I do need basic cleanliness. I signed up for an adult swim course not offered by my local YMCA where I am a member. I paid the non-member fee. I was stunned by the condition of the women's locker room... Very poor lighting and musty moldy?. Very damp, wet floor. Water buckets everywhere in an attempt to capture some of the water leaking from the ceiling. The showers and bathrooms are also not clean. It made me question how sanitary the pool is? I almost walked out but I made myself stay for the class since I drove 40 minutes to get there. I enjoyed the class and the instructors but I cannot bring myself to return. I hope my fee will in some small way help to improve the condition of this facility. I love the YMCA but I am sad to see such a drastic difference in quality/cleanliness compared to the facilities I regularly use. Outdated, not fancy, in need of repairs/upgrading, etc is fine. Unsanitary and unsafe are unacceptable.

The most disgusting gym I have ever been to. Looks like it’s never been cleaned or updated. Locker rooms are absolutely horrifying and gym equipment is very old and worn out. The “classes” offered are in a room that’s also a day care so it’s messy, dirty and smells like cigarette smoke! The Zumba classes are pretty good and the yoga class is just ok. Would not recommend to anyone!!

Terribly small, dated YMCA, lovely old building that should be renovated and repurposed. Only two stars due to the staff though, not environment.

The place has most of the basic equipment you'd need, and I used it for a year and a half. When I saw what looked like mouse droppings clinging to a workout mat I was about to stretch out on, I canceled my membership. I never used the pool once--I never even looked. I figured if it was as clean as the rest of the Y, then they probably hadn't changed the water since 1978. It is pretty dirty and gloomy. I also overheard casual racism from some older members. Wouldn't recommend it.