YMCA Calgary

I have to agree with some of the newer reviews — this gym isn’t all its cracked up to be.
I have been a member of a few different YMCA locations in Canada and this one is definitely my least favourite, yet it is the most expensive.
Member Plus locker room — For the price, I expected a bit more. It is dark and dingy and in serious need up updating. However, I knew this when I signed up. It is relatively quiet off hours and it is a very private place to work out for those who would rather not work out in a large crowd.
The rest of the gym is nice, full of equipment and clean. However, I noticed that when machines are broken, they do take a while to be repaired. They have a FitLinxx program and at one point, 5 of the 10 machines in my routine were out of order. As well, I notice that this gym has a lot of people who seem to only be there to hang out, and not to work out. This is frustrating when those members decide to hang out on a machine and chat on their phone. What is worse is that the staff doesn’t enforce the rules.
I have signed up for classes and unfortunately many of them do get cancelled due to lack of interest. I was really excited to join this gym to take part in these classes, only to be let down when not enough people register. However, the classes that I have taken part in were well run and enjoyable.
It can get very busy around lunch time and just after work on weekdays, as any other gym does. I have noticed that when you do ask most staff a question, they usually don’t know the answer. This doesn’t necessarily reflect bad on them, but it does reflect on the management. I have a feeling that this gym will need to make some serious changes in order to justify the prices they are charging. I do not feel I get good value for the price I pay at this gym. Therefore, I have decided to go elsewhere. If I lived within walking distance of the YMCA, I would consider staying, but I wouldn’t fork out for the rediculous member plus prices.

I have noticed most of the reviews are quite old and a lot has changed.
Facilities are very nice and relatively well kept, unfortunately sometimes it is hard to take full advantage. For example, the swimming pool has 6 lanes each one designated for different levels of speed. It is very common to find children playing in the «Fast» lane and there can be up to three lifeguards on duty but no one will put order. Also there is a swimming «etiquette» (share the lane, always swim on the right side, be respectful, choose your correct lane according to your level, etc…) these rules are never respected either. You will see guys who swim right in the middle not willing to share the lane and they even kick you while swimming, I’ve also seen lifeguards realize about this but none will do something about it… very disappointing!!!
Expect to find little children in the weights room. To my surprise, children are allowed in the weights room. They even run free through the machines while their parents are either in the treadmills, escalators, or using a machine. Just last week a bunch of kids were running in the opposite direction on the track, parents no where to be seen and the staff on the third floor could not have cared any less. So if you are lucky to be training among children be careful you may end up hurting one.
Facilities are nice and relatively well kept, however it is hard to enjoy your workout when you cannot engage in your exercise because you have to be careful either of children running amok or playing in the wrong pool.
I’ve been to other gyms where staff is not afraid of establishing order for the sake and safety of the patrons; definitely, not this one.
Staff is very nice, but that should not mean they do not do their job.

I signed up my kids for their swimming lessons and I’m quite pleased with the quality of the facilities.
I registered for the class online which was an easy process vie their website. I found the costs to be more expensive than city of Calgary classes but cheaper than the privately owned rec centres.
Little things I like about them
1. Adjustable depth training pool
2. There’s always at least 3 lifeguards on duty during our classes
3. Class timing is good for after school/​work
4. Clean but basic changing room with lockers (bring your own locks)
When we showed up for the classes, I found the staff to be helpful and efficient.
I really can’t think of any negative outside of the fact that I’m not sure my kids actually learnt to swim from attending the classes. Maybe smaller classes would be beneficial especially for instructors who don’t work with kids on a regular basis.

Perfect place to do exercise, totally recommended. The only thing is that it is difficult to get here by bus

I have been a member of the Eau Claire YMCA since 1997.
I enjoy the clean facilities and modern equipment. The gym is well maintained and the staff are friendly and helpful. If you have any concerns, they are always willing to listen and help.
Other members are polite and courteous too.
I tend to use the aerobics machines on the third floor and the weight fitness and weight machines on the fourth floor. All are kept in good working order.
I also belong to the Men’s Plus, which entitles me to use the main floor change room. The area is kept clean and staff are always helpful.
I tend to go to the gym during the off-​hours, so I can’t comment on how the gym is during the busy periods. When I go, I usually see the same familiar people, which is a good thing.
I highly recommend the Eau Claire YMCA.
I found another review by Chelsea K. that you will find helpful:

I was a member here a few years ago for about a year and it was great… I love that there are so many services you can use with your membership from swimming, to fitness and more. I don’t work close enough to that location anymore to be a member but we still use their camp services for the resident child, in the summers as well as during the school year over things like Christmas Break etc, when the regular childcare options are unavailable.
The facilities are clean and well maintained. The staff are friendly, efficient and easygoing, regardless of who you are dealing with. No fitness snobs here to speak of! They do a great job with their kids programs, tailoring activities to different age groups so the «cool factor» is maintained. The prices for the programs are quite reasonable too, even if you aren’t a member.
My only real complaint is that there can be inconsistencies with the staff’s knowledge about things… sometimes you need to show ID to drop your child off (??) sometimes you don’t. Sometimes the person answering the phone knows about the camps, sometimes they don’t. Consistency is important and sometimes they fall a little flat on that.
Yes, parking is a pain but it can be a pain for any part of downtown. That’s part of living in a big city folks!

HOO-​AH. It’s time to get JACKED, reader. It’s time to pump some literary iron. It’s time to get zazzed up on fitness. It’s time for my review of the YMCA. Are you ready? Deep breaths. One… two… three.
This gym is, as every single other person has pointed out, quite affordable for what you get in return. I like that the locker rooms are massive so I can conveniently choose an aisle where some old dude isn’t swinging his figs in my face. I like that I get a lock without paying for it (seriously, what the HELL Crowfoot location? You think you’re special because you’re located in my affluent neighborhood? No. Get stuffed. Downtown gives me locks for free and so should you.).
I like that there’s a sauna — I like that so much that I don’t even mind that it’s full of naked grandpas.
But let’s move on. This place has a reasonable amount of equipment and surprisingly has never been full to the brimming when I go. (seriously, what the HELL World Health Club Edgemont location? Did you just HAND OUT memberships to homeless people or something? I’ve never had to get in a LINE for a machine before. No. Get stuffed.)
I like that they have studios that don’t always have classes in them. That way I can go in there and chuck massive medicine balls against the walls and no crotchety old ladies yell at me (Seriously, what the HELL spa lady? Women’s only memberships? Sexism is alive and well. No. Get stuffed.). Not that they would anyways, because this place is primarily staffed with fun people.
I come here to get massive every so often. I run on their machines. I lift their weights. I huff and puff and I wipe the machine down with precision and care every single time I get off it. If you DON’T, there’s a special level of hell reserved for you.
The bottom line is that this is a conveniently located gym with a surprising amount of quality equipment and a lot of cool facilities like squash courts and a tilted running track.
Oh, and I don’t know why, but the lighting in the locker room makes me look 10x more in shape than I actually am and I like that a lot. I spend at least 2 minutes after every work out admiring my faux-​physique. Whoever installed those lights is some sort of friggin’ artist. I invite you to come do some lighting work in my bedroom.
My only complaint is that there ought to be more rooms for me to throw those massive medicine balls around in — but I can’t complain too hard because the awful Crowfoot Location doesn’t even have ONE room to throw the balls around in, and I REALLY LIKE PLAYING WITH THOSE BALLS!!!
…It’s not what it sounds like.
But you shouldn’t go here. Why? Because if everyone knew how awesome this place is, it’d get packed and I’d have to ask if I could «work in», and that’s lame.

I enjoy this gym. For me it’s great because it’s located very close to work and even more importantly, along the river. It’s a great location because you can change/​shower at the Y and run along the river pathways with the hundreds of other people who do this.
It’s very affordable compared to the other gyms downtown, at only $ 67 per month. That’s a steal as most gym are over $ 100/​month in the area. The locker rooms are clean and sufficient with an option to upgrade to the premium member locker room. I don’t mind the regular ones though, they have everything i need. You can borrow a lock for free from the front desk, which I do every day.
They have a good enough selection of classes that are included in your membership and some others you can sign up for a small price. I’ve done most of the lunch hour classes and have enjoyed all of them.
One thing I’ve never tried is the pool so I can’t comment here. But I have noticed they have a great baby-​sitting service so you can drop you kids off while you work out and they will be taken care of! That’s a great selling feature!
I’m not a parent, but I don’t even mind all the kids in the building, they keep them out of the way for the most part!
Definitely worth giving this gym a look at!

It pleases me when somewhere gets what it deserves review-​wise on Unilocal.The YMCA is most deserving of its 5 star status. Not only for an affordable $ 67 (I think, too lazy to check my visa statement here) a month do you get a top notch fitness facility with basketball court, squash courts, track, studios and pool, you also get top notch service. The staff are friendly, helpful and even funny and zany in a charming-a**hole kind of way. Take for example, volunteer who always gives me a girls membership when I turn my lock in. A sauna is included in the general admission locker room which is really nice after a work out.
You also get a wonderful cast of characters who would produce a heck of a reality show. They include guy who looks like a stereotypical Jesus, guy who is clearly on roids, hot girl who knows she’s hot and kind of has her nose in the air, guy with spiky punk hair-​do and trainer who is an ex-​UFC fighter and still maintains the demeanour. All characters that make me want to continue coming back. The culture is so rich here!
The YMCA is pretty special to me. It the only thing outside my apartment, save Unilocal,that has actually become a part of my life. If I have a bad day there is nothing I would rather do than workout and shoot a few hoops after work. If I ever left I would truly miss it.

I really can’t write a review better than Chelsea, so allow me to corroborate what she just said as being entirely true.
First thing, you’re going to be shelling out $ 60 a month for a general membership if you don’t sign a year-​contract. That might seem a lot but when compared to the other gyms in the downtown core and surrounding beltline, it’s an absolute steal. Places like Anytime Fitness, and Heavens will charge you anywhere from $ 80 to $ 100 for a basic membership. These gyms cannot match the quality of facilities and equipment available at the Y.

The Eau Claire Y is my favorite gym. You can read all about the facility on their website, but here’s what I consider the highlights (and very limited lowlights):
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equipment in great shape;
CLEAN;
huge locker rooms and showers– (tons of room even during the after work rush, full size lockers, always super clean) — so I haven’t been tempted to pay more for the super fancy executive locker room (but if it’s like the executive bathroom on the simpsons, maybe it’s worth it!);
diverse clientele, inclusive atmosphere;
friendly, helpful staff;
lots of exercise programs if that’s your thing;
affordable (especially with a student card)
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Just one– parking in Eau Claire is expensive. During the day the Eau Claire shopping centre is the cheapest, I think. The surrounding street is $ 4 per hour by parkplus until it’s free after 6.

Location is downtown near the Eau Claire market, and my YMCA search continues.
Luckily my neighbour works at this Y, and he has kindly given me passes to general locker room access and women’s plus facilities.
First of all let me start with location, this is very central, downtown to be exact so what is our first hurdle? Parking! Parking downtown can be such a beyotch.
Choices range from anywhere at Eau Claire market to surface parking with park plus at 5 to 8 dollars an hour, yes you read me correctly between 6am to 5 pm. Or simply pay an early bird rate of $ 25 dollars — $ 28 dollars maximum for the whole day. If you go to the gym 3 times a week this will cost you well you do the math. Damnnnnn.
So your best bet is the Calgary Curling Club during peak hours of 5 am — 6pm, which is one dollar for the first four hours and then 2 dollars thereafter. This is located at 720 3 Street NW.
After 5pm, 2 dollars flat rate at Eau Claire market or surface parking and again your best bet is Calgary Curling Club which is free. My head is in a confused tizzy, what the heck just take a bus there.
Okay let’s get to the facility, nice facility, clean with two swimming pools, an indoor runny track, cardio and weight equipment and 50 drop in classes each week. There are two fitness studios, a full size gym, and a squash and racquetball/​handball court. This is all accessible at $ 59.11 a month and this Membership fee gives you access to all YMCAs in the city.
Now the beauty about this gym is that you have a Membership plus upgrade which gets you whirlpool and steam pool access, private exercise and TV lounge area, you are given towel service and personal care products and there is laundry service but this is for men only. This is $ 77.31 a month for women and $ 91.53, wow that laundry perk is 20 bucks more, but then again have you done a man’s laundry?
There is also personal training staff that can assist you with personal training and you can anywhere from 1 to 40 sessions.
My visits have so far been very pleasant especially the member plus option, the comfy towels, blow dryers and curling irons are a nice touch, but what I love the most is the whirlpool and steam room comforts!
The service is impeccable and the staff is extremely friendly, so if a downtown location is what you need you have several great options at this facility.
I am docking a star because I think there should be a much affordable parking perk built in to the YMCA membership.

I just want to start by saying that I LOVE the Eau Claire YMCA.
Being someone who grew up in N.W. Calgary, I was always partial to the YMCA in that area. After moving downtown I was really hesitant on ‘switching’ Ys. Of course, driving an extra 15 – 20 minutes just to get to my ‘old Y’ didn’t make sense so I bit the bullet and headed over to the Eau Claire YMCA. Boy am I glad I did!
The staff at this Y is fantastic. They are happy, friendly and super helpful. Plus every morning the good people at this Y set up ALL the lanes in the pool! So instead of having the standard 3 lanes to swim in, there are 6!!!
I love the layout because the gym is spread out on two floors, plus the main floor is where you’ll find the pool. There’s also a little café on premise and on the weekends when you’re walking up the stairs to either of the gym floors, all you smell is Belgian Waffles. Okay, so maybe that’s a bit of an impediment when you’re on your way to the treadmill, but at least you know what your reward will be! :)