Charlestown YMCA

The gym is small and always crowded. The pool and sauna is downstairs and often closed which can be frustrating because when the pool is closed they don’t allow access to the sauna that is still in working order. And to be honest the sauna is the only real upside to this tiny terrible gym. Equipment is halfway decent but for the money you spend you could afford to buy your own equipment. The only reason to join this gym is location. If you don’t live close don’t bother.

This is all you need in a gym!
Staff is lovely, location is great and I love their mission. During the summer months when I was marathon training (outdoor runs mostly), I actually did not come to the Y the entire season, but I never thought about canceling or suspending; I had no problem at all giving $ 30/​month to this great resource for Charlestown’s community and youth. The weights area is kind of crowded, i like doing body weight work outs in the basketball gym, which is often vacant

A typical gym in a city environment:
pros:
— it has a variety of features that your average gyms do not have (i.e., pool, sauna, basketball court, group class area that can be utilized when no classes are in progress.
–the number and variety of classes appeals to a a variety of individuals.
cons:
–the locker room is shared between swimmers and gym users, so that if you are not a swimmer, you have to deal with puddles all over the locker room, making it difficult to change without stepping into water.
–parking is pretty limited so that the gym mostly appeals to individuals who live a walking distance away. when you add the cost for meter parking to the membership, all of a sudden this does not look like that good of a value anymore. they charge for towels, which added to the cost of the parking makes this actually as or more expensive that going to a boston sports club or a similar tier gym.
–the free weight area is tiny and looks very crowded as soon as there are 6 – 7 people inside. there is only one set of each dumbbell weight, making it very difficult to work out most of the time.
–there are constantly leaks in the ceiling, which would not be that big of a deal, except that most of the times, they do not get addressed for a looong time. you will usually see large trash cans all over the place capturing the leaking water for weeks without a repair being made.
–with the before mentioned city environment comes the other «typical» city stuff like screaming and swearing teens and theft issues (they actually had to hire a security guard who walked around and gave people dirty looks until the theft issues stopped)

I got the couples membership at this location. I come to work out after peak hrs, when its least crowded. Many times I had to leave because it was so hott in the gym. There was no Air, but a square fan blowing from the table by the door. Windows all open it was just a uncomfortable experience. Toward the back where the leg equipment there was a ceiling leak with expose water pipe with a buckets. On the floor it rolled up white towel to prevent wet floor. Last but not least the gym closes at 10pm, depends on who is closing they will turn off tv and music at 9:38. The gym should be close at 10pm. No exception.
I just seen the groupon deal, it really sounds good but please go take a tour before buying. If can be used at another location please do.
Gym is pretty small with not enough working equipments.
A/​C –hit or or miss
shower mehh
Pool –moldy smell walking down the stairway to the pool

Love love love this gym! The group exercise classes are FABULOUS. The instructors are so nice and so dedicated. I especially love Sinceree’s On the Ball Class; She is so helpful, and pushes you to really be your best!
The location so convenient, staff is very friendly, and although the facility is small, it’s well maintained, and always feels clean.

Love this YMCA. I’m a nearly life-​long member of the YMCA, I’m committed to their mission of being a resource to their local communities — not just a gym. One great thing about the YMCA is that you can use your membership at most other YMCAs. While my primary6 membership is Hanover, I work in Boston and use this Y almost daily. The gym is compact but has everything you need and rarely have to wait for a machine or cannot get a spot in a class. Great spin program, boot camps and other classes also well rated. Staff are friendly and helpful, locker rooms updated and clean..

We have been members here since at least 2011 and love it.
We are both active triathletes, so it is really important that it has all the training tools for that sport. The price is perfect, the classes are great, and the pool is great too. I’ve participated in the Master’s Swim class (which is awesome) and my husband has taken part in swim lessons. I love how they are open on the weekends and pretty late in the evening during the week. I do wish they were open a little later on Saturdays so I could go after work. I’m thinking about signing up for some personal training to jump start my fall fitness.
Don’t expect the fancy pants gym… expect something clean, friendly and useful for even serious athletes at a price everyone can afford. Can’t imagine paying cross-​fit fees…

Best workout deal in town. Excellent facilities, excellent group classes: bootcamp, spin, tabata.

First Y I have ever joined and was pretty surprised by how much I like it! Has just enough equipment and if you go late in the day (7:30−8) it will not be crowded. Really wish they had a stair master though — if they did I’d give them 5 stars.
The women’s locker room is always clean and was recently remodeled. The front desk associates can be grumpy but don’t take it personally. The younger staff are more personable and inviting.

Love this place. Close to home. not crowded. great new equipment. It’s no frills, so please don’t go expecting some slick shiny glossy, meat market.
it’s simple, and it’s a gym, just what i need, people go there to actually work out. love it.