YMCA of the Inland Northwest

I absolutely love most everything about this place, but above all I love the genuine and friendly staff, as well as the family environment. The main staff are friendly, genuine, and helpful. I also love how entire families come to exercise and play creating a easy-​going, fun loving environment.
I have only one quibble and one request. There is one custodian that is rude and disrespectful. I was sitting down in a chair and he came to vacuum where I was and asked me to get up and move because he needed to clean. I’ve even seen him do this to other people when I was there. I hope he gets fired.
My one request is for more Crossfit equipment. Specifically, I’m wanting them to get an Airdyne exercise bike, a GHD situp machine, and have an area for Olympic weightlifting with a bumper pad and weights.
Overall, I am extremely happy with the Y though. I came from MUV fitness which was absolutely horrible, so I am very aware and grateful of all that the Y offers.

After some major struggles and a not so friendly welcome to Spokane, this YMCA was the restart we needed for our trip.
We walked in Saturday morning feeling pretty defeated but felt so welcomed by the two girls working at the front. We feel that they went out of their way to help us feel welcome in the Y and set us up with our day passes and towels.
There was parking on site that was free if you were utilizing the facilities. While there was a great gym, we chose to spend some time in the pool area, before hitting up the showers and getting ready for a great day.
The pool area features a kids’ play area, whirlpool, sauna, steam room, deeper pool and four lane lap pool. Two lifeguards were on duty while we were there. Children’s swim lessons were just starting in the pool so after a dip in the hot tub, we enjoyed some casual lane swimming. It was quiet in there at the time so we felt no pressure and enjoyed the facilities.
Families can get ready for the pool in the four family change rooms, which are also handicap accessible. There was also both a men’s and woman’s change room. In the women’s there were three showers, lots of lockers and counter space with nearby plugs which was perfect for getting ready and plugging in your hair blower and hair straightener.
All in all, it was a clean facility that provided a great experience. Like anything though, it often comes down to the people. Seriously, I’m sorry I didn’t grab the names of those girls but they made my day and I’m really grateful for them. They were great ambassadors both to the YMCA, as well as the City.

I did a few classes here over my vacation with my sister who is a member.
Two of our classes had the same instructor, Katrina and the other we didn’t catch her name.
First up was Cardio Express. You pack in a pretty intense workout into a thirty minute class. Katrina was warm and welcoming and the other regulars told us the deal: you can use a typical exercise step or a bosu ball to do the coordinated mix of cardio pumping moves. Let’s be real. We’re not that coordinated or fit but the class was a fun mix of death-​defying (some of the moves were really hard to do for even thirty seconds) and energetic dancing. We both did our first class with the bosu ball and it was really fun! I really liked how this class felt progressive, that is, you had room to grow into it over months. If you couldn’t do everything she asked today, great! It’s a goal for next time, to do ten more seconds or five more jumping jacks. We definitely worked up a sweat. The next morning, my calves were sore from spending so much time on the balls of my feet. I like that feeling, it makes me feel like I had a good workout. The instructor did a good job encouraging us and also not being a drill sargeant and saying stuff like «if you need to just walk in place, that’s okay!» We didn’t feel outfoxed or like we were surrounded by tough meatheads. It was a really amiable atmosphere and I think I would have felt totally at home coming to this alone.
Next day, we started with Beyond Barre and Katrina was our instructor again. She playfully checked in with us and remembered us from the day before. Beyond Barre uses a yoga mat (they have them on site to borrow) and few hand weights (you choose your weight, 2, 3, or 5 pounds). I feel like there might have been one other prop but I can’t recall now. You do it barefoot. I really liked this class! The moves all felt good, I like moves to make me feel like I’m lengthening my muscles and spine and not too fast paced like Insanity or P90X. This wasn’t for old people but I definitely got a sweat going on. There were planks, ab work, squats and just a good mix of strength training moves. It wasn’t like jazzercise or zumba where there are long chains of moves. You all basically hold a move at a time and then switch sides/​arms. The thirty minute class went fast, but not as fast as Cardio Express.
Lastly, we did a Zumba class with someone who wore a tutu and glasses and had reallllllly long hair. She had a TON of energy and enthusiasm but we were so out of our element. Of the three classes I sampled, this one felt like it required home work or pre-​gaming to be ready to last. The moves were so fast, we didn’t really feel like we were A. keeping up B. getting a workout or C. Blending in. Basically we laughed the whole class at ourselves and lack of coordination. It wasn’t hostile by any means but yeah it wasn’t really what I’d say was beginner friendly. We left early on that one, which was probably rude. My sister said when we left, I could’ve burned more calories doing anything else in the gym. It’s kinda true, we just couldn’t keep up with the moves and the fast music so you do kinda just wander and your heart rate doesn’t stay up.
So my #1 recommendation for this facility would be Cardio Express… I felt the burn and felt welcome and at home. I also loved Beyond Barre and could see making this part of my weekly routine for sure. The staff were nice and the facility was clean.
I do have one complaint, though, checking in as a guest, there was only one person (perhaps a volunteer) at the check in desk and she was on the phone. Not her fault, but we stood for at least ten minutes waiting to get checked in. There was a line. We asked the towel clerk, is there anyone who can help us? And she just said, «No…» Oh. Okay. Cool. That was kind of a bummer. I’m in customer service and just thought that was botched. Everything else was cool though!
Oh and the parking lot sucks. It’s too small for how many people were there both days we went.
Fun place though and I’d def join if I ever move back to Spokane.

A fine facility, been coming on and off for 5 years to this ymca. The equipment, reliable, great pool, hours and availability of machines vary. If you go during the work week and typical work hours you’ll have lots of choices and space to walk and work about, if you go very early or later, like after people work. That’s when it’s most busy.
Staff’s helpful when you ask for help. Clean bathrooms.

I love the YMCA. I had a membership for almost two years before taking a hiatus due to kids (difficult to wrangle multiple toddlers out into the world) but I just signed up again and am so glad I did.
The Central Y is a great facility. It’s always clean, the staff are welcoming and I love that they have towel service. Their childwatch services are the best in town. No TV in sight (thank heavens) and plenty of staff members who are dedicated to caring for your kids in a loving and engaged manner. When I returned with my 2.5 year old after a year break some of the childcare team still recognized her!
One of the biggest perks of the Y is that it’s so much more than just gym equipment. The pool and play structure are wonderful in the winter months when it’s too nasty outside to go to the park. Their class schedule is FABULOUS. There is something for every one. I am currently in love with the Barre classes they just introduced this fall.
Support this quality organization and burn calories at the same time. It’s a win-​win for every one!

I have to downgrade the downtown YMCA in this update. This morning for the second time in three weeks, I was unable to swim when they first open on Saturday mornings first thing. After getting inside the building today we were told we could not swim yet. I am thinking this has something to do with staffing people not showing up, based on a similar experience about a week prior. We have been told we can’t swim unless there are 2 lifeguards. Some of us can’t wait around too long for staff to show up as we have other things to do, so this is, a big inconvenience. With that said I hope they can get this issue figured out. I will be contacting Member Services on Monday about this issue.

I have been going here for a year. It is a good deal if you’re a student like me because they base it on a sliding scale income. It does get crowded and sometimes you have to park on the street but 90% of the time I have been able to find a spot. I usually go in the afternoon or evening. My only complaint is they pull from your account monthly for the membership fee and you cannot change the day when they draw from your account. It just happens to be the day before I get paid so I’m usually broke by then. All in all this is a good gym for a good price.

The Y is a newly built safe clean state of the art to workout, swim, take classes. I love it here, and I am grateful for this economical work out place.

Nice facility near downtown. They have the typical assortment of work out equipment and free weights and a pool for lap swimming. A variety of work out classes are available. Locker rooms are clean with showers. There is a dry and wet sauna located by the pool. Imo the best time to go is early early… as in before 7 am. Can get overly crowded in the morning after 8 and evenings to where you have to park across the street.

I usually go to the Central Y to get in my usually daily workout. The staff are great and exceptionally friendly. Their weight and cardio room is well equipped. The group classes seem to please many members, although I have never partaken. The pool facilities are great as well, although the Northside has a slightly nicer aquatic facility. It would be great if they changed the cleaning products to something more ecofriendly.

Love the group exercise classes!

I love the YMCA. I have one close to my house in the Valley. And I have one close to my work downtown. So I never have an excuse to not exercise.
I haven’t really used this one as much as the Valley one, but I have never had to wait for a treadmill. So that’s a bonus. The Valley one seems to get packed and I often have to wait 5 minutes or so for a machine.
One annoying this about this one though (even though it *is* good for the planet and all) is that the showers automatically turn off after like 20 seconds. So if you want to get REALLY clean, you have to turn the shower on about a dozen times. I get it … but I would prefer to dictate my own water consumption!
Anyhow, kudos to the YMCA for offering a cheap and very accessible gym with lots of classes and machines to choose from. I also hear that it is a good place to meet women (as yet unconfirmed).