Somerville YMCA

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!

I would NOT entrust this company whatsoever especially with children. One of their school bus drivers hit my car!! I had a passenger and the driver told everyone he was not looking! My car is badly damaged and I’m waiting to see if it can even be repaired. Do not take your children here. The drivers are grossly incompetent and reckless. The owners was too scared to say anything, even apologize. I understand the existing bad reviews but BEWARE OF the gross negligence even of the ymca bus drivers. Terrible and wouldn’t recommend even driving past it bc that’s how my car got hit.

The homeless guys upstairs I believe have a free membership to the private men’s club. And no matter what the staff says to them they use it as a laundry mat.. so you see people down there picking sores on the bottoms of their feet .. truly they were taught no basic hygiene whatsoever, men in their late 50s and 60s? Disgusting. I’ve had stuff taken out of my lockers. So I quit. Stay away from that place. They barely clean it. Same rolled up Band-Aid in the corner for two weeks. The maintenance guy. I don’t know what he’s doing in there.

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.

The price is right and the location can't be beat. Are there that many places I can walk five minutes to lift weights, swim, and do my cardio? I will be sad if this place ever finds a new location. Is it fancy? No. Nobody expects the Y to be an Equinox. It's a community center. In the suburbs people sit in their cars for 20-30 minutes just to get to a gym or pool. I am very grateful for the Y.