West End YMCA

Negative experience: The place is absolutely packed. I’ve never seen a gym this busy. No machines available, and a lot of loud teenagers in groups.

Negative experience: ATTENTION YMCA THERE IS A CRAZY YOUNG MAN WHO IS GOING TO SLEEP INSIDE THE STEAM SAUNA THIS HAPPENS VERY EARLY EVERY DAY SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO STAY STANDING BECAUSE HE DOESN'T GET UP AND WHEN THE SAUNA WAS HOT HE OPENS THE DOORS

Negative experience: This location is the closest one to home but my daughter refuses to come to this one because it's plain nasty. We saw toe clippings and dried up bread where we had to place our mats to do our fitness class as it was full. I've never seen the filth that I've seen herw at any other gym. Even the washroom was gross. I told the front desk and she just said OK and looked at us like are we done complaining.

Fantastic experience: Great service by Aragson. She was willing to help with my issue and was able to provide me with a great resolution

Negative experience: worst gym ever. Machines have thickest layer of black dust all over the tops of them, never dusted. There must be heavy teen discount because there's always groups of 5 of them hogging machines all day. Not to mention there's way too many people for the amount of machines/benches in the first place. Completely kills any momentum you might have going to the gym because you're waiting around for something to open up for 10 minutes. Lacking handles, or any other types of equipment also. Guess what you're also paying 70 dollars a month for this!

Negative experience: One of the worst gyms I've ever been to and definitely the worst YMCA I've visited. I only used the locker room and gym so I'll only speak of these. The gym is always busy, regardless of what hour of the day I visited, even early in the morning. The machines are crammed in the space and are badly maintained. There is no proper space for floor exercises either, making it very difficult to find a corner to lay a mat. The staff are not very friendly overall, and kept charging my account even after telling me the membership was getting cancelled in a month, they then blamed me for it saying that they'd never do that.

Positive experience: Love the community feel. Great spin teachers and gravity teachers (I’ve not had much experience with other classes). Wished they’d open earlier like they did pre Covid. I don’t get to go in the morning as early as a used to because they just simply opened later and it makes a huge impact to my ability to make it to the gym and then get to work on time. The larger weight room top floor is always packed and extremely difficult to get a machine unless you go during odd non peak times. Theyve changed the weight room downstairs hours allowing only paid days private trainer times. They literally have 1 or 2 ppl there at a time contributing to the capacity issue in the upstairs weight area. Makes me reconsider the value of this gym. If it wasn’t for the fact of the community vibe, I’d give it a 3 star

Negative experience: Hand down the consistently worst front desk at any place I have ever been. It's consistent - I mean, it's like its part of their training. I guess in their defence, they've probably got a Commodore-64 era IT system, but it's so bizarre to see them struggle each time to use it like it's the first time they've ever used it. Good luck getting anyone to tell you anything about your membership fees or weird charges on your bill, or to book anything for their programs. Good luck even trying to get them to take your money! There was one person who seemed to understand the system pre-pandemic, Lori, but she hasn't been there post-pan.

Negative experience: The atmosphere in the gym locker room resembles that of a mental asylum. There's constant yelling, incoherent shouting, and loud whistling from some individuals. Others sing at an obnoxiously high volume, creating a chaotic environment. It's impossible to relax after a workout or enjoy the sauna and steam room amidst all this noise. I recommend that the management put up notices urging people to maintain quietness and impose such rules, as this behavior is intolerable and disrespectful in a shared space.

Negative experience: Not enough treadmills. Many of them the TVs don’t work well if at all. You come and all the treadmills are in use. Meanwhile there are 20+ elliptical and stationary bikes and stair machines sitting unused. Went to the front desk and noted the issue but he just wanted to disagree about the issue. This coupled with overcrowding at peak periods means I’ll be moving on.

Negative experience: overcrowded, lacks equipment, and not very clean

Fantastic experience: I've been coming here for a few years and it's great! There are lots of amenities, a good range of equipment, and the people are friendly. It's a steal for the price.

Negative experience: From 3 pm the gym is full of kids 12-17 years old. They uncontrollably fill the space, take up exercise machines, and talk loudly instead of working out. The working out area is like a break at school between lessons - loud, uncontrolled, and dangerous for working out not only for kids but also for other people. DO NOT GO there between 3 and 6 pm!!!!!

Fantastic experience: I might be one of the kids that go there people talk about in there reviews

Positive experience: Unforgettable Fitness Journey at West End YMCA Empowering Mind, Body, and Spirit Embarking upon my fitness quest at West End YMCA proved to be an enriching decision filled with camaraderie, motivation, and transformation. Each visit to this esteemed health hub brought renewed energy and vitality to both body and mind.

Positive experience: I have been coming to this Y for over a year. I like it because of the natural light (and hot tub). Unfortunately, ever since the new year it has basically been unusable due to crowding. I guess they took in a ton of new members in January. I thought this would die down but I still spend every visit mostly waiting for machines, and forget about using the stretching mat - it is now a play zone for kids. It was not like this this time last year, so I think they just took in too many people.

Negative experience: To many people for such small area. If you want to use any equipment in gym,you should stay in line.But I have only 1 hour...so I pay,come and can't train.I tried mornings,daytime,evening..the same situation Dirty everywhere, old equipment

Negative experience: I wouldn’t come back. Quite dirty, not a lot of machines, equipment is quite old and depending when you are able to come to the gym, it’s overcrowded by multiple kids using one machine or bench. Two stars because staff seem somewhat friendly and offers a decent amount in terms of facility like basketball court, pool, steam room and sauna. Also I found it to be more expensive than good life for example.

Negative experience: Tried to call to get basic information regarding hours and facilities. Staff were extremely rude and hung up phone on me after waiting on hold for 15 minutes. Zero stars if possible.

Positive experience: As much as I'd love the Y, anytime after 3 PM, this basically becomes an unsupervised daycare for tweens and teens. Usually the weight room is full of a dozen groups of 3-6 kids, many of whom occupy machines for a long time while they also rough house and say offensive things. A lot of the kids treat also the equipment really roughly, like they're on a playground, so it's often broken, and the staff don't ever intervene. And many of them are below the minimum age requirement that the Y itself sets out, so clearly there's no interest in addressing these problems.

Negative experience: It’s a good simple gym, not too busy or anything and it also has a lot of activities and a pool and a hot tub. The only problem is whenever you go in the womens locker room it smells so much like seasoning and spices that if were to go in the hot tub you would feel like you’re in a soup. I have no idea why the washroom smells like curry everyday but the cleaning lady told me no one eats inside it, so I guess the management should add some sprays or products cause the smell is really AWFUL

Positive experience: I signed up to their 7 days free pass and got to use it only once. I’m trying to connect at the front desk but it seems that their phone is not working. I am trying to sign up for a membership. I tried online but other fee keeps adding up. One lady at the front desk said i can waived the joining fee if i register within the 7days period. But i guess it’s too late now.

Negative experience: I’ve been going since 2010 and used to love it — but the “welcoming” back of members post-lockdown is very lacking. So few quality classes, along with a lack of staff or disinterested staff. There is a general air of neglect hanging over the whole place. Such a bummer because it used to be really vibrant! Just a pervasive vibe of not giving a F%@#. Needs a complete overhaul, probably.

Positive experience: Primarily chosen this gym due to its interior: the gym has multiple levels, with walls/ poles/ rooms that separate the sections. Along with the placements of the machines, opposed to an open floor plan (that other gyms often adopt), it just gives me a sense of privacy and allows me to focus. I recommend this to my fellow introverts or people with social anxiety.

Negative experience: I had been registered at the YMCA for three months but they don't treat LGBTQ ️‍ people well and politely that’s why I only used its pool just for one day although I could not enjoy even one day and it was reserved for YMCA group programs and there were many people in that very small pool However, I tried to practice breathing with my friend in a corner of the pool, but the officials there did not even give us the right to speak and said that should be quiet.Just like going to church Also, be careful because I had to pay the next month's tuition again after withdrawing from the YMCA! I had a good experience of being a member of YMCA in another locations, but the worst YMCA location is here. 931 College st

Positive experience: Enjoyed my time here this week. Very friendly and helpful staff. The equipment is very outdated though but besides that it had a basketball court and a swimming pool which was cool! NOT a place for semi elite lifters for sure but just a regular workout it’s a good location.

Fantastic experience: I often go to Leticia's classes, she is a great coach, attentive and always with a smile on her face !!!!

Positive experience: Can be a bit busy and overwhelming but overall clean and good vibes

Negative experience: I Found out a rat in the playground!!! The only kids Zone in this location, and it is not clean and safe for you kid anymore! Its been 2 weeks since last time I saw it and it hasn't resolve this problem yet! NOVEMBER 2023 Disgusting!!

Negative experience: The gym facilities themselves are nice, but the sheer volume of people makes it difficult for me to rate the place positively. Weight room is small, very few benches. They’re understaffed and LOTS of kids come and just hang out on the machines with their friends. It’s difficult to recommend the place when you’re paying to spend the majority of your time there just standing around waiting for literally anything to become available.

Fantastic experience: Rooms are small but clean. The Y's facilities were standard fair. Bring a bathing cap if you plan on using the pool. I never had any issues with the staff. Location was superb. Visit was from October 18 to 23.

Positive experience: They need more teachers/ Volunteers who are engaged and fun. I know they don't pay or give membership to volunteers but they should. In order to serve a community well they need to incentivise amazing teachers. The also need to offer more yoga classes especially on sundays.

Negative experience: The do not pick up the phone

Fantastic experience: Love the gym, love the staff!

Fantastic experience: It's the best value for the equipment available in the area. They have wifi and plenty of equipment but it does get insanely busy. My gripes were the groups of pre-teen and teen boys that would congregate and come here to laugh and socialize in the weight room. Hopefully they will realize that the gym is best experienced solo or in pairs if you must have a spotter. All the men working out here are solo so please don't congregate like a bunch of entitled brats. They only have one easy curl bar and it's very popular (as you can load plates on it). Please, please, please get another couple bars for people who do standing curls. The weighted easy curl bars are great but only for reverse curls. Thank you for your attention if you have addressed this! Finally, waiting for a bench in the free weight area can be irritating. They are almost always all in use and despite the volume of people, some ignorant members sit on the benches (and shoulder machines behind) for over 10 minutes. Limit your time in these areas mentioned to 3-4 sets or under 10 minutes PLEASE!!!

Positive experience: The gym is simply too busy. They need to return to their pre-pandemic hours to spread things out.

Negative experience: edit: As suggested in the reply I have sent another email to membership services. It is always an automated reply. As mentioned in my initial post, I have been reaching out to this email and trying the phone lines for years. Still attempting to reach an actual person. 3 years ago I had $400 total worth of monthly charges billed to me and have tried in vain for years to reach anyone who can refund this. The issue began at this location and the only way I finally got my membership cancelled once and for all was to switch to the Cherry St location and have them cancel it. YMCA central doesn't answer their phones or reply to emails. I've tried talking to desk staff at individual locations and no one can connect me with someone who can look into this. As someone who was on disability having a subsidized gym fee was the only way I could afford it, and I was month after month billed the most expensive fee, and after I cancelled my member continued to get billed. I have track records for it all. I'm posting about this publicly everywhere I can now because it's my last idea for how to get in contact with someone who can deal with this.

Fantastic experience: A great facility. Especially for families. The downside is the high price. (for me) Also, they are slow to respond to requests. I've been asking them for months to fix the monitors on the ellipticals. Only one is functioning correctly... a small thing but annoying considering the monthly fee.

Positive experience: i really wish they would return to their previous hours, they used to be open until 11:30 but now they're only open until 10. I am using the one week trial pass and went last night around 9 pm and it was still super busy in the weight room.

Fantastic experience: Friendly and helpful staff at this location. Membership/sales ppl were helpful and accommodating. Doors are all push-button accessible. Elevators available and working.

Negative experience: I've been a member for many years, since 2005 to be exact. And yes, I will say this is a dated gym. But I don't mind that, what I do mind is the equipment falling apart and in some cases unsafe. Above all the hours being cut shorter is one of the biggest issues as you notice the sheer volume of people in the gym is absolutely absurd. It makes it difficult to workout when there are that many people.

Fantastic experience: Close and caring community, clean and safe equipment, easy access and so many options available

Positive experience: I love how close this one is to me, the front desk is usually understaffed, they are very kind. The facility is very clean. My only concerns are the 3rd floor yoga room is directly under the weight room and during what are suppose to be relaxing classes we can hear really jarring barbell drops from upstairs. The weights are so aggressively dropped that Ive heard drywall falling down in the walls while in relaxing poses and am startled by this and am not relaxed anymore. They need to put up signs near the weights explaining not to drop the weights down. Otherwise wonderful experiences.

Fantastic experience: Family friendly nice and clean facility

Positive experience: Small pool ‍♀️ in a very busy neighborhood with some average equipment that could use an upgrade. Very helpful customer service for short term program info and booking.

Negative experience: $14 for 1 Day!? $60 for a Month!? You need to update your facilities. Cleanliness and Maintainaince is an issue here As well. The Guy down below (Bruno) is lying about how "Clean" it is. The people leaving 5 reviews probably work there. I can get a Gym mem membership at a state of the art facility for $20 a month. It's super clean. Very well maintained. And the staff is very Friendly. I suggest you avoid the Ymca like the Plague until they clean up their act! The Employees are so rude and lazy it's unbelievable. Every single one of them should be fired ASAP!

Positive experience: As a lifelong member I'm sad that I have to leave the YMCA. For years I appreciated their late hours and would often have my main workout late at night (10-1130pm) so I could unwind after my late schedule before bed. My workout always includes a swim and I loved being able to drop in for this. Unfortunately since COVID these things have changed and do not appear to be changing back. They now close at 10 so the latest I'd be able to start a decent workout would be 8-830 when I'm often still working, and pool availability has changed to a sign up based system which means I can't drop by and the slots are always full. They also no longer offer towels... Absolote reduction in the services that made this gym stand out. Price of course has not been reduced.

Positive experience: Great place to work out.

Negative experience: Terrible gym. Old ancient equipment not maintained. Change room dirty. Staff socializing instead of performing some basics for cleanliness and maintenance of equipment. Avoid..

Positive experience: World famous artists used to swim here.

Negative experience: Aside from Old equipment, the wifi is terrible and isn’t strong enough to use any apps. If wifi is upgraded I will take this down.

Fantastic experience: I've been a member for over 29 years. It's my home from home. This is a not for profit organization that does a lot in the local community as well as overseas. It's a small building with a large impact. Since reopening, the programmes are returning on all levels.

Fantastic experience: I play basketball there and its great

Fantastic experience: The West End Y is one of the best Fitness Centre's out there. Cathyann and Ravi's Team are wonderful! Check out the new Rooftop Garden!

Fantastic experience: I've been working out here for about a year now. The staff are very kind, the place is well kept, and the price is fair -- the building it's in is also beautiful.

Fantastic experience: I'm enjoying this gym for 8 months now, at least 5 times per week, and I can affirm that it is clean, organized, well equipped and well staffed. It is busy but most gyms are anyways. Would like to give a special thanks to all Staff and Management as they are fantastic!

Fantastic experience: I'm enjoying this gym for 8 months now, at least 5 times per week, and I can affirm that it is clean, organized, well equipped and well staffed. It is busy but most gyms are anyways. Would like to give a special thanks to all Staff and Management as they are fantastic!

Fantastic experience: Great spot to play pickup sports with people! It has lots of facilities including a 18.5 meter pool, 2 squash courts and a basketball court. You can go for a day pass for ~14$ or get a monthly plan for ~60$. Remember you need to book things in advance (max 1 week) because they fill up fast!

Negative experience: I spent 30 minutes on a chat where the attendent told me I had to purchase a membership before they would give out the schedule! She told me to phone, which I did, only to speak with somemone whose english was not intelligable. She was very rude. I recognize it is a difficult situation for her especially with a poor grasp of English and poor orgnaization on behalf of the company. So sad that this organization gets governemnet funding to only offer services in secret

Negative experience: I’m yet another disappointed member trying to sign up for classes and was told (online) I need to call (for private swim lessons). Guess what? NO ANSWER!!! Grrrr

Positive experience: They send me a email 2 days ago saying they will open doors today and I found the door locked with nobody working.

Fantastic experience: Excellent place! Very friendly staff and atmosphere in general. I love how the YMCA offer so many different options for working out at every hour. I can tell that I felt welcomed by everyone there :)

Fantastic experience: Great facility!

Fantastic experience: Consistently the best no nonsense health club/gym in the core with a distinctly urban/homelike feel to the building.

Negative experience: This Y only protects donors and full fee members. *Do not expect support if you have a discounted membership or special needs.* This is a medium-sized facility that is extremely aged and shows it. Limited equipment available and most of it is also showing its age. The classes and the indoor running track are the only good things here.

Positive experience: i liked the gym but it got too busy, had to leave

Negative experience: The women in the child care/play area are miserable.

Negative experience: Worse experience ever. I lost my bag, purse, phone and even clothes from locker. There is thief in ymca and they cannot monitor. Some one broke my locker lock and took everything. Staff said they will let me know if they find anything later. OMG. They didn’t even let me check camera .

Positive experience: Slow to solve issues , low customer Serice & under staffed only thing good is for allowing every member to use the facilities

Positive experience: it’s okay. i’ve generally had unpleasant experiences with the front staff who seem frazzled and unequipped to work customer service.

Negative experience: Visited the center twice during my 7 day free pass and won’t go again. The staff at the front weren’t the greatest during my second trip, and the cycle fit bikes are terrible and need some tuning. The heat upstairs by the free weights room is absolutely unbearable! They charge 66 a month with a 90 dollar sign up fee. Sure, they may waive that fee if you sign up after your first day trial session, but in my opinion for that price, you’ll be better off going to GoodLife as it’s only a 5-10 dollar difference max. The only good thing for me about the gym is it’s location. I’m a regular member at the F45 down the street and definitely won’t be switching over.

Fantastic experience: My favorite Toronto gym!

Fantastic experience: muito bom!

Fantastic experience: Would you give free winter pass to a 92 yr old teen lol

Fantastic experience: Great!

Fantastic experience: A great place to exercise. They have everything you need for a good workout like weights (stationary & free), stair-climbers, rowers, cycles, elliptical, treadmills, cardio, etc., most with free classes and 1 or 2 free sessions with a personal trainer (membership req'd.) You are also welcome to the indoor squash and basketball courts, indoor running track, a refreshing swim or melt away the pain and impurities in the sauna. If that's not enough, sit and have a light snack and quench your thirst at the juice bar. PRICES ARE GREAT, especially for what you get. Go and enjoy, I do! CHEERS

Fantastic experience: its my favorite gym :)

Fantastic experience: One of the best gym in the city.

Fantastic experience: Great group of guys. My go to gym to play racquetball. Highly recommend.

Fantastic experience: Friendly Staff, helpful on providing info, membership etc. Felt the Cost of membership was a bit too high for my family.

Negative experience: Cardio equipment is frequently broken. Facility is hot and humid 6 months of the year. Management makes little effort to improve the facility. Overpriced and poor value. I was a member for 11 years but the facility has been declining over the past 5 years and I finally cancelled.

Negative experience: They never pick up the phone.

Negative experience: That place is crumbling and decaying. It needs better cleaning. Unfortunately people are going there because there is no other option around.

Negative experience: Overall it's a good gym, but the men's room is very dank and always smells disgusting, especially past the lockers. For $65/mo I think they should address this. My only other gripe is that the programming is often done in 60 minute chunks which are too short. 4 months later and I hate going here, but sadly there is no other options nearby. Hone on bloor is worse. Overcrowded, no music, way too many children on workout machines, staff never know the answers to my questions… praying for a good westend gym to open. Miss 99Sudbury.

Positive experience: the facilities are great, but the temperature is dangerously warm. For many people, working out in those temperatures is unsafe.

Positive experience: Really like the gym. Only complaint is that it’s a bit too hot inside

Fantastic experience: One of the best gym in the city.

Negative experience: I just moved out of the city and I called to cancel my membership and the sales rep seemed to find it amusing to tell me that I have to cancel my membership in person. I explained that I don't live in Toronto anymore and it's actually hours away for me and he responded that that's too bad but I have to do it in person and that he can't help me. Very pompous and rude.

Positive experience: Great gym- Oh my god, so hot though. Turn the heat down!!

Negative experience: Lots of children running around using equipment. It's a good gym for families but if your a single person your better off at a Goodlife or elsewhere.

Negative experience: The staff here are very rude and obviously have an issue with clients with mental health

Fantastic experience: good price (you can ask for discounts if you have low income), nice environment, nice people, you can always find a spot even if it's busy, and it's quite busy!

Fantastic experience: Excellent services

Fantastic experience: Been going here for years. Amazing variety of services and programs. Is definitely a community hub. great for kids and adults of all ages. Highlights include the pool, steam room facilities, basketball court, track, tae kwon do program and a variety of other fitness programs available.

Fantastic experience: Love this place! Great community vibe, fun classes, and a great place to bring kids on a cold winter morning. Lucky to have it in our hood!

Fantastic experience: Love this YMCA. The Tae Kwon Do classes are excellent, especially for kids.

Fantastic experience: One of my favorite places.

Positive experience: Adorable, clean and functional

Negative experience: This review is about Management only and not the staff. The staff themselves are friendly and very helpful. Problems with management are as follows: - Decreasing member services with no decrease in fee - Unresponsive to members' concerns - Refusal to fix defective equipment, some of which has been broken for years - Allowing free trial passes to go on indefinitely which is actually quite disruptive to regular members due to many "free passers" not knowing or not following the rules - And, apparently, cutting hours of part time workers to save money since the increase in the minimum wage came into effect Basically, this new management is all about cutting costs, saving money, and disregarding members' valid concerns

Positive experience: College YMCA is a great place to do activities. But YMCA web page is so difficult to find the activities. It should be more simple, it is so confuse. Each YMCA should have their own full daily page activities. Like the brochure that they used to have before, very simple.