Gahanna YMCA

For a place that is supposed to be family friendly, this place is not. We joined so that our 4-year-old triplets could do swim lessons there and to use the pool to help strengthen their abilities in the water. When signing them up for lessons, I was unable to get all three of them in to one class so I have 2 on Tuesdays and 1 on Thursday. A couple of weeks ago, a lady who identified herself as the head lifeguard told the lifeguard closest to us to tell us that my son (who was waiting his turn to practice floating) wasn't able to be in the water because I was not holding him. I explained that my dad and my husband were working with my other two and I was sitting on the bleachers (typically I do get in the pool but was not feeling great that day) but could stand on the stairs with him. She said, "I'm so sorry in advance but she is coming over to talk to you."She said that I needed to be with my son in the pool (my husband and my dad were standing at the bottom of the steps at this point) - to clarify, each "step" is about 9 ft by 2.5 ft with railings that separate the 3 different sections, so they were not blocking anyone's way in or out at all. I also explained that our entire purpose in being there was to work on their skills since they are new swimmers - but she said that any time they are in the pool they need to be HELD and are not allowed to be on the stairs at all. I asked her if we were able to have them sit on the side of the pool (like they do while they are waiting for their turn in swim lessons) and was told no. I then asked her what we are supposed when it just my husband and me and we have three kids? She said that we would just not be able to have all 3 of them in the pool with us at one time or they had to wear puddle jumpers the whole time. We do not use puddle jumpers or flotation devices with them because we do not want them to gain that false sense of security when in the water and IF it is the two of us, one of us will stay with the two who aren't practicing. I explained this and also tried to explain again that we are there solely to work on their awareness around water and to teach them to swim/float. At this point, we were feeling very targeted because there every time we have been there, there are always people who are playing/waiting on the steps.The next time we went back for our Thursday kid's lesson, my dad got in the pool with 2 out of 3 kids (my husband was changing in the locker room) and my lesson kiddo went in a few steps because he just wanted to show us how he could hold his breath under water. Within a few seconds, a male walked over to us and told us that he couldn't be on the steps. Again, feeling pretty targeted since we had only been there for a few seconds. He said that my kids weren't allowed to be on the stairs because they could walk off the bottom step and cause an event where they needed to be rescued. I explained to him that my kid has a lesson and he just walked in for a second to get wet and we were going to be on our way to the lesson as soon as my husband was out of the locker room. Since he was still standing there mansplaining to me about water safety, I asked him point blank, "So, my husband and I are two people who happen to have three kids... you are telling me that we are not allowed to be at this pool unless we are holding them the entire time?" and he said that is correct and then proceeded to tell me that he is a twin so his mom had to go through this and how because of this he understands my frustration? My husband was there now so I told him ok, I get it, we joined so that we could practice water skills but since you're telling me that with our family situation, that is not possible. In any case, I need to get my son to his lesson now and walked him down. Apparently after that, he decided to continue with my husband. Two minutes later, I see my dad, my husband, and my two other children walking toward us. He told my husband that they HAVE TO put my kids in puddle jumpers and made them all get out of the pool to walk to get them. I intervened at that point and told him that we are NOT going to be using flotation devices and that is NOT what he told me -- my husband and my dad each have a kid and therefore they are not breaking any rules. He said, "well, we strongly advise they have these on". I told him no, absolutely not ONLY purpose here is to teach them to swim -- we have a pool at home that they play in -- this one is for learning. I told my husband and my dad to go ahead and take the other two back so they could work on their skills and that if he had anything else to say to me, he could wait until after my son's lesson.I realize this is a very long review but we joined the Y with the understand that it was a great place for families and that has not been our experience at all. It also isn't enforced across the board which is another big reason for the negative review.

Amazing staff amazing ours is even open on Sunday always clean always friendly staff and members. Great pool indoor and outdoor great hot tub great sauna.

My family went to the Y all the time when I was a kid (not this one.) Sweetie has been a member here for awhile, and she and her mom often go to exercise classes here. I had avoided it, having previously gone to the rec center at my work which is super cheap. But Baby K needed a place to swim, and this works out well.We went as guests of Sweetie, cheaper for what we're doing than getting a family membership. And we will eventually sign up for swim classes, still cheaper to do than joining, and cheaper than swim schools elsewhere. We went on a weekday afternoon; I'm sure it's busy on the weekends but it was just fine for us- some other swimmers, people working out, etc., but no crowds.The pool is great, with marked lanes, a large wading area and steps, diving boards, a slide, etc. Also a hot tub and a therapy pool. We bounced and splashed, etc. I swam a little on my own. The locker rooms are great, with many showers, swimsuit dryer, etc. And we also used the family changing rooms just outside.Everything is clean and seems new, though I know this has been here awhile. Staff were super friendly and helpful. There are exercise areas, basketball courts, there's a place for daycare, etc., etc. I was very impressed. It's big but not huge. Parking is ample. Prices are reasonable compared to exercise clubs.50 years after my first experiences with them, the Y is still a community asset.

I re-joined the YMCA after gyms re-opened in the fall and have been making my way around to the different branches to take classes and get workouts in. Gahanna has done a good job balancing social distancing in their classes and allowing the maximum amount of access to workout spaces. There are plenty of spray bottles of cleaning solution and paper towels, and hand sanitizer available throughout the facility.If you're looking to get back into group exercise, the Gahanna Y has plenty of classes throughout the week, great for those of us who have missed group exercise over the past year. It's easy to sign up on the website and reserve a space, which eases my mind that I won't be walking into a crowded, not-distanced class - the floor stickers help keep everyone set apart from each other. Although I wear my mask during my workouts, I have felt confident the Y is keeping everyone as safe as possible.

Really great YMCA with all the amenities. Can always find a machine and super helpful staff.

This location was amazing from 2009- 2104. It was still very good from 2014- 2019. Since then it has gone downhill and there's no stopping it. If you plan to swim, hot tub or sauna, good luck. Early risers are fine, but all others are screwed. The fitness area is nice. Not overly crowded. Paying extra for the pools is foolhardy! They are hardly ever available from 1pm to 9:45pm (the old closing time), except for swim team practices! Evening hours are 4-7:45 pm, and crowded as hell. Covid ruined this facility and they cannot recover. Facility and aquatics managers have dropped the ball for four years. Join Planet Fitness for 1/2 the price, cuz your not going to get to use the pools anyway.

Every time I come to the Y the air conditioner is broke or turned up to 80 which is everyday. This has been going on for years. I think I will cancel my membership just for this reason.

It's a beautiful YMCA with everything an active individual could wish for. Well organized equipment, an olympic size pool, a sauna and helpful staff make this location a joy to visit.

I love the YMCA but there is this aqua directer and she has been very unprofessional she has threatened to kick me and my family out with her made up rules some life guards quit because of her and has been picking on me I think this YMCA could've been better

Unfortunately today I had another negative experience at this YMCA. My family of 6 took advantage of the basketball court family reservations. The children were having a good time. They were playing together and working with my partner to further strengthen their basketball skills when one of the staff members came onto the court questioning whether or not my partner had a membership and accusing him of running a class. Again it was just him and our children on the court while I was watching from the side. Then as we were leaving she stopped us again, accusing him of not having a membership. We have had a membership since 2018 and always stop at the from to scan in an confirm our reservations (which we had scheduled) He had rescan his membership card to prove that he had a membership. I am not sure if the issues I have had with this particular YMCA are racially motivated, however I feel very uncomfortable bringing my family to this YMCA. I have been under the impression that the YMCA is a family member establishment that welcomes people of ethnicities, races, and religions. At this point I am not sure if the staff at this particular YMCA follow the same beliefs. I am not sure what else is expected of us so that we could peacefully enjoy the experience we pay for monthly. I am very disappointed.