The Most Delectable Gyms in Virginia Beach

Great Neck Recreation Center

★★★★☆ 3.8 (18)

"I could not imagine now living in a city without an offering of recreational centers, that's how spoiled my family has got by these. Cost for city residents is very minimal and worth every penny. The center has went through a renovation of several areas including main entrance, lobby, basketball court . Parking is usually never a problem and over flow is at Great Neck Park. Great Neck Recreation Center is located off of Great Neck Rd. You will need to drive down Shorehaven past Cox H.S and just beyond Great Neck baseball field.Both of our children learned to swim in this pool through their "learn to swim" lessons offered throughout the year at a very inexpensive cost. Most of the swimming instructors have been both excellent coaches and gifted in working with young children. I cannot emphasize enough the importance of getting you children in the pool by 3-4 years old with all the water we have in this area. The Aquatics Dept in all of the VB Rec Centers have open enrollment in late Summer for ages 6-18 if your children already know how to swim. It is called "Winter League" and the individual rec centers compete against each other in swimming events. I have been involved in this for several years with my children and recommend. Also the cost is dirt cheap for the amount of instructions they get Nov - Jan.The lobby area has two pool tables. The rec center offers a game room for kids. There is also air hockey and a basketball game like they have at Chuck E Cheese. For the older kids an electronics game room is more selective hours offers Wii, Xbox 360 and some other type of games. This area seems to more busy than the Bayside location. The gym is a full court basketball court and is also has multi uses. There is also a Sportswall that is utilized for footballs and other games. At times they will pull a curtain and have BB on one side of the gym and another activity on the other. The centers most utilized area is the cardio room and weight room. The most upgraded equipment is on site, it's just not as plentiful as many would like and there can be lines.The center also offers many after school program, we have never used it but know through neighbors it is a hit. There are lots of other programs offered by the VB Rec Center System, but what I did was shed light on ones that I was most familiar with. Like I said before, our family could not imagine a life without these wonderful facilities in our area. The Great Neck Recreational Center is clean, has wonderful dedicated staff and offer a variety of programs that any family could benefit from. If you have yet to check them out, or the others in the VB system I encourage you to do so. Just my opinion, but this one is slightly nicer facility wise than BS Rec."

Blocker Norfolk Family YMCA

★★★★☆ 4.1 (45)

"They have a great number of group exercise class options. I love MixxedFit and Zumba the most. If you ever get the chance to take Alexis (MixxedFit) or Sparkle (Zumba/Bellydance), PLEASE DO. You WILL have fun and burn lots of calories. This location is so huge that I haven't visited all the floors yet. I've just been on the 1st-3rd floors. My only complaint is the parking situation. It is downtown, so finding parking can be horrendous unless you pay an extra $10 mo to park in their garage. I had to park very far away to take the 6 pm bellydance class on Monday and I didn't feel safe walking alone to my car. So, I may have to pay that fee just to be closer to the building. Other than that, I haven't experienced any negatives."

Greenbrier North YMCA Wellness/Racquetball Ctr

★★★★★ 4.5 (4)

"I'm loving it here thus far!I have been a member of the YMCA for years now, but I have recently started coming to this location as of a month ago. My daughter goes to a Summer camp nearby so this location is super perfect. While this gym is much smaller than my preferred location - Taylor Bend, it has all the necessary equipment I need for an effective workout.One aspect I love about this location is that it's a racquetball center as well. And the courts are located on the inside and it's at least six courts. How cool is that??!! I haven't tried to play yet, but it's coming and my 10 year old daughter is excited to play as well.The stay and play and the interactive zone (for children) isn't packed at all. I believe this location is solely for convenience because there is a much larger YMCA less than 10 minutes away off of Greenbrier Parkway. I haven't visited that one either, but this one here is a keeper.I have no issues getting to the gym equipment, no wait in line, but the weight room is fairly small. However, it seems as though most visit here to participate in Zumba, other organized classes and racquetball. While the weight room does get close to being crowded it's always manageable. The parking lot is fairly small as well. I have witnessed on days organized classes are held, the parking lot tends to fill super quickly by 5pm during the week. I have also witnessed others using nearby parking lots of other businesses or waiting for someone to leave out the YMCA parking space to get in the parking lot.Inside the women's locker room, there is a hot tub as well as a sauna! No sharing with the opposite sex or perhaps women feeling uncomfy...great amenity!If you haven't visited this location yet...try it out if you're a member. I'm a super fan!"

Pine Island Racquet & Fitness Center

★★★★☆ 4.4 (13)

"No public courts in Duck! But the Pine Island Racquet and Fitness Club is open to the public. We happened to drop in there and play in their indoor courts for 2 hrs, they were having some clinics at the same time and they looked pretty fun. I'm glad we didn't have to venture across the sound to find a court or have to play in the heat (lasted longer)."

Clarence V Cuffee Community Center

★★★★☆ 4.3 (3)

"The Dr. Clarence V. Cuffee Community Center is located in the Plymouth Park section of SoNo in Chesapeake. It opened in 2007 amid much fanfare. This underserved area of the city desperately needed a place for kids to get off the street and engage in more positive endeavors. Over the years the center has been well maintained has proven a valuable asset to the community. The spacious parking lot provides easy access in and out with multiple points of ingress and egress. Like the community center, the parking lot is well maintained and kept clean.The community center includes a gymnasium, a club room with a kitchen, meeting rooms, fitness and weight rooms, locker rooms and a game room with computers and gaming stations. The second-floor library is on the small side but is stocked with books and features over 20 public computers with internet access. The Cuffee center has much to offer and I appreciate the way the city has maintained the facility. It is now 13 years old but remains clean and in good repair. It has become a community focal point and serves as the precinct polling place at election times. Operating hours have been reduced during the current COVID-19 pandemic and the center is closed on weekends at this time. Current operating hours are Monday - Thursday 9 AM - 8 PM, and 9 AM - 5 PM on Friday. Hopefully we will be able to soon put this pandemic behind us and the center can return to their normal operating schedule.Adjoining the community center is Campostella Square Park which enhances what the facility has to offer with outdoor basketball courts, pavilions, a playground, walking path, etc... Though the park has been allowed to deteriorate a bit over the years the Cuffee Center itself has been kept up. I appreciate the role this recreation center plays in the community."

Simon Family JCC

★★★★☆ 4.2 (11)

"BEST gym. OK size weight room but it's never so full you can't work out. The pool is AMAZING- especially the outdoor pool which is totally worth it. not too deep but never packed. Yolanda will greet you and put a smile on your face. the bathrooms are clean, nice showers.GREAT gym and worth the money."

Albemarle Family YMCA

★★★★☆ 4 (4)

"Awesome family place to exercise! Quan is an excellent trainer! Very knowledgeable and friendly!"

Princess Anne Family YMCA

★★★★☆ 4.1 (26)

"After almost 500 hundred visits I guess I'm pretty qualified to review at least one aspect of the Princess Anne Y. I'm most familiar with the aquatics program associated with YMCA through USA club TIDE Swimming. Located off Princess Anne and Dam Neck Rd. The parking lot is enormous and the only issue with locating a space would be during events or meets. Typically the lot is debris free, however the front trash can has been known to overflow. A second one to have on each side not a bad idea. The Y was constructed four years ago and a brand new outdoor Olympic size Myrtha pool was introduced at the same time. The 50 meter 9 lane competition pool is primarily used by Tide, but is always open to members outside of a meet year around. It is currently the only one of its kind on the Southside of Hampton Roads. The configuration changes from long course to short course based off need. Bleacher seating is available for spectators. Restrooms are off deck. Members must check-in to front desk. The sunrises are magnificent! Cleanliness of the outdoor pool deck area is typically good. Maintenance could be improved as the pool approaches a 5 year mark this Fall. Tide and the Y work on this jointly. Guards watch the pool when it's open and are responsible for checking chlorine levels and keeping it clean. A new cooling feature to the pool was just installed. The chiller will ensure consistency with temperatures in hot Summer months. They also features an indoor water park and pool. YMCA lessons are conducted from this area and parents are welcome to watch. Adult programming is also available. Locker rooms with showers and family changing is off deck. Typically they are maintained nicely. On a side note since I'm familiar with this location. They have a large exercise area with free weights, treadmill machines and more. No indoor track like Norfolk. The equipment was just replaced a few months ago.If your already a YMCA member this is a fantastic gym with friendly and helpful staff. It's not the most convenient for everyone, but with so much growth in the area it's always busy."

Taylor Bend Family YMCA

★★★★☆ 3.9 (37)

"I've been coming here for a few years now,I love the indoor track and the variety of workout equipment available to you."

Greenbrier Family YMCA

★★★★☆ 4 (21)

"Love a good indoor and outdoor option for pools and this YMCA in Chesapeake has both. The outdoor swimming pool and play area is seasonal. This Greenbriar Y was at one time a secondary pool my son swam at when bubbled in the Winter. I have found it to be overall clean with nice staff. Parking is typically never an issue. The lot is kept clean. Tide Swimming offers a club swimming schedule at this location. The facility offers a variety of programs for its members. I am only familiar with aquatics. The indoor six lane 25 yard pool is well maintained and chlorinated properly. Guards are always on duty and often are young, but professional. Locker rooms are good size and spic and span. The outdoor pool is a big hit in the Summer. There is a fun splash area for toddlers as well as a sprinkler area that's fun. It's showing it's age. but well maintained and family friendly. 3.5 rounding down."

Princess Anne Recreation Center

★★★★☆ 4.2 (19)

"A city without an offering of recreational centers is not a city I would want to call home. Thats just how spoiled my family has got by the City of Virginia Beach Recreational Centers. The reasonable cost when compared to a traditional gym is substantial. It has increased over the decade of use, but I'm still fan. The location just off Nimmo Parkway is beside the PA Library and firehouse. Parking is usually never a problem unless there is an event which limits parking. The PA Rec Center has been utilized by our family for over 9 years. Both of our children learned to swim in this pool through their "learn to swim" lessons offered throughout the year at a very inexpensive cost. Most of the swimming instructors have been both excellent coaches and gifted in working with young children. I cannot emphasize enough the importance of getting your children in the pool by 3-4 years old with all the water we have in this area.The lobby area sports a pool table. Also books in this area can be taken by the honor system, so enjoy taking one home and bring it back and if you want to donate others feel free to drop off at front desk.The Aquatics Dept in all of the VB Rec Centers have open enrollment right now for something more competitive for ages 6-18 if your children already know how to swim. It is called "Winter League" and the individual rec centers compete against each other in swimming events. I have been involved in this for years with my children and recommend. Also the cost is dirt cheap for the amount of instructions they get Nov - Jan.The rec center offers a game room for kids. Things such as pool tables, ping pong tables and climbing area. There is also air hockey and a hoops like they have at Chuck E Cheese. For the older kids 8&U another room is more selective hours offers Wii, Xbox 360 and some other type of electronic games. This area never seems to busy to me.The gym is a full court basketball court and is also has multi uses. At times they will pull a curtain and have BB on one side and another activity such as ping pong on another.The biggest hit for members is the workout rooms. They have the latest equipment of treadmills, weights and more. Personal trainers are available at an additional cost. There can waits for equipment if you arrive at peak. My usual early AM time has never been an issue. If your into racquetball there are two courts for use. How about group aerobic classes with rocking music, yep they have that too!The new locker room for handicap access was just completed over the Summer. It has restrooms, showers and lockers. The traditional men and women's locker room is off the pool deck with interior access across from the workout room. The center also offers an after school program and newer in house daycare. We have never used it but know through friends it is a hit.There are so many programs offered by the VB Rec Center System. A printed quarterly book is available, or find online.I could not imagine a life without these wonderful facility in our area. The Princess Anne Recreational Center is clean, has wonderful dedicated staff and offer a variety of programs that any family can benefit from. If you have yet to check them out I encourage you to do so."

Effingham Street YMCA

★★★☆☆ 3.1 (10)

"After all these years, I still love it here! I love the small and friendly atmosphere of this center. The location is perfect for me as well. It's located right off the exit and only a stop light separates me getting back on the exit...super convenient to home.They have recently added an outdoor playground in the past year or two... great addition.I absolutely love it when the weight room is pretty much empty. The weight room consists of free weights, a Smith Machine, a couple of benches, cardio machines and weighted machines.While this isn't the best center in the world to someone who appreciates the simplicity of a workout center... this is your place to be.The parking lot can get a bit tight, but I have never had a issue with parking. I am usually in and out in 30 minutes.A few years ago I enrolled my daughter in their Summer Camp... very super active children. But one year in that camp was enough for my child. Instructor classes are offered throughout the week and on weekends as well. Check the schedule or ask an employee for a listing. There's only an outdoor pool here...The sauna is unisex and super small.Have fun and enjoy life :)"

Great Bridge/Hickory Family YMCA

★★★★☆ 3.9 (31)

"Love a great indoor and outdoor option for pools and this YMCA in Chesapeake has both. The outdoor swimming pool and play area is seasonal. This Great Bridge Y has been a favorite over the years. I use to visit here with frequency and found it to be clean with super staff. Parking can be challenging during peak times however. The lot is kept clean. The facility offers a variety of programs for its members. I am only familiar with aquatics. The indoor six lane 25 yard pool is well maintained and chlorinated properly. Guards are always on duty and often are young, but professional. Tide Swimming offers a club swimming schedule at this location. There is also an aerobic pool and two water slides. The deck has been tidy. Locker rooms are good size and spic and span. The outdoor pool is a huge hit in the Summer and offers a large deck to sun. I would recommend the Great Bridge YMCA if this is a gym that's in your area. It's not new, but well maintained and family friendly. 3.5 rounding up."

Seatack Recreation Center

★★★☆☆ 3.4 (16)

"A city without an offering of recreational centers is not a city I would want to call home. Thats just how spoiled my family has got by the City of Virginia Beach Recreational Centers. The reasonable cost when compared to a traditional gym is substantial. It has increased over the decade of use, but I'm still fan.This recreation center is not the oldest built in 1997, but it is the smallest making it my least favorite in the system. It has what the others have for the most part, but a smaller scale. It cannot offer the programing of the larger ones, but still has plenty going on. Review the quarterly books that are printed and online.The location is straight forward with signage by the road, but you can pass it up easily. The parking lot was recently sealed and looks great! No debris in the lot, or walks on my most recent. The check-in is immediately inside the door. There is no lobby area like the others. I don't care for that, but there is nothing wrong with it either. I feel a little claustrophobic. The interior area inside the door was clean and I saw a staff person sweeping in the area and emptying trash.So what do they have...a full court gym with rock wall, cardio and weights, an activity room and a six lane pool with 5 meter spring board. A men's and women's locker room is available. Vending machines are in the main corridor.I'm passionate about swimming, so a plug for the systems learn to swims and private lessons. Check out the quarterly listing of learn to swims starting at 4 yrs old. Private lessons are also offered. My children came through the learn to swim program and are both accomplished swimmers. One is a year a round swimmer that got his start at Princesses Anne Recreation Center. Not much more to say about SeaTack. It's a nice choice for beach residents. A 3.5, rounding down due to its limitations. Recommend!"

Hilltop Family YMCA

★★☆☆☆ 2.4 (10)

"I don't have a lot to say about this Y other than I'm disappointed. Not in the awesome staff but in the leadership that has failed and underserved this affluent area of Virginia Beach. This location is known as the geriatric YMCA as many members are retired and older. What is really needed is most likely not in the budget. They need significant upgrades, or best yet a complete new build out and expansion serving the Hilltop community. Parking is often an issue close, but there is a nearby lot. Most of my experience is with their five lane pool. It's maintained to minimum standards. Guards are on duty. They keep the deck for the most part clean. The chlorine is kept at correct levels when I have been there. It's just old and outdated. Hampton Roads has a severe pool shortage, so this is better than nothing. The locker rooms severely lack basics. This location does offer considerable green space which is unique. They have soccer and other youth sports for daycare. During the Summer the fiend is very active with programing. I hope that 2020 brings plans to do something with the Hilltop YMCA. There is a lot of competition that does the exact same thing in the general area. They need to act on doing anything to help this center. 2.5 rounding down."

Indian River Family YMCA

★★★★☆ 4 (6)

"I'm in love and feeling like a bad azz!!First of all, I am giving this location 5 stars based on the WOW factor!!So my daughter was participating in an event about five minutes away from here...I had planned to workout at the Y in Greenbrier thinking that was the closest to my current location... but I did a quick search for YMCA's in the area, and this location popped up! I was concerned at first, because I had absolutely no clue this place existed. Now I have no idea when this place opened...but it was only five minutes away from my baby.So I worked out here a few Friday's ago... the Y wasn't hard to find, but if you are not looking for it, you can easily miss this while riding up and down Indian River Blvd. I traveled this road weekly about four years ago because my baby attended school within walking distance from this location and I had no clue this location was sitting right here. Now the building sits back away from the street, so again if you are not looking for it, you can easily miss it.So I arrived about 6:30 pm and the parking lot was a bit full. The Y is located in a shopping center. As a result, the parking lot is shared with a handful of surrounding businesses. And the parking lot isn't well lit... be careful always.I walked in and was immediately greeted by the front desk employee. I advised this was my first time here, she offered to give me a tour, but I declined. She pointed me in the direction of the women's locker room and then I told her I'll find my way around and thanked her.The locker room is a bit crammed. Well in comparison to other Y's I have visited it's the most maze like set up. But I managed...There is an Olympic size pool (IMO) in the center... so as soon as you walk in the front door... you cannot miss it! The weight room is kinda small in comparison to my main location, but I managed. Alongside weights, cardio machines are located here as well.But the WOW factor comes in to play where most the people here working out all seemed to be fit! So working out on a Friday evening...I felt empowered! A great feeling!There's a functional room in which you can work out one on one or at your own pace away from the main weight room. I did step foot inside and completed a couple sets of dead lifts while two men worked out here as well. But they were not in my way AT ALL.If I am in the area again, I am speed walking to this location.I highly recommend you give them a try. If you are not a member the YMCA does offer free week trials for potential members and every year they have an open house for non members as well.There is an area available to drop your child(ren) off while you work out. And I am sure there is so much more that I missed here, but I was on a time constraint... but next time I plan to thoroughly check out the facility.Have fun and enjoy life :)"

Bow Creek Recreation Center

★★★★☆ 3.5 (24)

"Bow Creek recreation center is is a nice surprise. It's not necessarily in a bad neighborhood, but it's nestled into a squarely working class one. As a city recreation center, it's one of several across VAB that offers a gym, pool, classes, event spaces, pickle ball, etc. There is a very nice pool inside when you first enter and they always have activities going on. I recently visited bc I wanted to rent one of their event rooms for a baby shower. I had a bit of an issue at first bc they were short on staff but was able to view the rooms and come back a few days later to sit and write out the paperwork and make payment. The event staff are excellent and it's such a good deal to be able to rent a room here with tables and chairs! They're so easygoing and helpful. I couldn't be happier. My event isn't until April but they furnish as many tables as you need and chairs for 30 people per room - so you can rent the half room with partition up for $45 an hour, or the full room for double with partition down and it fits 60. One of the rooms is larger and a few of them have water views and a small sink. I will update once we have our event but I'm thrilled with the service so far."

R.F. Wilkinson Family

★★★☆☆ 3.3 (11)

"I had physical therapy at Sentara next door, so decided to try the one week pass. I've been several days this week and must say that I have been pleasantly surprised. If I didn't already have 6 months left on my membership at the rec center I'd seriously consider joining this one. Unlike at the rec center, the pool here has a deep end, which allows me to aqua jog. They also have two dedicated "therapeutic lanes" that are heated to 90 degrees. Double win for me there. While the cardio/weight room is admittedly a bit small, I didn't have a difficult time finding an open machine and the 30 min time limit isn't enforced. They have spin bikes, not just stationary bikes which is a win for me! They also have two nice stretching rooms with stability balls, stretching bands and foam rollers.I actually found the locker room to be quite nice and the showers private and spacious. The price is a little higher than the rec center, but unlike the former it includes all classes. I must admit that the bike class I took was a little bland and I was the youngest person by a few decades, but maybe the afternoon classes attract more young people lol.Overall would be at the top of my list for gyms in Williamsburg, but Onelife in NN reigns surpreme for me on the Peninsula."

Onelife Fitness - VA Beach Blvd Gym

★★★★☆ 3.7 (118)

"Gym is conveniently located off Virginia Beach Blvd. large free weight area, multiple weight machines and cardio/cycle/treadmill area. I typically work out at the Brambleton VA location but use the Virginia Beach location when I visit Family.Morning workouts are crowded but there is space and weights for everyone (occasion long wait for the squat racks).Great place to work out. Love the variety of exercise areas."

Kempsville Recreation Center

★★★☆☆ 3.3 (41)

"So far, this is my favorite of all the Virginia Beach rec centers. It's newer, larger, and has a TON of workout equipment as well as a large walking/running track on the second floor. There is also a huge pool area with a walking water track (the only one I believe of all the centers). The ladies locker rooms are expansive with tons of showers, stalls, and lockers. Last weekend we came here to play pickle ball and this is our favorite location with three courts and bleachers with tons of seating while you wait. Some of the others there is not enough space to accommodate all those who come to play with seats or places to be while you wait and folks end up standing for 20-30 minutes at a time. Not so here! Room for all and everyone is very friendly and welcoming. We stayed to workout at around noon on a Saturday and had no issues with equipment or long waits. The price is excellent at $110 for a year and you can use any of the city's like 6 or more rec centers. Plenty of parking here as well. You can also do a day pass for $10 or a month for $25 but that won't go towards your annual $110 if you do decide to sign up later."

Outer Banks Family YMCA

★★★☆☆ 2.7 (27)

"Recent change in Director has increased my opinion greatly. The new director (I think his name is Todd) is very hands on. I see him often in all areas doing many different jobs. Any safety concern is immediately addressed. Supplies especially for water sports have increased. Lifeguard coverage has improved, and they keep careful watch on kids, even those whose parents have their eyes glued to a phone instead of their own kids. During a recent thunder storm they had everyone exit the water, and two parents actually argued with the lifeguards. Really parents? It's no fun to do CPR on a kid.If I had one wish, I wish the outdoor pool could stay open in September as it's really warm in OBX then. So thankful for this great, fun , safe place to work out."

Mt. Trashmore Family YMCA

★★★★☆ 3.5 (22)

"At one time this was like a second home, literally I was here six out of seven days of the week with my son for swim team on Tide Swimming. He now swims year around at the Princess Anne Y and I find myself back at Trashmore today which seems odd. Tide Swimming continues to use this location for age-group swimmers. The Trashmore YMCA could be the oldest at the Beach. It most certainly is the most central. Located off I-264 and I'm sure you pass it often and wonder how to access. There are two entry points off Independence. Southern and Edwin both take you into the Y. Parking is typically adequate, but usually full in front. The only way to enter is the front. The parking lot and walk up often has debris like it did today. This Y features an indoor and outdoor pool which is my primary reason for coming with my son who is a club swimmer. The 6 lane 25 meter indoor is old and rough, but they keep the water clean. Maintenance is an issue. A lot of rust can be seen including an overhead roof access that's a rusty mess. There is spectator seating to watch lessons. I believe all lessons are conducted in this pool. A small youth locker room off deck as well as an adult locker room. In the past they have been challenged on cleanliness. The outdoor 8 lane 25 yard recreation pool also has a small adjacent water park only used in warm months. This is the pool that my son would mainly practice in. It's in great shape and swim is year around when bubbled in the Fall and removed in Spring. There are no restrooms off deck. Other programming I'm familiar with is Spin and Yoga, but they have much more. Cardio and weight rooms are divided. The Trashmore Y has several classrooms that are used for programming. One of the most popular features of the center is childcare. The final aspect of my write up highlights staff that I have encountered over three years. This includes front desk check-in and aquatics. I have been very pleased with their professionalism, friendliness and helpfulness. Lots of examples of going above and beyond for our family. I think a 3.5 suits them, but rounding down due to aging of the building and maintenance."