Brighton Ymca

Staff and service are top notch at many of these Boston institutions. Oak Square exceeds in the "family" portion of Y family values. You feel welcome and safe to try new things. The members are kind and the machines are very very clean. The spa was closed when I went there but I understand that they want to clean and maintain it properly. Go to this Y and get your money's worth.

Love this Y. Ive made friends from the fitness classes, most of which are awesome. There’s a really great group of regulars who are very welcoming. I cant recommend Kierstens classes enough, Rivian and Dalian are also highlights. Staff is also great- friendly and responsive. I do wish there were more squat racks in the weight room (they got rid of two in order to have more machines down there that don’t get a lot of use). Also wish that they would make the areas around the large cable machine more accessible for wheelchair users (the row section sticks out into the aisle and creates a bottleneck). Also they could use a few more weight benches since they often get moved over to the squat racks.

Pretty good apart from the guy who is in the weight room apparently 24/7 loudly and aggressively rapping whatever is playing in his headphones or whatever is going through his mind. Gym staff seem to be scared to ask him to stop. If he would just stick to whistling like a parrot that would be okay with me.

First, let me preface my review with the fact that this is a YMCA in an urban area so don’t expect large outdoor areas or tons of parking. Beyond that, you’ll find a friendly and welcoming staff that lives up to the Ys principles about ensuring a place for everyone. It’s got all the weights and machines you need and with lots of natural light, including in the Gym. The pool has been the main feature I use. The guards are all very nice and friendly. The pool (6 x25yds) can get crowded during rush hours and nobody abides by the “fast” or “slow” lane descriptions, but everyone is willing to share lanes and circle swim. The main pool issue has been the intermittent malfunctioning of the heater. Sometimes it gets way too hot for lap swim, to the point you have to get out. Great value for $ and supports a good cause.

This is a really difficult gym. They have limited time reserved for the gym and they allow adults at the same time as teens on a half court. The adults play pick up basketball, force the girls or younger people out and so there is even less time allowed. The guy at the front desk usually sympathies and offer “weekend times” except, the adults use it too at that time and so you get a membership and can’t use the gym. The don’t care about young women except when they use cardio machines. It’s really geared toward men and young boys, and young girls have zero support and it stinks.