City Center YMCA

The City Center YMCA is one of the best fitness facilities in Lancaster, PA. I appreciate that they open at 5 AM on weekdays, which makes it easy to get a workout in before the day starts. They offer plenty of cardio options, including treadmills, ellipticals, stair-steppers, and stationary bikes. The strength-training area is solid as well, with free weights and Smith machines available. Their indoor lap pool is excellent for both exercise and casual swimming, and I’ve often enjoyed using the sauna before cooling off with a swim. They also have a full-size basketball court with four side courts and offer youth recreational leagues like the Jr. NBA. The indoor track is another great feature for both walkers and runners. The staff at the CCY are friendly, polite and courteous, their always willing to lift a helping hand. A day pass is reasonably priced at $10 for non-members.

You get what you pay for at this place with cleanliness being a big issue. It’s obvious that certain parts of the space aren’t adequately being cleaned or maintained regularly. There’s a noticeable amount of dust on the equipment that seems to sit there for long periods of time, and the walls and ceiling are also visibly dirty. For a newer facility, the locker rooms are also surprisingly run down and already showing a lot of wear. The pool area is another concern — the chlorine smell is extremely strong and overwhelming, to the point where it’s uncomfortable to be in the area. They also allow people to work out in regular street clothes, which adds to the overall lack of hygiene and makes the environment feel less professional. A gym should be clean and well maintained, no matter the price, and unfortunately this one falls short. Would love to know where management is allocating their funds.

This is a remarkable gem in historic Lancaster. Traveling to be with family I emailed in advanced and learned from Jenn that this Y has day passes. Terrific! Only $10.00 (March 2025) and the facility is top notch with super nice employees too. The members were diverse in age, size, ethnicity and ability and all were welcomed. Filled with Precor equipment- stationary bikes (both recumbent and upright), weight machines, treadmills, stair masters - weight machines, a basketball court and a pool which had an ambient temperature of 80degrees the day I was there. Lots of lanes for swimming and I was there after lunch and there were lanes open, and easily accommodated my slow pace. The hot tub and sauna was delightful too. This really is a treasure that this visitor to Lancaster is most grateful to have discovered. Thank you!

I’m so grateful for our local Ymca and especially the silver Sneakers program. I am very disappointed in the women’s locker room. It seems to be extremely dirty and the shower is barely dribble. I laid my coat down in the locker room and when I picked it up, it was covered with black greasy dirt. Taking a shower was a bit like hoping that a light drizzle will water the garden. Just a little more attention to these items would really elevate the experience.

This is easily the filthiest gym in Lancaster. I have voiced this concern to the director and nothing changes. It is visibly dirty in here. My partner got ringworm from the pool. Often there are no available rags or spray to clean equipment. This gym is a MRSA outbreak waiting to happen. And they charge an arm and a leg, too.

Pool is randomly closed during normal operating hours. If you’re going to close the one service that is available with only a few gym memberships in Lancaster maybe do it after hours, not when members are actually here to use it👍. It’s ridiculous to advertise open swim hours then shut down on a week day in the middle of the day nonetheless for cleaning when there’s 23 other hours in a day to be able to do it. Total waste of time showing up to not be able to use a service being paid for. Additionally every time I’ve called to ask about anything regarding the pool or hours the phone has yet to be answered yet every time I’ve walked into the Y at there has always been someone sitting at the front desk. Why not just put holiday hours on the website or put pool closures on the website? The only upside of the YMCA is the price, it’s a pretty good deal, but good luck using any amenities because you’ll have to come at the most obscure hours when everyone has a conflict otherwise you’ll be stuck waiting for a free spot in the gym, treadmill, or lane in the pool (if it’s even open).

Above and beyond. New leadership and experienced coaches with a team that really lives up to their commitment for health and wellbeing. I am grateful to experience this momentum when I dig into being present for my workouts.

It was a nice workout. I enjoy the bicycles and the treadmills and see track up on the third floor at this point that's all I have used but I appreciate it all them different types of ways to exercise at the YMCA.