Park Slope Armory YMCA

I really think this place has potential, but one squat/deadlift area? One cable machine? No incline leg press? No flat benches? Children (10-14) running around unsupervised using equipment incorrectly and loudly? Equipment is so squished together and there’s so much space that could be used better. I wish there were more options near Windsor terrace, but this place is really it if you don’t want a studio. Pre teen boys take up so much of the place. Please enforce supervision for kids. This isn’t a daycare. *edited to add* the studios are wooden floors with mats that slip around. The plyo box is so dangerous and there is only one. I have seen the plyo box slip out from people while working out. Hitting their heads on a wooden floor. The studios desperately need flooring. The gym also needs more than one sturdy plyo box.

Beware!!! This place is "ALL ABOUT THE BENJAMIN'S"... not community. The summer camp registration was a belittling experience for my child and I. I filled out an application for my daughter to attend summer camp. I paid a deposit of $200 to secure her spot for after/before care for the 3rd session. I never received any correspondence because they had my email address wrong although I spelled it out correctly on the original application. I had to end up changing my daughter to the 4th session because the 3rd session was starting the next day. In addition, I filled out a financial assistance portion and no one got back to me at all. I emailed Leticia D and she totally ignored starting they ask me why I didn't finish the paper work. I told them how could I when my financial assistance form was ignored. I asked for a refund and I was told by Marisol no problem that all I needed to do was send an email requesting the refund. Well..... it's been five days and still no refund!!! I called Marisol and explained I sent the email and she said yeah I saw your email but offered no resolve. I want my money back!!!!!!! I was completely humiliated and disregarded because I'm not one of the affluent customers they usually serviced. On top of that my ten year old daughter was disappointed. I am extremely annoyed and I will do whatever it takes to get my refund from this shady establishment!!! Lastly, I deliver mail to this location periodically as a mail carrier and they won't even let you use the restroom if you don't have a membership. YMCA you should be ashamed of yourselves and the way you treat people.

Great location for group classes: Yoga, Zumba, Cross fit, spin & more. Free weight room & treadmills. The Drill Hall has been transformed into an indoor running track with basketball hoops units center. Ping Pong tables. Day care & loads of classes, programs for kids. No showers. Bike racks.

If you're an adult, here's what you need to know. They boast 6 hoops, but 3 of them are down for like 2 years now because of a sinkhole. This also removes 3/4ths of the Track and the rooms/space associated with the sink hole. Additionally, if you want to play basketball, you basically have one hoop in the morning as they have decided to let pickleball take over an entire court. So, if you want to use that hoop you either have to get there at like 6am, or shoot with a bunch of people, it's way too crowded. Next, you have voting booths all lined up there during the day, taking up even more floor space in the fieldhouse. Don't forget that DOE owns this place I believe, so they have kids recess from 10am-2pm everyday of the week. So, you basically can get on the courts from 2-3pm, and then they open it up to Kids again and it's a zoo. The machines during the 4-7pm timeframe are all packed, as most people come here after work. So, I think if you work from home, or can do the 6am time, you can make it work, but if you are just a regular 9-5, it makes zero sense. The price also keeps increasing. When I first started here it was like $59 a person, it's more expensive now. The gym is clean is enough, the staff are nice too, this gym could be amazing with all of the space they have, but it is so poorly utilized. I also think kids should be outdoors for recess if they are able when it's nice, the gym should be a backup.

Love the fitness classes and all the staff. They’re wonderful. Hope to continue to see more classes offered.

This place needs to be taken care of The girls shower is so dirty ,water everywhere! Can’t you spend a little more money to fix the shower?! Also ladies when the women/adult changing room is closed please try to cover your privet area when you are using the kids changing room!

I love going here and I do every day to play basketball and practice. Most of the personnel are super chill and are very interactive and I love going there.

Great community! I absolutely love the workout classes- strength training, HIIT, yoga, circuit training. They all have great instructors, music, and company. Obviously for the lower price than nearby gyms, you won’t get some amenities like showers/towels or a pool. But for the price, if you’re someone who lives close by and just wants the gym for reliable equipment and good classes, then this is the place to be.

There have been more times than I can count on me getting kicked out. Every staff member has a stick up their ass, I remember I was out in the freezing cold and it was 2:50 and I wanted to go inside the gym and they made me wait until it was 3:00 exactly I even tried at 2:59 and they wouldn't let us in. It's extremely frustrating when you walk for an hour and they make you go all the way home. I was considering writing this review for a minute but I held back, the straw that broke the camels back was when my friend came in with crocs and the staff member kicked us out the weight room then followed us to the basketball court ensuring we couldn't do anything. Do not go.

Let me start by saying that I'm not really a participant nor do I hold a YMCA membership. I took a couple of kids here for activities and this was my first time stepping into this enormous beauty. That being said, the Armory is pretty awesome. I enjoyed some cool air on this hot and humid day. I loved walking in and being greeted by smiling faces. I loved the space and the cleanliness of everything from the play areas to the bathrooms. The vibe is great. My entire time there I was thinking about making "roots." I'm talking about having kids and growing old... Forging a community with my kids and others people's kids for generations to come. No place in BK has ever done that to me before. Talk about warm and fuzzy feelings. I had them all.

The staff are annoying, machine selection is decent at best, ridiculous hours limiting times teens under 18 can work out. Overall negative experience would not recommend this gym. The only good thing about this place is its location.

I was happy with my budget gym franchise membership, so when I moved to a new neighborhood and the Park Slope Armory YMCA was the only large gym within walking distance, I was a little wary and unsure what to expect. From my first visit, when I signed up and met La'Toya, the membership director, I was so impressed with how friendly the staff and other members are here. The facility is located in an old armory, which is shown off in the beautiful running track/basketball court area, which has a soaring ceiling with cool beams. The classrooms, cardio, and weight rooms are clumped into a smaller multi-level area, which is a little cramped. The fitness classrooms have wooden floors and are open for stretching and private workouts when classes aren't in session. The cardio room is small and undecorated, but there is a good selection of equipment and I have never had to wait for a treadmill or elliptical. My biggest disappointment is the lack of showers and real locker rooms. The bathroom and changing room are spacious and clean, but it's so frustrating not to be able to take a shower. I planned to use the gym just for running during the winter - so the indoor track was a big plus - but I think the fitness classes here are the biggest asset here. The yoga instructors are all top notch and are excellent at teaching to many levels of expertise in the same class. The classroom is set up with mood lighting and has a wood floor. Michael's Zumba classes are also excellent - he brings so much energy to the classroom and makes everyone work hard!

Group exercise classes are a hot mess and need a full-time coordinator. Imagine lesser-able or elderly people being booted from classes, because of arcane ticketing systems being neither communicated nor enforced. I have to arrive almost an hour early for any class to get a paper fun fair ticket--and with neurological issues to deal with, the whole thing is just exhausting. They are not serving their community if they can't facilitate basic communications about access. Edited to add: Here's a photo of the ticket system. Arrive at 11:40 to get a paper ticket for 12:10 class ending at 1:40. Total time invested: 2 hours.

After I moved to New York, almost immediately, things went terribly wrong. My new employer began to implode and the mentor who hired me quit. My great new apartment was riddled with bedbugs, roaches, and mice. One of our beloved cats died, then the other. I needed to hold things together for my wife and baby daughter, but inside I was falling apart. To cope, I tried drinking. I tried getting lost in movies and music. Long work hours. Junk food. In the end what saved me was my loving family -- and sisu spin with Petra at the Park Slope Armory YMCA. -~*~- In the beginning, four years ago, and for a while thereafter, I would stumble into Petra's class bleary eyed and exhausted, or miss it entirely. I made excuses: I was a new parent, in a new city, a night person trying to make morning classes. Etc. In truth, I was wasting time in front of screens (and behind a cocktail shaker) late at night, often waking up hung over. I still noticed that Petra's spin class was incredible. For 12 years before I moved to New York, I rotated through every spin instructor at the big, superb Berkeley YMCA. Almost all 15 or so in that time were good, many were excellent. None -- none -- were like Petra. The thing about Petra is how many elements of fitness instruction she absolutely nails. The music is on point, constantly changing, perfectly paced, fresh, and as diverse as what you'd hear walking through Prospect Park on a summer Saturday. You will discover new favorites. The vibe is positive. You feel welcomed and part of a team, never shamed or shouted at. The instruction is clear. You have a sense of where you are in the sweep of the set, what's coming, and what you should be doing right at this moment -- where your body and resistance knob should be, how fast to go, what to do if you are tired or injured, and the benefit of going extra strong on a particular track. The workout feels aggressive but never ridiculous--strength, speed, and rhythm are balanced in a natural way. At times it is meditative. The intensity is assertively available. In four years, I never left Petra's class feeling like I did not push my body beyond where I thought I would go that day. Yet I also never felt pressure to push too far. Most instructors get most of these angles right most of the time. Petra gets all of them absolutely correct virtually every time. It took 12 years of spin classes before I realized what a difference this makes. -~*~- Things got better. We moved down the block, the pests did not follow. Work stabilized a bit. We had a second daughter. I went to Petra's class once or twice a week now, getting in line early for the fast-filling Saturday edition. She would share things with us: Her Finnish background. That she taught body combat, TRX, mama-baby yoga -- like half of the classes at Armory Y. How she loved running the Brooklyn Half. At some point, Petra explained the Finnish concept of "sisu." It roughly translates as "grit," the determination to fight hard in the face of tremendous difficulty. I thought this was a useful concept for her classes; if you feel burned out already 10 minutes in, try and muster the sisu to rally. I felt myself building endurance and a sort of transcendence: I could escape my work problems, or any others, for an hour. The more I did this, the fewer problems there were to escape, because I was calmer outside of the spin room. -~*~- This past January, a switch flipped. I cut out the drinks and morning donuts. I tried to be grateful instead of angry, to focus on blessings instead of problems. The results are good: More sleep, fewer night snacks, more energy and patience for family and work. And I'm on time for spin! This year, I am in Petra's class three times a week. Instead of just surviving, I progress as a rider. I have lost about 30 pounds so far in 2018. Here is something I noticed: The way Petra teaches is itself a lesson. To fully commit yourself to improving by just a bit the fitness of a room of people, old and young, pros and amateurs, hung over and bright eyed, grateful and frustrated, even when you yourself might be weary -- this is an act of love for others and of liberation for yourself. It taught me a new way to interact with and care for others. Last year, I thought sisu was something I needed in order to make it through Petra's classes. This year, I see that the classes themselves, and perhaps the Armory Y as a whole, are the sisu I need to get through life -- where I resolve, when the odds seem hopeless, to endure, and even to keep pushing, beyond my comfort zone. There is a song Petra used to play at the end of class, it began like this: Feeling my way through the darkness Guided by a beating heart I can't tell where the journey will end But I know where to start In the darkness and with fast-beating hearts, many people find new beginnings with Petra every week at the Park Slope Armory YMCA. It is a wonderful act of grace.

So much potential but horribly ran. They are gouging members because they can in Park Slope. It goes against what the YMCA stands for. They'd be better off running on donations per workout than 66 dollars(or more) a month. Better yet, turn that space into something that can help the community.

The Park Slope Armory YMCA is a welcoming place. The machines are generally functioning well and you don't have to wait to use them. My own gripe is that since the pandemic, they have kept shorter hours on the weekend. (This was initially done to sanitize the place--not sure if they still are even doing that). I wish they would reinstate the regular times or charge us less.

I lost a 100 lbs here. I love this place. The staff is kind and attentive. It's clean and not too crowded. It's not a "Manhattan Gym experience" by any means and that is just fine. A lot of commies do live in the neighborhood though. They come and start complaining to me about President Trump, all the time... Weird. I wish all the commies would LEAVE NYC and go back to friggin Ohio! But I digress... God bless the Park Slope Armory YMCA and the U.S.A.

I am writing to inform you about 1) the discrimination and harassment incident that my family experienced at the YMCA as a participant and a youth-member; and 2) general safety concerns about your facility. It is my desire to bring awareness about these issues so that other people will not suffer the same humiliation and injuries that we experienced. Discrimination and harassment My family and I experienced uninvited and unwelcome verbal conduct directed at us by a member of your staff because of our race and national origin. We were unfairly targeted and singled out for no reason other than to annoy and harass us. My minor son, Ivan Lam, is an active youth member at the YMCA. Per the facility's policy, minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. In my efforts to supervise my son, I would sit in the bleachers with my minor daughter. This was our normal routine. We did this at every visit, without a problem, until this incident transpired on Sunday, September 24, 2017 at the Park Slope Armory YMCA, 361 15th St, Brooklyn, NY 11215. I am fully aware that non-members are not allowed to engage and participate in activities at the facility. We did not violate this policy or any other YMCA policies. While my daughter and I are not YMCA members, we were there merely to accompany my son. My daughter never participated in any activities at the facility. In fact, she sits next to me on the bleachers to observe her brother playing basketball. In the past, I have offered my daughter the option to enroll as a member of the YMCA and she turned-down this option because she has no interest in any of the activities. What I found most reprehensible about this particular female staff at the YMCA (whose name I do not know) is her attitude. This staff told me, in referencing my daughter, that "she'd better not use any activities in our facility," in a patronizing voice. Not only did she imply that we were trying to circumvent the facility's policies by sneaking in my daughter, she singled us out. There were many other guardians who accompanied other youth members. This staff member did not make this comment to other people or gave them a hard time. She harassed and annoyed us because we were Asians. Furthermore, she treated us like criminals. While my daughter and I were seated on the bleachers, she kept a close eye on us and frequently looked our direction to make sure that my daughter was not participating in any activities. We felt harassed and unwelcome by her unnecessary behavior. General safety My daughter had multiple lacerations from the sharp metal edges from the bleachers at the YMCA. Your staff created an incident report of this injury. Please make sure to address this safety concern so that other people will not be injured at your facility. The edges are very sharp and can do serious harm to the human body. I hope that my letter will help to provide constructive coaching and training for your staff and bring awareness about safety concerns at tour facility. I would really appreciate an apology from the YMCA and especially from the staff that ruined our experience and day.

I have been coming here for a year. I have to say, this is less of a gym and more like a facility for children with some gym equipment spattered in. There are two spin bikes (yes two!) and they are bedraggled and always busy, sometimes with kids playing on them, not wiping them down or using them properly. Sometimes the kids are using them dangerously. I appreciate that they want to include children, but if you're just going to be a daycare (at 8pm) then don't sell yourself as a gym. And get better equipment and maintain it.

Nice, spacious sports complex. Best categorized as a sports complex since you can do so much here - basketball, track, karate, Pilates, yoga, ping pong etc. Great place to elevate your heart rate during the winter months and stay out of the roasting sun in the summer. There are nice rooms for party rentals and the staff is helpful. I would lessen to call this a gym as it would not meet your standards. The changing area and lockers could use more privacy but overall this is a nice place to work out.

I belong to this place since its opening. It is a family membership, so we get a good deal. The facilities are always busy and it is getting busier. The track is closed during the day due to the school hours. A small group of children of different ages who are remotely supervised are running around and adults are not allowed to use 80 percent of the facilities. It is a major inconvenience as I cannot run in the cold weather. On the weekends you cannot get an elliptical machine or treadmill in the back area and have to wait 20-30 minutes for someone to get off. WHY DON'T THEY USE SOME INDOOR TRACK AREA WHERE THEY HAVE BASKETBALL COURTS FOR THE FITNESS?

OK, so I knew before I joined that there was no pool nor showers, but since I primarily wanted to do stretching and floor work, it was OK. They had 4 or so large rooms for that. But I have since found out that they are not always available. When I was there 2 days ago, all the rooms were taken for classes or day camp or staff. I was told I could use floor space in the lobby, by the ping pong tables, where the kids were playing. Tried this, but after a counselor sent a ball over me, I gave up. I wish there would always be a room available for those who want to stretch or do yoga, etc., but that is not the case. Only one room has mats and weights, and that room frequently has a class in it. I suggest another gym, if this is what you want.

So much potential with this space, but the Y has completely wasted it. 95% of the Armory is taken up by the track and basketball court which get minimal usage, and the weight and cardio rooms are a joke. No locker rooms. Tons of dead space in here - empty stands above the track, locked stretching rooms and "studios", etc. For some reason they advertise TRX but have no TRX equipment. The employee working at the guest services desk did suggest I could buy my own TRX and bring it to use at the Armory. Just a bizarre set up. Some Google research suggests there was considerable neighborhood opposition a few years back when the Y was named as the vendor for this space, but nothing was done about it. Shady politicking is not dead - all in DeBlasio's backyard. Take a look at the Sports Center at Chelsea Piers if you want an idea of what a large space like this could be. Until a new vendor / developer gets in this place, stay away.

I am a longtime member of the Park Slope Armory YMCA. It used to be much better and more organized, but is now a complete chaotic mess because of the young people/teenagers who are allowed to run all around the gym area with no restrictions. They are running, jumping, talking loud, littering, throwing their book bags and other stuff all over the floor where members are working out. They leave their stuff on the gym equipment, use the equipment and don't wipe it down and use the weight area generally as a playground. It is very hard to concentrate and get a good work out with all this chaos around you. And I get it that it is a "kid's facility" and not a gym, but if it is not a gym, then what am I paying monthly dues for? This does not go on during the day, this happens at night when members go to the gym after work to work out without distraction. The manager needs to enforce the rules so they apply to all instead of waiting for someone to get hurt before recognizing that you have a problem.

For the price compared to my NYSC membership, this place is pretty decent. There are no showers or towel service so you'll mostly see a lot of people already changed into their gym clothes from the neighborhood walk on in. Definitely bring a towel - if not to wipe your sweat, lay it on a mat (or bring your own). My favorite part is how the building is compartmentalized and there is a large track. Different rooms for different things on the 2nd floor and while it's sort of interesting you see some rooms have people in meetings (support groups?), kids rooms, you sincerely feel a sense of community in this Y. Men/ women change in the bathrooms but put their clothes in lockers outside the hall.

Joined 'The Y' at the Park Slope Armory right at the end of Jan, just prior to its opening. I concur with some of the others' comments regarding the staff's disorganization and lax attitude on policy, etc. But let's all agree, aside from the still continued disorganization, especially with the check-in procedures, not to mention the fact that it took them extra long to get their ID card system set up, there is no better gym, that is this new in all of Brooklyn, possibly in all of the five boroughs. What other facility is this nice and has all of the newest/best equipment? I mean really, what other gym this affordable has machines all with iPod integration? The weight room is also impressive, with all brand new equipment. It is a minor concern of the fact that there are no showers or real locker rooms. A member of this gym must come dressed ready to workout or change in the bathroom (which are called 'locker rooms'). For myself, I have no issue with this, as I live very close to this facility. People who like to workout, then go to work will definitely have a problem with that. But in addition to all the great new equipment and great variety of classes, the best part of joining this facility is the cost for membership. Currently, the cost is only $40 per month per person. Two people it is $72 per month. They offer several opportunities for discounts on membership which takes off 20%, so a single membership is $32 per month and two people is roughly $58 per month. A total deal and worth the lack of showers and appropriate locker rooms. Additionally, this location (not sure if this is true of all YMCAs), states that they will not turn away any interested person to use their facility because of an inability to pay. So it is nice to see that they will work with people in order to help them stay in or get in shape. This Y will hopefully stay uncrowded, clean and well-maintained into the future.

Honestly this place is kind of ridiculous. No pool, no locker room, no showers, and yet a single adult membership is $69 per month. A $125 family membership only covers 2 adults. The only reason I pay for a single adult membership is because it's the only gym relative to my area, and honestly, they are definitely aware of that and have figured out how to capitalize. Other YMCA's in other parts of the country are like $25 for a single adult membership, and I get that NYC (especially Park Slope) is expensive, but truly the prices are astronomical. I have a feeling that once another gym enters the neighborhood in close proximity, this gym will lose a lot of it's single adult members. For the price I pay, I have access to about 10 treadmills, 10 ellipticals, 3 (3!!!) stationary bikes, and 4 other regular stationary bikes as well as 1 stair machine. This is supposed to supply the entire population of Park Slope YMCA members, somehow. The weight room is somewhat better. But the classes they offer are constantly at capacity. They aren't open very late on weekends, either. Not worth it, in my opinion. But they are clever as they know that unless you go further to 9th St. and 5th avenue to NYSC, they not only can charge whatever they want per month, but they don't actually have to try too hard. I suppose the astronomical monthly price contributes somewhat to the youth classes and childwatch programs that they offer (which I think are already a separate cost?) but contrary to popular belief, not every single person who lives in Park Slope conforms to the heteronormative 2 parent + 2.5 child household, and unless I show up ridiculously early, I still don't have access to many of the classes that my membership fee is supposedly contributing towards. And for the price of a family membership, even if it covers an unlimited number of children, I still think it would be difficult to afford. It doesn't feel very "community" to me.

Similar to a review posted by another commenter, I submit this post to warn others of my view about the lack of safety and security measures at the facility. Of course, this would be a zero-star review if Yelp allowed them. My family and I have been members at this facility for years. [Here is an aside: A few years ago I suffered a severe injury at the Armory while playing basketball. Not a single staff member tried to help me in any way, not even bothering to help from the court, ask how I was or if they could help. This sort of lack of attention, while annoying, is perhaps to expected if one is not paying Equinox prices.] But I digress from the much larger problem. This past weekend a man in the facility (Caucasian, approximately middle-aged, unknown to me) repeatedly threaten to kill me. Upon asking the staff to intervene for my safety, the perpetrator spoke to a staff member (Christina Baker, who apparently knew the guy), and then immediately returned to where I was, got right in my face and stated words to the effect that he heard I had gone and told the teacher. For good measure, he also made sure to tell that he'd kill me once he saw me outside. So, I went back to the Y staff (Baker) and requested that she remove this person elsewhere. She did not. Rather, she sort of just chuckled and walked to end of the court. Perhaps it's just that death threats are fun stuff for some people, and in some places. Like at a children's athletics facility. It is not funny to me. I actually made an effort to review the organization's code of conduct. Turns out that threats of violence are not tolerated. On paper.

If you have a child, avoid the summer camp at all cost. No matter how good the school-year programs are, different people staff the day camp in the summer and they are not anywhere near the same quality. My family has been coming here for five years and I am pulling my child out of the summer camp before it finishes. They've had a huge staff churn and it's a miserable place to be.

This review is just for the weight room - I don't take group classes, I don't run on the track (which is huge!), and I don't have kids for the babysitting. One of the most overpriced, but worst equipped gyms I have ever seen, if your sport is weight lifting. There is NO squat rack. NO bench press. NO barbells. Are you kidding?! They only have doubles of each DB so if someone about your strength is working out at the same time, you have to wait. They have one smith machine (which, if you lift, you avoid like the plague) but if one guy wants to squat or bench, there goes that for the next 30 minutes. It is absolutely mind-boggling that they are allowed to call this a gym. It is about the size of most hotel gyms. Not to mention the customer service is beyond terrible. I have been trying to get someone to talk to me about the above problems for the past 3 months and no one will respond to my emails. If you are paying for a track, group classes, babysitting.. I don't know, then maybe it is fine, but over $100 for two people to fight for a few lousy weights? No way. I'm done.

I didn't expect to love this Y as much as I do. It's just a wonderful place. I joined because a friend told me the yoga classes were excellent, and I just could not justify the $150 per month I was paying to attend a private yoga studio and the Y monthly membership is only $44. My friend was absolutely correct. The yoga instructors at the Y are top notch, covering everything from power yoga to vinyasa and Iyengar. The room where yoga classes are taught (the mind-body room) is a beautiful space with lots of natural light and is (again) spotless. There's a no-shoe policy in effect. There are mats, blankets and all the props you need, plus pre-moistened towelettes to clean the mats before and after using them. I actually enjoy the yoga classes at the Y, with the inclusive atmosphere and the generous instructors, more than I ever did at an expensive private studio. I read the negative reviews and just cannot agree. I've been to this Y at all hours of the day and the track is never too crowded. Kids are well behaved, and there is a child minding service for parents with toddlers. The low monthly membership reflects the fact that there are no showers or sauna, but that's the only real drawback. The spacious washrooms (spotlessly clean) do have changing rooms and they are never crowded. There are lockers in the main corridor. There's a track, a weight room, plenty of cardio equipment, spin classes, zumba classes and so on. The atmosphere is warm, welcoming and inclusive. I'm a fan.

I have had a 2-adult family membership ($2220/yr) for over a year. I have had a few issues with bad staff like the woman who threw my 10 yr old son out because "he wasn't old enough to be there without an adult" - when he was there with his 16 yr old brother. My experience tonight was worthy of a Yelp review and member cancellation. I took my 10yr old son to play basketball tonight around 6:30pm. He was shooting around on the center court when a group of 8 teenagers started a pick up game on the same basket he was practicing on. They didn't ask him, they just took over the basket and pushed him out. I was walking the track and watched the whole thing unfold. When I spoke to the front desk, they found Ryan, the employee who is supposed to be monitoring the basketball courts, but was no where to be found when this happened. When Ryan surfaces he told me that "I know those kids and they would never do that" and "it's an unspoken rule of basketball that games take precedence" The bottom line is that the Park Slope Armory YMCA does not care about the children and families that pay thousands of dollars in membership fees. They don't protect children, as evidenced by my 2 experiences outlined above. If you are considering joining, I highly recommend that you reconsider.

Never enough supplies for the yoga classes. In addition even though I'm a member each month they email me that I have a past due amount because they can't seem to make a recurring charge on a credit card.

I cannot recommend this place enough. Fantastic, kind, motivating teachers who go beyond expectations. Classes all day and evening. Beautiful relaxing brick and wood building. Wonderful vibes and atmosphere!

Pros: A good value for the price. A great place to take classes (Zumba, yoga, etc.) since there are so many offered and the instructors are great. Cons: A strange set-up, mostly I think because they did not change the original Armory's floorplan and the front part of the building is used for another purpose. And yes, it is weird to have family friendly fun in a former armory (a place where artillery was stored and military lodged). And the "changing room" is just a few stalls in the back of an overheated bathroom. They run out of paper towels and tp pretty frequently. Overall: It's been a year since I joined and I continue to be happy that I did. The Zumba classes are great! Especially Michael's classes!

So I've only joined the Y recently after a move to the area and haven't yet had the chance to try all of the offerings, but so far, I am really impressed. I've belonged to several gyms, including Equinox, and the Y offers the largest variety of classes throughout the day and on weekends. I am particularly pleased with the mid-day and early evening offerings since I am not a morning girl and also don't like to work out after dinner. For the most part, instructors are really good. The equipment room is small but there is a nice variety and all the machines are brand new. Facilities are not fancy and there are no showers, but everything is always immaculate. Plus what do you expect for $54 a month? They do offer personal training at a reasonable price (at least compared to Equinox). To date, no problems getting a space in classes. My only complaint is that there is no Spin bike in the cardio room, and members can't use Spin bikes outside of classes, but that is a minor gripe.

I give it three stars, but it could actually go up or down (for others) very easily depending on needs. The good: It's relatively cheap, the building is an awesome re-use of a classic armory, and the resulting track/indoor space is massive for NYC standards. The bad: You can't use other Y facilities without paying a premium... bumping the cost to about the same as the other mid-range chains. You can't ride a bike there (no place to lock it), thought they allow indoor stroller parking. Also, as mentioned, there are some joint ventures with the city and schools so the place can be calm and quiet one day and feel like Justin Beber's Pinata Party on Disney Main Street the next. The ugly: They "gym" parts are tiny... a small, creaky room packed with cardio, next to a tiny room packed with a bare minimum of machines/weights, down the hall from some tiny rooms used for classes. As mentioned, no lockers or bike parking, so you hike there from wherever in order to hike some more. It's this strange dichotomy of space that is both initially intriguing but later becomes annoying. You could easily park a 747 in the main building/fieldhouse, which at times can be almost completely empty of people. Yet it seems the vast majority of regular, paid members want to do stuff that's crammed into the smaller "classroom" type spaces. I appreciate that there were concessions made and the need to maintain a regulation track. However it's always got this strange vibe as a result. Bottom line: great if you want a full, indoor track and are flexible with availability. Decent, it seems, for some classes. Terrible if you want machines/weights.

This is one beautiful space. The huge arch window lets in the best light and I actually feel like I'm having a spiritual moment when the sun comes in in the early morning, or sets at night. The classes are top notch, too, especially the Yoga. The room is quiet and at the end of the hallway and the floors are always so polished and shiny. It makes me really happy to take classes there. Great staff, too! Special shout out to Chrissy Baker who has included more non-dance activities for girls such as basketball. Love the courts and the ping pong tables. One time when the facility got new bikes for spin, the staff put little cards on every bike with a meaningful and inspiring quote. Nice touch. Makes me feel like I'm home in Oregon sometimes. I do think some of the comments about safety and security are misdirected. There are a lot of kids and families coming in, which is great and makes for that small town feel, but the neighborhood is fairly entitled so the parents don't pay attention to their kids very well and don't take to any kind of policy adherence very well, so they get too huffy when they're told to not do something obvious, like treat the bleachers like a jungle gym.

Shannon YOU ROCK!! Had my reservations about joining the Park Slope Armory until coming for a tour and meeting Shannon at the front desk. She was dynamic, friendly inviting and really made me feel that all are welcomed at the Y. She told us about the good value and great classes. Engaged my children and really made us feel valued and comfortable. Talking with Shannon we went from I will think about it to sign me up. She encouraged me to take my 1st Zumba class there with Michael and now I am addicted. Great person to have meet your clients if your looking to increase enrollment.

I'm upgrading to three stars from two because I feel they're making some effort. The best part pf the place, for me, are the classes. Nice rooms, good instructors (perhaps I've been lucky). The rest is "OK". The cardio room is often crowded and rather small compared to other Y's. It's not properly air conditioned (it's all sort of strangely rigged with giant fans and inside AC units) and they eithe can't or won't fix that in two years -- the weight room is, as I said before, what you'd find on a cruise ship. Management good, staff a mixed bag, some great, some bad. ******************* The good: * the yoga classes are taught by _very_ good instructors. That having been said, they are often crowded, the rooms are not ventilated very well, there are often kiddie leftovers (bits of food, cheerios, etc) on the floor from the kiddie classes. * pleasant staff for the most part -- some really good people. Nothing ever seems to get done, though (see below). * Nice wooden floors * Nice interiors The bad: * Ultra minimal changing facilities -- a small room in the back of the bathroom. * The sports complex becomes a day care center during weekdays. Cute kids, but it's pretty unbelievable when the entire entrance floor is covered with toddlers, babies and toys. * Tiny, cruise-ship size weight room. The ugly: * Super, duper, ooper duper crowded. The cardio room, when there's a demand (think: weekends, after work, before work, holidays) is the worst in terms of crowds I've ever seen in many years of gym memberships. Lines ten people long? Are you kidding? Get some more machines! * Nothing changes. I was told over two years ago that they'd be opening up a new room with more machines "in a year." Nope. Still crowded (see above). Plus: last summer the AC went out in the cardio room. They installed strange portable AC units. Six months+ later there's still no good ventilation system in the cardio room: instead they have those large bulky sit-on-the-floor AC units plus two huge industrial fans which are noisy, and COLD in winter (and since the room heats up now too much anyway they just open the windows to the freezing cold). Seriously, the place has been open for years now, can they really not get some proper heating/cooling/ventilation in a cardio room, where temp and air control is important? * The above, particularly the crowding, can lead to a pretty stressful and unpleasant atmosphere in the cardio room, particularly when you get a lot of very-entitled Park Slopers competing for a spot. While I'm pleased they spent the money (and shut down the facility) to re-do the floors, I'm kind of amazed they didn't spend money to improve anything else. This place has potential, and WHEN IT'S EMPTY it's nice, but it's got too many users for the facilities, and I don't see anything being done to address that.

This is my local gym and it really works for me. With a discount from the Park Slope Food Coop membership, the costs are low compared to other Y's and privately owned gyms. There areTai Chi classes on Sundays (advanced class at 10 a.m. and beginner class at 11:30) taught by Tom Daly who is in a direct line from the master who brought Tai Chi to the U.S., Professor Chang. This opportunity alone is so valuable. My husband and I also enjoy playing pingpong in the incredibly spacious track area. The staff have always been warm and helpful to us. The community gets tremendous use out of the space. We've seen so many kids playing basketball, big track meets and well attended yoga and spin classes. The beautiful old building is well kept up with hardwood floors and high ceilings. Although it lacks a locker room and pool, there are many classes and activities for everyone. The bargain price makes it twice as nice.

I found out about this gym through a woman who I tutor in Spanish on the weekends. Yes, this gringa teaches Spanish in her spare time. But that is besides the point. I mentioned to my student casually that I was looking for a gym near where I work (Boro Park, off the F train) and she mentioned that the Amory, formally a women's shelter that had been abandoned for over 5 years, was recently turned into a YMCA complex. On a day that I got to leave work early, I finally checked out the sports complex. I must say, and not to sound overly Shylock-ian, that the price of the gym sold me. 40 dollars a month cannot really be beat, even for someone on an entry level social worker salary. However, I dare say that these 40 dollars will go very far at this YMCA location. I have never once waited for a machine, even during peak times (7:30-9am; 5:30-7pm pm). Every machine has a personal TV that WORKS (take that Crunch on Flatbush!), and there are numerous classes that focus on everything from extreme cardio (Punk Rope), to toning (Pilates) to just chillin' (Tae Chi). Most of the people who go here have families, so one can avoid the disgusting grunts and stares from overly beefy men who consider the gym to be an OK place to pick up women. Staff members are friendly and leave you the F alone. I value this highly, especially as a competitive runner who wants to train for her 5 and 10K's in peace and solitude. The only drawback is that the locker rooms do not have showers. Since I work out in the mornings, I often come to work smelly and dischelveled, but I am a product of two hippies, so I could care less. A really good gym-on-a-budget option.

I'm training for a half marathon but the sh*tty, cold weather has been making it tough for me to stay motivated. I was interested in using the indoor track so my friend, who has a membership here, gave me a bunch of guest passes. I've tried using the track about 5 times, thinking each time might be better than the last. But I'm always disappointed. On weekday evenings, the track gets hogged by both a running club for adults and a bunch of teens (I assume they are part of an after school program). Despite a sign in the entrance indicating the direction you are supposed to move in (clockwise or counter-clockwise), the club and kids always run in the opposite direction. Not sure why they do this, but it's incredibly annoying - not to mention dangerous - to have to dodge people running directly at me. I do my best to stay out of the way and stick to one lane, but the groups always meander so I have to scramble every time we pass each other. I'd rather the club designate 3-4 lanes for the groups so the rest of us runners can jog in peace. On weekends, this place becomes a daycare and the parents stupidly let their kids run around. I once saw a jogger, who was looking at their phone while running, plow right into a child. Yeah, it was stupid of the jogger to be looking at their phone, but parents need to do their job and watch their children. I've also tried using their machines and weightlifting equipment, but as others have said here, the rooms designated for these are too small and you'll be lucky if you find a machine that's open. My friend however, says the classes are pretty good. I'm glad I didn't have to spend a dime here. I will not be signing up.

I love the staff, the classes and the beautiful building. I've found a new home at the YMCA Armory.

Like the previous , this review is about Petra only. I decided to take her spin class and will never return. First I didn't think it was challenging enough but that's not why I won't take it, I found her very rude and I felt she was judgy. She seems like she thinks she is better than everyone else, her attitude has got to go. To be an instructor you have to be personable and friendly. I've had no problem with the other instructors I've taken. Another complaint, what is with all the nannies ??

I've been to this YMCA a couple of times and usually I get the membership for one sole reason and that's to use the track during the winter. I believe it's about $60 a month for an adult membership and to be honest besides the indoor track the rest of the facility seems pretty dated. The staff is very helpful and very kind which is a plus. But all in all, I feel that this facility is really intended for kids in my honest opinion, if you're an adult and you're looking for a fitness center/gym to stay in shape, there are much cheaper options.

I'm pretty sure I like this place. It's sort of annoying how small the fitness center is, but the number of group classes that they offer on a rotating schedule is enough for me to justify how cheap my membership fee is. I am less into the huge number of children that are always running around here. I get it, I like in the Slope, there are children and strollers everywhere, but why does your kid need to be using the weights? He's probably 12. He's going to be scrawny until he's 18. That's just how it is. The people who work here are incredibly friendly and helpful. I would definitely not be as friendly and helpful if I worked there with tons of roving bands of children, and I am a teacher. There aren't real locker rooms, no showers, and someone is pretty much always changing a diaper in the women's bathroom. Buuuuuuuut the facilities are new, the ellipticals and treadmills have a cool feature where you can change and use your iPod at the same time, and I can watch Top Chef while I'm running. Plus the water fountains have a special place to fill up a reusable water bottle. And did I mention that the staff is super friendly? I gladly pay my $42 a month to go here. It's not the best, but it's cheap, the equipment is new, and it's 5 blocks from my apartment. And who wouldn't want to walk into a building that looks like a castle all the time?

Love about this Y: -just a few blocks from my apt -open track space is gorgeous and gets me excited when I come in :) -lots of classes -found the best personal trainer EVER there (Namrod) -money going to a community center, not crazy gym -cheap prices ($72 for couple/month, $351 for 10 training sessions) Always complain about this Y: -now that a) a track team practices there during the week and b) people made New Year's resolutions, it's been REALLY crowded at night - especially after 6pm and on the track and in weight room -there's not a consistent room to stretch - I often have to ask an employee to open a room so I can do my core exercises - I then have to tote in mats, ball, weights, etc. Can't they just trust members to have a room with this stuff in it? -I love kids, but not while I'm working out - running across the track, rolling balls down the walk way, did i mention running on/across the track? It can be a bit much sometimes I don't care about no showers - I get that's a reason why it's cheaper and I live close by, but this is a clincher for some folks. Also, there are lots of things that staff should address (kids running across track, track team taking over track beyond their hours) and don't - but maybe they're working on that. All of this is to say I still give it 4 stars since I appreciate the convenience, personal training, and price.

I think whether or not you like this Y depends very much on how you like to exercise. If you're looking for a great weight room, or to be able to use cardio equipment at peak hours of the day, then this is likely not the place for you. Ditto for if you want a gym with extra amenities (i.e., towels and showers). However, if you like group classes, then I personally think this is one of the best gyms in the area (especially for the price). For well over a year, I've been a regular at spinning, yoga, pilates and ballet, and rarely have been turned away because a class was too full. Also, because I'm able to go to the gym at off-peak times, I've never had a problem in nabbing a treadmill or elliptical machine (which are nice and new, BTW). The weight room admittedly sucks though - I wish they'd expand it and get a full compliment of machines. One last thing: yes, this is a community center - so expect to see kids in the complex. But for what it's worth, I've never had an issue with a kid interrupting my workout. So unless you're a total grinch and can't handle walking past a few kiddies on your way to your workout, then the fact that the facility is family friendly shouldn't be a problem.

I am really sad. I wanted to give this YMCA location 5 stars. Starting with the pros... they offer a variety of great classes... the indoor track is great, staff is friendly and helpful. The place is spacious and one certainly doesn't feel cramped in here. That is, of course, if you don't intend to use the weight room because then you will meet much the same disappointment that I did. There is no bench press, squat rack, barbels --- only a Smith machine (ughhh). So unfortunately as someone who came there to lift weights I have to say I was thoroughly disappointed. If you're looking for classes or use of the track though I would say it might be worth it to look into. You can also get a free guest pass/trial day online on the website.

Pros: Amazing spin class depending on instructor and kickboxing is the best Kickboxing instructor is amazing Cons: 1. Expensive 2. Extremely poor service at the desk 3. Some of the instructors are obese and don't finish the class with us. To be an instructor you have to be in shape to motivate

I've worked out in many gyms before, good ones and bad ones, but this is the worst! 1) The Building itself is run down, no showers, no changing room, just a commercial bathroom. 2) The Weight room is vary basic. A high school gym is more complete than this. 3) There is No customer service what so ever. Starting from the manager all the way to the front desk guy. 4) I believe in "Play the part Be the part", The trainers here have no clue about fitness, I would have to get paid to let any of this people train me. And if this is not enough, I've been there only 3 times and every time I've been harassed for working out with my friends. I definitely would not recommend this!

It's practically free, it has an indoor track. An indoor track for god's sake. Classes, basketball, etc.... love it.

Awesome basketball court and indoor running track. The gym and weight room could be improved, specially the free weight. The building is very nice and restrooms always clean.

Looking at the reviews below I am very surprised by some of the harsher negative comments. I am rating it a 5 though believe its more of a 4-4.5 because I want to help counterbalance some of the unwarranted negativity. I do not use the weights room or the cardio machines which may be where some of the negative comments were focused. I prefer the group fitness classes ( yoga, pilates, zumba, stretch, spin, etc.) and the armory offers great classes from morning til night. I am very rarely disappointed with the instructors here, and the full range of options. For those who commented on the large space not being used, I disagree. I think it is great that kids have a place to go to play basketball, ping pong, and run track, and most of the time it is occupied. Its a nice community atmosphere that offers many opportunities children through older adults. Yes, it would be nice if the gym offered a swimming pool and shower facilities, but it's not a deal breaker for me. Besides, if I want to swim, I can go to Prospect Park or Dodge Y's and use my 10 free passes at those gyms.

Huge and beautiful. The yoga classes are great--especially Zaria's Saturday class, she is amazing!

Pros - it's close and cheap. Negatives - barely any cardio machines with no real variety and the weight room is laughable - mostly weight machines and some free weights but no bench press? I've been to two classes. The pilates class was rather lame and slow and the yoga teacher told us all she was sleepy before I'm pretty sure she dozed for 10 minutes. All that said, I'm still going to go here everyday I don't exercise in the park because it is close... and I'm sure I'll eventually find some teachers that don't, excuse me, suck...