West Suburban YMCA in Newton

I’ve used the Y for years and generally happy with them but the time allocated to youth swimmers (under 16) is just grossly insufficient. Especially in the summer, when youth swimmers have the time to practice and get better, the smaller pool is completely off limits due to camps. The bigger pool hardly offers them two time slots a week (and not very convenient time slots at that). This is while adults get access to the pool almost for the entire time it’s open. Youth also pay membership. In my opinion, this is almost a discrimination as far as pool use goes. Why can’t one lane be dedicated always for youth swimmers?

Although I no longer have young children, the after-school program, specifically Seamus Bruno, has caught my attention. The manner in which he interacts with the children is so kind, warm, caring and engaging. It is clear he loves his job, and he wants the kids in his program to be happy and feeling they belong there. He is always upbeat and smiling, patient and professional. Very impressive.

Mostly great, helpful staff. The gym floor is often teeming with teenagers who just aren’t doing their reps quickly enough and are there to just stare at the mirror. And someone please tell the old chaps to cover up around little ones in the locker. Many obsessed with just waltzing around without any clothes on, while the dads rush their kids to a quieter spot. Is it so hard to put a bloody towel on?

The Y has such amazing programming for children. Both of our kids have attended the Preschool which has done such a great job preparing them for school, and we’ve also done the swim lessons once our daughter started going to elementary school (weekly swim lessons are included for the preschool!! One of the greatest perks!). All of the staff have been so warm and welcoming and I cannot say enough great things about them! Also wanted to provide a special call out for how the Y handled the recent NTA strike - they quickly pivoted and provided a much needed program for working parents of Newton. My daughter came home every day with new crafts and stories of her new friends!

I recently faced significant issues with the West Suburban YMCA regarding membership cancellation and billing. Despite my clear request to cancel after one month, I was continuously billed for several months. My attempts to resolve this through multiple visits and calls were met with unfulfilled promises and no effective resolution. This experience highlights a serious concern with their administrative efficiency and customer service. The process was unnecessarily complicated and stressful, with a lack of accountability from the staff. I urge potential members to be cautious and vigilant about their billing practices and customer service responsiveness.

Nice place generally. Decent equipment. I think many members talk too much while saying too little but hey maybe that's your jam. Do avoid the fitness coach though. I tried taking his unsolicited advice (should have known better by the shape he's in) and it knocked my knees out for the evening. Also, do not use the men's hot tub; this one enormously fat guy is in there every day and there's no way he could clean himself properly even if he did shower beforehand, which he doesn't.

I like this place in general. The basketball court with wood floor is well maintained. The front desk is always welcoming and helpful. However, the pool schedule is absolutely not youth friendly. There are only two afternoons per week, both on the weekend, where the pool is open to youth. According to the schedule, one lane is reserved as a youth lap during these time periods. However, every time we were there, all lanes were occupied by adults. There is no sign out there indicating which lane is for the youth lap. My kids never get the chance to use the youth lap successfully with their first try. They kept getting yelled at and kicked out by the life guards for using the wrong lane. They were also told they can't share the lane with an adult. But why allow adults in the youth lap during youth swim time in the first place? Why not put up the youth lap sign? They are also not allowed to use rec lane because they swim laps?! I am giving this review because, for one thing, I don't like the lifeguards throwing their weights around those kids (Not all lifeguards are blameful, some of them did try to help); for another thing, I don't think it is fair for the kids to be treated in this way given that they were the ones who followed the schedule from the beginning.

The West Suburban YMCA is one of the cornerstones of the Newton community. Beautiful facility with state of the art equipment, brilliant staff, two fabulous pools. Every time I have a client moving to Newton, I recommend they join the West Suburban YMCA.