Dow Bay Area Family YMCA

About

The Dow Bay Area Family YMCA, located at 225 Washington Ave, Bay City, MI, is a comprehensive community center offering a wide array of programs and facilities for all ages. It features a modern fitness center, diverse group exercise classes, and extensive aquatic programs including lap swim, open swim, and swimming lessons. Additionally, it provides youth sports, childcare services, and various community-building activities, focusing on promoting health, well-being, and social responsibility within the Bay City area.

The Dow Bay Area Family YMCA typically maintains two main pools: a Lap Pool, generally kept at a temperature suitable for active swimming and laps, usually around 80-82°F (26-28°C); and a Warm Water Pool (often designated for therapy, gentle exercise, or younger children), which is typically maintained at a higher, more comfortable temperature, approximately 88-90°F (31-32°C).

What are people saying (AI review summary)? The YMCA elicits mixed feedback from members. Many praise its extensive amenities, including basketball courts, various pools, hot tubs, saunas, and fitness equipment, along with generally friendly and helpful staff (with special mention for 'Carla in Maintenance'), cleanliness, competitive pricing, and convenient operating hours. It is highly recommended for families and parents due to its child-friendly environment and childcare options. However, some childless adults report feeling marginalized or uncomfortable, citing instances where children's activities took precedence, leading to awkward encounters with staff. A notable recurring complaint is the inconsistent and often excessively cold pool temperature, which significantly detracts from the experience for those who primarily use the aquatic facilities.

Location

Gallery

Amenities

• Accepts Credit Cards
• Accessible Entrance

Reviews

Listing Reviews

February 23rd, 2025

Stacie Beard

Pool temperature the past few months has been way too cold. We did baby swim lessons here for our son in July and had no complaints, it was very comfortable. Every time we’ve come back since, we are all shivering (my husband and I included). We love the Y and would come so much more if we could actually stand to be in the pool longer than 5-10 minutes without our teeth chattering. It’s frustrating to pay for a membership when that’s what we mainly utilize it for.

June 13th, 2025

Angel Vasquez

Staff is always friendly and the facility is always clean, the price is great! The hours of operation are great for my busy schedule!! I highly recommend the Bay City YMCA!!

January 7th, 2025

Lori Wascher

My family enjoys a variety of things here! Basketball courts, treadmills, workout benches, hot tub, pools, saunas, steam rooms, physical therapy room and so much more! The atmosphere here has been a positive experience. The staff are very friendly and helpful. We like the days when you can bring a friend for free! Holidays are fun times too....check it out!

May 17th, 2025

Cassie

DO NOT GO TO THIS GYM if you're a childless adult. Even if you're ok with kids. If you're a parent, this is the perfect gym for you because of all the childcare options and it catering to helping out parents. But if you're a childless adult, avoid it. I went to use the pool and wanted to use the pool weights and was told I had to use them in the shallower area. They were having kids swim classes, I didn't want to bother them so I stood near the stairs, out of the way and used the weights. One of the swim instructors approached me and told me to use them in the bigger pool, where the lap lanes were. I told him I was told that I could only use the weights in the shallow pool. He seemed upset with that answer, so I asked if he wanted me to leave. He said it would be in my best interest. I'm not sure if he was looking out for me because the parents are protective or he was making gross implications, but I didn't feel comfortable being at the YMCA after that. I also wanted to come when there was less kids to avoid another similar situation, but the gym doesn't really cater to adults nearly as much as they do for kids and parents.

April 27th, 2025

LisaAnn

My family wasAnd I had the most wonderful experience at the Y!! WE WERE IN THE FAMILY LOCKER ROOM AND MY LITTLE GIRL CANNOT GET HER LOCKER OPEN AND WAS LOSING HER MIND,!! CARLA IN MAINTENANCE WAS AMAZING!! SHE CALMED MY LITTLE ONE DOWN AND SHOWED HER HOW TO OPEN THE LOCKER. She was very helpful and made my little girls tears dry up quickly!! We frequent the Y a lot and every time I go in there I see Carla and she's always got a smile on her face and working extremely hard.