South Shore YMCA Emilson

About

The South Shore YMCA Emilson, located at 75 Mill St, Hanover, MA, is a comprehensive community center offering a wide array of facilities and programs. It provides state-of-the-art fitness centers, group exercise classes, multiple swimming pools, sports leagues, child care services, and various youth and family programs, serving as a vibrant hub for health, wellness, and community engagement in the Hanover area.

The Emilson YMCA features two main pools. The Lap Pool is typically maintained at a cooler temperature, generally around 79-81°F, ideal for lap swimming and fitness. The Warm Water Pool, designed for lessons, therapy, and recreational use, is kept significantly warmer, usually between 88-90°F.

What are people saying (AI review summary)? Reviews for the Emilson YMCA offer a mixed but predominantly positive perspective. Many members highly commend the facility for its wide array of classes (especially water classes with tremendous instructors like Amy and Annie), its supportive and welcoming community, and its positive impact on physical and mental health, including weight maintenance. The Y is praised for its latest equipment, diverse offerings for all ages, amazing indoor and outdoor pools, jacuzzi, steam room, childcare, and dedicated, friendly, and knowledgeable staff. However, some significant concerns were raised regarding the Emilson YMCA, including ongoing issues with disruptive behavior (loud singing/clapping) in the free weights area, which staff reportedly tolerate despite complaints, making it difficult for serious training. Other common frustrations include parking difficulties and crowding during peak hours. Separately, a highly negative experience was reported at a different location, the 'Ymca south store on Mill St.', where a staff member was accused of screaming at members, providing false information about closing times, and making unverified claims of prior warnings. This incident was described as 'uncomfortable and rude' and raised serious concerns about potential racism, leading to a strong recommendation against that specific location for certain demographics.

Location

Gallery

Amenities

• Accessible Entrance

Reviews

Listing Reviews

June 10th, 2025

Rachel Tristano

I love the water classes! The instructors (like Amy and Annie) are tremendous and the community is welcoming and supportive. I have been able to maintain my weight loss and it's been a huge boost to my health and wellness, both physically and mentally. I haven't been in this type of shape or felt this strong in years and years... Thank you Emilson YMCA!

July 15th, 2025

Scott Reinhardt

⭐☆☆☆☆ Extremely Distracting and Poor Staff Response I’ve been using the gym at the Emilson YMCA, specifically the free weights area, and have had ongoing issues with members singing loudly and clapping during workouts—completely inappropriate behavior in a shared fitness space where others are trying to focus. What’s worse is that the staff allows it. I politely raised the issue, hoping for a quick and reasonable solution, but was told it was allowed. I’m paying a premium to work out here, and instead I’m being distracted by disruptive behavior that wouldn’t be acceptable in any professional gym setting. If you’re looking for a place where you can train seriously without distractions, this is not it. I expected a higher standard from the YMCA. I am very disappointed. What a waste of money. I will gladly take my money back to planet fittness and stay there!

July 20th, 2025

Marjorie DeVoe

Great offerings for any age. Latest equipment, huge variety of classes, amazing outdoor pool center and indoor pools, jacuzzi, steam. Childcare, day camp, family activities. Dedicated staff.

May 6th, 2025

Erik D. J. O'BRIEN

The Emilson Y is a great place to train, with every machine and type of equipment imaginable. My only negative is that parking can be difficult during peak hours, and the gym tends to be crowded. Sunny days and afternoons during the week seem to be an excellent time to train if you can manage it. The Staff is friendly and knowledgeable.

July 26th, 2025

Abdirahman Mohamud

I go to Ymca’s all over And I really love the Ymca’s. I have never had a problem with any staff or personal ever but there was this one time the ymca south store on Mill St., Ymca says it closes at 10 PM and then me and some of the guys were Playing basketball at 9:30 and we had no idea it closes at 9:30 One of the old ladies part of the staff just came in and screamed at us for no reason saying that we’ve been warned 2 times and she was lying about it. I wasn’t sure if it was racism or anything, but that’s the first time Ive ever experienced something like this I wouldn’t recommend going there if you are black it was really uncomfortable and rude.