YMCA of Greater Dayton - Downtown YMCA Branch

About

Workout facility featuring a pool and fitness classes such as yoga and Pilates.

The exact temperature of the pool(s) at the Downtown YMCA Branch is not publicly specified on their website. YMCA facilities generally maintain their pools at comfortable temperatures suitable for a variety of activities such as lap swimming, water exercise classes, and swim lessons, typically ranging from 78-86°F depending on the pool's primary use. For precise temperature details, it is recommended to contact the branch directly.

What are people saying (AI review summary)? Reviews for the Downtown YMCA are notably mixed, with strong criticisms primarily focused on facility cleanliness and maintenance, alongside a severe complaint of member-on-member discrimination. Multiple reviewers highlight significant issues with the men's locker room, describing it as dirty, unhygienic, and poorly maintained, with rusty lockers, mildew smells, broken showers, and concerns about overall upkeep in areas like the steam room and sauna. One review details a disturbing incident of racial and gender-based harassment by other members, leading to a strong recommendation against joining for white individuals. Another common negative point is the lack of family locker rooms or restrooms, posing a challenge for single parents. Concerns about theft from lockers and intermittent pool closures due to staffing issues were also raised. On the positive side, many reviewers praise the staff, particularly the front desk and snack bar personnel, for being friendly, supportive, and customer-oriented. Some members appreciate a generally friendly atmosphere and the robust, respectful conversations among diverse individuals in the locker rooms. The snack bar is highly recommended, and the gym facilities (basketball courts, track) are considered adequate. The pool atmosphere is also noted as positive when it is open. Overall, while the YMCA's institutional values are recognized, many reviewers feel the facility is in dire need of a redesign, remodel, and significant updates to address the widespread cleanliness and maintenance problems, as well as to ensure a safe and inclusive environment for all members.

Location

Gallery

Amenities

• Accepts Credit Cards
• Street Parking
• Parking Lot
• Accessible Entrance
• Accessible Restroom

Reviews

Listing Reviews

August 9th, 2025

Kate Meizlish

My partner and I were just chased out of the downtown YMCA by two people who felt they deserved to have the gym to themselves. One of them said they wouldn't talk to me because I am a woman. The other screamed at us that we didn't belong because we are white. All of this started because they thought my partner smelled bad. Ok. We can have a conversation about that. But these two men escalated the situation massively insulting us for both gender and race. It was absolutely awful. There is a black only clique here that kicked us out today and I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND joining if you are white.

June 28th, 2025

George Mote

No family locker room or family restroom. If you're a single father with a daughter, GOOD LUCK in the men's locker room! I'll probably be looking elsewhere in the future due to this fact alone, unfortunate.

March 7th, 2025

Bill “flavorfulbbq” Carpenter

Love the people, staff and members are friendly and supportive. I find the robust conversations in the locker room to be encouraging, men of faith, unbelievers, democrats and Republicans disagreeing gracefully and continuing to high five and fist bump, encouraging each other in the pursuit of fitness goals. The space could be cleaner and better maintained, I'd like to smell some sort of sanitizer instead of mildew in the spa!

January 28th, 2025

Ryan Craig

Meh. What can I say about the Downtown Dayton YMCA .. Well let's start with the fact that in order to cater to some probably homophobic, self-conscious, clueless bigots a couple of years ago, the Y installed these ridiculous stalls (partitions) in the shower room. Okay- great let's make things even more awkward by confining folks into smaller spaces, with no clear vision of surroundings with drains that haven't been cleaned out in 40 years. Shocker- that you'll perhaps see naked men in a men's shower room. I know that might come as a surprise to some folks, you know. 🙄 My god- what next? Giving women the vote? Now, normally that wouldn't be too much of a problem but, well it is here in that these little macho security blankets called partitions haven't been cleaned since installation, and the curtains I'm sure are growing bacteria that would survive the vacuum of space. Not really a good idea to put such items in spaces meant for people to practice hygiene, but hey- who am I but a godd*** member to say anything? Also, currently there are three showers out of order in the men's locker room. Now the locker rooms themselves are a practice in maintaining a strong antibiotic resistance. The lockers are rusty and will ruin anything you hang up if wet so be careful. Also, some people don't mind NOT following the hygiene rules the Y put forth so you might be grossed out by the occasional member treating the steam room like his own bathroom sink. Yeah, that's relaxing for sure. I don't know about you but when I think relaxing steam, I think about some middle-aged man in there with a callus grater. 🤢The floors haven't been properly cleaned in my lifetime, and the swimsuit extractor works, when it wants to. The steam and sauna are as of the time of this review operational, albeit lacking in cleanliness and not exactly in one piece. Just beware. The gym facilities themselves are adequate and most people like the basketball courts and the track. The pool is nice when it's open- they've had issues with staffing. Do not leave anything behind in a locker room- it will be either stolen by the "cleaners" or pitched by them so they can say the place was cleaned. Yeah, okay. Yeah, the place is clean. Sure. And I'm a pirate 🦜. The staff for the most part is exceptional, and most of them care, they are just limited to what they can do about a lot of issues due to funding, staffing, and the hiring practices of the facility in general. A few of them just are there for the paycheck and you can tell. But most of them- like the most of the front desk staff, are really good. Sometimes it's pulling teeth to get a hold of a trainer or a nutritionist. It is what it is. I'd recommend the snack bar- the folks who run that are great. Kind and they have some good stuff out of that little juice bar. I'd try the vegetarian chili. For the most part, Id give this place more than two stars if only a few things changed. It has the makings of a quality facility- I just feel like like not everyone's priorities are straight. The place needs redesigned, remodeled, and updated. Regardless of the problems, you can see the usefulness and reliability the place offers folks who live and work in or near downtown Dayton, and you can see that the values of the institution are still fostered. So, as things improve, so will my review. One more thing,to whoever took my towel and bathing suit, I hope it looks better on you than it did on me. I'll consider it my good deed for the month. :/ :/

January 4th, 2025

Yuriy Gryga

Great friendly atmosphere in this pool. Swimming along the wall, with decorative unique ceramics. Juan, thanks for the customer oriented of the team!