Southwest YMCA

About

The Southwest YMCA, located at 11311 W Howard Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53228, USA, is a comprehensive community center offering a wide array of programs and facilities. It provides resources for health and wellness, including a fitness center, group exercise studios, a gymnasium, and aquatics programs. The center focuses on youth development, social responsibility, and community engagement for individuals and families of all ages.

The Southwest YMCA features two indoor pools. The Lap Pool is typically maintained at approximately 80-82 degrees Fahrenheit, while the Warm Water Pool, ideal for therapy and warmer aquatic activities, is kept at about 88-90 degrees Fahrenheit.

What are people saying (AI review summary)? Reviews for the YMCA present a mixed picture, with some members highly satisfied and others expressing severe dissatisfaction, particularly regarding children's programs and facility cleanliness. Positive feedback highlights a welcoming community, friendly staff (specifically mentioning a helpful Membership Director), a generally clean and ADA-friendly facility (though this is contradicted by other reviews), and enjoyable amenities like the pool and hot tub. However, significant negative feedback includes: major concerns about cleanliness and maintenance, with descriptions of disgusting locker rooms (urine smell, mildew, broken lockers, filthy carpet), and dirty cardio machines. Several reviews criticize children's programs; one details an unfit gymnastics instructor who was rough with children and dismissive of injuries, while another describes a 'disgusting' summer camp with an unresponsive director, inconsistent discipline, staff retaliation, unaddressed racial slurs, and children sustaining unexplained bruises. Some reviewers also feel the YMCA is less kid-friendly than in the past, lacking amenities it once offered for youth. Overall, while some appreciate the community aspect, many feel the facility's condition, program quality, and management's responsiveness do not justify the membership costs.

Location

Gallery

Amenities

• Accepts Credit Cards
• Accessible Entrance

Reviews

Listing Reviews

August 12th, 2025

Mary Sigler

I love my YMCA family. I have been coming here for 5 years. I have met a lot of interesting and unique members. Always time for a laugh and smile from the joke of the day board. I enjoy my time at the Y utilizing the pool and hot tub! If you are interested in joining the SW Y, stop and see the Membership Director Jaimie Sponder, she is so helpful, kind, and understanding. I The building is kept very clean and is ADA friendly!

August 18th, 2025

Cam C

I hesitate to leave a One-star review because as a whole, the Y is generally a great place. My issue is with one of the children's gymnastics programs. One instructor in particular is unfit to work with the age group of the class. Her expectations that the children stand still and be quiet for long periods of time is ridiculous. But then she'll stand there and talk non stop to the other instructors about anything other than the class. She gets easily frustrated and physically handles the children bordering on too rough. I initially accepted this behavior because the other instructors were great but I stopped taking my child recently. She bumped her head not really hard but enough for her to lay on the ground and cry. The bad instructor's reaction; laugh and walk the other way while a more apathetic instructor aided my child. I have it on video. If anyone at the Y would like to see it, feel free to reach out.

July 24th, 2025

Angela ramirez

I come here cause its close to work honestly. The people are great but the gym is gross. You'd be lucky if you found a locker in the women's locker room that opens. The carpet in there is absolutely disgusting. The showers smell like urine and theres mildew everywhere in there. The cardio machines are filthy. I find myself spending more time cleaning and wiping things down then I do working out sometimes😅 the nerve to raise our membership prices but the only upgrade here is a random TV by the front door. Not sure who is in charge of maintenance here but its an actual mess. Ill spare them and not post pics I've taken before.

June 26th, 2025

Marina Fields

If I could leave zero reviews, I would. The summer camp here is disgusting. If you are contemplating on sending your child here for any sort of camp, don’t do it! The current camp director will not return emails or calls. Look them up on DCF’s website for childcare- you will quickly see this is not the first issue they’ve had. They pick and choose which kids get held accountable, and if you question them, or want them to hear the entire story, they will retaliate! My kids have been going here for years, had an issue yesterday with my one son, withdrew them all for the remainder of the summer after this week, and guess what? Got a nice little note today about my other son who has NEVER ONCE received a behavior note, not from the YMCA, school, or any activity he participates in. My youngest son came home with marks on him, bruises and red marks, yet they will continue to argue that because the counselor didn’t “see” it happen, it must not of happened. They are extremely rude, condescending, uncaring, dirty, and unprofessional! Also, if you have children of color, BEWARE. The kids at this camp love shouting out racist derogatory words, and when the counselors are made aware they brush it off. Unless you are friends with someone at the YMCA, good luck. Its a horrible facility with horrible ratings and not worth the $200 per week per kid amount at all. I won’t be surprised if you see this place on the news.

May 15th, 2025

Matt Brenner

Quick review here. I went to the YMCA as a kid, at many different locations. The YMCA is not nearly as kid friendly as they once were. Back in the day they had some arcade games, a teen room (with pool, PC's, air hockey, etc) , and kids were allowed to use some of the work out equipment without wrist band requirements. Heck back then they even had sleep overs occasionally. For adults, it's fine.