Southdale YMCA

Absolutely love this Y! I've never been a YMCA member before, so I'm new to the whole organization. My husband and I joined because we needed a gym and the Lifetime down the street is on an 1000 person waitlist. What? To our surprise, we absolutely love the Y! It's busy but never overcrowded, the equipment is awesome, the staff are all lovely, there is natural light from huge windows everywhere. I'm obsessed with the fitness classes and their instructors (body pump and yoga flow are my usual). They have classes all day and you can just walk in anytime, no need to sign up. Diverse mix of people, ages, and fitness levels in every class, so I never feel out of place. The hot tub and steam are great (the steam is almost too hot, I can only stay in it for five minutes). The women in the daycare are super sweet and because it isn't overcrowded, our daughter (8 months old) gets one-on-one care! I'm a total super fan.

Prior to being eligible for Silver Sneakers, in September 2023, I stopped in to join the Southdale YMCA. There was a white woman at one screen/front desk, a Somali male at another seat/sign in; and a man with a reddish beard and fat stomach leaning against the cabinets behind them. I inquired about joining as a regular, single person membership; I had just online scheduled a swim session at said YMCA. The fat bearded man, without moving from leaning on the counter with his arms folded, responded, “no one is here for that.” I asked if I could still come back for my scheduled swim session, and he said, “If you’re not a member, then you’re not even allowed in the building!” Why was I able to register for a swim session? Why was I standing in the building asking about membership? He made me feel like a criminal! The other two staff just sat there with their mouths agape. I proceeded to my car; then decided to come back in and express my frustration with the attitude of the bearded fat man. As I came back in, he and the woman were laughing and talking with each other. They immediately stopped. After I said my piece, fat bearded man responded, “I’m sorry you feel that way.” - In a flat not caring manner. He had not moved from the position of butt leaning on back counter, arms folded. I left crying. I have been attending the YMCA for over 40 years off and on. Mostly on - With my own daughters (now adults), my granddaughters, and my parents. Never have I experienced this kind of rudeness! Now I am apprehensive to go back into this YMCA. It is the closest to my home. I feel actually afraid to encounter this individual again! Please hire kind and caring people. Ask the important questions. Who matters? Who are your community members? Why will people walk through your doors? Who will be your supporters?

This has got to be the trashiest YMCA I have ever been to. Every single thing inside the building screams "renovate me". Lockers are old rusty and tiny! Then lay out of the building is a maze. Steam room fits three people only. Whirlpool is so tiny. It could fit four people max.There are no curtains in the shower rooms so you get to see everybody's privates either you want or you don't want to. Absolutely horrible.

I wanna talk about Karl Wilbur The Engagement Director, I’ve been trying to setup a meeting with him this whole month. But apparently this man doesn’t seem to be at his desk ALL MONTH. The ymca says he’s the only person I can reach to talk about my situation but it seems that this guys is an imaginary person. He’s never at his office and he never answers his calls. So I am wondering why he holds this position as the engagement director. The YMCA needs to do better.

I went to this YMCA on a guest pass, just to see if it was worth switching from planet fitness. You would think the YMCA in Edina, next to the galleria, would be nicer than any other Ymca in Minnesota. Couldn't be more wrong. All of the exercise equipment (besides there new E-gym machines) are all over 20 years old. The space is small so you are literally working out inches from the person next to you. I would suggest a total demolishing of the building. With a new YMCA at the same location.