Prospect Park YMCA Introduce
ymca 9th street brooklyn
The Prospect Park YMCA is more than just a fitness center; it is a long-standing institution in Brooklyn that serves as a community hub for people of all ages. Situated on 9th Street, this YMCA branch offers a comprehensive array of facilities and programs designed to promote health, wellness, and a sense of community. For New Yorkers looking for a place that caters to the entire family—from dedicated fitness enthusiasts to young children learning to swim—the Prospect Park YMCA provides a versatile and welcoming environment.
As a membership-based organization, the Y is dedicated to providing valuable services that go beyond a typical gym. It's a place where you can find personal training sessions to help you reach your goals, a space for strength training, and a variety of group fitness classes. The atmosphere is generally lively and community-oriented, with a mix of people from different backgrounds and age groups. While some areas, like the pool and locker rooms, can get quite busy during peak hours, it's a testament to the fact that this is a highly utilized and beloved resource in the borough.
The Prospect Park YMCA has been a fixture of the community for nearly a century, and its mission is to build healthy spirit, mind, and body for all. This is evident in the variety of programs offered for both adults and children, creating a true community feel. Whether you're looking to start a new fitness routine, find a place for your kids to be active, or simply connect with your neighbors, the Prospect Park YMCA offers a solid foundation for a healthy lifestyle. Its inclusive nature and focus on family-friendly programs make it a standout choice for many New York residents.
The Prospect Park YMCA is located at 357 9th St, Brooklyn, NY 11215, USA, placing it in the desirable Park Slope neighborhood. Its location between 5th and 6th Avenues is incredibly convenient for local residents and those commuting from other parts of the city. The area is well-served by public transportation, making it easily accessible for anyone in the New York region. The F and G subway lines have a station at 4th Avenue and 9th Street, which is a very short walk from the front door. The R train at Union Street is also a viable option, offering multiple routes for your commute.
For those who prefer to drive, the YMCA is close to major thoroughfares, though finding street parking can be challenging, as is common in a dense urban area like Park Slope. The accessibility of the facility is a key feature, as it includes a wheelchair-accessible entrance and restroom, ensuring that everyone in the community can utilize the services. The proximity to Prospect Park itself is a great bonus, as members can combine an indoor workout with a walk or run in the park, enjoying the best of both worlds.
While the convenience of the location is a major plus, it does contribute to the crowds, particularly during weekday evenings and on weekends. This is particularly noticeable in the pool area, which, as one review notes, can get "extremely crowded." However, for many, the trade-off is worth it for a centrally located, well-equipped facility that is so integrated into the fabric of the neighborhood. The YMCA's location and accessibility make it a practical choice for individuals and families alike, enabling them to make health and wellness a consistent part of their lives.
Services Offered:
- Personal Training: For those who need a structured plan or extra motivation, the YMCA offers personal training sessions with certified professionals.
- Strength Training: The fitness center is equipped with a variety of strength training and free weight equipment to help members build muscle and improve physical strength.
- Swimming Pool: The facility features a swimming pool that offers lap swimming, open swim times, and a variety of aquatic classes for all ages, including lessons for both children and adults.
- Group Fitness Classes: A wide range of classes, from yoga and Pilates to high-intensity interval training, are typically available to members.
- Youth and Family Programs: The YMCA is known for being "good for kids," offering programs like youth sports, swim lessons, and a safe, supervised environment for children while parents work out.
Features / Highlights:
- Swimming Pool and Sauna: The Prospect Park YMCA is one of the few places south of Prospect Park to have a continuously operating swimming pool. The sauna offers a relaxing way to unwind after a workout.
- Basketball Court: The facility includes a basketball court, offering a space for recreational play and organized sports.
- Family-Friendly Atmosphere: With dedicated programs for children and a focus on community, the YMCA is an excellent option for families.
- Accessibility: The center is equipped with a wheelchair-accessible entrance and restroom, ensuring it can accommodate all members of the community.
- Convenient Payments: The center accepts credit cards and debit cards for membership payments, making the process straightforward for new and existing members.
- Showers: Showers are available in the locker rooms for members' convenience.
Contact Information:
Address: 357 9th St, Brooklyn, NY 11215, USA
Phone: (718) 768-7100
What is worth choosing:
For New Yorkers seeking a comprehensive and community-oriented fitness center, the Prospect Park YMCA is a compelling choice. While some reviews offer a humorous and somewhat graphic take on the locker room experience, and others point out the crowded nature of the pool, these can be seen as signs of a well-used and popular facility. The fact that the place is so heavily frequented, particularly the pool, indicates its value as a resource in an area with few other options for continuous swimming. The diverse range of people, from "octagenarian athletes" to young Brooklyn professionals, contributes to a rich and unique "third space" that is hard to find in the city.
What truly makes the Prospect Park YMCA worth choosing is its holistic approach to health and wellness. It's not just about a workout; it's about being part of a community. The variety of services, including personal training, strength training, and an indoor swimming pool, means there is something for everyone. This is a place where families can come together, with programs specifically designed to be "good for kids," fostering a healthy lifestyle from a young age. While a membership is required, it often includes access to multiple city-wide locations, providing even greater value. For the cost of a membership, you're not just buying access to a gym; you're investing in a community and a resource that is committed to your and your family’s well-being.
The unique blend of extensive facilities, a diverse and bustling atmosphere, and a strong community focus makes the Prospect Park YMCA a standout choice in Brooklyn. It's a place that embraces the gritty, real, and vibrant nature of New York itself, offering a place for everyone to pursue their health goals. For those who appreciate a no-frills, inclusive, and highly functional fitness center, the Prospect Park YMCA delivers on its promise to be a cornerstone of the community.
Prospect Park YMCA Services
Fitness center
- Personal training
- Strength Training
Prospect Park YMCA Details
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Offerings
- Sauna
Amenities
- Basketball court
- Restroom
- Swimming pool
Atmosphere
- Shower
Planning
- Membership required
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
Children
- Good for kids
Prospect Park YMCA Photos










Prospect Park YMCA Location
Prospect Park YMCA Reviews
poollocker roomsaunatowelsshowerlockerstreadmillslanebasketballadult
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1If you enjoy locker rooms where men shower with the curtains wide open while making direct eye contact with every lucky passer by, then this is the locker room for you!Don't forget to take in the view through the big window on the sauna door—where you should feel free to spreadeagle your towel-less turkey waddle directly facing the window for all to appreciate. Thank you mystery man! Gobble gobble!While down there, make sure to check out all the octagenarian athletes' impressive balls. A bunch of naked old guys standing around reminiscing—likely about prison showers and 1950s locker rooms— for an hour or two, really makes you appreciate how important it is to stop and enjoy the little things.But for those of you who prefer a more contemporary view whilst trying to open your locker without accidentally castrating an overly comfortable stranger, don't worry, there's no shortage of (in the)buff Brooklyn bros—who, once they put down their phones and finally find their socks, will take another 20 minutes to decide which foot they go on—to enjoy after a good workout.Who said there's no more 3rd spaces left in the city? 5 stars is way too low for all that you get. Some clubs charge a $20 cover and you still have to buy drinks! I highly recommend spending the extra few dollars and splurging on the citywide membership.
July 16 · Dickson KnutzIf you are considering joining this Y for the pool, do it only if you don't mind swimming during working days or late in the evening. On workday evenings and on the weekend the pool is often extremely crowded, with 4-5, occasionally 6-7 people per (25-yard) lane (as several lanes are closed for swimming classes) and with little to no enforcement of anti-crowding or speed rules. As regards the cleanliness of the locker rooms: I've seen better, I've seen worse. I wouldn't mark the place down too much for that as this also depends on the patrons. It's just a pity that there's virtually no other continuously operating swimming pool south of the Park.
May 07 · Andras Toth-CzifraI’m afraid to go back to the YMCA prospect park.Last time I was there, two handymen showed up unannounced in the women’s lady’s room at 1pm while I was leaving the shower completely naked. I forgot to bring a towel in and I left the Y shaking with fear. Management is absent, you can never find a supervisor here. They could have put up signs warning us that the women’s locker rooms weren’t private for the day but instead when I sent an email to the manager Brittney Parks she thanked me for the feedback without acknowledging the severity of the situation. Which left me with the conviction that such incident could happen again!Add to that their instructor’s are poorly paid and overworked. I went to classes where the instructor complained the whole time about how tired they were and other times they just didn’t show up. I don’t understand how a non profit organization with so many members needs to cut on so many corners! Not worth the price, you can get better service for a fourth of the price!
June 01 · Mia MayThis is a review of the guys in the locker room who shower with the shower curtains open trying to get other guys to look at their junk, and then stand around the locker room naked, for way longer than necessary, trying to get other guys to look at their junk. You might think the hopeful eye contact would be funny but it's a really gross experience. You'd think in 2025 the YMCA would have some basic rules to prevent the numerous perverts from breaking the law and preying on other customers.NYC Section 245.00 Public Lewdness:A person is guilty of public lewdness when he or she intentionally exposes the private or intimate parts of his or her body in a lewd manner or commits any other lewd act: (a) in a public place, or (b) (i) in private premises under circumstances in which he or she may readily be observed from either a public place or from other private premises,
August 04 · BastianMany people don't shower before entering swimming pools. Can the swimming pool staff remind them? Or Enforcement. Shower before entering the water (it helps keep the pool clean and protects you, too)
July 20 · Relax your mind
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