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1. elikapeka
   Member Profile

   Looking for a health club for two adults. One is mostly looking for swimming, possibly some aqua classes for arthritis, but a fair amount of time open for adult swim. The other is more interested in a variety of good classes, Yoga, Pilates, Zumba, Nia, that sort of thing. Perhaps one session with a coach to develop a light to medium weight routine, not full on body building type stuff. Hoping to avoid a lot of kids running around.

   As far as I know, these are the only two facilities in WS that offer all of the above, so I'm just wondering about people's experiences with both or if there's other suggestions.

   Posted 6 months ago #         

2. lc
   Member Profile

   My wife and I belong to the Y. Love it. Tried Allstar, not a bad place. We however prefer the more community based Y. Feels like a large family.
   Staff is great. You can use any number of Y locations in and around Seattle. Two here in WS.
   I believe most of the classes your looking for are in fact offered at the Y. Stop in and give them a try

   Posted 6 months ago #         

3. Irukandji
   Member Profile

   

   There are some GREAT teachers at AllStar, but don't expect warm, friendly or competent as far as how the place is managed and maintained. For what monthly fees are, bathroom stall locks ought work and the fans and ventilation in the class rooms ought function - they go unfixed for MONTHS (eight months and counting on the fans).
   .
   Also, drop-in fees are so high they make certain you'll never bring a friend to a class there to get them hooked.

   Posted 6 months ago #         

4. KatieK
   Member Profile

   I have been members at both.

   The Y has great programs, alert life guards, excellent instructors, all in a community based environment. The Y is safer in the pool area- things are less slippery and there are large rails and steps that lead into the pool. There have been 2 on-duty life guards during all the morning weekday water aerobics classes I have attended at the Y.

   Allstar is a nicer facility. The staff at Allstar is generally not friendly. Allstar has an emerald city smoothie, while the Y has modest snacks and coffee.

   We had a bad experience at Allstar: the salesman sold us on a month to month contract. When I went to fill out the paperwork, he said not to worry about certain sections... this happens sometimes so I didn't worry about it. Big Mistake! I made a huge error by not insisting he finish his areas before signing because he filled the paperwork as a a year contract. We decided after a couple months we wanted to end our membership and put in notice of cancellation and got resistance. We tried to resolve this with management but it took over 3 months. Management didn't return calls, they were rude, unprofessional, and only responded when I mentioned that I would be contacting "get Jesse." The accountant was extremely rude as well. We ended up being forced to pay for over 3 months of additional time- the amount of time it took to cancel the membership. The salesman had been fired before we even started to try to cancel our membership so he is no longer there. My advise to you if you you go with Allstar is to be careful with the paperwork!

   My vote goes for the Y! It has that strong West Seattle community feel, is safer, and has excellent classes.

   Good luck with your selection and I hope this was helpful!

   Posted 6 months ago #         

5. kmweiner
   Member Profile

   I am told that for mature adults without kids the Y is a bit too "stimulating". Yes, there are problems with Allstart but the classes and teachers are great as is the equipment.

   Posted 6 months ago #         

6. WSfan
   Member Profile

   Love Allstar. Not too fond of the Y.

   The Y is dingy and cramped. The zumba classes are far too crowded, as are the yoga classes. The treadmills in the exercise room are spaced inches apart on the floor. It is hard to move without bumping into another person. My biggest dislike, though, is the lack of natural light. Whoever designed the Y must not have believed in windows.

   Allstar is a more spacious facility. If you like natural light, and room to move, choose Allstar. If you can feel relaxed in a rabbit maze, choose the Y.

   Posted 6 months ago #         

7. ghar72
   Member Profile

   If you do decide to join the Y, they typically waive the registration fee during the month of January. We've belonged a couple of different times, but cancelled our membership just b/c we didn't use it. Both times we joined, we did it in January and they had the promotion.

   Posted 6 months ago #         

8. Kathe
   Member Profile

   Here's one mature adult who doesn't find the Y overstimulating. It is friendly and listens to members' concerns.

   Posted 6 months ago #         

9. I Wonder
   Member Profile

   Another vote for the Y. Great community feel,and I feel like my dollars are going to a greater cause, not just someones pocket. Granted, the WS location has grown a little older, needs a nip and tuck. But because you can use your membership in multiple locations, Matt Griffin in Burien/Sea-Tac is awesome. Feels like a new country club. Its just off I-5 @ 188th, so its not too far, and has a luxury feel to it (for a Y).

   Posted 6 months ago #         

10. Hawkeye
    Member Profile

    

    One major difference between the two gyms could, quite literally, be the difference between life and death and in fact was for a friend of mine who chose the YMCA over Allstar. He's now well into recovery from a sudden death event he suffered on a cardio machine, only because the Y had a portable defibrillator (AED) on site, it was easily accessible and a staff that knew where it was and how to use it.

    While Allstar has a single AED on site, it's hidden away on the farthest point of the top floor and most staff members (and virtually no members) are aware that there is an AED or of the location--let alone how to use it should the need arise. A single unit in a distant location in a facility that large, where most are not even aware of its existence, makes it virtually useless and falls well short of industry standards.

    That said, the pool is nice. Just don't plan on surviving if you have a life-threatening cardiac episode there.

    Posted 6 months ago #         

11. Bonnie
    Member Profile

    I cannot speak for Allstar employees but all Y employees are CPR certified and renew their certification once a year.

    I think it depends on what you're looking for. I, personally, was looking for a family friendly environment to take my kids to when they were younger when I joined the Y. I enjoy their classes and enjoy being able to take advantage of the other Y's in the area. I think Allstar is very nice too and have excellent classes (I'm told by friends, I have not personally taken one)

    Posted 6 months ago #         

12. elikapeka
    Member Profile

    Thanks for the input - I'll visit them both, but it can be hard to get a sense of someplace just based on one visit, so this is exactly the type of info I was looking for. Thanks!

    Posted 6 months ago #         

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