Southwest Family YMCA

This YMCA is fantastic. I’ve been going there to swim laps in the morning and the pool is clean and temperature is great. The whole pool area is peaceful amd calming. The lifeguards are conscientious, and I feel safe. The front office staff is also very kind and welcoming. Mirabel went out of her way to help show me around when I was looking for a group exercise room and a place to stretch. The upstairs track and area for cycling and stretching is clean and worked well for me to stretch and warm up, especially while the downstairs weight and cardio room is being renovated. Can’t wait to enjoy that area soon!

The management at this facility is tone deaf to the disabled. They insist on teaching their private swimming lessons in the only swimming lane with stairs. I can plan around their regularly scheduled lessons, but I can't utilize a facility where I am randomly kicked out of the pool. When I spoke to the aquatic director about the issue she was unable to comprehend my limitations. I will not be going back to this facility.

Love child watch!! Thanks for having crafts, outdoor time, books, and games. I’m also appreciative that the staff limits screen time and finds other more creative ways to engage the kids while I get my workout. This kind of child watch sets YMCA apart from the competition.

They have the most absurd rules in the pool. Even if your kids pass their swim test, you still have to be physically in the water with your kids at all times otherwise they can’t swim. Like you can’t even sit on the side of the pool and watch them. Also the lifeguards tell the kids they can’t hold their breath under water??? What are they supposed to do, breathe under water?? I understand rules for safety purposes like no running, etc, but it’s to the point where my kids don’t want to swim at the ymca pool because of the insane rules. And if your kids don’t pass the test, they have to wear a lifejacket even if you’re holding them the entire time. It’s wild. Also the parking sucks

The parking is limited. Saturday mornings are the worst. Today there were volleyball games, swimming lessons, and a large public event. Street parking is by residential permit only. We watched about 10 cars get ticketed. I don't think it's responsible for a place to host large events without warning people about the lack of parking or doing anything to mitigate it. This is an argument for more public transportation.

I joined for the outdoor lap pool, but it is poorly maintained (often gives me a rash), overheated for exercise (87 degrees), and often closed with no notice. Serious disappointment. The small indoor pool is not set up for laps, is likewise poorly maintained (always gives me a rash), and the air and water are so hot it feels like swimming in boiling water in a humid tropical jungle.

My boys and I love this Ymca. I have been going to the YMCA since I moved to Austin many years ago when my children were very young. I homeschooled my children for many years and the YMCA was a little refuge for me to get a quick workout while my kids enjoyed their very friendly childcare. I currently teach my sons about the benefits of weight training and my oldest even works here as a lifeguard now. The YMCA is truly a part of my family and I couldn’t imagine life without it.