Weston YMCA Family Center

★gerardo minsal

I just cancelled my membership that I had for 20 years. I just went with my son and his friend both minors to be told his friend cannot be in the facility and we asked if he can sit in the chairs and they said that he can’t be here. I thought the ymca would promote helping the youth. I am a retired veteran, when I tried to used the leg machines, is been used x 1 hr for people that are just looking at their phone. RULES ARE NOT ENFORCED and it might get confrontational at times fighting x equipment. Crowded gym. Basketball courts are blocked for volleyball.

★★Anonymous

It is a wonderful facility, however, has changed. Aqua Aerobics classes Are so strict. We are not allowed to even talk quietly amongst ourselves and are like robots with straight faces in the pool. The lifeguard can have their backs to us and talk freely. Zumba classes are ridiculous. Many members don’t even sign up on the app and the instructors do not limit people walking in. Classes are so full you can barely move.

★★★★★Urba Print

Excellent staff and very good facilities; we enjoyed the latest generation of equipment. The childcare service is a great bonus, as are the other activities offered.

★Jessy Rezende

Dear IMCA Weston Management, I have been a member of the academy for five years, and until recently, my experience had always been very positive. However, after my children began using the Kids’ Area, I have encountered situations that need to be formally addressed, as they have significantly affected our ability to use the services we pay for. In the past few months, it has become clear that part of the staff is not adequately prepared to work with children of different profiles and needs. Many families, including mine, have children with specific characteristics—such as speech delays, ADHD, or traits within the autism spectrum—and we expect a minimum level of sensitivity, support, and professional handling from the IMCA team. Unfortunately, on several occasions, I have witnessed a lack of proper training and child-appropriate approaches by some employees, which has caused discomfort both for the children and for us, the parents. For example, my three-year-old son is not a child who will sit and color for long periods of time, and this is completely normal for his age. When the staff insists on rigid activities that do not match his developmental stage, he becomes frustrated, upset, and overstimulated—situations that could be easily avoidable with a more playful, flexible, and understanding approach. Instead, I often receive immediate calls asking me to pick him up, interrupting my workout and showing that there is no preparation to work with children who have diverse needs. My nine-year-old daughter has also witnessed these situations and confirms that many times the issue is not his behavior, but the staff member’s lack of proper handling. Additionally, I would like to report a recent incident that left me extremely uncomfortable. I was with my three children, and the youngest was crying. I asked my nine-year-old daughter to go upstairs to meet my husband and get the car keys. As I tried to explain the situation to three staff members, they responded in a harsh and unfriendly manner, speaking quickly despite clearly seeing that I do not speak English fluently. Instead of offering help or attempting to understand my situation, they made me feel pressured and exposed. I eventually had to leave with the children and wait outside for my husband to bring the keys, simply because no one attempted to assist me in resolving a very simple need. I want to emphasize that in all these years, while I attended the gym alone, I never had any issues. The difficulties began when I started depending on the childcare service—an amenity that we pay for and that should ensure basic care, safety, support, and understanding of each child’s differences. I recognize that the IMCA is not a school; however, by offering this service, the minimum expectation is that the staff be trained, calm, patient, and professionally capable of assisting families with children who have varying needs. My intention is not to target any individual employee but to respectfully request that the institution address these matters with seriousness, as many families rely on this service. A well-trained, patient, compassionate team makes a significant difference for parents who seek to maintain their physical and mental well-being while trusting that their children are in good hands. Thank you in advance for your attention. I truly hope this report contributes to meaningful improvements in the childcare service and in the overall support offered to families.

★★Francesca Romio

The gym has a very detailed set of rules, but unfortunately they are not enforced. In the weight room, there is almost never a supervisor present, and this leads to unpleasant situations. In particular, many people film themselves with their phones for long periods of time, inevitably including others in the videos without their consent. For those who come here to train with peace of mind and privacy, this can be very uncomfortable. It would be desirable for management to actually enforce the rules that are already in place, ensuring a more respectful and safe environment for everyone.