Member questions . . . answered!

General Facility

Comment: Invite a local pastor to hold church service in chapel on Sunday morning with workout to follow.
Staff Response: Actually, we do that already! New Life Baptist Church meets here every Sunday for church and welcomes all of our members to attend. Additionally, with our new hours you can now work out before or after the service. We have also recently formulated our Christian Emphasis Committee on our volunteer board and they will begin to look at creative programming opportunities.

Comment: I have been walking in your parking lot and have been almost run over by cars coming in. Could you please post speeding signs by the entrances please.
Staff Response: Thanks for your suggestion.

Comment: Rianna S&M on Saturday afternoon is not right. To many little ones here. Thanks
Staff Response: We agree, anytime you hear an inappropriate song on the radio feel free to connect with a staff person. We do our best to monitor the radio stations being played and change it when we hear a song that is not in line with our values, but if we miss one, don’t hesitate to say so in the moment and we will change it.

Comment: I like that you added more classes without fees. I would have appreciated a letter before my renewal letter that stated the increase of dues instead of after the fact. Only common courtesy.
Staff Response: We are so happy to hear you appreciate the additional classes. We apologize you did not receive a letter about the rate increase in advance. We have been working hard to get these letters to everyone in advance, as that is a best practice for us, so I apologize you did not receive yours in the timely manner we would have liked.

Comment: Bushes in the parking lot need to be trimmed can’t see around them when in a car – becoming very dangerous with kids in parking lot.
Staff Response: Done!

Comment: This “Y” is great needs a steam room in men’s/women’s room.
Staff Response: We are happy to hear you are enjoying your Y membership. Unfortunately it is unlikely we will be installing steam rooms in this facility, however don’t forget your membership is good at all locations and when you are feeling like a good “steam” you can always head to the downtown facility – they have just what you are asking for!

Comment: With cold temps/cost weather back any progress on installing additional hooks in the lockers?
Staff Response: Unfortunatly that is not our plan. Sorry for the in convince of this to you.

Comment: A calm quiet room for reading or across country trail outback.
Staff Response: Thanks for the suggestion. We actually have the chapel you are more than welcome to use at anytime for reading. It is great and so calming! Also, we do not have the ability to put a cross country trail outback, as that is not our land, however there is the Kent Trails that you can connect to at the corner of the Metro Campus and M6. If you run the loop and follow that trail it is a 5K!

Comment: No, lockers left upstairs at 11:15am! Thank you! Need more. X2
Staff Response: As we get into the colder season it is possible the lockers upstairs will fill up fast, if that happens please don’t hesitate to drop your things in a locker on the first floor in the locker rooms. Those belong to you, too!

Comment: Love Sunday AM!
Staff Response: So happy to hear you are enjoying the new hours!

Comment: Why haven’t responses been posted on line since August?
Staff Response: We apologize for the delay. We made a staffing change and the person who was responsible for posting these comments has moved on. Pam G. is now on our team and will be handling the comments moving forward. As you can see, this month’s comments are a collection of everything since August. We apologize for the missed month of September and October, but we should be more consistent moving forward

Comment: I find the music upstairs annoying and distracting! People who want music wear IPods, etc!
Staff Response: Thanks for the feedback. The placement of music upstairs is following feedback we have had from our other branches and the members at those branches. We are sorry to hear you don’t agree.

Comment: Love the Y Apps for smart phones
Staff Response: We love that you are using it! Please be sure to tell your friends about it…. It can be such a big help! Here are the links to load it to your iPhone or Droid

Comment: Laptops at the lunch tables
Staff Response: Feel free to bring your own laptop anytime you like and use it at the lunch tables!

Comment: Outdoor Pool!
Staff Response: Thanks for your suggestion.

Comment: Why close the pool early on Friday? The Y hours are extended.
Staff Response: The pool closes 30 minutes before our facility closes every day. This allows our members time to transition through the locker rooms in a timely manner.

Comment: Nothing compares to a quiet evening at the Y. You don’t know your worth!
Staff Response: We are so happy you are enjoying your YMCA membership!

Comment: Sauna needs to have age limit! From health stand point as well as enjoyment of adult guest.
Staff Response: Thanks for your suggestion.

Aquatics

Comment: We would like good music in the pool area in the morning. Would also like the temperature to be at least 84 degrees like they told us when we started going here. X3
Staff Response: We appreciate your feedback! In an effort to cater to a range of swimmers’ needs, we have found 82 degrees to be most suitable. We’re happy to have such a state of the art system, that keeps the water at an ever constant temperature.
We love good music, too! We are in the process of getting the overhead stereos repaired. We appreciate your patience through this.

Health and Wellness

Comment: Group fitness remains Awful! It Zumba or fee-based. Look at Grandville’s or DDH schedule! I have to drive to those most of the time now. A new gym is opening soon! I might as well look at that as I want something close.
Staff Response: With all of our recent changes I hope you have found new additional options that work within your schedule. We got rid of all fee based classes and have increased our class schedule from 40 hours per week to 70 hours per week

Comment: Please consider having “The Chiropractic Doctors” here for a seminar. They are located at Byron Center and 44th Street in Grandville.
Staff Response: Thank you for your recommendation. Due to our partnership with Metro Health they have first option to offer seminars at our location.

Comment: Love the four Yoga classes per week. Really miss Cardio Dance. I wish you would move WillPower and Grace to a different time.
Staff Response: Wehope you find that the new WillPower and Grace classes are conducive to your schedule. We now offer Monday, Wednesday classes at 11am as well as a Thursday 6:30p class and Saturday 1pm class

Comment: If you could move the Tuesday and Thursday 1 PM class to the lunch hour – a bunch of us could come. We could come over on our lunch hour from work.
Staff Response: The reason we have Tuesday and Thursday classes different from Monday, Wednesday, and Friday classes is to accommodate all of our member’s schedule. Thank you for your comment.

Comment: Can you move the Yoga to an earlier time frame – like 9 or 10?
Staff Response: Thank you for your feedback. There is a Sunday option at 9:15am if you wish to take a 9am yoga class.

Comment: Instructor is awesome! What a great instructor. WillPower and Grace is awesome and maybe even addictive.
Staff Response: Thank you for your positive feedback. We also feel like our group exercise team rocks!

Comment: Group fitness feedback – I am so glad you opened up WillPower and Grace classes and added more. Would like to see some 55 or 1 hour classes. You don’t always need 15 minute break between.
Staff Response: Thank you for your comment!

Comment: Great class!
Staff Response: Thank you for your comment!

Comment: Give the new girl in Spin an award. She has the best class very awesome job!
Staff Response: Thank you for your comment. We feel that our spin team does a great job at providing an exceptional experience for our members

Comment: Need more weights (hand) weighted bars (more variety) and new bands – Our classes are determined by number of people because there are not enough supplies.
Staff Response: Thank you for your comment. We have several options in our group exercise class that allow everyone in the class to be working on the same muscle group or achieve the same benefits.

Comment: The core work area on the 2nd level is too small and crowded. It would be nice to have a bigger area to work and out of the main traffic area. Maybe have the group exercise room when not in use?
Staff Response: Due to liability & OSHEA regulations we are unable to leave a room unsupervised open to members.

Comment: Please consider an earlier Yoga class, 9am would be great. 11:30 am is so late in the morning for moms and kids.
Staff Response: Thank you for your comment. We do have a 9am option on sundays. Please try it out and let us know what you think :)

Comment: It the YMCA is founded on Christian beliefs. I see bible scripture throughout the building. Why do you have Yoga? Yoga is founded on Hinduism…and expresses internal strength of Jesus Christ. Check out Whollyfit.org.
Staff Response: Thank you for voicing your concern. Yoga is the linking together of a series of poses (asana) which are intended to build muscular endurance then allowing an individual to sit in meditation, no matter the religion, for extended periods of time. Our Western practice is fitness based and we do not infringe in any way on our member’s belief systems nor do we offend our Christian principles.

Comment: Our Spanish Yoga instructor was EXCELLENT. This morning S— had beautiful music.
Staff Response: Thank you for your positive comment. We appreciate our instructors and the job they do!

Comment: Group exercise room needs more pink #15 bars
Staff Response: Thank you for your comment. At this time we are not in a position to purchase more however we will put it on the list of things needed.

Comment: (9:30 Spin) Great classes, good music, way to push us!
Staff Response: Great! Glad you are enjoying our classes!

Comment: Thursday 5:15 am class was way too slow and not enough cardio needs to be tougher.
Staff Response: Thank you for your comment! Each instructor has a different teaching style and therefore may structure their classes slightly different from other instructors. We do our best to offer classes that cater to all of our members.

Comment: I live in Walker and I used to go out of my way every Thursday to come here for kickboxing class. Although there are three classes closer to my home. I would come here. It is my favorite. I’ve tried other instructors and they don’t compare. I would really love it if she started teaching kickboxing again. I’d love to come back here.
Staff Response: We now offer cardio kickboxing on Saturday morning at 7:30am. I encourage you to try this class out and give us feedback :)

Comment: Need more Cardio Sculpt classes, there is no room. Need to get there 15 minutes before to get a spot need more weights especially 8#.
Staff Response: Thank you for your feedback. With our new schedule we addressed this issues and hope you find the classes aren’t quiet as crowed. Please keep in mind that as we approach the New Year our facility does tend to get busier.

Comment: Start a Monday and Wednesday 9:00am Spin Class. Use M———— as instructor.
Staff Response: Thank you for your feedback! We will keep this in mind with our next group exercise schedule

Comment: You have no Zumba classes for working people that work. Until 5-5:30…7:30 is too late, being back a 6:30.
Staff Response: We now offer Zumba on Mondays at 4:30pm. We also offer Cardio Dance on Wednesday at 4:30p

Comment: Thank you very much. WERQ will be added as a non-pay.
Staff Response: Yes, this class is a free class :)

Comment: Need to stop so much Zumba and start Cross Fit.
Staff Response: Thank you for your feedback. We offer a Y Power X Class in the mornings M/W and Evening class on Tuesday/Thursday that is similar in structure to cross fit.

Comment: Very disappointed RE: Bootcamp can’t be outside because of sprinklers. Ah, can’t be in gym – class on one half; can’t be in community room. We had to move three times today.
Staff Response: We have eliminated these issues moving forward. We apologize for all of the moving around you had to do.

Comment: Could you have some early am classes 6:00 – 6:30. 5:15 am is to early.
Staff Response: We now have a 5:15am class M-F. We also have a 6:15am class m-R

Comment: A Yoga 101 would be great for people, who have never done Yoga before.
Staff Response: Thank you for your feedback. Each group exercise class should be welcoming to all levels of fitness. If this continues to be a issue please notify the individual overseeing the group exercise schedules.

Comment: Cycling class Sunday at 10:00 am.
Staff Response: Thank you for your feedback. We will continue to evaluate the group exercise schedule for next session.

Comment: I would love to see them do additional Yoga classes and a Cardio Dance. I would also love to have a couples Yoga in the evening.
Staff Response: With our new schedule you will find new classes. We went from offering 55 classes per week to 94 classes per week.

Comment: I would like to see more 15 minute core classes piggyback onto regular classes. Thanks
Staff Response: Thank you for your feedback. We will continue to evaluate our group exercise classes.

Comment: Fitness staff lacks diversity its shows there personality. Where there is no diversity, income division.
Staff Response: Thank you for your comment. We take this very seriously and are currently hiring more members onto our wellness team as well as conducting several trainings one on one with each staff member.

Comment: Kickboxing one in a week.
Staff Response: The kickboxing class is on Sundays at 9:15a

Comment: Love the WillPower and Grace class, but please bring back Cardio Dance.
Staff Response: Thank you for your feedback. With our new schedule we do have several cardio dance options on Tuesday and Wednesdays

Comment: Punching bag or Dummy area
Staff Response: Unfortunately we are unable to hang a boxing bag.

Comment: Love WillPower and Grace but I don’t want to keep paying for it.
Staff Response: We no longer charge for WillPower and Grace; it’s free with your membership!

Comment: Have tape measures for people who lose inches before weight. My old gym had them available.
Staff Response: We actually do have a Gulick tape measure. If you would like access to it please ask our wellness team :)

Comment: I dragged my 8 year old daughter kicking and screaming to Youth Fir today. The first words out of her mouth were “That was fun” can we do it again? Thank you for the class.
Staff Response: This is the stuff we love to hear. Thanks for sharing!

Comment: Would appreciate Tai Chi classes at this location. (Some are offered at Visser)
Staff Response: Thank you. We are currently exploring this option. In past there simply has not been a lot of interest.

Comment: WillPower and Grace class is the hardest. I have ever done. You’re a fabulous teacher! So glad it’s going to be FREE. Keep challenging us! At last one inch off my hips!
Staff Response: Thank you for sharing!

Sports

Comment: Would like to see a 9th grade Basketball team. For those who do not make a High School team.
Staff Response: Thank you for this suggestion. We would love to offer this program, however currently we have had very little interest in the older age groups. We need at least enough participants to form a team, and then the other branches need the same to ensure the teams have others to play against. We will continue to observe this and if we find we have enough participation we will look into offering it. On another note, be sure to keep an eye out for the three on three tournaments we are hoping to run over the Holiday Break.

Comment: We need new basketballs…overdue!
Staff Response: Thanks for the feedback; we will look into this for you.

Comment: Please move open volleyball from Thursday afternoon to weekend. No one even plays on Thursday.
Staff Response: Thanks for the suggestion.

Comment: He is an awesome basketball coach!!
Staff Response: Happy to hear you are a fan!

Comment: Request Basketball class during leagues. Two parents with same request – one parent has 5 kids in a class.
Staff Response: Thanks for the feedback, please connect with me directly and we can see what exactly your expectations are for this program, age of your children, and we can find a fit.

Cafe

Comment: Oil vapors make it hard to breathe. Please no coking aerosols. My eyes and lungs burn here.
Staff Response: Thank you for your feedback. We will connect with the café management to check into this, but as far as I know they avoid cooking aerosols as much as possible.

Comment: Sell chips and good snacks not cheap one!
Staff Response: The café is committed to providing healthy alternatives. We hope you find enjoyment in knowing you are nourishing your body!

Maintenance

Comment: Please put either ceiling fans up or get some portable fans. Too hot upstairs.
Staff Response: Thanks for your comment. Temperature control is done through automation. Adjustments will be made according to outside temperature.

Comment: Quite a few of the machines didn’t have a spray bottle, this is inconvenient!
Staff Response: Thanks for your comment. More bottles have been ordered.

Comment: Thank you for such clean family bathrooms. I did notice that the soap dispensers are many times empty or broken.
Staff Response: Thanks for your comment. Dispensers are filled daily and broken dispensers are replaced when needed.

Comment: Men’s showers need new shower curtains.
Staff Response: New curtains have been ordered and put up and are now on a rotation to be washed regularly.

Comment: Get handrail in pool fixed!
Staff Response: Thanks for your comment. The pool would need to be drained. Pool is scheduled to be drained next year.

Comment: Parking stones for handicap spots on center walkway. Cellular signal for Verizon users.
Staff Response: Thanks for your comment.

Comment: Men’s locker sign should be in bigger letters. MENS/ADULT
Staff Response: Thanks for your comment. The Men’s locker room is actually for men and boys. It is gender specific so you should not ever see any girls in the men’s locker room, but boys are allowed. We will likely not get a sign stating “adult” for that reason.

Comment: There is a 5 minute time warp upstairs. Please synchronize the clocks.
Staff Response: Thanks for your comment. Clocks will be adjusted to be synchronized.