From busting out the iconic dance moves to sweating up a storm at the gym, the name “YMCA” is one that resonates with all of us. On Ross Road in Palo Alto, we have our very own branch of the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA), complete with a lap pool, full gym, sauna and even a Kid’s Club.

I first checked out what they call the Wellness Room, a weight and exercise room stocked with every machine you could possibly desire. Big floor-to-ceiling windows span two of the four walls, flooding the gym room with a calming natural light. Treadmills and ellipticals are lined up in rows, touting adult gym-goers jogging at healthy paces.

The atmosphere at the YMCA is professional and clean and has a certain local charm to it. The staff is friendly and the locker rooms are roomy—though they have been known to be targets of petty the .

The YMCA features two pools: one large lap pool and a smaller pool designated for children and aquatic exercise classes. e pool building is large and well lit and boasts direct access to locker rooms from the deck. e water was surprisingly warm and required no frantic swimming to help acclimate me into my groove.

Other than pleasant sports facilities, the YMCA offers several programs for local teens or young adults to get involved with the community. The Reach & Rise Mentoring program connects adults over 23 years old with youth in the area who are at risk, whether it be low self-esteem, family problems or poor academics. The YMCA also has fantastic volunteer programs, gathering people from the community to help “The Y” teach classes, coach teams and manage committees.

The Ross Road YMCA is a wonderful place to work out, swim, take classes and volunteer. With impeccable facilities and a very friendly staff, the only concern is leaving your stuff out in the locker room for extended periods of time. Luckily, they do have lockers and it’s something that can be looked past if you’re searching for a local, non-profit gym. The actual campus is very small, but has plenty of parking and is surrounded by trees filled with chirping birds. Membership to “The Y” is not too expensive and financial aid is offered. You can even grab a free trial to check out the place before you decide to subscribe a membership. The YMCA is a lovely place to not only to get fit but also to give back to the community.