YMCA of Central Ohio

This place is like my home away from home. I have a lot of great memories here, from Fun Days in the summer to swimming lessons to tae kwon do. I think it’s safe to say I grew up here. Sad thing is, when you grow up, you notice things you didn’t notice because you were too busy playing.
This is an older facility, and it shows. The exterior’s dated, and the interior even more so. The workout gym here is a tiny, grungy room with huge windows all around. My mom went in there once to kill time during my tae kwon do lesson — I applaud her for her bravery — and said she’d never go in there again. The gymnasium is perhaps the one thing that’s not sub-​par here. The only swimming poor is indoors and it’s tiny. The locker rooms are decently-​sized, but I’m hesitant to walk around without water shoes for fear of getting athlete’s foot. I have a tendency to pick up ringworm in locker rooms, but since I’ve only picked it up once or twice in all the years I’ve gone to this location, I guess that’s a good sign. Still, showering as soon as you get home is a very, very good idea. Wash your clothes and gym bag, too, just in case.
The visitors range from little babies all the way to the elderly. There are programs for everyone all year round. These are all people from the West Side, and this side of town has really suffered with the economy.
This facility might be old, but it’s one of the few places where the kids who live here get exercise and enrichment, where they can learn a new hobby or sport, and be close to home.