Palmer Ranch YMCA Branch

📍 8301 Potter Park Dr, Sarasota, Florida, 34238

The Palmer Ranch YMCA Branch is a community-focused gym offering a range of basic fitness amenities. Gym members have access to a fitness area, a gymnasium for basketball and pickleball, and a pool. The pool is typically maintained at 86 degrees, though members note it has experienced periods without heating for extended durations, with one instance cited as lasting about 15 days with no immediate solution in sight. This issue is reported to have occurred multiple times. Beyond the pool, the facility provides a variety of group classes, with specific praise for instructors like Janet, who leads a motivating and well-regarded pump class in a studio noted for its impressive space and equipment. The pickleball community is highlighted as friendly and welcoming, catering to a good variety of skill levels and fostering social connections. The child watch service, particularly staffed by individuals like Miss Sabrina, receives strong positive feedback from families. However, experiences with the facility's condition are mixed. Some members report that the gym, including treadmill areas and locker rooms, can be dirty, with complaints about debris, unclean carpets, and unpleasant odors in the men's locker room. Administrative policies, particularly a 15-day written cancellation requirement and a lack of recognition for national YMCA memberships or Silver Sneakers, are significant points of frustration for many visitors. Staff interactions are described variably, ranging from welcoming and helpful to surly and unhelpful.