Columbia Heights Community Center

First off, the two gentlemen at the front desk are really great guys. This review is based on the fitness center and the system to register online.

First, you need to upload your ID to join but even trying various ways and getting phone support which was truly horrible by the way, I did not get the option to upload the ID. Truly horrible customer service person on the phone eventually emailed me a link that I was able to use. Now the fitness center is a small room without much equipment at 4 p.m. on a Friday. So there really wasn't much I could do as far as working out because everything was taken. It is free though so if you're in a situation where you really can't pay, this may be better than nothing but I don't think it's worth a 30 minute walk for me each way. Also, the lockers are on the third floor where the fitness room is on the main floor.... So people just put their jackets on the floor the fitness room. Can't bring your book bag inside because people use bookbags to steal the hand weights. I didn't even ask where people change.

The guy in the front knows the state of the gym because when I was leaving he asked if I was going to come back. Lol.

I'll give it two Stars instead of one because the staff is nice, it's free, and what do I expect from a community center? Lol.

I go for my son's boxing class. They have a cool workout area for boxing, with 4 treadmills, a couple of practice rings and other equipment. The basketball gym is usually not occupied. The is a small dance studio and game room also, but all those things are usually closed when we get there.

The center was okay, despite a very bad computer lab. The computers were very slow and only a few would be working decent at one time. Accessing them was a pain also.

I love to workout there. The staff are always personable; Smiling and laughing; Having fun with the community, always. It is just that the ewuipment is outdated. That is the only thing I would change. Update the equipment, guys!

This is a wonderful facility with a welcoming vibe. The dance room has a beautiful floor and mirrors for practice. The accoustics for our music were much better than I've seen at other similar venues.

Super friendly customer service, the main staff at the front desk all know me by name and I appreciate that. The children's programs, especially the early childhood programs, seem strong and well established. I've only ever come here to use the weights, and I've become significantly stronger and bigger, given the limited tools to work with. It is a less known gym in DC, so it is usually very easy to get in and out while achieving a full workout- within 45 minutes. They really need to clean the weight room and locker rooms more thoroughly, though. I would volunteer to deep clean it myself if they'd let me. I dropped chalk in the locker room once and the residue was there for the rest of the week, the rollers are used out of order, the majority of the lockers' fixtures are busted and/or the lockers stink and have old gym clothes in them - it's not cool, our tax dollars pay for the wages paid here, and more stern/attentive management could go a long way. I've also inquired about donating money to improve the weight room facilities via email but was never replied to. Overall, I like the neighborhood vibe, the friendliness of the staff, and the ease of accessibility to the facilities.

Really pretty legit. Decent weight room, basketball court, computer lab, fitness classes. Free for DC residents. I go there regularly and am glad this exists in my community.