If you've ever trudged through the multitude of corporate-chain gyms in search of a place to simply exercise without being scammed or slammed by fees, then the YMCA will appear as a beacon on the hill. The staff are real. The facilities are great. The organization aims to get you happy, healthy, and among friends - not turn a fat profit on your head. The hours, offerings, and fee scale are all pretty sweet. Everything is clean and up-to-date. Hillcrest is special: the building has a real solid feel architecturally. Plus it's lined with windows which allow for a ton of natural light to enter the rooms. In a Cleveland winter this is a huge bonus.