Putting the H, P and Y in Happy YMCA

As the second customer to enter the POW!, all-new, improved Hyde Park YMCA this morning, I have seen the future and it's OK. Normally, I bike (or in terrible weather drive) 4.5 miles to the West Roxbury branch. Come sleet and bitter cold, I suspect one three quarters of a mile down the hill will be more to our liking.

District City Councilor Rob Consalvo has been flogging this rehab in the most glorious terms, as well as updating all on when it would actually open for swim and sweat. He's an insider, as his wife, Michelle, is development coordinator. This seemed to drag on but it did open as he promised before the end of November.

The good (with WR in mind):

• Machines, from spin bikes to circuit equipment to free weights and beyond are all new and high end
• Lighting is even and bright throughout the building
• The 25-yard pool is gorgeous and has wide lanes
• Shower heads are adjustable and water pressure is strong
• Lockers are in great shape, with plenty of interior hooks and, mirabile dictu, sequential numbering
• Lots of treadmills
• Super friendly staff (most at WR are too); in fact, Membership Director Steve Nilson used to work in WR and when he was bringing up the scanner/computer connection for the first time, he remembered my name and plugged me in seamlessly
• However for the shy, the four men's showers are woman-modest, with double curtains and little dressing rooms instead of a single open group shower
• For the exhibitionist, the pool has ceiling to floor glass open to River Street

The less than good:

• They don't hand out towels, even the thin, small varieties that WR does
• There are no shower soap dispensers, dishes for your own soap or shampoo, or hooks in the showers for clothes or towels
• Stationery bikes are few and do not have offer the animated route videos on the WR equivalents
• You need to wend through a series of rooms to locate various strength and cardio equipment
• The locker room sinks have low water pressure and didn't get hot enough to shave with
• I'll have to revisit, but I did not see arc training equipment
• Far more chair-style, low effort stationary bikes than the much better saddle types
• 11 bike-like objects in the spin room are jammed, nose-to-butt style
• At least initially, there are only four spin sessions a week and the whole group fitness looks to be about half as varied as WR's
• Sauna and steam room are not functional yet and will require access through the pool (also no more nude sweating

I don't know any of the three spin teachers and can't comment on how they are. The WR ones are moderate to wimpy, requiring cranking up your own resistance and spinning faster than they do to get a real workout. I'm prejudiced, as I used to teach spin. I"m one of the typical ones who thinks my classes are tougher than other folks'.

Next week, one son will use the pool and we'll both lift. My wife will try some of the group classes.

Think of this metamorphosed Y as taking you back to dating days. The new one has lots of potential, is good looking if not the best, and is trying to please. You need to make some effort yourself and go out a few more times before committing.