The locker rooms were moderately clean, but there was a puddle problem outside the steam room both times I visited, where I almost slipped. The top floor was where most of the equipment was, and large windows let a lot of light in. Sign up for a weekly brief collating many news items into one untangled thought delivered straight to your mailbox. The gym floor feels like a large office space, with two sides of weights and cardio connected by a hallway in the middle, a frequent layout found in office buildings. When I visited one person was inside, unlike the normal room, which was cramped. The case was eventually dropped. Notably, the lockers at this location didn't have built-in locks, which was surprising considering how new it felt inside. Not many people were there and it had seperate rooms for boxing, barre, pilates, yoga, and group fitness. Once upstairs, you're met with a large lobby with tons of furniture and space to relax. Park Avenue gets a 3/10 for having nice elements, but being overcrowded and dirty. It is huge and well appointed. There are also multiple infrared saunas available to use for an additional charge. What makes the hotel special. More glaring was the fact that there were no private saunas or steam rooms for E members. Equinox East 44th Street is conveniently located right next to Grand Central station a blessing for some, a reason to stay away for others. The cleanliness, space, and pure number of amenities at the Sports Club make you feel like you want to stay longer. In November, Mark Walberg posted a video of himself working out there. Equinox is considered one of the nicer gyms in NY - this is the downtown flagship. Equinox's Rockefeller Center location has the layout and feel of a corporate law firm, but the exercise equipment is a dead giveaway. They have expertly crafted a brand that truly evokes luxury, sex, and wellness even when brought up in casual conversation. My thoughts were, "I wouldn't pay $190 to go to this gym alone.". The group class I took there (in the middle of the day on a weekday) felt like a fitness class out of "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel", full of Upper East Side housewives and grandmas. Despite looking like a community center from the '80s, including carpet covered seating pyramids, the location is giant, clean, and full of almost everything Equinox has to offer including a pool, sauna, steam room, a rock climbing wall, basketball courts, boxing studio, pilates studio, yoga studio, squash courts, and more. Throughout my experience, E was off limits in terms of photos because of privacy concerns for their members, according to the company. The products found were Fresh brand when I visited, but the manager told me they would be changed to match the line in E Madison. Printing House is reportedly no stranger to celebrity sightings, with Claire Danes and Will Arnett being spotted there. Despite this, the added amenities made it feel like one could truly spend their entire day in Equinox. Equinox Hotels. Artfully shaped and warped wooden walls jut into a large lounge space, with a glass, cubic cycling studio overlooking it. Williamsburg: Next to a Whole Foods and across from an Apple store, but very cramped. This was definitely the fanciest shower I've ever used, but it still just felt like taking a shower. In November, Mark Wahlberg posted a video of himself working out there. The giant group fitness studio overlooks the famous Atlas statue, which is pretty cool when it comes to gym ambiance. On their off-time, Equinox trainers and employees often go to the Sports Club for their workouts, along with ABC's David Muir, who I personally spotted in the lobby, and CNN's Chris Cuomo, according to Page Six. West 50th Street gets a 3/10 for cramped quarters. The group class I took there (in the middle of the day on a weekday) felt like a fitness class out of "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel", full of Upper East Side housewives and grandmas. Appropriately, the level of luxury at E Madison is pretty much unparalleled for New York consumer gyms. On off-hours, though, the ample chill-out space, the large gym floor, and the yoga studio that looks out over the neighborhood make the gym generally pleasant. Where E Madison's sparseness felt elevated, the Columbus Circle location simply felt empty. In the harsh reflection of the shiny new E Madison, though, the training space comes off as spartan. Read more: I immersed myself in Equinox's world of eucalyptus towels and infrared saunas to discover why people drop thousands of dollars on a gym membership. The training space is exclusively for training and is by appointment only. Equinox Club Members log in here to unlock special rates, complimentary workout gear laundry and early check in or late check out when available. It may be because of the location, which was acquired from Sports Club/LA in 2014 and first branded by Equinox as "Sports Club Upper East Side," but this one lacks the aesthetic polish of most other Equinox locations in the city. When I arrived, the cafe area was also playing host to around 10 high schoolers on their lunch break. What people are really paying for at Equinox - Business Insider Unlike other Equinox locations, E Madison has personal vanities in the locker room for primping. East 43rd gets a 7/10 for the unique playground experience. But for clients who have the ability to spend that much on their gym membership, it's probably normal to fork over an abundance of cash for a product that's just slightly better. When I visited on an average weekday morning there was a line of over 10 people waiting to take a shower. Leslie D. Elite 2023. Showstopping features It also seems to contradict what is now a core tenant of E's brand privacy. While I actually believe in the value of training provided for E members, the Columbus Circle training space has fallen behind in Equinox's quest to set the E brand apart in privacy and luxury. Equinox Hotels. All Access includes: Access to 80 clubs across the U.S., including all classes and amenities. A few people refused. Firstly let me give you the general pricing (I just left equinox 2mons back but this is how its priced). 164 reviews of Equinox Greenwich Avenue "After being spoiled by the Bay Club, I had a difficult time finding a comparable replacement in NY. With a complimentary room upgrade and valet parking, hotel credit to use however youd like youre set to reboot. Times Syndication Service. Rockefeller Center gets an 8.5/10 for size, amenities offered, cleanliness, and ambiance. Housed in a luxury tower built by its parent company, Related Companies, this Equinox spans multiple floors. The showers have slightly older fixtures and features and seemed to have modulation pressure issues, but all in all the expansiveness and cleanliness was impressive. I worked out at every Equinox in New York City to see if the luxury gym Take a leisurely swim or log your lags in our 25-yard indoor saltwater pool or relax + recharge at our outdoor pool + terrace overlooking the city skyline and Hudson River. The studio itself felt cramped, and the lighting was such that it felt like you were riding almost completely in darkness. Hard to beat great service like that. The Destination membership is a tier below E, but still gives you access to Equinoxes special locations and Sports Clubs, which have unique features and amenities. ago Bond St 3 press_Y 9 mo. those who have seen it all, 2020 Legend Award Winner The idea is that E members have access to Equinox's highest level of luxury, along with their highest level of training Tier X (which members have to pay extra for, of course), which the company claims is a comprehensive and unparalleled wellness and training program. The scale was also an old analog one rather than the fancy digital scales I saw at a majority of locations. Occupying two small floors, machines and free weights are crammed into what's essentially a fancy hallway. Equinox's core amenities include cardio equipment, strength equipment, Kiehl's products in the locker rooms, a steam room, showers, a cycling studio, and a group fitness studio. The $300 Equinox benefit is a yearly benefit that can be used all at once. One member griped about the fact that you actually need to walk across the weight floor to access the locker rooms, which is true, and potentially annoying if you're just trying to make it to a yoga class. In my heated yoga class, nearly everyone left all their clothes on a far cry from other Bikram-style classes I've taken at studios where practitioners show up nearly naked. As a standalone gym, Printing House doesn't justify paying a higher price than any other Equinox. When visiting, I also happened to slip on a puddle in the locker room. In New York City, going to Equinox, a high-end gym chain, is an undeniable signal of status. Visit BusinessInsider.com for more stories. East 61st Street gets an 8.5/10 for cleanliness, amenities, and price. 10/10 for amenities, aesthetics, and functionality. An "All Access" membership costs $260 per month plus a $500 initiation fee and gives you a membership at all 29 regular locations in New York Cityand clubs nationally, but doesn't allow access to premium "E" clubs, Sports Clubs, or other special locations. The natural light, and new and clean interior was super impressive, and I was surprised that this gem was hidden away at the northern tip of Manhattan (I usually stick to downtown and Brooklyn). Printing House gets a 8/10 for nice views, the pool, and the sun deck. Bond Street gets 7.5/10 for a spacious and open design and good light. "Queer Eye's" Antoni Porowski, who was a sponsored brand ambassador, and Anderson Cooper have been photographed here multiple times. The staff was friendly and roamed around handing out towels, there was a daycare, and the steam room worked, but felt weak, probably because it was too big and cavernous to feel the small amount of steam that was being emitted. The group fitness and cycling studio were also pint-sized, comparatively speaking. The most expensive membership is called "E by Equinox," at $500 per month with a $750 initiation fee (it used to be $5,000 according to one gym manager). During the enrollment process, the scope of options left me a bit baffled How was I supposed to choose to have access to a set of gyms that I've never been to? Downstairs was a full and impressive spa, where they offered massages and highly technical facial treatments. Equinox membership costs $168 per month for one club access. While Crunch and Planet Fitness have an abundance of locations in Brooklyn and Queens, Equinox has focused on Manhattan locations. But the few machines they have are covered in custom luxury leather, according to Nelson. When Equinoxes are good, they feel like the best gyms in the world. The locker rooms were fine, but average aesthetically. The crowd was generally young, with an interesting mix of bros who frequent the Lower East Side these days, and creatives who Equinox might try to attract with the location. On their off-time, Equinox trainers and employees often go to the Sports Club for their workouts, along with ABC's David Muir, who I personally spotted in the lobby, and CNN's Chris Cuomo, according to Page Six. This was the original E, founded in 2004 when Tier X used to be called Tier 4, and when the club stood alone. What I discovered was a vast network of gyms at various price points with different amenities, aesthetics, and services. If you really want an outdoor pool to relax in, one membership adviser told me that it was common for members to upgrade their membership to include Printing House during the summer and then downgrade during the winter. Perhaps most sensibly of these has been its Williamsburg location, targeting the young "creatives" who have elected to live in the neighborhood because of its hipster reputation and proximity to Manhattan. For the average person, this expense wouldn't be worth it for the marginal amount of luxury and training quality that you receive. The products found were Fresh brand when I visited, but the manager told me they would be changed to match the line in E Madison. East 54th Street: The worst Equinox in New York. But as the borough rapidly gentrifies, the companhy has invested in a few locations in the borough. People who were in attendance had clearly become regulars of the class, and the two trainers who coached knew nearly everyone who was there rare for an Equinox class. Unlike some of its nearby Equinox neighbors, the Bryant Park location feels spacious and warm, with a concrete and wood interior that is almost entirely subterranean. Members end up paying around $40 more per month to run into fewer members, and gain access to a few more amenities. The gym filed suit attempting to block the eviction. The giant group fitness studio overlooks the famous Atlas statue, which is pretty cool when it comes to gym ambiance. During peak hours, the number of people crammed into the small space feels ridiculous. Its three functional fitness floors had ample room for stretching and all the necessary equipment without feeling cramped. My thoughts were, "I wouldn't pay $190 to go to this gym alone.". Take a stance. The Gramercy location, on 24th Street and Park Avenue, is appropriately a middle ground between these two aesthetics. An overzealous toilet paper user had seemingly ripped off more than he could use, and there were scraps of toilet paper all over the bathroom floor. Wall Street: Unique architecture in a historic space. 7/10 for a nice layout, locker rooms, and great aesthetic. East 74th Street: Made and designed for yoga moms. Unlike some of its nearby Equinox neighbors, the Bryant Park location feels spacious and warm, with a concrete and wood interior that is almost entirely subterranean. The views of the water and the city are great for a gym. Along with the steam room (large at this location) that can be found at every Equinox, the Wall Street location offers a single large jacuzzi and sauna that's shared between the men's and women's locker rooms. Most locations I've seen at least combine their barre and group fitness rooms into one. Funny 2. Paying for a single gym can cost anywhere between $185 and $220 per month, typically with a $300 initiation fee, varying by gymand offers available. The staff was super friendly, and went out of their way to try to find materials about the gym that I requested, and the Executive Locker Room (an extra you can pay for at select gyms) was the only one I had been in that felt worth the extra money. The steam room was packed, and there was only standing room when I visited. The price you would pay for membership will be influenced by some factors like the number of people that are joining with you, the type of membership, and the exact location. East 92nd Street gets a 9/10 for luxury, space, design, and service. E Madison has three shower heads per shower that you can control with a digital temperature module. Equinox Flatiron packs a lot into a small space and places a priority on creating room for classes and equipment. East 54th Street gets a 1/10 for setting the low bar. Get a new perspective on New York with our neighborhood experiences including Edge, the citys highest skydeck, walking the Highline outdoor elevated gardens, visiting the Shops at Hudson Yards featuring both luxury retailers and curated boutiques or the art galleries at High Line Nine. All rights reserved.For reprint rights. If that were me I would be happy to have this location to break up my night. Each time I visited, over a month apart, large mobile HVAC machines were scattered everywhere in the gym: on the weight floor, in hallways, and in the locker rooms. Anyone here pay for the ~$300/month destination Equinox - Reddit For the average person, this expense wouldn't be worth it for the marginal amount of luxury and training quality that you receive. One member griped about the fact that you actually need to walk across the weight floor to access the locker rooms, which is true, and potentially annoying if you're just trying to make it to a yoga class. For that reason, Nelson told me, there's more open floor space, free weights, and treadmills, and fewer cable-assisted or guided machines. Thank you @equinox for allowing us to continue our 4am club. Williamsburg gets a 6/10 for the cool cycling studio, cleanliness, and new features. Built in 2003, it feels like little but the recently replaced lockers have been updated. East 63rd Street: Upper east side charm without the pretension. The New York Post cites court papers referring to group fitness classes, "the particular song is easily identifiable, and I can even follow along with the lyrics." Equinox bought the ground floor of 14 Wall Street in 2000, what was originally used as a bank in the early 1900s. The gym occupies the first few floors of the new luxury condo development 196 Orchard, where the average sale price has come to nearly $2.4 million per unit, according to StreetEasy. I come here to exercise, take a class or two and play soccer. The views are nice, but at peak times the floors becomes oppressively crowded. Making things worse, the locker rooms at Park Avenue were fairly untidy. Equinox East 43rd would come off as another normal midtown Equinox, except for the fact that it has "the playground.". Both of them have an initiation fee of $100 and don't have any cancellation fee, which . The outdoor pool seems to be a main feature of Printing House, but due to weather, it's only open 3 months out of the year. Equinox bought the ground floor of 14 Wall Street in 2000, what was originally used as a bank in the early 1900s. Making matters worse, despite my best efforts, the steam room didn't appear to be working and smelled like a foot. The outdoor pool, which includes lounge and sun-bathing space, is probably the other main selling point in the summer, but it's only open 3 months out of the year, and definitely isn't big enough to swim laps in. If you have the money, the extra $40 dollars spent on a Destination Membership are definitely worth it for the Sports Club alone. Besides the locks, the locker rooms were nice when I visited, and laid out for space but each time I visited the gym was nearly empty anyways. It was actually built in 2007. When I visited one person was inside, unlike the normal room, which was cramped. It'll be their first new NYC location since Hudson Yards in 2019. . You had to bring your own lock, but at least the front desk offered me one without me having to ask. Compared to Equinox's top offerings, 53rd doesn't feel like anything special, but it seemingly provides the luxurious experience Equinox has promised to customers who won't be able to find it at the location one block north. The locker rooms were surprisingly spacious and featured freestanding black marble sinks and mirrors. This was one of the few Equinox's I've been to with no Juice Press, just vending machines. Equinox | Find a Club Top editors give you the stories you want delivered right to your inbox each weekday. As they competed for the best handstand in the front, I stayed in child's pose in the back. Equinox's Rockefeller Center location has the layout and feel of a corporate law firm, but the exercise equipment is a dead giveaway. Its three functional fitness floors had ample room for stretching and all the necessary equipment without feeling cramped. Coolant Reservoir Fits 05 EQUINOX 509223 | eBay The locker rooms have an old-school feel and include an attendant who assigns you a locker and hands you a key. This seems to pose a particular issue for Equinox, which seems to attract a user base that feels entitled to leave messes for other people to clean up. People who were in attendance had clearly become regulars of the class, and the two trainers who coached knew nearly everyone who was there rare for an Equinox class. And an E membership gives you access to all clubs, costing $500 per month on top of a $750 initiation fee. The layout isn't ideal, but isn't awfully burdensome because of the gym's small size. There are tons of cardio machines, but only a medium-sized collection of cable-machines and free weights on the top floors. Immediately when you walk in, staff greet you and offer coffee, fruit, or water. 4 Alvin3792 9 mo. The gym didn't feel overly cramped because of the space given to the equipment, but the locker rooms felt like they were overflowing, and when I left, there was a line nearly 12 people long waiting at the complimentary coat check. It was actually built in 2007. Offer ends soon. With the construction of Equinox's new hotel in the Hudson Yards complex, the company also built a premium new gym in a bespoke space. I could see myself stopping by for a quick workout if I worked or lived near there, but would never seek this gym out. Opening in 2001, the large complex includes ample natural light and a basement pool, but feels more like a community center than a pleasure palace. Discover a place where compromise doesnt exist with exceptional value. Brooklyn Heights gets a 2.5/10 for being outdated and dysfunctional. The locker rooms have an old-school feel and include an attendant who assigns you a locker and hands you a key. Only a few are notable for the experience they provide. After walking up a twisting staircase, the gym splays out through what is essentially a wide hallway. I didn't mind, but the openness might bother those who are looking for a more serene gym experience. E as a concept is designed around Equinox's top-tier of personal training called Tier X, which includes coaching on fitness, sleep, and nutrition, and can include consultation on physical therapy, medical needs, and probably anything else you can think of. E by Equinox members also get access to an exclusive training space that's inside Equinox's Columbus Circle location, accessible by retina scan secured door off the main lobby. Equinox operates 100 upscale, full-service clubs in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Miami . Around the World, Equinox raises the bar The locker rooms also featured older fixtures, which were clean and in working order, but the difference was still noticeable. When visiting, I also happened to slip on a puddle in the locker room. Nelson also showed off the group studio, which has double-paned glass to prevent street noise and fully customizable mood lighting. As you begin to move above 14th Street towards Midtown, Equinox's locations take on a decidedly more corporate, cookie-cutter feel, and the economy seems to shift from prioritizing luxury and character to convenience for the bankers and finance crowd that packs into the area every day. There are also multiple infrared saunas available to use for an additional charge. There was even a gift exchange in the locker room the last time I visited. I worked out at every Equinox in New York City to see if the luxury gym lived up to the hype. Most of Printing House is on the 9th and 10th floors. Equinox's Sports Club New York, found a few blocks from Columbus Circle on the Upper West Side, is arguably Equinox's most impressive location, even though it falls a tier below the brand's top offerings. Built in 2003, it feels like little but the recently replaced lockers have been updated. ANNUAL DESTINATION MEMBERSHIP - Equinox Once you get to the floors with the actual equipment, the selling point is clear. Opening in 2001, the large complex includes ample natural light and a basement pool, but feels more like a community center than a pleasure palace. Like Tribeca, all of Dumbo's equipment and facilities are laid out on a wide single floor, but unlike Tribeca, Dumbo features a fresh wood and metal interior design with huge, beautiful locker rooms. In New York City, there are two locations that are bundled with the membership Sports Club New York and Printing House. In November 2018, a gas line in the building exploded and blew out the front windows, but there were no reported injuries and everyone was evacuated. East 92nd Street was another hidden gem, far removed from most other Equinox locations. The steam room, which was huge and in the center of the locker room, contained masses of soggy newspaper and leftover towels, and the lockers were the old version where you needed your old personal lock. Greenwich Ave. gets a 7/10 for a friendly vibe and pool, despite the slightly outdated facilities. Make it happen. Are there any nice gyms besides equinox? : r/AskNYC - Reddit SoHo: as crowded as SoHo is generally, but still nice. There's even a hair salon on the first floor. Notably, the lockers at this location didn't have built-in locks, which was surprising considering how new it felt inside. Enjoy eucalyptus towels, invigorating showers, and coveted Kiehl's throughout. EquinoxHotel33HudsonYardsNewYork,NY10001|Phone:212-812-9200. Anderson Cooper reportedly frequents this location, as it shares a building with the CNN studios. Equinox Hudson Yards - New York, NY - Yelp He openly complained about how Equinox's efforts to build out the E brand left his space in a rut. The exterior matches its surrounding with a huge gilded Equinox sign that sticks out over the sidewalk. On top of the spaces for fitness, relaxation, and dining, the gym also featured a large lobby, that seemed made for comfortable working. It was really unclear why they were there, but everyone acted as if the sight of them was normal. The real standout of the gym is its tiered spin studio, which makes for a cinematic cycling experience. But the training space at Columbus Circle was wholly viewable from the pool open to all Equinox members. Feedback from anyone with an Equinox membership? : r/amex - Reddit Nelson also showed off the group studio, which has double-paned glass to prevent street noise and fully customizable mood lighting. Likewise, the gym itself also appeared to be constantly well trafficked. Despite a private bathroom for each visitor, having only one staff member meant that the cleanliness fell below E Madison's standard. The studio itself felt cramped, and the lighting was such that it felt like you were riding almost completely in darkness. The locker rooms were fine, but average aesthetically. The natural light, and new and clean interior was super impressive, and I was surprised that this gem was hidden away at the northern tip of Manhattan (I usually stick to downtown and Brooklyn). There are tons of cardio machines, but only a medium-sized collection of cable-machines and free weights on the top floors. On the ground level is the hotel-like lobby, which includes a lounge space and bar where you can charge your phone or laptop (like I did after hiking all over Manhattan). #grownalchemist #bodycare #health #beauty, A post shared by Nutricosmetics + Healthy Skin (@grownalchemist) on Apr 21, 2019 at 10:26pm PDTApr 21, 2019 at 10:26pm PDT. The equipment was in good condition and the staff was friendly. Where E Madison's sparseness felt elevated, the Columbus Circle location simply felt empty. The gyms are notoriously expensive - Equinox's top membership costs $500 per month with a $750 initiation fee - and it's not uncommon to hear people quip that they can't afford it. The Orchard Street Equinox in the Lower East Side of Manhattan is a capstone in the rapid gentrification of what was once considered the center of New York City's counter-culture. The outdoor pool, which includes lounge and sun-bathing space, is probably the other main selling point in the summer, but it's only open 3 months out of the year, and definitely isn't big enough to swim laps in. They encourage a yearly package that would allow for two sessions per week, at the price of $16,120. The NY locations look pretty nice but living in Chicago while the gym I visited was nice, it pales in comparison to East Bank Club and being they come at around the same price point it doesn't make sense to join Equinox. Downtown Manhattan has a lot of fancy new locations geared toward young wealth. But the training space at Columbus Circle was wholly viewable from the pool open to all Equinox members. The design was striking considering other Equinox locations, some of which have heavy noise pollution that can do a lot to ruin a zen moment. 131 reviews of Equinox Sports Club New York "I have been a member here since 2008 (when it was the Reebok Sports Club/NY) and this is an excellent gym / health club / oasis in the city. My only complaint besides the locks was that you have to walk up stairs to get to the actual gym. A notably high number of staff members kept this location very clean even the steam room, which wasn't the case for most locations. The gym didn't feel overly cramped because of the space given to the equipment, but the locker rooms felt like they were overflowing, and when I left, there was a line nearly 12 people long waiting at the complimentary coat check. Equinox East 61st has all the amenities of a sports club but is available for All Access members. East 92nd Street: One of the nicest base-tier Equinoxes out there. The person working the sauna told me that it "blasts away our finance guys' stress.". The front includes a full juice press with cafe seating, where anyone can come in and grab something to drink. The crowd ranged between college-aged students and older West Village holdout, among a thriving community of gay men who clearly hold court at the location.