Equinox
Is This Your Business?2.9
3.5
Overall Score
Author: Kalicia Bateman
LAST UPDATED: March 27th, 2020
Equinox fitness is a luxury fitness club, designed for those looking for a great workout in a high quality, high-class facility. The perceived culture at Equinox Gym’s is one of elitism and Grade A quality—everything from the building locations to the brand of towels used is geared towards pleasing clients who pay top dollar for not only a fitness facility, but an overall health and wellness experience each time they attend the gym. Voted Best Gym in America by Fitness Magazine, Equinox gyms are considered to be the best of the best when it comes to an all-around fitness experience. Known for an impeccable attention to detail and elegant designs, Equinox is considered to be the leader in fitness innovation. Gym locations are always located in high-rent districts, and are almost exclusively found on the western and eastern coasts of the United States.
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The Good
- Equipment
- Cleanliness
- Classes
- Trainers and nutrition
- Other available amenities
Equipment
Members say Equinox's equipment is always clean, and new types of equipment are continually being added. Equinox has just about everything you need for every type of workout: plenty of benches, free weights, and machines for a wide variety of workouts. While some gyms have member complaints about broken equipment or there not being enough machines for the after work crowd, Equinox seems to have enough equipment to avoid this issue.Cleanliness
If you're a person who values cleanliness, then Equinox is for you. Customers at some locations remark how they see cleaning crew always at work trying to keep the gym as clean and fresh as can be. The locker rooms are always clean and well stocked. We found Equinox's reviews from customers an affirmation on cleanliness that many gyms did not receive online.Classes
While many gyms we reviewed complained of a rush to sign up for a fitness class before spots run out, Equinox members use an app to check in, book a class, schedule training, and search for clubs. Some gyms allow you to sign up 26 hours in advance online, while others offer walk-in only classes. When members sign up for a class at the gym, they are given a number so that employees can keep tabs on who's in the class. The screens of the cardio equipment offer every kind of distraction that you might need while running. You can go on Facebook, read the news, watch TV, or listen to podcasts all while running on the treadmill or the bikes. Here are the classes Equinox offers:- Active Regeneration
- Athletic Training
- Barre
- Boxing and Martial Arts
- Conditioning
- Dance
- Pilates
- Swimming
- Running
- Studio Cycling
- Yoga
Trainers and Nutrition
Equinox pride itself in being at the top in the fitness world. The gym advertises an "above and beyond" approach by only hiring the best trainers, teachers, and facility managers to keep gyms running at peak performance throughout the year. Equinox also provides the Equinox Training program for instructors. For individuals aspiring to become Yoga, Pilates, Group fitness, or Personal Trainers, Equinox offers top-of-the-line instruction to achieve your goal of becoming an instructor. One specific personal training program offered is called Tier X, a lifestyle management program with a uniquely holistic approach to high-performance living. The way Equinox describes the program is mostly esoteric, but it appears to be for those in elite physical shape who want to take it to the next level of peak performance. Tier X coaches have to graduate from the rigorous curriculum of the Equinox Fitness Training Institute (EFTI). We definitely do not recommend Tier X for everyday people only wanting to lose a few pounds. We looked for additional pricing for personal training from members and found training cost $120/session in addition to the membership fee. On the Equinox website, you can submit an email form to ask about the pricing for personal training and Equinox contacts you. While this lack of transparency normally places potential customers at a disadvantage-due to the added sales pressure-money is not usually in issue for Equinox's main customer base, and many seem to be able to afford the additional cost of a personal trainer.Other Available Amenities
Some locations have benefits like pools and hot tubs, while others have steam rooms and saunas. Members rave about the eucalyptus steam room and refrigerated towels-which is a notch above most gyms regarding amenities. In some locations, spa massage and cabanas are also provided.The Bad
- Price and contracts
- Upfront fees
- Hidden fees
Price and Contracts
Equinox Gyms are expensive, and not designed for your everyday gym goer. Equinox's target demographic is the high-income earner. Meanwhile, gym locations, high-quality equipment, trainers, and esthetic appeal allow Equinox to be the most expensive chain gym in the United States. A typical membership fee is $161.00/month with a withdrawal taken from your credit card the twenty-third day of each month. Equinox does not show if they offer an annual membership option, so this seems to be the only one. When compared to many gyms, this fee is on the upper end, while gyms like the YMCA only charge $55/month.Upfront Fees
Equinox charges new members a $50 initiation fee. The gym prorates the fee for the month you join upfront and charges you for the next full month. For example, if you sign up the last week of August, the fee is $10.39 plus the next month's dues and initiation fee. So what was $161 becomes $221.39 upon signup. This, again, is extremely expensive for most gym goers.Hidden Fees
Some members claim it is an ordeal to cancel your membership. Former members encourage everyone to pay close attention to the contract terms when you sign up. Once you sign up, you have 3 days to cancel with no obligation but after three days you're obligated for 12 months. Equinox will also freeze your membership for you under certain conditions; however, your full dues and an additional $30.00 are owed for all of the months that you freeze. If you want to cancel you have to notify 30 days prior to the termination of your contract. You then must follow up numerous times to make sure it's cancelled. Another hidden fee is parking. Many of Equinox's facilities have their own parking garages/floors. Equinox only validates for two hours of parking. Anything over two hours is $1.75 every additional 30 minutes. That's at least $360 dollars a year you didn't anticipate in parking fees if you workout four times a week.The Bottom Line
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David T Draper, UT
Equinox is nice, with lots of good equipment, but the prices are too high. It feels like an exclusive club for high rollers, instead of a place to pump iron.
6 years ago
Amanda Warrendale, PA
Although Equinox is more high end than other gyms, the price is not worth what you get in the gym unless you go every day
6 years ago
Review Source
Reckholdt Magna, UT
Super nice with lots of equipment but their prices are way too high. It’s not worth the price.
6 years ago
