Is Equinox Gym Membership Worth the Price?

'would love to know this as well... Also, how do people feel about in-home programs like P90X?

I think it's a ripoff unless you have cash to just throw around. There are cheaper gyms that may not be as nice but have all the basic equipment you will need. Equinox can charge that much due to its luxury brand and the lifestyle image associated with it. Supposedly, the ones in tribeca, soho, and columbus circle, are teeming with hot chicks.

Equinox is planet fitness for rich people. If you even lift, not only will you save money elsewhere- you'll also be happier.

There has got to be one steak head facility in the FiDi

I think the 105 dollars a month I pay for the Y for my fiance and I is more than enough.

What all does Equinox even offer to command such a premium? I know at the Y I get a pool and a bunch of classes like kickboxing and stuff all included.

How often do you actually use it? I work-out 3-4 times per week, but as nice of a concept as working out is, for most wall street guys I don't know how you find the time.

I recently began using Equinox, and I think it's great. The clubs are definitely 'upscale' and that probably contributes to most of the price premium. It's great if you take different classes, because the options are abundant. However, other than being clean and well kept, the weight lifting equipment is pretty standard and the same as you would find at most gyms. I have access to all clubs, but have only used the Columbus Circle and the E 74th St one, so I can't speak for the Wall Street one, but I heard it's equally nice.

I should add that my corporate discount has me only paying $52 a month, so I'd be foolish not to take advantage of it. If it wasn't for the discount, I would definitely go elsewhere, as most of the features can be found at other gyms at a lower price.

I just workout at home / ride my bike in the streets. A weight set doesn't cost too much and after you get a bike cardio is way more fun then a treadmill. I will say it might help to meet people. But I've made more connections waiting in like at Starbucks then any other place.

I think the only reason to pay $200/mo for Equinox is to enjoy the talent that walks around the place. If you are working banking hours you are better off using the building gym or finding a more reasonably priced 24 hour gym. Also depends on what type of training you do (i.e. does your building gym have a rack and bench). Do you even lift?

your cheap if you even need to ask this.

200/month isn't that bad. A lot of crossfit gyms are close to that. If I was working 80-100 hrs / week, I can't see how I would get my money's worth at Equinox. Its a lifestyle gym where you need to spend a significant time there to reap all of the benefits.

I'm a member, not at the Wall Street location though..

I have a corp discount, so I only pay $120 a month.. Still a lot bucks, but it's in my building so it forces me to go frequently and I like to think I get my money's worth..

In terms of weights and treadmills, the equipment isn't anything extraordinary, but the place is always spotless.. they offer a ton of free classes too (spinning, Pilates, yoga, etc.) at plenty of different times, so if you take advantage of all of that, maybe the $120 could be a bargain..

another positive that helps take away the sting of the premium you pay is the locker rooms.. they are definitely 1000X better than any budget gym I've ever been too.. I've seen some terrifying stuff in NYSC's around Manhattan.. so bad that the thought of "not showering" aka "scumbagging it" has actually crossed my mind before.. Fortunately for all of my current and previous co-workers, I sweat so bad during a work out that not showering has never been a realistic option..

another point I'll mention, but doesn't really mean a lot to me, is that Equinox prides itself on providing members with Kiehl's shampoo, face & bodywash.. I'm definitely not a big brand guy, but they really push the stuff on you, and I don't mind it.. when I signed up, I got a gym bag that was literally packed with samples.. I've had colleagues actually compliment how good I smell after a lunch workout thanks to good old Kiehl's! It really is good stuff..

Lastly, because I have seen so many others post on it, I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the talent.. my gym is crawling with a ton of hot snatch.. it really is ridiculous.. some guys don't like working out in a gym packed with gorgeous women, and if you're that type, equinox is definitely not for you.. I personally don't mind staring hot blondes in lululemon's while warming up on the elliptical..

for those of you saying Equinox has very attractive women there... are you talking to any of them?

I only pay $130/month through a work discount... The steam room is nice, so are the classes but I am gonna get rid of it next month when they close the pool (54th street) because that was the only thing keeping me there... Going back to rock climbing/body weight stuff and running.

And yes a lot of the girls are nice to look at but im borderline engaged so meh.

I used to belong to one in Miami and when I traveled I'd use them in different cities, especially NYC. They're nice but not worth the price. Same equipment as any somewhat decent gym. Like @"nyhoya67" said, the locker rooms are nice and incredibly clean. And like everyone has said, the talent is awesome. The one in SoBe Miami is 100% ridiculous. My wife said that the women would all walk around naked in the locker room showing off their bodies and new surgical enhancements and would feel each other's new wheels. Oh to have just gotten into those women's locker rooms once...

$200 a month for a gym? Do the girls at the front desk suck your dick before every workout?

Gym I go to is $15 a month for students, was built a few years ago so it's new and all the equipment is new, has a good amount of squat racks and benches, plus the dumbbells go past 80lbs.

I've gone to Equinox for about a year now, is it worth it? I go back and forth on this, for a few reasons:

Pros -The gym is always spotless, locker room is nice and the machines are great -A lot of great looking women exercising, not a bad view -Friendly staff, good atmosphere

Cons -My location (44th & Lex) isn't open on Sundays -I'm in the office by 7:30 and leave around 6 so I miss most classes

It really depends how much of a premium you put on fitness. If you're going 4 times a week and making enough money to afford it then it's worth it. If you don't go at least 3-4 times a week and don't care about enjoying the scenery while you work out, ehh.

for that much money you can probably afford to go to martial art classes (BJJ, kickboxing, wrestling) or do crossfit.

$200 to spend on monthly self workouts......definitely not worth it. Heck, hire a nutritionist or personal trainer, they will probably be of better use to you

Lastly, if you need to ask this question (whether $200 is really too much) - then it probably is too much for you so I would not recommend it.

I am paying $45 right now and I feel that is pushing it.....

Lol, $200 a month will not seem expensive soon... but revel in the juniorness of yourselves and join a cheaper place... it'll make it seem better once you can afford it. And then you'll join a club that's $400/month, and then you'll join a country club thats $100k + 10k per year.... its stages.

If your gym has dumbbells and a barbell with the weights, invest in a workout that is heavy in curls, presses, squats and deadlifts. Easy. Not worth $200 unless your getting free massages with happy endings in my book.

I go to the Columbus Circle and I have been to 50th and Broadway as well. I unfortunately pay the $195/mo. When my time is up I'll probably look to switch because I really just want a gym with barbells and a rack, and bumper plates (not the hexagon plates).

I did shop around and I choose Equinox because they do have a few squat racks and both gyms I have been to also have bumper plates and extra barbells to use outside the rack. I also like to hit up some of the classes; some of which are offered pretty late; lots around 8-815. It's also nice motivation to just go for a sweat and a steam if you're not feeling up to a full work out. There is some nice scenery but not enough to justify membership and I see them mostly in classes.

On the con; I really only use the basic stuff and I really prefer to shower at home unless I am using the steam room.

That said, surprising few gyms have good barbells and racks. Equinox does have good hours and if you stay in 2-4 nights a month because of your membership you probably coming out even.

$200/month? Hopefully you're going to be training like Arnold...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDCxH88-9X8

The question isn't if Equinox is worth the $200 vs the workplace gym. The question is if the shit that Equinox provides actually justifies you forking over $2400 a year for a gym membership. What kind of workouts do you do? Do you need a sauna, steam room, jacuzzi, flat screen TV's in every corner, and does "ambiance" matter to you?

If you answered yes, then go ahead and sign up for Equinox. But if you're trying to be a real fucking man and do some real fucking work in a real fucking gym, pay the 20-40 bucks a month at Gold's (or anywhere with a bench, squat rack, treadmill and maybe a pullup bar), learn the big 3 lifts (4 if you count PC), get on a linear progression program like rippetoe's SS, stick with it for at least 6 months, get fucking happy when you start seeing actual results, and use the $1920 - 2160 bucks a year you save by not joining Equinox for better things.

That's just me though.

Look up Blink gyms. They are run by Equinox, so have similar equipment / cleanliness, but no classes. All access runs around $20/$30 a month with zero or very small initiation.

If you like gyms to actually work out in and don't need spin classes, it looks like one of the best deals around. The one I visited had squat racks, benches, full plates/dumbbells and enough cardio stuff to fit demand. No bumper plates, but then the only place I've seen those is West Village Equinox and Crossfit boxes.

Unfortunately they are pretty sparse in midtown/the park below Harlem. There's one at Bryant Park and the next one is in Chelsea.

If you have a gym in your building, you are nuts to join Equinox. There are plenty of cheaper gyms in the city that fit the bill just fine for what any normal person needs. 24 Hour Fitness is a good choice as well (and it's always open).

200 bucks a month to more or less brag to people that you go to Equinox. It's ridiculous.

I heard at Equinox you're only allowed to drink Voss water. Can anyone confirm this??

EOD it comes down to convenience too. Even though there might be a $20 gym, if I am in banking I am not going to haul myself for 25 minutes each way to get there vs go to an Equinox within 3 blocks even if it is $150.

The thing with a gym like Equinox, regardless if $200 is a lot of money to you or if it's a rounding error, is that it's only worth it if you're using the services they provide. I used to belong to an Equinox in Miami but all I do at the gym is lift and use basic cardio machines so it wasn't worth it for me but it was conveniently located to work and home. If you're going to take advantage of the classes, the pilates studio (not just classes but all of these weird looking medieval torture devices), spinning, pool and everything else they had it's worth it. They also had top notch trainers if you use them but I actually worked out with two of them as training partners. My favorite gym ever was a Gold's that was chock full of weights, good machines and treadmills and bikes. Nothing fancy at all just a hardcore gym.

And like others have said, the eye candy's good but the gym is probably the worst place to pick up women. Personally I like it when I stick myself on a treadmill for half an hour and get something to look at other than the 10 predetermined tv stations they have on at every gym.

Equinox is worth it, LOL @ people comparing it to Planet Fitness. Equinox has plenty of powerlifting equipment and power racks suited for those who want to deadlift, squat, bench. Dumbbells go up to 130 lbs, if not more.

Its a great gym that has everything you need and its not filled with people who don't lift....someone just getting into fitness isn't likely to sign up for Equinox. A lot of the people there are competitive athletes and bodybuilders.

I haven't been to that location, but most Equinox facilities are cleaner and less crowded than other franchises. If you MAKE time for it, it is worth the money. If you don't, it isn't. The best gym is the one that you actually use. That might be determined by location, hours, or other motivating factors.

yes it's worth it. the wall street location is one of the nicer ones in my opinion, but all of the facilities are nice and filled with goodlooking people. i will say as a 23 year old female there area lack of non-gay guys in the gyms. anyway, i especially love the group classes, it's like having a personal trainer but in a group setting where there's too much peer pressure to leave a class early or half-ass it like a fat slob. if you can get a corporate discount it's around $190/month to use any club.

lol, I contemplated switching from my $15/month gym (with access to over 150 locations) to LA fitness for $30/month.

Forget about gyms. It's all about your arteries. If they're not clogged and are flexible, then you're golden. If they are clogged, then no matter how many days a week you train, you are fucked.