Equinox SoHo — Local services in New York

I’ve been a member for 5 months at various lower Manhattan and Brooklyn Equinox locations. The culture is to discourage members from using the gym unless they are paying for their useless trainers. And the management will do absolutely nothing; just an empty corporate sorry statement below this review!

Google: Equinox Fitness Club Lawsuit

Before you get locked into a $250+ monthly, 12-month contract; read a few real Google reviews, not the fake 5-star reviews from people that got a free class, nor the ones amazed by the location or it being clean. I found 10 Google reviews just in the lower Manhattan and Brooklyn locations, specifically on the trainers monopolizing the equipment, making fun of member, rudeness and overcrowding! I would add the links, but Google does not allow links.

Now for my experience at Soho. One of the trainers, Josh, stepped between me and the cable cross machine while I was holding the grips, about to starting my 4th set. Just to remove a rubber band and toss it to the side. Went I confronted him, he tried to act all fake and friendly asking me if I saw his setup? His client wasn’t anywhere near the equipment and the gym had just open. He specifically has made fun of me in the past for using the assisted pull up machine, earlier this year so I was not buying his BS. He also touched my leg while talking to me for some weird reason. There was no reason for him to block my set and when I wrote to management and the corporate headquarters, nothing was done, and they don’t care!

This is not the only time this has specifically happened to me at Equinox. Several times trainers have stood right next to me and other people working out when there was ample space not too. I had to move multiple times or get the clueless trainer’s attention to move when I was working out.

The trainers also waste their clients time with useless exercises like ball slams. Throwing a 15 lb. beanbag ball down, with the force of gravity, using momentum, works nothing. This is why, after months of training they look the same and still can’t do a pullup. One can easily YouTube an actual workout or just take the group classes. The only good thing about Equinox is there gyms are clean except when people stand on the benches and don't wipe them down afterwards. Their app and the group classes are great. I’ll try Crunch and just take the Equinox classes for the remainder of my 12-month contract because you can’t cancel, even if the trainers prevent you from using the machines safety.

And the music is too loud... Even if it was my kind of music, it doesn't need to be played for the entire gym. Most people are anyways...

I come to this SoHo Equinox 2-3 times a week before work, as it is on my way to the office. Something about biking to the gym on an empty stomach in 30 degree weather before the sun has risen makes me feel like Rocky. Like David Goggins. Like a 2013 Conor McGregor. I'm just so hungry. Being on the road when it's just me and construction workers out makes me feel so beast.

It just feels like a win opening up the gym door at 5:45am, walking up 3 flights of stairs and greeting the sleepy staff who couldn't be less interested in my presence. I drop my stuff in the locker room and get down to the largely empty gym floor.

Everyone else in here at this time has all my respect. I see 15ish people in here before me, and give them a subtle nod as if to say "I see you workin...they not like us..." I don't actually do that but in my head we nonverbally communicate this.

I hop on the little squat machine that overlooks the intersection of Prince St and Broadway, pop my airpods in, and start listening to some old Katy Perry and Kid Cudi as I'm fighting for my life doing these squats. I mf love this machine, but I'm not gonna hype it up too much because then other people will start using it. It lowkey just collects dust in the corner.

After getting an amazing 45 minute sweat, I head up to the locker room to shower and change. Few things have hurt my soul more than when they switched all the skincare products from Kiehl's to that brand Grown Alchemist. Grown Alchemist is hot garbage, idc. How you gonna increase my membership every year but downgrade the products? Make that make sense. FREE KIEHL'S!

After risking my skin health with Grown Alchemist, I change into my button down, slacks, and dress shoes and clock into the matrix. The matrix has been whoopin me lately, but these early mornings here at this beautiful Equinox make me feel better, as at least I have done something for myself.

IG @jnov_ Tiktok...

This is probably one of my favorite Equinox locations. It's large/spacious, convenient, and has a nice staff. Located right smack in the middle of SoHo, you have to first brave the crowd of shoppers and tourists to get to Equinox, but if you take the N or R train, then you're spat out right of front of the gym. The entrance here is on the corner of Prince and Crosby, so at least there's no horde of people walking around.

The gym itself is set up with 3.5 floors. The first floor being the shop and juice bar. Go up some stairs, and there's this mini floor that has some tables, couches and a TV. This is where I sit if I need to check on some emails or do some work after a workout session. Go up once more, and you are greeted by the front desk. The front desk area once again does have a bunch of couches and some computers to use for browsing.

The this 2nd floor is where you're going to spend the majority of the time. The weight/cardio room is here, as well as the women's locker room. Tons of cardio machines, a decent stretching area, and a wide range of machines to do weights. For the countless of times when I've gone, I've never had to wait for a machine or a set of weights. Even at peak time, you are still able to do your workout uninterrupted.

Just like all Equinoxes, you do get the normal gym amenities of towels, distilled water, and the infamous eucalyptus towels.

Upstairs on the top floor is where the yoga studio and the men's locker room is. Tons of lockers, several shower stalls, and yes, there are Kiehl's products for you to use. Shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and lotion. This is where the bulk of your fatty dues go to.

All in all, this is a great location for a great gym. It's a tad on the expensive side, but when you're working out...