Wow--I am not sure how an earlier poster could be talking about the same gym, so it must be a matter of perspective: this is not a ""normal"" gym. I can say this with complete confidence because I sampled 9 different gyms (from low to high end) in the Uptown/Downtown area on ""free trials"" before I decided on Equinox. The moral of the story is that you get what you pay for, and one must decide what amenities are important to them, which will in turn help that person determine the gym that is the best fit and thus the ultimate cost of the gym that they join. \r
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FIRST, it IS expensive--around $150/month for a non-corporate member & up to a $525 initiation fee--sometimes this fee is reduced based on specials. I paid far less on the initiation fee, but it is not always reduced. However, one is told of the costs upfront. If one does not want to pay these costs, one should walk away and join a less expensive gym with fewer amenities. (If your company has a corporate agreement, the fees are a bit less.) New members receive a 1 hr personal training session, a 1 hr fitness evaluation, a 30 minute Pilates session, and free passes to give to friends; \r
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SECOND, the trainers all have multiple credentials and are some of the most credentialed I have experienced. They are rated on a tier system within Equinox based on experience and training. I use a Tier 2 Trainer (out of 3);\r
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THIRD, the facilities are top of the line, and I can say this with 100% confidence after sampling so many well regarded gyms: (1) the equipment (free weights and machines) is/are all new and high-end, there are multiple towel, water and sanitation stations throughout, and there are even cooling eucalyptus towels if needed; (2) the cardio areas--there are 2 areas--either have individual TVs or master TVs, and have iPod docking, and are of course top of the line and new; (3) the locker rooms are the best I've seen, calming, and are very high-end, with private digital-lock wooden lockers, an attendant, an herbal/eucalyptus steam room, Kheil's products throughout (in the individual showers, and at the sinks and bathrooms), and there is everything you need to get ready from razors to hair gel, and of course there is towel service, (4) class variety is also top notch, including Pilates, boxing, yoga, spinning, boot camp and others offered throughout the day (with certain one-on-one classes, such as Pilates, costing an additional fee), and you can pre-reserve the spin classes online/on your iPhone, (5) the 2 lane lap pool is salt water, so it is better for your skin and eyes; \r
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FOURTH, there is complementary parking valet, or plenty of open parking if you don’t want to valet, an in-gym athletic store, a Greenz cafe, and Apple computers for use (you can even sign in to the gym with your iPhone), and a lounge to relax, as well as full service spa connected to the gym if one is so inclined. Members get a set percentage discount from items in the store, café and spa;\r
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FIFTH, the clientele primarily is there to work out not to socialize, nor is it a ""meat market"" type of gym, and there is a play area for children where kids can play for an extra fee; \r
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SUMMARY: I very much enjoy Equinox: everything is top of the line, from the facilities to the locker rooms to the trainers. The one caveat is that it IS expensive, but one knows this fact up-front, and if one is not interested in these extra amenities, this is probably not the gym for that person. However, personally I very much enjoy the amenities. The bottom line is this: you get what you pay for, whether it is a bare-bones gym or a top of the line amenity-loaded gym. One's preferences on what is important should help that person make a decision on the gym that is the right fit for them. I have found the gym that is the right fit for me, but I can appreciate how some would find the extra amenities at Equinox unnecessary or frivolous, and as such, Equinox would not be for everyone.\r
Pros: Top of the line...EVERYTHING
Cons: Cost is high
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