Equinox Santa Monica

The reviewer directly below claims that Equinox is one of the "worst chains in America." Really? Given the number of people in today's Elise yoga class, it would appear that a few people would beg to differ. Background: I joined the gym in September 2009 and have never used any of the private training or spa services. However, I regularly attend various fitness and yoga classes. This review is limited to the Santa Monica Equinox as I have not used any other facility. Cons: You get get two hours of free parking but there are not always enough spaces (so I typically ride my bike). Some of the members can have an attitude and can be messy at times. It is more expensive than some gyms but less than Sports Club LA. Traffic is a little bit more of a problem with the reopening of Santa Monica Place. Pros: exceptional classes (they pay their instructors more than other gyms), clean to the point of being excessive, good location, friendly staff (contrary to the opinions below), receptive management. Most members are very pleasant and I have met some very interesting people - and made a few friends as well. The men's changing room/shower facilities are pleasant and currently in the process of being upgraded. In addition, quality amenities in the shower area (eg, Kiehl's). I do not like long contracts and requested that an addendum be added to the standard contract which allowed me to cancel after three months (instead of the standard one year). There was no problem with my addendum request, which I had the general manager sign. Incidentally, there is no chance that I will exercise my ability to cancel early. In contrast to what is stated below, I would not consider a three-month contract "signing one's soul away." Bottom Line: The gym competes in a "premium" category and is priced accordingly. However, for me, it represents excellent value for money. I consider the classes so good that I have not considered a private trainer. If you want a cheaper facility, there is a 24 Hour Fitness around the corner (which is not open 24 hours) and you can buy a three-year membership from Costco for $449. There is also the Santa Monica "Y". The gym really deserves a 5-star rating but because I typically disregard ratings of 1 and 5 stars, I gave it a rating of "4". more

Don't be fooled by all the glitter and glam. For $150 a month you are signing your soul away to one of the WORST corporate chains of america.... I'll give them this: they now have some really great equipment, but let's see some trainers who know how to use it and are willing to teach people how to use it.... correctly. Good luck on finding that. I have seen better training come from the homeless bodies on the strand... and you'll save yourself a pretty penny too. Oh and one more thing... you pretty much have to sell your first born to get out of a contract with this place so I suggest you don't do it at all. You'll thank me in the end. Pros: Beautiful facility Cons: HORRIBLE mgmt and stupid/lazy trainers more

Each time I've had a massage from Jeanne, my neck and shoulder tension were gone. She is the best! They are so lucky to have her at Equinox! Connie G. Pros: Jeanne gives the best massages more

I went into Equinox, Santa Monica for the first time recently to try out their treatments and was amazed at my experience. I had a wonderful thrapist called jeanne who was friendly and listened to my concerns about my sensitive skin and gave me a facial that left my skin feeling youthful, smooth and rejuvenated. I also had an incredible massage with the same therapist to follow my facial that left me feeling relaxed and as if I had a new body afterwards. All in all a wonderful experience that I would highly recommend and will certainly going back to see Jeanne again. Thank you so much!!! Pros: All round fabulous experience Cons: None more

The spa is on the top floor in a private area by the yoga studio. It is very quiet and serene. The therapists are warm, friendly and helpful. I recieved a massage and facial by Jeanne and she was awesome! I will definitely come back to see her!!! If you are not a gym member (I am not) you get access to the gym for the entire day of your service!! my friend is a member and she recieved a member discount on the service. I thinking of joining the gym just for the spa discount!! Pros: Best services, friendly staff, clean facility Cons: no private locker room for the spa more

Wish I had seen this and all the bad reviews of Cindy before I made the mistake of going to the spa at Equinox Santa Monica. Seems like a great idea, everything is all under one roof. The trainers, especially my trainer, and the classes here are amazing so I thought the spa would be good too. WRONG! Had services by Cindy who was, and there is no other way to put this, HORRIBLE! It was the worst I had ever been to and now she keeps cornering me at the club to try and get me to come up for more services. My trainer knows how awful she is and when he sees her coming he takes us in the opposite direction. I've seen the employees at the club who say she works on them and their skin and brows look awful. This is probably why they have to give such huge discounts to everyone using the spa. Pros: Best trainers & classes Cons: the worst esthetician - she hurts! more

The trainers here are pretty good, especially the female trainers. Most of the female trainers seem to have a great education and backgroun... more

Last week I decided to try a new esthetician , my skin has been acting like a child going through puberty lately. My service was done by Cyndi, who i thought was an amazing esthetician. She was so friendly and gentle with my skin... My face is still glowing from friday! I decided to go back and have her shape my brows, which I don't think I'll let anyone else wax them now. But the brows are what made me write this review, more people need to know about her waxing skills... No bumps, No redness, just fierce brows. Scheduling my next appointment as I write... Pros: from the service to the appearence, and great management... Cons: none more

A friend is a member so I tagged along for a workout and to use a gift certificate that was a birthday present for a facial. The workout was great and I got to meet my friend's trainer, who had made her look amazing in a very short period of time. My friend said that there was an amazing person who did facials but for some reason they refused to book me with her, the kept saying that this other person was just as good. If that was there idea of good, I'd hate to see their idea of bad. She was awful and not only that she had bad skin herself. My skin was completely irritated after the facial and she wasn't at all pleasant. I’ve been to a lot of places for facials and this place is by far the absolute worst. Think her name was Cindy or something like that. The gym itself was decent and I was thinking of joining, but sure won’t go back to this place for a facial. When I complained about it to the manager that was there I was met with an attitude of “well-isn’t-that-just-too-bad”. – update, my friend apologized, said that the person who gave her a facial is no longer there and they won’t say where she’s has gone – says that the people giving facials now are awful. So some great trainers, clean gym, awful spa. Very much a toss up as to if it will be good or not. It’s a lot of money to guess as to what it good or not instead of having all over quality. Pros: Clean, bright, seems to have some good trainers. Cons: The worst facial I've ever had and management were awful more

Shauna works up at the spa and she is hands down the most increadable esthetician I've ever been to. The pain is actually bearable, she knows what she's doing, she cares about how cute her work is, and she does a great job with clean-up on my brazilians and with making sure my skin there still looks great! So many people will wax you and just rip the hair out, slather something on, and send you on your way to tweeze strays at home. Forget that. Go to Shauna, she'll take excellent care of you, and though I haven't had one yet , I hear her facials are increadable and a lot of people will only go to her for them. As for massage therapists, James, Heather, Diego, and Gail are all superstars, and Amy is also increadable with a healing touch. I used to work at the front desk at Equinox, and I was fired, so there's a lot that I could say....but the spa is really really great, its soothing and rewarding to go. There are amazing classes too. Pilates is excellent, and I would take anything tought by Bobby Neely or Amy Dixon. You'll definately find some diamonds in the rough here. You just have to be open to looking for them. The facility just went under new management, so there's hope! :) Pros: Spa, Pilates, Classes, Cleanliness, Sunset Views over the Ocean, Quality of fellow members Cons: Best ever front desk person doesn't work there anymore ;) more

Where do I start? As mentioned in another review some of the front desk staff barely acknowledge your presence. Secondly, some of the personal trainers and sales staff give off a LOT OF ATTITUDE. I guess I'm not worthy of working out there. Having said that, the equipment is acceptable. Although, I still don't understand the layout of the gym. Tell me why I have to go upstairs to the third floor for leg presses and back down to the first floor to do squats? The cardio equipment is good, however. With the attitude, big gym fees, and (did I mention) attitude I cannot recommend Equinox gym in Santa Monica. Cons: Read the review. more

Where do I start? As mentioned in another review some of the front desk staff barely acknowledge your presence. Secondly, some of the personal trainers and sales staff give off a LOT OF ATTITUDE. I guess I'm not worthy of working out there. Having said that, the equipment is acceptable. Although, I still don't understand the layout of the gym. Tell me why I have to go upstairs to the third floor for leg presses and back down to the first floor to do squats? The cardio equipment is good, however. With the attitude, big gym fees, and (did I mention) attitude I cannot recommend Equinox gym in Santa Monica. Cons: Attitude, inconvenient placement of equipment more

This gym has a lot of sizzle, but very little substance. The front desk doesn't want to be there, and I got a trainer that was only certified through Equinox. Ugh! This place has equipment on 4 floors. The last thing I want to do is climb stairs to get to the piece of equipment that I want, only to find that someone else is using it. I believed the hype, but Equinox is the worst! Pros: Locker rooms Cons: Not certified trainers, moody front desk more

The Equinox in Santa Monica is a very high-end, luxe gym located right on the Promenade. It's got several levels and a great selection of t... more

I used to be a member of this gym, and its now difficult going back to 24 Hour Fitness. They have a great assortment of elliptical machin... more