Equinox Downtown LA

As compared to other Equinox’s, the DTLA gym is quite subpar.
The gym is extremely crowded in the morning and at busy hours between 5pm to 8pm. To make matters worse, the trainers are allowed to work out during the busy times. You would think the trainers would be forced to work out only during quiet times, rather than taking up benches and squat racks during peak hours.
As for the men’s locker room, it’s extremely tiny compared to other Equinox locker rooms. Men are constantly waiting in aisles for other men to get changed so that they can access their locker. The shower doors in the men’s room are practically see through, they do not have that nice dark grey non-​see through that other Equinox’s have.
At bottom, the gym is still an Equinox, so it has certain nice amenities. But when you’re paying $ 160 a month, you expect a lot more.

It’s very overcrowded compared to other Equinox locations. Be there 15 minutes ahead of time for any class. Recently saw a girl get injured iand have to leave in a group fitness as class was too overcrowded (hard to lunge in only 2 inches of room!)
Equinox Pasadena has a fire capacity on its group fitness room. I’m sure this place needs one as well. It’s like a cattle call.

This was the first EQX I joined 3 years ago because of the location and cleanliness factor! However, it remains one of my favorite locations because the group fitness and yoga studios are just fantastic. The instructors here kick ass and they will shape you up in no time. I love the openness and view from the yoga studio. I really like the layout and design of this location even though there is no pool. The upstairs stretch area in the corner is my favorite. A few personal trainers will start talking to you to see if you’re interested in sessions which I found kind of annoying especially if I’m in the patio trying to relax. Another nice thing are the members at this location. I’ve seen people actually wipe down their equipment and there’s not too many people taking gym selfies. It’s a lowkey corporate environment and if I still lived downtown, I’d definitely continue visiting. Although, the day pass is $ 50 (ouch!!) if you’re a member at another location or want to bring a friend. Parking is validated valet garage and sometimes the attendants will let you self-​park, usually on weekends. This is not the social club, latest fashion-​makeup wearing location. Check out West Hollywood for that vibe.
I haven’t visited in a few months but I do remember maintenance staff NOT being as on point as other locations. The equipment was not always wiped down and they would start closing off the shower early in the evening for cleaning, making it difficult/​awkward when there’s 5 ladies and 3 stalls open. The front desk greeters are always friendly as well as the retail associate (not much stock though).

Ok so… Equinox is expensive as HELL… and I thought Gold’s Gym’s $ 50 a month was excessive, but… here at Equinox you get what you pay for.
This place is immaculate!
The staff is friendly and actually look like they practice what they preach, the weights are RACKED UP, the machines are NOT out of order, the locker rooms are clean, and most importantly do NOT smell like hot ass…
They also provide hand towels, full sized bath towels in the locker rooms, and my favorite… cool, damp towels infused in eucalyptus sitting in a mini-​fridge. Let me just say, these are probably the best thing since sliced bread.
My favorite thing about Equinox… and I only say this because I use these on the regular… are the Kiehl’s products in the locker rooms. Uh. yea…that’s right… shampoo’s, conditioners, their Crème De Corp body lotion and moisturizers all readily available for those with ashy elbows and knees.
In addition to their workout machines, they have classes that kick your ass… have you dripping in sweat! One wise trainer told me… sweat is fat crying… and these classes make «fat» weep… like the first time you watched Mufasa die in The Lion King… oh lord… don’t get me started again…*DEEP BREATH* ok… Spin classes, yoga classes, kettlebell/​vipr classes… booty training classes… countless more that keep your heart rate up and are never boring. Definitely one of the many things that separates Equinox from other gyms.
Last but not least, their app. With the Equinox app, you can check into the club, book classes, check your workout progress and schedule training sessions. They even have a blog you can read while you’re recovering from your workout… or when you’re on your porcelain throne.
There’s so much more to write about, but I’ll stop here… you just come and check it out for yourself… you won’t be disappointed!

Great location, not crowded at all. Maria is the best there. If you come just ask for her. No swimming pool though

The parking sucks. I went over the validation time and had to pay $ 23. That doesn’t make sense. Why is the price inflated? I think I’m going to switch my membership back to just one location. It’s not worth the headache.

Yeah, it’s expensive but it’s your health which is like the most important thing in your life after your brains.
i was a member of gold’s for 3 years and went a total of two times. Always crowded, always disgusting, and close to zero eye candy or: co-​worker outer” inspiring bodies.
It took me over 2 years to finally make the decision to join because of the price, but they have great sales that make it affordable and it’s like a TOTAL joy to go instead of a chore.
Jessica Holliday is really a stand out staff member and totally worked with me to get a great price and bring in my friends when i get the chance. She would answer my e mails in 5 minutes and on the weekends, help me book trainers, help me look at all the clubs and total concierge service to any questions or concerns i had about my membership and going in general.
They make you feel totally appreciated as a member and not just like another cattle being herded through the gym like golds does. Now that i have a place to go that i love, my back is getting better, my body is getting tighter and i sound like a damn info-​mercial cause im actually am that happy!
Other than needing an Equinox app for android and not just iphone, where i can look at and sign up for classes, i have zero complaints or regrets about joining the downtown equinox. ESPECIALLY because of Jessica (the Gold’s guy wouldn’t even bother answering my e mails unless it was about them getting their money).
YAY FITNESS!!!

I recently visited the Equinox branch in Downtown Los Angeles. To this moment, I am still uneased and appalled by my experience at Equinox.
I went to the gym in the early afternoon as my last gym visitation (checking out gyms). I was greeted by a Membership Advisor. She conducted a tour of the facility and it reminded me eerily of University of California’s gyms (exact same equipment and tools).
My main problem with this visitation is a line of questions that the Membership Advisor asked after the tour in her office. When we were discussing the classes and pricing, she started with generic questions of people not buying expensive cars or not eating to attend the gym. Those inquires are fine.
However, the following line of questions is what made me pissed off and greatly offended. She said the following:
«People choose Equinox as their best option over other crap like 24 Hour Fitness. It’s like you and law school. You had many options to choose, and you chose [my law school I attended] over… Hmmm… What is a shitty law school… [another law school].»
She then said some other stuff related to how bad the other law school was, but at this point, I was appalled.
First, I was actually rejected from the other law school because of actual discrimination [there was a lawsuit related to this and may or may not have been settled].
Second, my boss before law school and my boss after law school, attended the other law school. I hold these two women in such high esteem because they attended law school during a time where there were extreme sexism in the legal field. They are my mentors and they have deeply looked out for me.
Lastly, I know law school friends who chose the other law school because of family and financial aid considerations.
Needless to say, this line of questioning by the Membership Advisor made me want to leave immediately before yelling at her. I explained to her these concerns. She didn’t apologize but kept pushing for the gym membership. I left being greatly offended.
I remember seeing that Equinox prides itself in aiding the body as the temple. But, to me, the bodily temple is nothing if the mind and soul has been tarnished. Thanks, Equinox.
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~~~UPDATE~~~
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User Max B. [userid=q9ZtlN8VRtbmYhWFJQsFyg] sent the following compliment to this review on 1÷9÷2016.
«People on Unilocal want to know how the gym is… Just because you got offended doesn’t make the gym better or worse it only makes YOU and ’ your feelings ’ better or worse. Just knowing that you are in cahoots with a law school for discrimination… your opinion clearly doesn’t matter. Whiney [#$$] democratic californian and your feelings.»
Thanks Max for your insightful comments! I enjoyed your closure. Your response must reflect your character and intellect for disagreeing on a Unilocal review for a gym. I see how you may disagree with my review, but Unilocal allows users to rate the ENTIRE experience. Anyone would tell you that the gym membership experience includes how you are treated during the sign up process.
If you walked in to check something, and then the person behind the «counter» treats you like crap, you won’t say to yourself, «Wow, that is a great place!»
I checked your profile and you also provided a ¹⁄₅ star review for a restaurant on 4÷7÷2015. You wrote: «Worst experience, I was wearing sweatpants and the hardass working the door said I couldn’t wear sweatpants so he wouldn’t let me in. Worst thing I’ve ever experienced. I’m a store manager not a gang member [#&*@] cabo.» You provided such a detailed description on the quality of food and drinks in that three sentence review. Well done!
Here is another ¹⁄₅ star review you wrote for a cannabis clinic: «I have come here for 1 year and I always try to convince myself that these people may be having a bad day or something, I really do not know how this place has any good reviews at all, have you seen the girls that work in the back that are rude and have attitudes that resemble robots? Have you seen the lady up front with no personality?» Riveting!!!

Not impressed with this location. Doors in the women’s locker room are literally falling off the hinges. Floors in the work out area and locker room are filthy and customer service is at an all time low. If you are in the mood to pay thousands a year and work out at a substandard gym join Equinox downtown. Also Tony the manager here is very rude and condescending in his delivery of ‘customer service’.

Its getting really really crowded.
The classes are getting crazy crowded!
I still love this gym because of the great amenities, but there were a few things that really PISSED ME OFF right off the bat. Ok, so when you start they give you referral things if you bring someone… I had to literally blitzkrieg the chick that signed me up with emails in order to get my credit (from start to finish took probably a month). Next, I used my free little assessment thing (what you get when you start) and the trainer girl was really nice etc etc. until the sales pitch came, and she showed me the pricing and I was like… woah… I can’t afford this shit! (in a nicer way) and her ‘tude TOTALLY CHANGED. I think from the moment I said it was too expensive to my ass out the door was (I AM NOT EXAGGERATING) about… 2 minutes. it was like… FEK OFF PEASANT! (not really in an accent but i’m into doing accents these days).
Other than that, its a nice gym. I feel like a baller when I’m here which isn’t good for my ego.
Whatever losers. Jennie out! (j/​k that was for LOLz purposes only)

First, management has oversold memberships to this club. Forget getting a good workout during peak hours (7 – 10 a.m. and 4 – 8 p.m.). Even worse, management allows their staff to work out at the gym for free — which results in overcrowding even during off-​peak hours.
Second, management does an AWFUL job policing the dress code of their male staff when staff are using the gym. It’s gross.

This gym is relatively (relative to gyms over $ 100) pretty mediocre.
I signed up with essentially no fuss, I rushed the sales woman through the tour because I already knew I was going to sign up. I didn’t even get a guest pass before signing. My previous gym was Renaissance Club Sport (owned by Marriot) in Orange County, and I knew Equinox was supposed to be a very comparable facility. Having experienced both supposedly high end gyms, I wouldn’t say they’re comparable at all. Equinox doesn’t strive for the same customer focus. Truly feels like a clean 24 or LA fitness.
The biggest difference is value. Equinox simply lacks value. When you’re paying $ 165 /​month on a gym membership you have certain expectations, and rightfully so. Your essentially paying to avoid the issues that plague all the McFitness clubs, along with added perks.
I’ve had a couple incidents that left me yearning for more.
Today I drove all the way from my home in Hollywood to Down Town, only to find out that the club was closing in 15 mins for a «special event» at 4pm. I even checked the hours of operation on their app, as they usually post any closures there. Simply inconsiderate. I pay $ 165 /​month for a club that already has mediocre hours of operation. (8am — 6pm on the weekends) I would expect that they would never, with or without notice, plan a special event during business hours.
During the sign up process I was told that if my friend obliged I «could split» her referral bonus that she would earn for me signing up. The agreement between my friend and I was that she would give me the store credit, and I would give her cash for it. When I went to use the credit towards my dues the person at the front desk, who was very nice, told me that I couldn’t use it, but he would get his manager for me. The manager made me feel as though he thought I was lying, and was trying to con the system and be cheap. My argument was despite understanding their policy, I believe they should make an exception in good faith for what I was promised I would be able to do. He did end up giving me the credit, but I shouldn’t of had to fight for it.
In general, the place is far too busy, truly it needs another floor. Prepare to wait for weights, benches, showers, drinking fountains, and the steam room. Prepare to overlap your mat with your neighbor during yoga. The place has some nice amenities, such as the Kiehls products, which I love, but they skimp on other amenities. The paper towels in the bathroom are so cheap that you can’t even pull them out of the dispenser without them ripping off in your wet fingers.
On a random note /​suggestion, I wish they would offer the eucalyptus, and hand size towels in the locker room. They must waste so many big towels due to having to use a body towel after washing your face, or shaving.
I’ll end this review on a positive note. It isn’t all bad, everyone who works there is pretty great! The staff and trainers are incredibly friendly, helpful, and approachable. It’s kept clean. Great classes, sometimes way too packed though.
For now, I will keep my membership, I’m feeling healthier, so for me, that is enough for now. However, I am reviewing my options. I hear the LA Athletic Club is remodeling. :)

I would not recommend this gym. The trainers and other staff are not drug or steroid tested and really should be, its just not safe.

Well, I originally wrote a 3 star review saying I hope I can bump it to 4 or 5 soon, but unfortunately the honest thing to do is go to 2 stars now.
I consider myself a market maven, so giving the public real information is at the forefront of my mind very often. I don’t want you to fall as well. We’re in this world together!
The class structure and availability still hasn’t changed and all I got for the last review is a generic, pre-​scripted, corporate response. We’re not dumb, Equinox, give your clientele some credit.
Things are really getting bad here. The Downtown LA branch is slipping fast. Guys, IT’S SLOWLY TURNING INTO A 24-​HOUR FITNESS WITH $ 155/​month price!
EQUINOX knows it’s the little things that cost them little to nothing that make this gym awesome. But lately, things break and just go unfixed.
The refridgerator with eucalyptus towels that was literally the touch that sold me has had a sign for over 10 days saying «excuse us while we shape up»…well no, I’m sorry Equinox, but after this long, you’re not shaping up, you’re f*^king up.
The water fountains just aren’t cold at all, Luke warm, like drinking slightly cooled bath water. That’s an easy fix that no one cares about in management there. It sounds like I’m being needy, but I pay $ 155/​month, myself and everyone else should be demanding. The water bottle filler in the downstairs water fountain is broken too. Let’s see how long that takes.
There are still not enough group fitness classes, not enough variety, and not enough time slots for them. There are more and more people flooding the gym and I find I’m waiting on equipment, showers, AND even the steam room!
This is not a «club» guys. This is a one sided cash cow that I suspect even Equinox’s execs are ashamed of. I know how corporate works, they don’t not know what’s going on, so the message you should be getting is that they don’t care.
Not worth the money, not worth your anguish. Any other millionaires reading this should know that all you have to do is open a well run, sexy gym that actually delivers what it promises and you’ll take DTLA by storm.
Peace out!

I’ve been a member for 3 months now and feel pretty content with my membership thus far.
PROS:
— They offer great indoor cycling classes; typically there will be at least 3 classes a weekday; I’ve taken Cody’s, Sami’s, and Arielle’s classes, and highly recommend each.
— I have to give major props to Juan E., who although is no longer at the DTLA location, was instrumental in helping me get set up
— Bryan B and the whole gang at the spa are pretty amazing. Seriously, book a massage. Your muscles will thank you.
— It seems like management listens to member input and at least tries to implement suggestions
— App is convenient and easy to use
CONS:
— there seems to be a lack of strength and conditioning classes in the evenings /​weekends
— I can never find a water fountain when I need one
— spongy mats (or whatever they are) on shower floors can sometimes wreak of urine.
SOMEWHERE IN THE MIDDLE:
— It appears that a lot of folks have a problem with the gym being crowded. True, it is fairly crowded at morning and after-​work hours, but that’s just what it is. It’s never been a terrible inconvenience for me personally, just something I’ve had to work around.

many of my colleagues utilize this gym
and i can see why
because it’s convenient, clean and not super crowded
i used to be a member at gold’s gym on fig & 7^th and hated it
super crowded classes
douchey «trainers» who would stalk you
gross locker area
i prefer to workout outside so i probably won’t become a member
but if i decided to, i’d probably join equinox

I signed up for a complementary 4 day pass.
This is my experience in just 4 days.
PROS:
— The interior of the gym is fabulous;
Luxurious & spa-​like!
— In a great location of DTLA.
— The Earth bar smoothie place.
CONS:
— Class sizes during peak hours (I went
5pm-​7pm) were overcrowded &
uncomfortable. You are literally doing
yoga on top of your neighbor.
— The gym felt like a dark cave. I expected
a view of DTLA or something!
— It felt very high school clique among the
women. They all are wearing full-​on
makeup & dressed to the 9’s. Not very
inviting!
— The women’s locker room is tiny! Why
would they install hair dryers in a single
booth station. I think I only saw 3 little
stations such as those.
— THE PRICE! I have no problem with
paying a high amount for convenience,
location, staff, smaller sized classes,
size of facility, etc, but this location is
embarrassing for Equinox standards.
How can they justify charging $ 150 a
month? I would pay $ 100, but no more
than that.
— So, you’re going to charge us $ 150 a
month for no pool or jacuzzi? That’s
just insane.
OUTCOME:
— I joined the YMCA next door for $ 62 a
month. It’s not Equinox fancy, but I
rather join a gym with smaller
sized classes, larger facility, spacious
locker rooms, rooftop tennis courts,
basketball gymnasium, & a POOL &
JACUZZI!

ENVIRONMENT
Typical amazing and beautiful Equinox. This location has all the expected amenities such as Earth Bar, spa, eucalyptus towels, etc.
Only difference is that the weight floor smells like fried chicken. Is this environmental or a one off?
Great views of the Downtown LA Library and other buildings in the heart of the city.
Like anywhere else downtown it’s really quite here on the weekends, so you have your choice of equipment at anytime.
Opens later and closes earlier than I prefer.
Free wifi

This one of the nicest equinox around. As we all know you plenty of choices when it comes to gyms. No questions equinox is the best in business when it comes to gyms. You always get state of the art equipment and service. I have been here several times and always had a positive experience.
The locker rooms are always clean. Plenty of clean towels. I feel that equinox always holds a higher standers, No questions the gym fees are not cheap. You pay what you get. Parking is easy to get in and out.
Equipment 10
Service 9
Cleaness 10

Sure, Equinox is pricey compared to 24 Hour Fitness, but you get what you pay for, and you’re paying for the sweet facility, chilled eucalyptus towels, eucalyptus steam room, and Kiehl’s amenities, among other things. This is not a place where you have to bring your own towel and padlock. Everything is clean, new, and the locker room doesn’t smell of mildew (YMCA, I’m looking at you).
I like the size of the gym and the number of cardio machines, though the free weights area tends to get very crowded with dudes. I’ve never had to wait for a treadmill or elliptical and very rarely on other equipment.
There are a ton of classes available to take, from yoga to barre to spin, etc, that are all included in your membership (except Pilates). It’s pretty easy to book classes through their app or online, though fyi some of the photos on their website are NSFW.
Jonathan M., one of the membership advisors, is super helpful and extremely responsive to any questions I email him. He literally writes back in minutes. If you are thinking of joining and want to check out the gym or have questions, I recommend asking him.
Overall Equinox is a great place to get your sweat on downtown and there’s no going back to those other scuzzy gyms after trying this place out. After my first visit I was hooked. The bottom line is, if you can afford to join Equinox and will actually work out regularly enough to get your money’s worth, why the hell not?
Four stars overall, minus one star for short weekend hours, crowded locker room, the tiny ass blow dry stations, no pool, and not having Time Warner Cable so I can’t watch Dodger games as I work out :(