Equinox

Not even sure where to begin with this gym.
I’m so sad to say that I have had also the same experience that other reviewers have had about this Equinox. Here I am a loyal member for years and years, I have the highest membership you can get, there’s maybe two gyms in all the world that I can’t go to, Irvine, Printing House and something else.
Before I came to London I remember asking at my home club in the US that my membership was about in London and I was told yes. I even called the club on a previous trip here just to doublecheck that I was able to work out there and all was OK and again I was told yes.
But then guess what. As someone who organizes my very busy work and travel schedule around locations in cities with Equinox, I plan a three-​week business trip in London arrive at Equinoz only to find out that, guess what, no you can’t work out here unless you want to pay 40 pounds a day or upgrade your membership to pay even more.
I am such a loyal member of Equinox and love it so much, that upon hearing this news, I felt like a friend had lied to me, I felt quite betrayed.
I did end up upgrading my membership, however. I’m not sure I agree that the people were snobby, in fact I found the staff quite amazing. The club itself, was fantastic. It’s beautifulully equipped as you would want it, aesthetics to die for, great juice bar and location.
The managers, everyone, couldn’t have been more helpful. It just turns out that policy is policy and there is no flexibility on the policy.
I guess it’s a corporate issue with Equinox on the various policies. I can’t even express my annoyance at the policy for this club. 40 pounds a day is a little extreme. I did work out there every day, and you know what, yes, it was busy, but I’ve seen worse.
I would suggest a more nominal fee per day that will be a bit more digestible like 20 pounds a day for all-​access members as an example. Or at least have some options and alternatives for your all access members, that are reflective of the lifestyle of your members, I.e., people who travel a lot.
I would love to give this club a five-​star rating, because it deserves it. But the policy for all-​access members really needs to be addressed. If they were other Equinox clubs in London from which to choose, that would be one thing, but there are not.

This is by far the best gym in the US. Management really cares about making the members happy. It is always spotless, with maintenance workers always cleaning. This is a high end gym with high end trainers. Even the products are amazing-​Kiehls products in the lockers rooms, no need to bring shampoo, conditioner, soap, lotion, or face lotion. I Definitely haven’t been to a better gym and I have been to many.

After being told I could use this gym after making a specific inquiry the previous week to the staff of a NY City equinox regarding my all access membership I was turned away, suitcase in hand after flying across the pond and looking forward to a post flight workout. I was offered a rate of forty pounds to use this mysterious facility and I declined, especially as they didnt even have hot water at the time due to a building issue.
I went out of my way after a trans oceanic flight to start my visit to london using what I expected to be a premier facility. I presume I would have been disappointed based on their treatment of me and the misinformation that this chain has given me over the years. Re thinking my membership seriously after 13 years. Classpass is the way to go. A big boo to Equinox.

I have a an all access membership yet they wouldn’t accommodate for 1 week. This is an appalling level of service. £40 for a day pass for a loyal member is appalling. I’ve cancelled my US membership and will not be returning.

I love this gym… Everything is squeaky clean, gym floor is well equipped, classes as amazing and challenging. And let’s not forget the safe which is stocked with the tastiest healthy food you can imagine. Overall… Would recommend it to anyone!

I love training here because it’s much more than a gym. It’s a place you can train, socialise and work from. The classes are my favourite and the trainers are the best in the industry. The club is sponsored by Kiehls so you don’t have to worry about packing along shampoo and conditioner.

I have been a loyal equinox member for 3 years. I have paid month after month $ 190. I have a membership that allows me to use almost any equinox in the world, except for maybe 3.
I had a really great membership advisor 3 years ago who signed me up. I asked him if he could please get me a week pass to the London Equinox as I would only be there a week and didn’t want to pay extra to add it to my membership. To his surprise, they CLOSED the guest passes to members and said I would have to pay daily rates.
To me this is ridiculous. I have been a very loyal customer for years, I have a membership that is just below the top tier, and I would only need the gym for a week.
This gym gets 0 stars for pure snobbery. If someone is a loyal customer and a fellow membership advisor emails you for a favor you need to accommodate that person. It’s just a week and you just COMPLETELY turned off a loyal customer.

It is unfortunate they have decided to make this a «destination gym.» It is understandable that they need to charge more for a gym given the cost of London. I even understand charging a surcharge to prevent people from gaming the system. However, given the lack of options, charging £40 for a one-​day pass to people with All Access memberships is downright rude.

This Equinox puts all of the other Equinox clubs to shame. I’m allowed to say that because even though it is in the newest club, with regular upgrades of equipment, etc., there’s no reason even the oldest clubs back in the US can’t look like this. Everything is laid out perfectly, all of the equipment you could ever want or need is available, the location is perfect. I could happily move to London knowing that Equinox is here for me.

I am a member at the gym and decided to try out the waxing services. Sandra is amazing. She used to work at Bliss for years before setting up this gig. No double dipping. Painless. Effective. Bumpless.

Ahhhh, heaven. After a visit to the new space I am amazed. It is beautiful! The light is fantastic and staff and equipment are top notch. Throw in an amazing spa, delightful crèche, and a café!

This gym is AMAZING. It smells like mint and lemon, which is the scent that wafts off the damp towels provided (in a refrigerator, no less). Everything is beautifully designed and clean. The machines are top of the market; when you look out the window, you can see the art deco iron bars. My only complaints are that the music was a little too loud — it was hard to listen to my headphones — and the yoga room too warm. I mean, besides the £180 price tag, which is £160 too much for me (I got a one-​day free pass).

This gym just works. I really enjoy it. Everyone is looking for something particular in a gym, but for me Equinox’s offering is spot on. If they reached inside my mind and designed a place totally around me, this would be it. It is a big investment, but great service costs money and the location could not be better.
Beyond being an inspiring, comfortable space to sweat in, the facility’s layout, equipment, and amenities are thoughtfully done. The place has good energy and mercilessly devoid of annoyingly preening, ego-​fueled maniacs I’ve experienced in other gyms.
But honestly it’s Equinox’s staff that makes difference. From the maintenance staff to the personal trainers they are uniformly welcoming, friendly and helpful. The place overflows with people who take holistic fitness seriously and enjoy sharing that passion with others. On numerous occasions a personal trainer has assisted me, offered a suggestion or given some piece of help that make my workout better without making me feel like an idiot. I like that.
And, by the way, the facilities are extremely clean. They are obviously obsessive about keeping the floors and equipment clean. And we all know that a great workout can be ruined by a disgusting locker room. This is not the case here. You could probably eat on the floor.
All in all, I’m happy with my decision to invest my fitness dollar there.

After having been to an Equinox in New York, I was totally excited to have an Equinox gym open here. I’ve heard it was pricey, and my friend state side was paying $ 150 a month or so. Much to my chagrin, as a founding member I was already paying £150 a month. Can’t imagine what regular folks will have to pay when it opens (£180 — is what the going rate is now)…
Oh well, no skin off my back I guess since I can cancel my membership within the first five days of the club opening. Went in twice in the first five days. I’ve gotta say, compared to anything else in London (Virgin Active, Third Space included), this is nice — but that’s also because it’s brand spanking new. But, yes, because they’ve decided to locate themselves in Kensington, right below the Kensington Roof Gardens, it’s just one floor, no «outdoor space», no pool etc.
Changing rooms were very nice, with possibly the nicest gym towels in the industry. Yes, the Khiel’s products are a nice touch, but I never end up really showering at the gym (because I bike to work in Canary Wharf). And besides, I already use Khiel’s like my Dad owns the company.
Locale’s «great» if you’re anywhere on the circle line /​district line, but from my schnazzy pad in central Soho, getting here was a bit of a chore. A half hour journey, by bike, by train or by fast foot (i.e. run). Not fun.
All in all, yes, my cruddy little West India Quay LA Fitness may not be as schnazzy or as new as the Equinox in High Street Ken, but at least I do frequent it more and it provides more of a work out for me than Equinox and doesn’t burn hole in my pocket.