It's been years since I came to this location. Located in the mall but down the escalator, a nice find after running the marathon. I needed a space to unwind, stretch, foam roll, steam, and shower. Perfect location. Super clean facility. Super nice staff. Lots of towels. Huge locker room. The steam was great. Showers clean and spacious. read more

Visited Equinox Gold Coast as a guest for the day, and overall it felt like a very corporate-style gym. The facility itself is clean, and the equipment quality is definitely up to date and in great working condition. The cardio area was well organized and spacious enough to move around comfortably, which I appreciated. Decent size for any Olympic type of lifting or just regular strength training. I did not take a class, but they offer classes like cycling and yoga. They also keep you in the loop with online ads and updates about special offers, which is helpful if you're considering a membership. On the downside, the staff seemed pretty busy, so it was a bit hard to get help when needed. The locker rooms and bathrooms also felt crowded, and the lockers could be bigger, but you can still manage to fit your things if you pack smart. Overall, a solid gym with modern equipment, but the crowded locker areas and less personalized attention made it feel more average than exceptional. read more

Terrible value. There's no bicep curl machine, for example. There's only one machine for every type of exercise so if you go during busy times it's gonna take you a long. There are much better gyms than the neighborhood than this one so I would stay away. read more

The entire experience is destroyed by horrible team members and customer service. They have such a lack of care for their members and lack of empathy, and equinox concierge online support reflects this as well. Demi Washington, the assistant general manager refuses to acknowledge your concerns or complaints. Stay away from this business and this establishment. read more

Worst equinox location. Staff and management was so unhelpful. No wonder it has 3.5 stars, won't be coming back here.

I used to workout here and loved it, then the staff changed and they were super unwelcoming and I will never go back! One of the cleaning staff told me the managers were trying to get members out who used the toiletries and amenities. read more

This gym is a great one-stop-shop. It has group classes, spa area, and a pilates studio on top of the typical gym layout. The place is constantly being cleaned and doesn't have an odd odor like some other gyms can. If you're into trying a variety of group workouts, I recommend trying this place out first instead of subscribing to multiple different studios. There are all types of group classes going on that will compliment your independent workouts. I've tried cycling, running, mat pilates, barre, boxing, weightlifting, and some other types of classes offered. The instructors I worked with were genuinely nice and friendly people who care about their participants and make you comfortable. I have taken many classes for pilates, barre, and METCON with Andrea Rubenstein, Bonnie Bushnell, and Lia Montelongo. They have great energy and cueing, and have a loyal following as a result. If you have access to the other Equinox gyms in Chicago, you will likely see them at the other gyms as well. I have also taken private pilates on equipment with Patricia Tinerella, who has been teaching for decades and is a wealth of information and exercises. I noticed a big difference working with her compared to other private teachers I have worked with in the past. I have worked with Patty for 3 years and was surprised at my functional fitness and physical capabilities. For massage, I have done it with Keturah Mason who has an intuitive touch and knows exactly how to make your muscles relax or where to find any problem areas. read more

Absolutely love Equinox Gold Coast! The facility is located on the lower level of the 900 North Michigan Shops building, which is such a great, convenient location to begin with, and has great amenities and features, including a junior-size olympic pool, yoga studio, steam room, and more. The cardio equipment is really nice, especially the equinox soulcycle bikes (where you can access all the different classes from the app), and I love taking the in-club classes, which are taught by fantastic instructors! Cycle Beats and Pursuit Burn/Build are my personal favorite spin classes, and I hope to try out some of the other ones soon. The gym equipment and locker room are always super clean, and I've never run into any issues with overcrowding, as I mostly go either during early morning (~5-7AM) or late evening (~7-9PM). The equinox experience is definitely worth the membership cost! read more

See all

This review is for Andrea Rubenstein the Sat 9am spin class instructor. Even though it was my first class she paid attention to me and really seems to care about each participant. She has a loyal following as the class was quite packed! It was a great experience so I can see why; it went by very quickly but I was sweating a lot! read more

My homes always come with fitness centers in building but also offer memberships outside of the building included with rent ----with Equinox being a recurring one. This luxury gym exceeded expectations, boasting state-of-the-art equipment, spacious workout areas, and impeccable cleanliness. Expert trainers and diverse classes added value, making it a premium fitness destination. The upscale amenities and attentive staff contribute to an unparalleled fitness experience. I liked the pool and courts most of all. Even though I have these at home it's a great way to get out and meet new dwellers. read more

It's an Equinox - top of the line equipment and high caliber experience from staff. I did the Metcon3 class and totally had an a**-kicking experience, in the best way possible. The instructor knew how to push everyone to go above and beyond, but made sure we were all using proper form to avoid any injuries. She was always walking around the room and would offer 1 on 1 instructions or modifications for those who needed. She was incredibly attentive and knew the perfect balance of pushing the further while also encouraging you for doing a great job. The thing that really sets Equinox apart for me is the other amenities. The eucalyptus towels post-workout made me feel like an actual queen and totally brought me back to life after my work out. The locker room, sauna, kiehl's products - I felt like I was leaving a SPA when I went home. It was so nice to get a great workout in but even better for the spa-like experience afterwards. They really have it all, shampoo, conditioner, face wash, body wash, razors, shaving cream, makeup wipes, qtips, cotton balls, face lotion, body lotion. read more

Clean showers and great instructors for Pilates. No windows and the space for free weights was much smaller than I anticipated.

This is one of my favorite gyms in Chicago. The location is always clean and the level of service from the staff and coaches is always on point. read more

It's a decent gym but it can be culty, and the gymgoers have given me weird looks. I took my first cycling class ever at Equinox with instructor Taylor Dabbah and she didn't bother telling me I had to grab straps and put them on the bike. I was not aware we had to attach them. She saw me walk in and watched me struggle for about 40 minutes cycling uncomfortably... she didn't even let us know how to adjust the bikes either. Weird. The equipment on the other hand is great if you enjoy strength training. The gym is kept very clean and ensures the equipment is wiped down each use by members, and everyone is wearing masks. Would only recommend if you live in the area and are okay with the price! read more

Personally I like the other 2 Equinox locations both of which are Lincoln Park and Lincoln Square better than than this one It might be because I know most of the people who work there and love the personal attention I get from the moment that I walk in the door! All three Equinox clubs have wonderful trainers and classes! I personally love working with Tony Rodriquez in Lincoln Square and highly recommend DeeDee for Pilates classes! Any of them in Chicago are immaculate and have really state of the art equipment. You will love it if you try it! read more

Edit 7/12/07: When I moved to the gold coast I was really sad to leave the Lincoln Park Equinox behind (no joke...my eyes started tearing my last day there...and i'm not even an emotional person). I still love the atmosphere of the Lincoln Park atmosphere better than location...windows and sunshine go a long way! However, some of the classes I've taken here are absolutely amazing...some the same as the ones at the LP location, but some different as well. Classes to check out: Anything with Jeff Howard (LOVE him), kickboxing with Robyn (wow, she is 1 tough chick and I can't believe the following she has in this class), cardio core ball with John Gestl (adds some variety to your workouts), powerstrike with Marcello (can't beat his enthusiasm), and spinning with Drew (the best workout I've gotten from any spinning class). The one thing Equinox needs to improve on is their trainers. I've tried training a few times here and they are absolutely awful- I could get a better workout in my sleep! But with classes this good who needs to spend the money training? _____________________________________________ I belong to the Lincoln Park Equinox and am extremely happy with my membership (read my raving review for more details). I occasionally take a class at the gold coast Equinox when there is a special class going on. Although they have the same amazing instructors and classes at this equinox it's just not the same as the one in Lincoln Park. The gold coast gym has no windows, which can make your workout a little depressing. In addition, the crowd seems to be a little older at this gym than the Lincoln Park location. read more

Location: in the 900 N Michigan Building, lower level. Fun fact: Years ago, before it was equinox it was a movie theatre. Busy location, as most gyms there is the morning rush (6a-8:30a) and evening (5p-7p). During those peak times I don't find the place to be cramp with people. Definitely in between those times it's minimal people. Classes have a tendency to fill up quickly. Naturally since the instructors are amazing! I have yet to have a sub par class. Amenities are great and the place is always kept exceptionally tidy, especially the locker room. Staff is friendly. There is also a small shop for athletic apparel and a cafe for smoothies, snacks and drinks. Tips: - I use the app to set reminders to sign up for class or if no sign up is needed, simply to set a reminder to attend the class and then export to my smartphone calendar. - Bring your own lock for the locker read more

I feel slighted by this gym. I purchased a $25 day pass, and planned on a nice afternoon-evening workout, as the website said it's open till 8. I came to find out half way through my workout that they're closing at 5 for a holiday party. First, it's kind of lame that they would infringe upon customer hours for their partying, but on top of that, they didn't bother to update their website with the new hours. I feel cheated, and they should have at least notified me upon signing in about the reduced hours. I would have waited till another day. Equinox did respond to my complaint with the most time deaf excuse. Pathetic read more

I've been a member for a couple years now and don't have any complaints. Huge shoutout to Alex Enos. He's always very helpful and quick to respond. Go to him if you want to become a member and he'll get you in and out in no time, everything you need and all questions answered. Covid-wise, I came back to the gym as soon as it opened back up. They keep the place nice and clean. Again, no complaints here. If I could wish for anything, it would be more more landmines and another smith machine. Otherwise, the gym's got everything I need :) read more

This gym is the cleanest gym I've ever been in. The pool is rarely used but has temperature regulation issues. They have Kiehl's in the showers, and that's nice. Locker room is cramped, and generally you'll have to fight for space at peak hours and trip over the occasional post-gym selfie taker. The bad thing is that this location really sucks at customer service. After the first week, I realized that this place wasn't for me. I brought this up to my membership adviser, who ghosted me quicker than an online date. So I emailed corporate to see if we could do something and after 5 weeks of nothing, they gave me a form letter, so I'm stuck being unhappy at a pricey gym with lousy customer service. You're better off setting money on fire than to deal with Equinox. read more

This 5 star review is for Samantha Wellington my personal trainer. NOT for Equinox. Samantha came up to me in the gym and started chatting casually. She mentioned that she noticed me in the gym really grinding it out and she offered me a couple tips from her observations of me in there. Not gonna lie, they were good. She always came to me following that day and asked how I was doing and what I was focusing on that day. After a few weeks of talking I decided to try her out for a complimentary session. Let me just say that I pride myself in being fit. I was determined that she wouldn't challenge me. I WAS WRONG. Samantha completely customized my workouts to do exactly what I wanted and aligned with my goals. I also have a back injury and she found new innovative ways to build my back strength without making my injury worse. I'm actually better now! This girl is the most incredible person I have ever worked with and it's a shame that she works for Equinox! She would be running our own company! I hated working out at Equinox and she is the only thing that kept me wanting to come back! She reinvigorated my passion for fitness and I'm seeing amazing results. I'm gaining muscle and losing fat at the same time. WORK WITH HER!!! YOU WON'T REGRET!!!! read more

Had an opportunity to workout for work. There was plenty of equipment for everyone and the facility was very up kept and clean.

So this is where I splurge in my budget, and yeah it's a big splurge! But it's not so bad if you're a student, their discount is pretty hefty. I just try not to think about that whole repaying-down-the-line issue... Anyway, yes it's super clean, lots of machines, great locker rooms. I primarily focus on weight-lifting and I hardly ever have to wait for a machine or a set of dumbbells - there is even an upstairs and downstairs weight area. I feel like most people here use trainers - it feels like a personal-trainer gym at times - and they're doing all these crazy maneuvers and exercises while I just got about my business of lifting heavy things. Also, the pool is almost always empty, which is good for me because I'm a bad swimmer and have to take breaks every lap! So here's what a lot of people want to know but are afraid to ask: Eye Candy! It does help you work out harder, so it helps. At this gym though, the crowd is older. No surprise because of the prices. But if you're there to simply focus then it won't matter. read more

Equinox Gold Coast - Dumbells. Lots and lots of dumbells - Gyms Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I moved here from East Bank Club and the gym is great! I found an incredible Personal Trainer: Kenny Miller. He is very through and focused during your sessions. He is also incredibly accommodating to schedules. I've had many trainers and he is by far the best I've worked with. Really friendly staff, INCREDIBLY CLEAN!!! They make sure every guest is following covid procedures. read more

I give this club a 3.8/5 Let's start with the beginning. First time here and my whole experience was just eh, Me and a friend decides to check out EQ Gold Coast while having a busy day in the city. As a first timer I will say that it was a little bit confusing, and felt like a little bit of a maze to get there. We parked in the 900 Michigan ave building and would up on the 6th floor. We had to take on elevator up, walk through a lobby, into another elevator , down an escalator , and into the club. Don't get me wrong I know this is the city, we work with the space we have but no posted signs made this a little bit frustrating. We head down into the locker room, which was small and outdated, we were greeted to no locks on the lockers. I know that all equinox locations nation wide were once like this, and a lot still remain this way, but this is is just so frustrating. We head upstairs, so grab a lock from the front desk and luckily we got the last one ( or you can buy one at the shop) now we are sharing a locker... UPDATE THE LOCKERS! Steam room was small and very cramped. And the whole entire club felt like we were in a basement. The lighting on the mirrors and at the main sinks is low quality. The upkeep was minimal. Couldn't find a single employee in the locker room. I've been to many equinox locations, all around the world. I've seen executive clubs, I've seen New small old and sports clubs. EQ GC is just AvErAge. The best things i enjoyed here ( for people looking to sign up at a single location club ): Very clean, great decor, 3 lane lap pool, discounted parking, friendly staff, located in a mall which I think is kind of nice ( dangerous for wallet ), great location, pool is connected to locker room At the end of the day, I can't say I won't come back. Because it's overall a great club, but I would defiantly say, there is much room for improvements. read more

I absolutely love this gym. When I'm back from school I always come back to this location. It feels like home to me. I always push myself further with my workout here because everyone is so motivating and uplifting. The staff are super nice and the people that come here are so respectful and genuine. No douchebaggery here at all. The Shop is great too!! I love the vibe at EQ and will never goto another gym if I can help it! read more

There's no really "bad" equinox but, comparably, this location is on par w the Pas location, needs some updating. THey've clearly done a bit of updating as the back tiles in the showers are modern and nice but the rest of the place seems a bit outdated. Enter and go down the escalator or elevator to the bottom floor of the shopping center. Go straight and take a right down the stairs to get to the locker rooms/cardio/spin room... at least the Eucalyptus towels are down there too. I pretty much just stayed down there cause I wasn't all that interested in walking up and down the stairs. Horribly ironic that i'm too lazy to do that while I'm doing cardio at the gym?? hahaa. whatevs. And, now, for some random things: - hand towels for the gym are only available on the gym floor, not in the locker room. - pool at this location and a swim suit dryer machine thing! Neato. - Steam room isn't Eucalyptus scented, which I hpapen to love so it just smells of hot air. -older crowd compared to the other locations I've been to - water tastes funny here? ...prob more of a city water issue than a gym issue tho :P Not sure if it's just cause they're on a holiday sched or what's going on but they have almost no spin classes here. The ones that they do have only run for 45 min read more

Where do I start...to say this club is a disappointment is an understatement but I've put up with it for 3 years because my office building is next door so it's very convenient. I've been a member of equinox in CHICAGO or NYC for about 6 years combined and this is the most bare bones club of any I've visited - probably 8-10 including Miami, LA, and Houston. The club itself is in the basement of a mall with no natural light and on the smaller footprint of equinox clubs. The layout is disjointed and they don't have the appropriate amount of equipment for the number of members - for example - only 3 squat racks and 3 bench presses. With machines that don't match anything comparable in modern clubs. What ultimately pushed me to the brink was how rude the staff and trainers are. During peak hours, there will literally be 10 personal trainers navigating the floor and super-setting exercises while not allowing regular members to work in. I once witnessed a trainer using a squat rack for back squats, hexbar deadlift, bench press, lat pull down machine, and a dumbbell bench all at the same time for a client doing a "giant set" at 7am during the week while not allowing anyone to work in (peak hours!). After confronting the trainer and management, nothing was done. They prioritize members willing to pay $100 a session for personal training. Next, I was approached last week about a no bag policy at the club. Again, I've been a member at various equinox for 6 years and never heard such a policy. This particular club has a history of theft from the lockers so I told the staff I do not feel comfortable leaving my gym bag with wallet, keys, etc in the locker room unless they are willing to accept full liability for anything stolen - which they were not. When the GM approached me about removing my bag, I pointed out there were 4 trainers and another 3 members on the floor with bags - they were targeting me clearly. Nothing was said to the trainers or high paying personal training members. As someone with the Illinois state deadlift record, I take weightlifting very seriously and this is not the first time they've targeted me but I've put up with it in the past. Bottom line is - if you're looking for a great place to take a shower with Kiehls product and eucalyptus towels, this is the club for you. If you're serious about weightlifting and exercise, I'd look elsewhere. For over $175 a month as the basic membership, they shouldn't be marginalizing any members and take fitness more seriously. read more

I like coming to this location on the weekends, usually later in the morning or early afternoon when it's a little quieter and less crowded. The space is located in the basement of 900 North Michigan, and is split between two floors. The locker rooms, spa and pool are on the lower level. Also on the lower level is the spin room, cardio machines, some free weights and a small stretching area. The upper level has the same stuff but more of it. The main classroom studio is upstairs, and a loft style yoga studio as well. I like the split floor plan as I can go between the two spaces as the crowd waxes and wanes. I can't really do that at the Loop location (where I go during the workweek). The locker rooms are similarly sized and set up. One must bring a lock. The shower stalls seem a tad bit tight but it's fine. I think I like the ones at the Loop location better. I prefer going to classes. But on the weekends, I can never get on to the app in time to book (I can't get on the waitlist either). Needless to say the classes are popular. But it is annoying as there is no availability. read more

OMG once again Equinox has brought me to heaven. On a trip from NY I was told to request Guest pass access to this location. Blocks from my hotel I was extremely excited to know the gym was also in the 900 North Michigan shopping mall. What a beautiful combo, shopping and working out in beautiful spaces! While here I went to the following classes: Cardio Kick by Kareem Abdul, but subbed by Katie Simmons. She was awesome, so much energy and great music! Abdominal by Andrea Rubenstein: Her abbs made me know I was about to have a great abdominal workout. Studio Cycling with Carla: She had great music, a very energetic instructor and I loved the fact that we could measure our RPM's. She formed her workout around the device and I thought it was a great gauge while I worked out. I had a great time here! read more

The gym was nice and clean. I loved the amenities and the staff was very helpful and friendly. So then why did I leave.... 1. The classes were more challenging when I joined....but then it kinda went downhill. They kept adding classes in the mid-AM, but hey, what about those who have to work! 2. I would love to use their swimming pool more, but first, I couldn't get used to the basement setting, and the water is very cold. I understand it's hard to please everyone with the water temperature, but i consider myself swim at a moderate speed, and it would still take me like 30 laps to warm up, literally. 3. So I can't justify the expensive membership due with my usage =/ read more

The group fitness classes are the best here!!! i have been to both locations LP and GC... although LP facility is huge , GC is best as far as location is concerned !!! The locker rooms are great ~ very clean and stocked with good quality shampoo/conditioner If u can afford the price tag, then Equinox is totally worth it !!! Most people (esp. men! lol) who workout here have a drool-worthy physique and in all honesty it's a motivation by itself to work harder! Lately i have been taking the dance classes in this location and it's super fun!!! read more

Clean and not too crowded. Not as nice as some locations but definitely a better gym than most brands. Parking is validated in the 900 shops garage. read more

Equinox Gold Coast - Gyms Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Regular member at this gym. Pretty small, one level gym. But comfortable and easy to navigate between classes, machines, and free weights. Great for people on the go and convenient for people needing a pool. Probably not the best value for the price tag when it comes to looks, but location and convenience are prime with the Gold Coast. read more

The gym is expensive but it's worth the cost. This location has 2 lifting platforms and 1 power rack with bumper plates. To go along with it they have an excellent selection of barbells including an axel bar, safety squat bar and hex bars. They also have some cool stuff like a stone trainer and weight vests. All of the staff are extremely nice and helpful. The trainers are great for most clients. Finally parking is $2.50 so you can't beat it. read more

Unimpressed. I received a free week pass to Equinox from a fitness event, and my biggest regret is wasting it here. Although the event allowed us to experience the awesomeness of the Lincoln Park location, this one is just so much more convenient for me. And it has a pool. Priorities, you know? I should've left when I walked up and was stuck standing around while the two front desk people ignored me. Unfortunately, I was there for only one class, so I can't say much about the facilities. However, the locker room was a mess and not the cleanest. I enjoyed my barre class, but I blew off all the other classes I planned to take for the week, including one I already took leave for, if you can believe that. Bottom line, I got such an unfriendly vibe I didn't feel comfortable returning. And in case you think it's just me, when my friend's pass expired I told her to call and ask if they would extend it by a day, guessing they wouldn't. Of course, when she called they denied they ever give out passes and basically called her a liar. Remember the awesomeness I told you about that was the Lincoln Park location? She called them and they told her not to worry and there'd be no prob redeeming it. So ya, this gym is a pass for me. read more

Equinox...definitely ritzy but in no way worth the huge fee just to use a couple squirts of Kiehl's in the locker room. Nice gym, located basically in the basement of a mall which is annoying because you look like a sweaty rat when you leave and people are wandering around carrying their Gucci bags. Okay size of gym, maybe a little smaller than average compared to XSPORT or LA FITNESS or other chains. Towel service is a plus. TVs everywhere. Massage area. Two weights areas and machines scattered. Not terribly well organized but you can always find an area. Trainers floating around and seem to be trolling for clients. Clientele is definitely very professional, friendly but appropriately so. You won't get heckled here like some places. Biggest issue is complete lack of cell reception in most areas since it's in a basement. They have WiFi but it's spotty. If it was a more average price I'd put it 3.5 stars. Given the price, I expect much more, hence a 2/5. I ended up going to LA Fitness instead in streeterville. More and better equipment in a more open space, great cell reception, and less than half the prixe. Locker rooms not as nice and you'll get hit on mid-workout, but for the over $75/mo difference, I can buy Kiehl's and a pair of noise - cancelling headphones myself. read more

Given that I pay $133 a month, I have tried really hard for the past 9+ months to like Equinox. At first, I really liked the fact that everyone said hello and goodbye and made me feel like I was "somebody." I loved the fancy spin bikes and Michael Wollpert's spin classes totally rock. I was a little disappointed with the variety in the noon schedule, but tried to be patient and wait for more challenging cardio classes like bootcamp or crossfit to be added. Instead, the schedule stayed the same. When it did finally change 6 months into my contract, they added classes like "Luscious Legs" and "Arm Candy" for all the rich, unemployed women who care more about pleasing their man than they do about getting a good workout. They also have a ridiculous amount of classes during the morning hours when most people who have to work for a living are doing just that. Rich people can workout all they like from 8:00-11:00 and take some presumably great classes. (I wouldn't know since I'm working during that time). Rich people can also take all the big lockers and NOT put locks on them because they apparently have enough money that it doesn't matter if someone steals all their stuff. They can also shave their legs in the steam room (gross!), take up all the hair dryer outlets with their curling devices (nice!), and leave their Eucalyptus-infused towels laying all over the place (tidy!). But I digress. In the last month or so, Equinox has finally added a circuit class, which is OK, but nowhere near the intensity of a workout like Insanity (Shaun T's video series). They've also added a treadmill class but I don't have high hopes for it since attendance is already down. Apparently, I am in the minority of people looking for that kind of class--yet another indicator that this is not the gym for me. I came to Equinox from Crunch when they went bankrupt. I never realized how much I missed them until I joined Equinox. For less than half the price of Equinox, I had a lot of great workouts with some amazing instructors. There was always variety and always a good cardio class to go to (or yoga if I felt the urge). Of course, like all good instructors, two of the best (Annette and Emily) went on to form their own high-end gym that's too far from me and too expensive now. Meanwhile, Michael Wollpert's class is the only one I attend now that continues to be consistently good at Equinox. Unfortunately, it didn't take long to realize that all of the fancy bike computers are calibrated differently or at various levels of disrepair so you can't rely on them to give you an accurate reading of your workout or your progress from week to week. It is so frustrating to get on a bike and average 50 watts one day when you averaged 150 the other. Every bike is messed up in a different way and while the online sign up is nice, it's nearly impossible to always get the same bike. They were supposed to get new computers months ago, but that hasn't happened and none of the repairs (wattage levels off, heart rate monitor not working, everything but RPMs disabled, etc.) have been made in a timely or efficient manner. I am sure that Michael will be gone soon when his own business takes off. I only hope that he stays long enough for my contract to expire in March. Needless to say, I will not be renewing. If you are a cardio whore like me who isn't rolling in dough, has to work for a living, and is just looking to have your ass kicked a few times a week, you're better off spending a couple months worth of dues and getting P90X or Insanity and taking your workout into your own hands. That's what I'll be doing in March. read more

Short version - Stay Away - Horrible business practices. Inadequate dirty facility, Inadequate facilities. Unresponsive management and a nightmarish bureaucracy. Longer version - They are close to my condo, because of their proximity my wife wanted to try them versus other clubs that I thought had nicer facilities but were further away. My wife and I joined. At that time they did not mention anything about any minimum commitments and I was very up front with the membership person (on commission I'm sure) that I was not sure I would remain a member. After trying the place for a couple of months I decided I would prefer another club with nicer facilities despite being farther away from my home. I canceled my membership and was informed that there was a one year minimum commitment. I explained that I was never informed of any such thing, but they are sticking to their guns. Apparently they can't keep customers by virtue of providing a nice enough facility or good enough service, so they resort to burying in multi page small print contracts - horrible terms they don't tell you about. Trying to sort this out was a demonstration that local management has zero power and that trying to wade through their bureaucracy to find someone with both authority and a brain is a exercise in futility. Issues with facilities - tiny showers, mold in showers, horrible inadequate cold pool, no hot tub, hot and stuffy, dirty. Equipment was frequently broken. Issues with company - they can't keep clients with service so they resort to legal trickery to try and hold members hostage. read more

I have been a member at Equinox for nearly three years now and I am very happy. The gym is pricey and they keep raising my dues (which bugs me) but I love the facilities. This is such a clean gym that I feel like I am at a spa when I am there. The equipment is brand new and up to date. Lots of TVs and free Internet access. The classes are also great with many offerings and good sized classes - not too crowded. The pool is clean and a nice size as well. Locker rooms are spectacular, steam bath and lots of showers that are very private and they are not cramped. Plenty of items in the locker rooms to get ready - deodorant, blow dryers, etc. The lockers are also very nice, I can always get a large locker. Plus, this gym offers coat check so my big bulky coat does not have to squeeze in my locker with all my other items. The thing I like the most about Equinox at 900 N. Michigan is that it is not a "clique-y" gym. It is also NOT a meat market. Most of the people who frequent the gym are older (which I like) and they are not here to pick people up. Professionals and other regular folks just there to work out. read more