I have been going to this Equinox for the past 4.5 years, ever since we moved from Manhattan to the…read moreNew Jersey suburbs, and it's great. We were looking at a few different towns, but I'm glad we wound up in Summit because I love going to this gym.
Pros (which are significant):
- Like a typical Equinox, it's large, clean, and well-maintained, with all the usual amenities (including the chilled, eucalyptus-scented towels). They wipe down the mats well in between classes.
- It's less crowded than the Manhattan locations I used to frequent. It's unusual to have to wait for equipment or a shower, etc.
- The classes are great--and, honestly, the main reason to join Equinox (because if you need just a place to work out, there are cheaper options). I take practically everything (except spinning), and my favorite instructors include Kelsey, Michelle, and Jennifer. (John T. is also very good, but unlike the others, I think he still doesn't know my name, even though I've been doing his classes for years.) Renee does an excellent job overseeing the group-fitness program.
- I haven't done much personal training here (it's expensive), but I did have a few good sessions with Marcus (and a friend of mine has been working happily with him for years now).
- The Kids Club is a wonderful resource for parents. It's so nice to work out while someone watches your kids. It's $20 for two hours, but that's a bargain given the going rate for babysitting in Summit.
- A while back, I complained about the lack of a juice/snack bar. Now they have one, courtesy of Essex Squeeze--and it's great!
- I also previously mentioned the lack of built-in combination locks. Now they have them.
Possible improvements (some admittedly minor, some not realistic):
- I wish they had a larger stretching area or additional stretching areas; the one area they do have can get crowded.
- They should check the treadmills more regularly to make sure they're in good working order; too frequently you'll encounter one that wobbles a little or makes weird noises.
- A larger pool, heated to a higher temperature, would be nice.
- The men's bathroom could use upgrading. There are only two stalls and two urinals. I wish the stall doors were the kind that went down to the floor and indicated whether the stall was occupied. They could also be cleaned more frequently.
- I also wish they had some private all-gender bathrooms (like certain other Equinoxes).
- Like every Equinox, they need to upgrade their toilet paper (Charmin Ultra Strong is the way to go).
- I miss the old Kiehl's products. The Grown Alchemist cleanser doesn't lather or rinse off well, and its lotion doesn't get absorbed easily. (But replacing Kiehl's with Grown Alchemist was a company-wide decision.)