This location is beautiful and clean, and has all of the equipment you need for a serious workout! I don't frequent this location simply because it isn't close to my workplace, but for those who work nearby it's an excellent spot. I especially love the store where EQ always manages to find the cutest workout and casual clothes to display! read more

I was a member for about 1.5 years and I'm huge fan of this gym; very well kept and a wide range of class offerings with well qualified instructors. I especially enjoyed doing Pilates, both the included classes and the additional sessions offered in their studio. Their Pilates training and staff are some of the best in the area and are very skilled. If I could join Equinox to only do Pilates, I would. Downsides: It's really very crowded during peak times. I would often go during my lunch hour, which worked out well if I booked my classes on time. Many of the classes get booked the moment they are available to be booked but I generally had no issues getting in the class after being on the waitlist. Best classes are Firestarter and Pilates Fusion. Should you choose to cancel, you can only do it in person with a manager and you have to give 45 days notice to cancel and typically you're in an annual contract. They were very accommodating though, even with some weirdness on my account. I'm sure I'll be a member again one day. read more

I've been going to this Equinox since they've opened. While I have some issues with the club (using scented detergent or dryer sheets on the towels? They stink! yuck) overall compared with other gyms, it's probably one of the best and you're paying for it. They have lots of free weights and each one is usually put in the correct spot, you don't go having to search for a 35 lb DB, it's right where it should be. They are constantly cleaning the place (sometimes too often) I tend to go in the off hours because it can get really crowded before or after work. The only drawback is that the trainers are using the equipment because they don't have clients and they tend to hog the equipment for long periods of time. I've only taken the spinning classes here and LOVE them. Kristy who is the group fitness manager is SUPER and her classes are full of energy and a workout. The locker rooms are big and you don't need a lock because they're computerized. Though I wish some of the clients actually put their clothes in the lockers and not under the benches or in front of the lockers. All it all, it's is one of the best gyms in Boston despite some cons. read more

I do not recommend the Equinox gym. They lie to you and don't disclose information just to sign you up. Just like any other typical company trying to trick you by withhold information just to sign up, they told me I could freeze my account as I travel a lot, however, something they didn't disclose is that they still charge you full price during the "freeze" period. read more

The gym is very nice, clean, well organized and maintained - its beautiful and a joy to workout at. The womens lockerroom is beautiful and clean but there are not enough showers, electrical outlets, blow dryers, mirrors, etc for the rush periods. For $150 per month we should not have to wait for a shower and then wrestle for a spot in the mirror. I was a fitcorp gal before and left because it was not as clean nor had as much equipment but I NEVER waited for a shower. I'd perfer to get to work ontime and not have to rearrange my workout schedule.... read more

Excellent gym! Love it! Thank you Equinox! The costumer service is outstanding! The nicest trainers, always so helpful with any questions! read more

This gym is awesome. The machines are maintained, the staff is great, they have plenty of nice, soft towels to use, and the locker rooms are spa-like. My only complaint is sometimes it is hot on the first level and I think they've had some issues with their a/c, however, it is always much cooler on the second level (machines/workout space are on both levels). I used to spend 1/3 less at Boston Sports Club but the extra money is well worth it. After this experience I could never go back to a budget club like BSC. I highly recommend getting Personal Training sessions with Eric Menchi. He makes working out fun and pushes me much harder than I'd ever push myself. We do different routines and exercises each day and after more than 15 sessions I can honestly say that no two days have been the same. I've had a couple other trainers in the past and can honestly say that he is the best. If you are serious about getting in shape, set up a session with him! read more

This is a fantastic gym, definitely worth the few extra bones each month. I used to belong to the Dartmouth St. Equinox, and nothing against that one (it's also very nice), but I found this one to be a more convenient layout. read more

This posting is primarily directed toward Personal Training, although the gym itself is fabulous and couldn't feel cleaner, more advanced/modern/maintained, full of the best machines, most knowledgeable trainers and variety of classes (not to mention Kiehl's products - can't hurt right?). In terms of PT, however, A) I highly recommend spending the money on a 12- or 24- session pack. These trainers are very knowledgeable and can really help you create a realistic and successful nutrition and exercise regimen to achieve your objectives. Even if you have weights + cardio down to a science, the nutrition information is incredible and you are guaranteed to learn something you didn't previously know. That being said, I have been working with Bryan Sobolewski since the beginning of March and he is absolutely an outstanding trainer and mentor. Pick his brain as much as you can because he will have an educated, logical answer every single time. He has changed my life, and I actually considered myself a healthy & fit human being to begin with. I have learned all about how to eat (organic or not, locally-grown, etc), accepting the idea of having a healthy relationship with food and not being so picky or guilt-ridden after a night out or gorging on dessert, how to use the foam roller (which I now realize and believe should be an integral part of the beginning of every workout session), the importance of alternating one's cardio routine and taking advantage of the different machines out there (I used to be pro-running and looked down on the elliptical and most other machines...now I lean toward the stair machine, arc trainer and bike), women should spend more time on the floor with weights and men in the classes (who would've thought??), and that women can use heavy weights (i.e. biceps curls with 10's-20's, not 3's and 5's; and I am a slender female looking to be leaner, not a body-builder) and WON'T become "jacked"... the list goes on. I initially joined Equinox for the classes but I no longer attend and instead devote my time to weights and cardio (which you don't need more than 30 mins of per session I also learned...). Bryan is worth every penny and minute - I guarantee you won't walk away without learning something new - so whether you are just joining the gym and have a complimentary equi-fit to use or you've used yours already, it's worth requesting a "guided workout" session just to hear him out. And like I said, go ahead and challenge him with all of your assumptions and questions about eating and exercising - you will learn something valuable that you didn't otherwise know. His database of a mind is as beneficial as his lifting advice. Or try attending his class, which I believe is Tuesday's at 5:30. read more

This location has a great selection of equipment. Unless you are working out during peak hours, you never have to wait for machines or weights. Their staff of personal trainers are especially personable and approachable. Yet, if you don't want to be bothered, you just have to put on your headphones. I've taken a lot of yoga classes and a reasonable amount of pilates classes. I prefer the afternoon classes to the evening classes. The instructors are better and they teach a more rigorous class in the afternoon. The locker room at this location are the best of any Equinox gym location I've visited. The are clean, well laid out, and the most spacious. The spa staff is wonderful. The patrons on the Equinox gyms are usually in the best shape. The majority of them are attacking their goals with persistence and this gym definitely has the resounces. If you are not in the best shape, this a great atmosphere to get started. Drawback: Price. This gym is really expensive. If you don't really care about comfortable locker rooms, cleanliness, or classes, then you can probable save yourself the money and go elsewhere. I have also had difficulty scheduling on-line appointments for the spa. read more

3.5 stars is probably more equitable. Not quite as impressive in terms of equipment (or view...but i can't deduct points for that) as the Avery street location BUT it's still a very good, well maintained gym with all the basics well covered (squat racks, various bench set ups, cable machines, free weights, hamster wheels etc...). read more

Waste of money!!! They only want your money! They do not allow you to cancel your membership until you "fulfill" 12 months of paying them big money AND THEN after 12 months it takes ANOTHER 45 DAYS for them to "process" your cancellation "request". Definitely a waste of your money and time. Nothing special about the gym except all it's members having money to burn. Take my word, you're better off joining any other gym that costs 100x less. Oh and not to mention you have to pay for parking on top of the top money you pay the club. read more

I joined Sports Club L.A. Boston in June of 2014, and liked the club-like relaxed atmosphere and pleasant staff for a few months before Equinox bought SCLA. When this transition took place, Equinox failed to give me credit for two trainer sessions, and I only regained credit by going to the top. Meanwhile, Equinox terminated quite a number of trainers, and removed all the pictures of trainers from the walls. I have just terminated my one-year membership and joined another gym. The primary reason I am leaving Equinox relates to their advertising. On the entrance elevator doors is a large picture of a couple holding two infants. The woman looks harried, the man aloof and distainful, one infant looks very scared, and the other is already crying. Another picture in the front entrance says "Equinox made me do it". Equinox can't make me do anything. If it made this couple have children they clearly made a bad mistake. Not a happy scene. Upstairs outside the gym, rotating images declare the following: "Stare down your opponent", "Watch your back" and "Namaste - Out of my way". Passive-aggressive much?! In short, if these obnoxious ads are appealing to prospective and present members, I don't want to be associated with them. Are they New Yorkers? I am today trying to get a month's dues ($165) back for a month improperly charged beyond my expired membership. read more

An expensive but overall great gym. It is consistently clean, excellent machines, great class staff, and good hours when you work nearby.

I came over as a member from Sport Club/LA that was purchased by Equinox and have now signed up for the all Boston pass so I use both the Avery St. and Franklin St. facilities. I enjoy the classes much more in this one, they are high pace and challenging, there is also a good variety. The Avery St. gym has better equipment though (personal TVs in machines) and more private space to lift weights etc. Here all the machines face the floor so if you are lifting weights everyone stares at you (and I'm not brave). The locker room expansion has made a huge difference, though lines still exist sometimes, I haven't had to wait though since I'm in and out fairly early. They do have a lot more hair dryers and stations than Avery which is helpful. Classes do fill up quickly and people set their alarms to 4 am to sign up for some but then again that just shows you how good they are. They also have member socials/parties/specials that add a nice touch. I think there are some Equinox gyms across the country that are a little more esthetically pleasing- meaning this one isn't at the top of their list but it's still the best gym in the city and pretty much the only reason I work out as much as I do. read more

The classes: Good - I LOVE VipR, Whipped and Tabata. These conditioning classes are TOUGH but totally make good use of your 45 minutes. Bad - Occasionally these classes are really crowded. The instructors do a good job creating workouts that don't require a ton of space, but it's still hard to throw a VipR around when there's someone within arms reach. The Saturday schedule is morning only, no afternoon classes and the gym isn't open on Sundays. The personal training: Good - my trainer is great and creates workouts that I would never even think of on my own, and she makes me work harder than I'd push myself. 5 weeks later and I'm definitely seeing results. Bad - So expensive. On top of your $120-$160/mo membership, you'll pay about $100 a training session. If you go once a week you're paying over $500/mo for the gym. It's worth it, but I try not to think about it. The equipment: Good - it's maintained, clean and I've never waited for a machine. I vary the times that I go, before work, lunch and after work and it doesn't matter. Bad - I wish the floor staff would walk around more often. For some reason the upstairs TVs are always programmed to espn, espn2, cnn and msnbc. I don't mind any of those channels but I mind when all 8 tvs are on those same channels. Unfortunately you can't change the channels yourself, you have to hope and wait for someone to walk by so they can get the remote. Locker room: Good - Kielhs products, razors, hairdryers, steam room, towels, keypad locks. Bad - NOT ENOUGH SHOWERS. You won't have to wait for an elliptical machine, but if you are a 9-5 worker like I am, you will absolutely wait for a shower whether you go in the morning (especially) or at night. In the morning, expect a 10 minute wait if you plan to shower between 7:30-8am. I've been a member of Fitcorp, Healthworks and BSC. By far, Equinox is my favorite but also really pricey comparatively. If you're just looking for an elliptical machine and some free weights, I'd probably tell you to save your money and stay at BSC. If you want great classes, amenities like towels and kiehls, and personal trainers who really know their stuff...than go to Equinox. read more

Facility is great, classes are good. Have not dealt personally with the trainers. Would be four or five stars but management/ membership advisors, front desk staff unfortunately make it one. read more

Wonderful environment, friendly members and staff and stunning facility. Everyone was willing to help out and answer questions. It was an extremely pleasant experience. Highly recommend. read more

Very nice location of Equinox - sizeable, never too crowded, and friendly/helpful staff!

Equinox, Franklin Street, Boston has a fabulous spa. The massage therapists are wonderful. January 13, 2012 I had a 80 minutes deep tissue massage with Manny. My muscle were so tight in my back and neck before the massage. Manny did a marvelous job releasing the tightness in the muscle. I recommend a massage any time. But, if your stressed and body feels tense a massage at the Equinox Spa will help you relax. read more

This is a premium priced gym that does not provide premium service. Towels are dingy and feel/look like they haven't been replaced in years. The locker room is overcrowded and shower lines can be 20 people deep. Management knows about the locker room situation because everyone complains, but they still send out constant emails with deals for getting more people to sign up. They have been saying for years that they're going to expand the women's locker room to fix the overcrowding. They even sent out an email saying it was a done deal last March, but still not one sign of anything expanding. I just got a letter today informing me that my membership is going up AGAIN explaining that they use the money to reinvest in the facilities. Umm, no. You use that money to buy up all the other gyms in the area instead. I'm beyond annoyed with this place. Here's a tip Equinox, replace your towels when they start turning brown, clean the hair balls out of the shower drains, and don't make promises you can't keep. read more

They will charge you even when your contract membership has ended if you do not call 45 days ahead! Should be illegal.

The workout facility and classes are phenomenal but I was fairly upset with the management office. A particular price was promised to me and even quoted in an email only to find out after quitting my other gym that they had made a mistake and could not give the quoted price. The office was apologetic but I had gotten my hopes up and was really looking forward to joining the gym (they gave me 2 week trial for their mistake). In my opinion, if you quote someone and even promise in an email, the company should honor this and eat the cost of their mistake. read more

This *could* be a great gym - but it is not. In fact, it is far from it. If you are looking for a gym to join, keep looking at least until they solve the shower problem (read below and beware)! My summary: the gym is one of the mostly poorly designed gyms I have been in; has a membership (me included for now) that is self-absorbed and entitled; and is staffed largely (though there are some exceptions) by a group of trainers that help to create an atmosphere of frustration almost every weekday morning and, in the case of group exercise, some of whom could care less about your experience. GYM SPACE: Whoever designed this gym and laid out the equipment should be fired from their design firm and/or from Equinox. Despite more than an abundance of usable space, the placement of equipment creates chaos with respect to open space for free weights, etc. TRAINERS: To add to the problem, the trainers park their clients in areas that significantly impede the use of equipment or even walking lanes around cardio equipment - rather than use the areas on the edge of the gym area (such as next to the pilate studio door or in the often vacant kickboxing room). Some members have taken to using the benches for weight stack equipment as benches on which to do lunges, rather than the free benches with the free weights, without any deterrence from the staff. The trainers need to set the standards and alter behavior of members. In the group exercise programs, some of the trainers are excellent and some are at the other end of that spectrum, taking little interest in helping you if you are new to class. SHOWER CAPACITY: One word, "sucks". The men's locker room has improved with extra showers, but women's locker room often has 12-25 women waiting in line. Many give up and have to take a wet towel shower in a bathroom stall. While there are more showers being built, doing the math on the size of the waiting line in the women rooms suggests that they still have not recognized how far below they are in capacity. Ditto on areas for hair drying and makeup. LOCKERS: Great big benches between lockers with narrow passages between the bench and lockers means very cramped spaces to towel off and change. Tiled floors throughout are super slippery during peak times when they get wet. MEMBERSHIP: I have belonged to gyms that cater to business people, but the membership here is the worst in terms of being a bunch of entitled brats. Hey, if you belong here you probably are a lawyer or banker or have some other well paying job in the financial district. But that does not mean you should be spreading your crap out like you own the locker room - particularly given how cramped it is! There is less than 2 ft to navigate between the lockers and bench - you should not view that floor space as your bedroom floor where you can leave your wet gym clothes, sneakers and dress dress shoes. And would it kill you to throw your towel in the freakin' hamper when you are done rather than leave it for the next person to have to move to make some room to change themselves? I wish I could tell you that this is the behavior of a limited few, but the reality is that there is very little common courtesy among members as a whole. And, in part, I blame the training staff for creating the atmosphere of entitlement and ignoring the impact on others using the gym out on the floor for some of the behavior in the locker room. The sad thing is, when you walk into this gym you feel like you are walking into the lobby of a five star hotel. However, perception and reality are two different things - shop carefully. read more

I've been going to Equinox on Franklin Street since it opened and I love it! The equipment is top of the line, the amenities are spa-quality and the classes are fantastic. Two of the instructors completely stand out: Jessica and Chi'en. They are amazing. Both teach spin and both are the best instructors I've ever had in any class that I've ever taken. Each teaches a different type of class. Jessica's class features a lot of jumps and intervals which are so challenging but so rewarding. She is so upbeat and encouraging. She never asks people to do anything that she doesn't do herself. She leads the Saturday morning class which can be hard, since many are tired from the week or the night before, but she never fails to motivate the entire group. Her music selection is spot on and she always manages to push you to a limit you never thought you could reach but you're so happy you did once you got there. Jessica also does private pilates instruction and she is fantastic. She is patient with beginners, encouraging and very good at explaining the goal of the exercise. Somehow even though the exercises are challenging, she makes you smile and feel as relaxed as possible while getting in a nice work out. I felt a difference in my body after the second session. Chi'en is also outstanding. He gets to know people very quickly and pushes participants without embarrassing them. He loves challenging people to dig deeper and to sweat more. His classes are always packed because he changes them up, selects great music and works hard to make sure no one gets complacent. He also inspires people pushing hard through each of the sessions -- whether it's hill work, endurance training or creative intervals. Like Jessica's Saturday spin, Chi'en's classes are packed and highly anticipated -- for good reason! read more

Been a member at Franklin St for 1.5 years and am canceling. Been a member at multiple gyms in the city BSC, LA, Beacon Hill AC, CAC...among others and really enjoyed Equinox until they oversold, over-promised and way under-delivered about 6 months in. Those that wrote they never had a problem waiting for a shower, bike, or treadmill, especially the showers are not being truthful. Sorry folks I have been here at all hours of the day and moved my work out times when possible, but reality is that it is not always possible to adjust the schedule around your shower wait times or the cold water shower times. I do not mind paying for a nice gym and to give proper credit Equinox is a nice gym, but a nice gym at risk of becoming just another gym. I should not have to wait for a shower or piece of equipment at my nice gym for $150/month. And cold shower, oooooo seriously not cool! At least put up a sign or warn your clientele so maybe they could make alternate plans and not be surprised and then angry causing additional service issues with bad word of mouth reviews to other members and friends...customer service and marketing 101 folks. Regarding cold shower the manager simply said "it was not our fault because a water main in the building broke", no apology, "it was not our fault"...Well poor customer service of not warning or not being sympathetic and not offering amends to your clients is your fault. How about a free massage or pilates session or gift card to gym store to make up for a cold shower? At least a "sorry" would have showed something, but nope not even that. With the membership fees we pay, the staff should be going above and beyond to service members, expand services, showers and keep them happy so they do not leave and spread bad reviews. Truly is a nice facility, but the management team is clearly in it for the money as they no longer care about distinguishing themselves from the rest of the gyms on service or over crowding, sad times. read more

This gym blows all other gyms in the area out of the water in terms of amenities and quality of the workout equipment. They just recently renovated the men's locker room which has plenty of lockers and showers to easily get ready before work without waiting. Equinox is a great gym but you have to be willing to pay double what you would normally pay for a gym in the area.I would argue that if you are not interested in taking classes such as yoga or cycling than it is not worth joining. Instructors are great and really push you to work harder with proper technique. Classes can get crowded at times and so can the gym floor with lots of personal training sessions going on. Many company's have corporate deals which wave the the start up fee and reduce the monthly rate by 40-50 dollars. read more

I've been a member of Equinox in Back Bay for over 2 years now and joined Franklin not too long ago because of it's proximity from work. The place is an extension of the Back Bay location, except bigger. It's on two floors, has multiple cardio machines, weights, other incredibly interesting machines i don't know the names of, and the best part - amazing classes. Which is where the justification for the price tag comes from. The trainers are unparalleled and the classes really kick your butt as they should at that price. They alone can get you in shape - there's absolutely no need for a trainer. But if you need that extra push then there are excellent trainers working here to serve your every need. An added incentive is that even if you don't have a trainer, they'll often come to you and help you out especially if they don't see you doing something right - or you can just go up and ask them as well. All have been nothing but great. Big Bonus for going here: the locker rooms are amazing with fully stocked amenities for everything you can imagine. From warm towels, razors, to kiehls products, they have it all. I wouldn't leave Equinox for any gym here. read more

Equinox is a great gym! I am just here for the summer and got a membership for 3 months. I am going to be really sad when I have to leave the gym. I come here around 5-6 times a week. It is a huge facility and have an upstairs and downstairs. They have a lot of cardio equipment on both levels. They have treadmills, arc trainer, ellipticals, bikes, spin bikes, row machines, stair masters and stair steppers. Upstairs they have a lot of free weights and a whole area for stretching. They also have a studio room that you can use if there is not a class in session. I love using the studio room because it feels like your own personal area. Downstairs they have a yoga room, spin room and pilates rooms. They also have a spa and locker rooms. I have taken a spin class once and I did not like it at all. It was on Saturday called cross cycle from 930-1030. The bikes were very weird and it kept trying to rotate my foot. Probably would of been better if I had spin shoes. The instructor was also not very friendly. The spa is amazing her though. I have gotten a few treatments from Beverly and she is great! Highly recommend her. She really knows the body very well and can tell where you need to be worked on. The locker rooms here are great!! Very clean and well kept. They also have Kiehls products which is very nice. They are a little smaller then I thought they would be but they are expanding in the fall. The locker rooms have about 10 showers, a steam room, plenty of lockers, blow dryers and many other essentials. Overall, this gym is great!! read more

I had the worst experiences at this gym. I joined thinking they would have great trainers and classes. This place sounds and looks so luxurious. I am an in shape girl, and know my way around a gym. I actually gained weight going to this gym. All of the classes bulk up women and add too much muscle, this is not cute. I have actually lost 10 lbs since NOT going to Equinox since november '10. I mean, I am 5'8" and 130lbs so I'm not very big to begin with. I never could get an appointment with a trainer for my complimentary sessions. Everytime I had a suggestion for a time the trainer "had a doctors appointment." Now, I am a nurse, I only work 3-4 days per week, so I am pretty flexible with my schedule. The classes are torturous, but not in a good way. The instructors really have no knowledge of how the body actually works and instead of getting you into shape they cause your body aches and pains. I don't know how many times I left there in pain, pain that lasted DAYS. Trying to get out of your membership is another story. Thank goodness I moved because this was the only way out, and I had to pay for an extra month anyway after cancelling. The manager even wanted me to continue and use their chiropracter. Seriously? The guy who signed me up does not even work there anymore, he must not have liked it there either. Do not waste your time/money/energy on this overpriced gym. It is not worth it! I have lost $800 because I could not cancel. It's a joke. read more

gorgeous facility. great equipment.... steam room, spa, kiehls product in showers, not too shabby. great design. yes, everyone there is cut up. good people watching. read more

This gym is underwhelming. There's hardly any natural sunlight, and the basement level is a fluorescent light nightmare. I wasn't super impressed with their classes, and was even less impressed with their personal trainers. The sales associate told me I would learn so much from my personal trainer about nutrition, and I learned absolutely nothing. For the price that they're asking, this gym should be a lot better. Better classes, better PT, better atmosphere overall. Working out in a dank basement is depressing. I'm giving this gym 2 stars for their equipment, and proximity to the Financial District. read more

Amazing, Amazing, Amazing! Equinox is the best gym around. Great classes, equipment and trainers are top notch Totally worth every penny if your considering joining. The spa within Equinox offers incredibly soothing massage/facials I saw Aurora who listened to my concerns & was very knowledgeable. You don't have to be a member of Equinox in order to take advantage of the Spa!! I was able to bring my family/friends in for a spa day which was very nice! Some of my favorite instructors are Dimitra Kyriakopoulos, Jenn Phelan, Lauren Hefez but honestly they're all good! read more

I was a member here for 2 and a half years, but recently canceled my membership because we moved. There are some negatives about this place. First, you should know that the target audience is the downtown weekday crowd. We lived downtown and found that to be challenging. For example, it doesn't open until 9am on Saturday and isn't open at all on Sunday. On Saturday, you can expect a skeleton crew and a ton of cleaning going on. I'm not sure why they wouldn't clean overnight because it is pretty obnoxious on Saturday. The other thing is that the treadmills don't have their own TVs - you have to rely on the ones overhead. Not a big deal, except for the hassle of getting the TVs changed (especially on Saturday). One Saturday morning, of the 4 TVs on the one side, there were cartoons on 1 TV, infomercials on 2 TVs, and CNN on another. It isn't brain surgery - put on ESPN, a local news station, a national news station (e.g., MSNBC, CNN), and maybe one other sports show. This was a day that I was doing a training run and had to get 90 minutes in. Although one of the blue-shirts (people walking around to help with this kind of thing) was walking around, it was like she purposely avoided going anywhere near the treadmills. It took over 70 minutes before she walked anywhere even close enough to ask her to change the channel. And when you do find someone to change the channel, it is an adventure all unto itself - like they've never had to change a channel before. The only other complaint is in regards to the overabundance of trainers in the early morning. It is amazing the number of trainers there, and they take the joint over with little regard for anyone else. There are some trainers that are good about this, but others that just think they should have the run of the place. I mean, come on, no need to drop your clipboard on one piece of equipment and then take up another 5 doing circuits. All these are things you get used to though, and in the grand scheme of things are pretty minor. Let's be honest though, you pay a healthy price to go here and you expect a certain level of service. This place is great and I wish we had one of these over in Cambridge (next review is the new gym we go to - BSC in Central Square - not even a comparison). The locker rooms are great and it is always clean. I don't think there has been any new equipment in a while, but they keep everything in pretty good shape. You're going to pay for it, but this place is worth it. I miss you Equinox..... read more

nicest equinox i've been to on the east coast. top notch facility

Huge fan of Equinox from the start. It's a clean, huge gym with beautiful faces. I could workout in there for hours. Their spin classes are FANTASTIC! A real killer. Only huge downside: Fees. If only.... read more

I switched about 2 months ago from Equilibrium. Nearly my whole company worked out there which became ... awkward. So off to Equinox. First, it is pricey. I always fill my water bottle several times-it's just about the only free thing you'll get there. It took me a while to see the value you actually get. I mean what do you really want from a gym? Personally I get weirded out be too much pampering - I want to get in, do my work out, and get the hell out of there. The good - the facilities are brand spanking new and clean. There is a vast variety of types of equipment - much more than I've seen in any gym in Boston. There are two floors, each with a certain amount of redundant equipment. So treadmills, bikes, ellipticals, free weights and weight machines on both floors. So if it's too crowded upstairs, just run downstairs. There are some peculiar things that are "floor specific" - like only 1 row machine (why only 1 - get more), only 2 woodway treadmills (why only 2 - get more!) and pulldown machines are only upstairs. So if you are doing circuit, you may have to bounce upstairs and down again. You'll have to decide if that bugs you. The Locker Room is definitely where this gym sings. Clean, clean, clean. Wood lockers that you choose yourself and lock yourself (this was a big prob at Equilibrium where the front desk handed out keys, which invariably meant the 5 guys working out on a Saturday had all their lockers elbow to elbow - awkward! Do they understand nothing of male psyche viz-a-viz nudity? Room for angels.) The shampoo, etc. are Kiehls (fancy!). The creme de la creme is the steam room. A hotter room will not be found in Boston. I've actually said to myself on occasion "It's actually too hot" a complaint I will never voice out loud lest they compensate by making it tepid like most steam rooms in Boston. I don't want the steam room to be the thing that gets me to the gym - I mean $125+ a month is pricey for a steam room. But it is pretty good. I nearly never used the steam room at Equilibrium, mostly because it was nearly always tepid. I almost always leave time for the Equinox steam room - it's that good. Okay, I guess I like a little pampering... The bad - if you go during a peak time (I usually go ~5:30 PM) it can get somewhat crowded. Like every-treadmill-on-both-floors-occupied crowded. I know it's the peak time and what can one expect? Sorry to disagree with EH S., but I have waited for equipment. One thing I'd say about Equilibrium was that even tho it's a 10th of the size of Equinox, I NEVER waited for equipment in 2 years there. I have sadly waited for equipment at Equinox. I think it's because Equinox does not seem to have a cap on membership numbers, whereas Equilibrium did. The facility cannot be cheap rent-wise, so it's "everyone in the pool" as far as membership goes. They gots bills to pay. Ultimately, it's a great gym. It's expensive (kinda bullshit that you have to pay extra to use the Back Bay one) - but that just motivates me to go. read more

I've been going here for a little over a year when I decided it was time to devote a good chunk of time to getting in really good shape and eating well. My paradoxical reasoning worked, where, "If I pay a lot more than other gyms, then I'll go more often." But aside from that aspect, I enjoy this gym for the most part. Place is beautiful, locker rooms are exceptional, equipment is great. A few things I've noticed over my first year here: The class schedule doesn't really work for a reverse commuter like me (aside from the crack 'o dawn ones at 5:30 and 5:45, which there is no way in hell I'm making). Most of the classes are at lunchtime and right after work. For someone that gets back to the city around 6:30, there is no chance for me to make these (last classes begin at 6:30; I would've expected a few at 7:00 pm). I'd really like to start doing yoga but the only beginners class is at 5:30 PM on a Friday, which is impossible for me to attend. This segues into my next caveat. I don't take fitness classes ... This isn't really a knock against the club itself, but I do believe that most of the high priced member fees are going towards the funding of all those classes. In a perfect world, it would be nice to have a different membership plan that wasn't all or nothing in this aspect, where I could use the facilities but not attend classes and pay the full amount. I did try a few on Saturdays but they weren't really geared towards my goals. Nonetheless, the Beyond Strength class was great and the instructor Brian was good as well. Crowdedness at peak times (unavoidable at any club, besides the rusty dumbbells in the basement of your tiny Boston apartment). I wanted to also second the point that a previous reviewer made about the abundance of trainers, who for good reason depending on your goals, encourage circuit training. However, as nice as this gym is, it's really not setup space wise to do 3 to 5 exercise circuits without inconveniencing everyone else, especially at prime time. When your training ethos is circuit based, and everyone in the gym is doing circuits, including the trainers with their clients, it can become impossible to get a normal workout done in the amount of time you'd like. Rest periods play a crucial role if you're trying to build strength, lose fat, etc. If you need to rest 30 seconds, but you're stuck waiting for 2 minutes, it's not optimal. But I've adapted and have foregone circuit training and have seen similar results. If you're a treadmill/elliptical/stairstepper fanatic, this place doesn't disappoint. It's not my cup of tea, but there are plenty of things to use at even peak times. Plenty of TV's, iEverything connections, etc. The staff is pretty friendly and certain trainers will definitely offer advice if they notice you doing something catastrophically wrong (especially with barbells and back positions :-)). I noticed some reviewers saying there were high-pressure sales tactics to get you into training. I didn't notice this at all. I knew what I wanted to do when I went in there based on reading some books, took my initial evaluation, and said "Thanks," and went on my way. I haven't been bothered to buy anything additional, whether it be personal training or Pilates sessions on those kinky torture rack things. If you work in the city and love classes, this is your gym, hands down. If you're a reverse commuter like me and love classes, it may not be for you. Caveats aside, I do enjoy this gym. Maybe I'll take a half day this Friday so I can get to the yoga class ... read more

Love this place! Its so clean. Tried a barre class for the first time and it was awesome!What a great workout. The staff here is so nice and helpful. The locker rooms are incredible. The products they offer are fantastic, even the towels are great! Incredibly soft. All the machines are maintained and very very clean! I highly recommend this gym! Keep up the good work! read more

Excellent gym and great staff! My wife and I were visiting Boston from Houston and, like we do on every trip out of the Lone Star state, we wanted to find the "best gym" near where we were staying -- we found it at Equinox! The staff was extremely helpful in getting us setup with day passes and feeling right at home. Good selection of equipment and outstanding locker/shower facilities. Day pass is a bit pricey at $25, but it was worth it. read more