ok, so first I didn't realize the Equinox SPA had it's own "Check in" page before I left my original review on the gym page. So I pasted that review below this one, which is my 2nd visit to the Spa. This time around, not only was I greeted at the main entrance and provided with my Aescape massage outfit, but Arnold from the Spa greeted me at the front and walked me back to the Spa and got me all set up for my 2nd robot massage. Once again, I loved it! So this time around, I opted for the upper back and shoulders massage. The table remembered my settings from the last time so I didn't have to go through those steps again [it does give you the option to make adjustments though]. After body scan it got to work focusing on the knots in my shoulders - in addition to the ability to adjust the pressure throughout the massage, you could also 'heart' on the screen at any point of the massage that you loved, I would imagine so the robot knew to keep doing that or maybe a little extra focus. 30 minutes well spent and I got a 20% offer to come back next time. This time around the Spa desk was fully manned.
***my review from the Equinox Gym page ***
My review is for the Aescape massage provided by Equinox. I saw an ad for the Aescape robot massage while scrolling Facebook - Aescape places these massage machines in different gyms and spas, so I picked the Equinox in Aventura since it was the closest.
Check-in at the main gym front entrance was quick and pleasant , but once I got to the desk in the spa area it took a minute to find anyone to actually help me. Eventually someone showed me to the room and had me change into the little fitted top and bottom they provide. You also take off your shoes and jewelry and put your hair up so the machine arms don't get caught.
Everything is computerized [no surprise there] When you lie face-down, there's basically an iPad-esque screen right under you. From this screen you pick your massage style, pressure, focus areas, ambiance music, adjust the table... all of it. Then the machine scans your body to map out your stress points like it's building a strategic plan for your back.
FYI -- if you move, even a little, the machine pauses until you're back in position. I chose the full-body massage with extra attention on my shoulders. Each section had phases -- a warm-up, the main massage, and a cooldown. You can skip past any section if you want and adjust pressure at any time.
Now, my mind kept flashing to every robot movie I've ever seen but honestly? This was one of the best massages I've had. The machine knew exactly where my shoulder knots were hiding.
When I finished, there was nobody at the tiny spa desk again, so I just quietly walked out. Wasn't sure what else to do lol I give the massage itself 5 stars, but took one off because the spa area felt completely unattended both when I walked in and when I walked out. I wasn't even sure if I was supposed to check out with someone or just disappear into the sunset I will say I recall the person who helped me saying it was a relatively new addition to the gym [I think], and I did receive a follow up text asking about my experience. For the price [$19 to $$29] it cant be beat. I'm definitely going back, not just for the cost though but because that massage actually got the knots out of my shoulders! read more