I like Equinox, mostly because it's the only gym I've ever been able to go to consistently. I'm in…read morePasadena and I pay $240/month. Mine doesn't have a pool. I think whether it's worth it really depends on how you use it. If you're just using it like a normal gym, it's obviously way overpriced. But if you actually take advantage of the classes and amenities, it is worth it. The floor Pilates classes are free but the reformer classes are extra.
The classes are really high quality with good instructors. For me especially because I hate packing stuff and they provide everything you need for all classes. Even for yoga, you don't have to bring anything. You just show up and they have mats, bolsters, blankets, and everything is clean and ready to go. For me personally, I use it as an escape because I can hit the steam room and take a shower sort of like a spa pass. They provide all the bath products too. I'm not a huge fan of the products themselves, they are drying kind of like hotel products,, but at least they're there, so I don't have to think about packing anything.
Another thing is that it removed a lot of barriers because they provide towels, which are always clean and fluffy (and I don't have to wash). I can show up in workout clothes with a water bottle and everything else is provided. As with any gym, though, it's not worth it if you don't actually use it.
It's also not a huge social scene, which might be a downside for some people but is an upside for me. I can go work out without worrying about having to talk to people or have awkward interactions around equipment. There aren't tons of people taking selfies or clogging up machines and walkways. It also doesn't get super crowded, which I think is partly because of the price point. Those are all huge pluses for me, but I'm on the more introverted side and just trying to work out, not update my social media or make new friends at the gym.
I'm basically paying to remove barriers that usually prevent me from going to regular gyms, plus the classes are quality. I don't have to wait for equipment or deal with a bunch of little obstacles that make me less likely to go. They validate parking, which is another big plus. Between the parking, classes, towels, showers, and amenities, there are basically no barriers. The customer service is also really good, I've never had an unpleasant interaction on my way in or out at the front desk, so the whole experience is low stress.
I used someone's referral code from here when I joined and got a gift shop credit/didn't have to pay the initiation fee. Everyone I know has been able to join without paying the invitation fee, so don't pay it, they will find a way to waive it because they want your business. I used someone else's link from reddit, but it got taken down. It got the fee waived and I got a credit, so I'm posting my link in case it helps someone else. https://equinox.com/referrals/003A000001TO5GKIA1
Bottom line is it's worth it if it actually gets you to go or you're already paying for classes somewhere else. If you're already paying for yoga classes somewhere else, that's probably close to $100 a month by itself, and you usually don't get all the extra amenities. For me, the biggest value is that it removes barriers and makes it easy and low stress so I don't avoid it. Having everything provided and not having to plan or prepare makes me much more likely to go consistently and yeah, I could save money and go somewhere else, but I wouldn't go, thus my Equinox membership.
