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Is an Equinox Membership Worth It?

May 15 2025 - 11:50am

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 09: Equinox Hudson Yards, Equinox membership pricing (Photo by Matthew Peyton/Getty Images for Equinox).

From moody gym lighting to glass refrigerators stacked with eucalyptus-infused towels, Equinox encompasses all things luxury fitness. Still, any gym with its own spa and steam room comes at a price. Equinox is a chain most well-known for its amenities, boasting high-quality equipment and a wide variety of fitness classes to choose from. That's not to mention the viral locker rooms [1], cold-plunge pools [2], and saunas [3], all of which support its reputation as a one-stop health and wellness shop. But with studios that feel less like gyms and more like mini retreats, it pays to know about Equinox prices before you sign up for a membership.

Equinox membership prices have fluctuated over the years, but in 2025, the exact cost depends on your location, desired access, and level of commitment. For more details on Equinox gym prices and membership tiers, we took a look at how much Equinox costs in several major cities, cross-referencing with actual members on social media. Read on to get a better idea of Equinox prices, and see if an Equinox membership is actually worth the splurge.

How Much Is an Equinox Membership?

Most of the 111 US Equinox clubs are split up into four basic price tiers with various benefits and levels of access, and each one requires a 12-month commitment. Exact pricing will vary depending on your specific location (you can search here [4] to find the Equinox closest to you), but to give you a general sense of what to expect, here's a look at the different Equinox membership options:

How Much Are Equinox Sports Clubs?

Although all Equinox locations have high standards, Equinox Sports Clubs — like the ones in Washington DC, Orange County, Los Angeles, and Boston — have even more amenities and slightly different pricing. We're talking pickleball courts, an outdoor track, and even a rock-climbing wall. The pricing reflects these additional services.

Membership at Sports Club Boston [8], for instance, begins at the monthly $274 Regional tier instead of the Select tier. Likewise, in Orange County, you can pay $280 a month for Sports Club access, or $305 a month for access to every Equinox in Southern CA (but Century City, Studio City, and Sports Club LA are not included). As a reminder, the $355 Destination membership will get you access to almost every gym, but unless you're paying $405 a month, the Hudson Yards and Century City locations are still excluded.

Members receive two guest passes per year, with additional day passes available for purchase at the front desk. Equinox also sells its own merchandise at "The Shop [9]." We're currently eyeing the Equinox Pickleball Paddle [10] ($98) and the Barre Grip Socks [11] ($20).

Any Other Equinox Costs?

Redditors say that Equinox may charge an initiation fee of $300-$500, although this is frequently waived. Otherwise, given the wide variety of classes, you may need some additional equipment, such as pickleball shoes [12], running sneakers [13], or grippy socks for Pilates [14].

Why Is Equinox So Expensive?

The Equinox pricing discourse isn't slowing down anytime soon. The memberships are undeniably expensive, so your gym habits will help determine whether the cost is worth it. Here's why some people don't mind footing the bill:

  1. All-inclusive classes: As some members on Reddit [15] explain, Equinox makes more financial sense for them considering how much their previous fitness classes cost. Instead of paying separately for Pilates, boxing, yoga, and/or spin class, Equinox makes it easier (and in some cases, more affordable) to access a wide variety of classes in one place. The fact that it's so luxurious is just an added bonus.
  2. Tight-knit community: A gym should always serve you on a functional level, but at Equinox, you're also paying for convenience. Equinox members say the gyms are typically less crowded (although this depends on the city [16]), allowing them to get more done without waiting for equipment. Some say the general ambience and fitness-oriented community also motivates them. "The atmosphere in this gym is so unmatched, and you really walk out feeling 10 times better than how you felt walking in," creator Maggie Cooper said in a 2023 TikTok [17] after trying Equinox out for herself.
  3. Luxury amenities: With space to work, healthy food, cold plunges, and saunas, Equinox really does keep the focus on wellness, and that's something people are willing to pay for. The eucalyptus towels barely scratch the surface when you consider the luxe showers lined with fresh Kiehl's products. "It feels like getting your skin kissed by a thousand little baby water angels," Sydni Wynter confirmed on TikTok [18]. That's not to mention the steam room, saunas, vanities, and pool. "What's wrong with paying premium if you're serious about fitness?" one Redditor wrote [19]. "I'm my best investment."

But even with all the amenities in the world, not everyone is sold. "You aren't paying for machines, you are paying for status and showering," one user commented on Wynter's TikTok. Others noted that while a luxury gym like Equinox might be something to aspire to, the pricing simply isn't realistic. Ultimately, it's up to you to decide if an Equinox membership makes sense for your lifestyle. If you're interested in learning more, you can always try a complimentary class at Equinox to get a better sense of everything the club has to offer.


Chandler Plante [20] (she/her) is an assistant health and fitness editor for PS. She has over four years of professional journalism experience, previously working as an editorial assistant for People magazine and contributing to Ladygunn, Millie, and Bustle Digital Group.


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