Equinox has long been known for offering luxury fitness experiences, and when they launched Equinox E, expectations were sky-high. Marketed as an elevated, exclusive version of the regular Equinox, this location promises top-tier personal training, cutting-edge facilities, and an even more premium experience than what members are used to. But after spending some time here, we’re left wondering: is Equinox E really that different from a regular Equinox? And you know we’re all about intentional luxury so, more importantly, is it worth the extra cost?

Personal Training: High-Quality, but Par for the Course

One of the big selling points of Equinox E is its personal training services. The trainers here are undoubtedly excellent—knowledgeable, motivating, and able to tailor workouts to your individual needs. From functional movement assessments to strength-building routines, they’re thorough in every aspect of designing a program that works for you. However, if you’ve been to a regular Equinox, you’ll know that the personal trainers there are also high-caliber.

While the quality of training at Equinox E is top-notch, it doesn’t feel significantly different from what you’d get at any other Equinox location. The attention to detail is the same, and while there might be a bit more emphasis on customization, it’s not enough to justify the additional cost if personalized training is your main reason for upgrading.

Facilities: Sleek but Familiar

When it comes to facilities, Equinox E is, of course, state-of-the-art. The gym is spotless, the equipment is top-of-the-line, and the locker rooms are equipped with luxurious amenities. There’s no denying that the space is beautifully designed, with a sleek, modern aesthetic that adds to the sense of exclusivity. You’ll find extra touches like an espresso machine in the locker room, custom robes with the E brand and complimentary laundry service so you never need to carry your gym clothes home.

That being said, if you’ve been to locations like the flagship Hudson Yards location in NYC or some of Equinox’s other destination gyms, you might not find Equinox E to be as mind-blowing as you’d expect. Yes, the facilities are excellent, but they don’t stand out as drastically different from the brand’s high-end regular locations. You’ll still have access to all the same high-quality equipment, luxurious steam rooms, and spa-like locker rooms at Hudson Yards or other flagship locations. In some cases, you’ll find more amenities elsewhere. Hudson Yards (our favorite location if you couldn’t tell - read our review here) has an indoor pool, outdoor pool terrace, hot tub and cold plunges - none of which are at E locations.

In London, we compared the Kensington destination Equinox with E by St James in Mayfair. These locations are only 30 minutes apart and in two of the top London neighborhoods. Honestly, we found Kensington to have nicer facilities with more space, more classes, and a more modern interior design. Beyond that, there was little difference in locations. Even the cafe which offers protein shakes and snacks had identical menus. Compared to food at similar membership clubs like KX, Equinox E definitely fell short. (Though, we should mention that we think the footprint of Equinox goes a long way in comparison with other clubs!)

Membership Pricing: A Steep Ask

Now, let’s talk about the price. There are different memberships you can purchase based on tier-level and access. For example, you could get a membership to a single location for $200-$300 per month depending on location. “Destination” clubs are nicer spaces with more amenities and a single location membership will be closer to $300 per month.

If you want access to multiple clubs, expect the numbers to be higher. You’ll need a global destination membership if you really want to take advantage of the full Equinox footprint, but even that has some exceptions. For example, there is an Equinox pop up every summer in the Hamptons, which you need to pay for specially. And Hudson Yards in NYC - the flagship destination - also requires a special membership. For comparison, a Hudson Yards membership includes global access to all regular and destination clubs and is now over $400 per month.

Now let’s talk about the E membership. There is a bit of a range depending on which location you sign up with, but expect to pay around $600 per month for the membership. This includes:

• access to all regular, destination, and E clubs

• laundry for two sets of clothes

• storage of shoes and toiletries

• access to E group classes

• one fitness assessment

• one personal training session

• one nutrition call

• one private pilates session

• 5 day guest passes

• access to member events

But here’s the kicker — in addition to the monthly membership, you need to pay an initiation fee and buy a personal training package upfront. The cost and requirements can vary throughout the year, but you can expect to pay something like $750 for the initiation fee and over $3000 for a 24-pack of personal training or private pilates sessions. Assuming you did personal training about every other week, you could easily end up paying at least $10,000 for your first year alone.

Final Verdict: Not Different Enough to Justify the Cost

Overall, while Equinox E is undeniably luxurious and offers excellent personal training and pristine facilities, it doesn’t feel dramatically different from other high-end Equinox locations, particularly Hudson Yards or their other destination gyms. The quality of training and the sleek facilities are what you’d expect from Equinox—exceptional, but not exceptional enough to justify the steep price increase. We just can’t recommend Equinox E at these prices.

If you’re a fitness enthusiast who regularly uses premium Equinox locations or destination gyms, Equinox E doesn’t provide enough added value to make it worth the investment. You’re better off opting for a destination membership that gives you access to a variety of luxury locations, including Hudson Yards, for a lower monthly fee.