Did anyone join Equinox in Bethesda?

[Anonymous]

Frankly, if you're looking at the Equinox, check out Lifetime Fitness in Potomac too. It's WAY nicer imo, and I pay about $90 a month. The childcare facility is pretty awesome and it's only $6 a month for all you like.

[Anonymous]

A lot of the members from Lifetime Fitness left for Equinox. The former Lifetime Fitness Group Fitness Director, Robert Sherman now runs the group fitness classes at Equinox and he is amazing - very innovative and motivational classes. I can see why a lot of the Lifetime Fitness members followed him.

[Anonymous]

A lot of the fitness instructors and personal trainers left Lifetime Fitness for Equinox too. My PT was at Lifttime Fitness and he said there was a mass exodus.

[Anonymous]

Interesting about the Amex platinum extra stuff, is that true? They seem to tell people different things.
Like the gym. The locker room is freezing, keep begging them to regulate the temperature. I'm still trying to get used to this place. I really liked Lifetime a lot. this is more convenient, though. Did everybody get a tour of the place? I didn't and have asked twice.

[Anonymous]

You get extra stuff with the AMEX gold or platinum - combination of additonal PT sessions, spa services , babysitting passes, etc.

You can ask any of the membership advisors or trainers on the floor to give you a tour.

I was in the locker room last week and it was completely fogged up - they are definately still working on the climate controls.

[Anonymous]

You all have inspired me to look at the Tysons club. I dropped my membership with Lifetime in Fairfax because I just wasn't happy with the management. Plus, I was always feeling that it could be cleaner, although I did love their childcare.

[Anonymous]

has anyone taken any of the yoga classes?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:has anyone taken any of the yoga classes?

Yes. They have a range of types of yoga and a range of types of instructors. With yoga in particular, I've found that you have to find a teacher that you click with so it is nice that there is a range of instructors there. I think most if not all of the yoga instructors come from yoga studios, which generally means they are more knowledgeable and better instructors. I took a couple of different instructors until I found the right one, and I haven't been disappointed. Starting in November, they are putting levels on the yoga classes, which will be nice.

[Anonymous]

There are so many gyms to join with good classes. Personal commitment is all it takes-- to go there and feel good about yourself. I like and have gone to many gyms, including GOlds, Sport and Health, Washington Sport. I am much happier at these places than Lifetime and Equinox where I feel underlying unhealthful attitudes and
superficiality. The irony is that these unhealthy places are the most "elite" and expensive. Don't fall for it ladies!

[Anonymous]

It's $300 up front, $137 a month......pass!!!

[Anonymous]

While I am sure this facility is beautiful and the equipment plentiful, I would caution against believing that the classes offered at this gym are anything special. There is a limited amount of talent in the fitness industry in this area. I have looked at the names of the teachers on the class schedule and recognize many of them. The yoga instructors there are not as skilled as those you will find at a solid yoga studio. Many of the other classes are taught by other instructors whose names I also recognize. Let's just say that if -- as one poster put it -- these classes are pushing you harder than you've ever been pushed, you haven't been pushing very hard. If you like bells and whistles this may be a great club for you. However, it is not one at which the teachers are going to push you to an elite level of fitness.

[Anonymous]

I've belonged to several gyms and attended a few yoga studios in the past and agree that the Equinox classes don't necessarily push you harder. The advantage is that they have a greater variety of classes at a greater variety of times than any gym I've been to. For example, the WSC I belonged to had 3-4 yoga classes a week. Equinox has 3-4 yoga classes a day (and I do think the yoga instructors rival any yoga studio I've attended). WSC had maybe 2 or 3 different conditioning classes- after a while, you pretty much learned the routines. Equinox has more variety. And yes, you pay for that. It's worth it to me, but it may not be to others. I find that the more I'm paying, the more obligated I feel to go.

[Anonymous]

The monthly rate is $135 but they are always running specials to eliminate that $300 initiation fee. In October, I think if you worked out 10x, they would refund your initiation fee.

Overall, I think the quality of the classes are better than at other clubs like Sport and Health in Bethesda where I belonged before. There is also much more variety and frequency of classes. I joined at the $105 charter rate, and i was paying $82 at S&H. The extra $23 is worth it to me. As another poster said, it's a gym that you look forward to going to.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A lot of the fitness instructors and personal trainers left Lifetime Fitness for Equinox too. My PT was at Lifttime Fitness and he said there was a mass exodus.

No group fitness instructors left Life Time for Equinox. some teach at both. none left. the only members that left were ones from bethesda were Life Time just wasnt that convenient anyways.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A lot of the members from Lifetime Fitness left for Equinox. The former Lifetime Fitness Group Fitness Director, Robert Sherman now runs the group fitness classes at Equinox and he is amazing - very innovative and motivational classes. I can see why a lot of the Lifetime Fitness members followed him.

A lot of members followed him to Life Time, not so much to Equinox.