Best Equinox Alternatives in 2024: Premium Gyms Compared

Let's Talk About Equinox

Equinox has redefined the concept of a gym, turning it into a lifestyle brand. With eucalyptus-infused towels, Kiehl's products in the locker rooms, state-of-the-art equipment, and elite group fitness classes, it is the undisputed leader in luxury fitness. However, this premium experience comes at a steep price, with memberships often ranging from $200 to over $300 per month depending on the location and access level. For those who want high-quality workouts, excellent amenities, or a strong fitness community without paying top dollar, there are several compelling alternatives that offer unique advantages.

Life Time

If you are looking for a true "athletic resort" experience that rivals or even exceeds Equinox in scale, Life Time is the premier choice. While Equinox focuses on sleek, urban boutique vibes, Life Time builds massive, sprawling facilities that often include indoor and outdoor pools, tennis and pickleball courts, massive childcare centers, cafes, and extensive spa services.

Life Time's pricing is comparable to Equinox in some markets (ranging from $150 to $250+), but the value proposition is entirely different. It is much more family-friendly and offers a wider variety of recreational activities alongside standard gym equipment and classes. If you view your gym as a place to spend half your Saturday lounging by a pool or playing sports, Life Time offers an infrastructure that the typical urban Equinox simply cannot match.

Barry's

For many Equinox members, the primary draw is the high-energy, boutique-style group fitness classes. If classes are your main focus, transitioning to a dedicated boutique studio like Barry's (formerly Barry's Bootcamp) might be a better fit. Barry's offers intense, instructor-led HIIT workouts split between treadmills and floor strength training in their signature "Red Room."

While Barry's classes are expensive a la carte (often $30–$40 per class), purchasing a membership or class pack can be more cost-effective than an Equinox membership if you only work out 2-3 times a week. You lose the vast open gym floor and extensive spa amenities of Equinox, but you gain a hyper-focused, cult-favorite workout with top-tier instructors and a strong community atmosphere. Their locker rooms still maintain a premium feel with high-end products (like Oribe) and excellent showers.

Orangetheory Fitness

Orangetheory offers a data-driven approach to group fitness that is highly addictive and effective. Like Barry's, it's a class-based model rather than an open gym. Workouts combine rowing, treadmills, and strength training, with the unique twist of heart-rate monitoring to ensure you are hitting specific cardiovascular zones (the "Orange Zone").

At roughly $169 to $199 for an unlimited monthly membership, Orangetheory is generally cheaper than Equinox. It is less about luxury amenities (you won't find eucalyptus towels or massive locker rooms here) and more about accountability and measurable results. If you find yourself wandering aimlessly on the Equinox gym floor and need structured, coach-led workouts to stay motivated, Orangetheory provides excellent structure at a lower price point.

Third Space

For readers in London, Third Space is the direct, and arguably superior, competitor to Equinox. Third Space operates a handful of ultra-luxury clubs across the city (including Soho, Canary Wharf, and Marylebone) that combine stunning architectural design with elite fitness facilities.

Priced similarly to Equinox (around £200+ per month), Third Space distinguishes itself with unique features depending on the club, such as medical centers, hypoxia chambers, suspended glass-bottom tracks, and climbing walls. Their locker rooms are immaculately maintained, and their class roster is incredibly diverse. While Equinox has a strong presence in London, Third Space often feels more deeply integrated into the city's premium lifestyle scene and offers facilities that are hard to beat anywhere in the world.