A new report sheds light on what happens at Equinox gyms after years of whispers about steamy activities between gym-goers.
The luxury gym stated that “inappropriate behavior is strictly prohibited,” but accounts from multiple of its members tell a different story.
Speaking with The Daily Mail, a group of fitness enthusiasts who frequent the chain revealed that some steam rooms serve as a place to hook up and explore informal connections.
Highlights
- A new report exposes frequent intimate encounters at Equinox gyms, despite the company’s rules against inappropriate behavior.
- Some members said steam rooms and showers are used for hookups, with subtle signals indicating interest.
- Many incidents involve non-consenting members, leading to lawsuits against the luxury fitness chain.
Image credits: Equinox
A 34-year-old gay male Equinox member told the outlet that there is even a code to indicate that someone is not interested in a traditional workout.
“Eye contact normally seems to set it off, but there are also signals, like a little towel readjustment, that seem to be the current trend,” the anonymous gym-goer said.
The 34-year-old, who frequents the Hudson Yards location in New York, said encounters in the locker room are creating tension with other gym-goers, who go to the facility for its intended purpose.
Image credits: Equinox/Facebook
“I have heard of a straight guy getting furious when they've caught gays in the act,” he said. “So, lots of the action has moved to the steam rooms.”
Another gay man, aged 42, told the outlet that the steam room at his local Equinox in Williamsburg is often crowded.
“I heard that a number of guys got kicked out [banned] for having s*x in the showers,” he shared. “I have heard of signals being made to go to the showers to engage with one another.”
Image credits: Ahmet Kurt/Unsplash (Not the actual photo)
The gym, whose single-club membership packages start at around $250 per month, stated that “maintaining a safe and respectful environment is a priority at our clubs.”
“Inappropriate behavior is strictly prohibited, including in steam room and shower areas,” a spokesperson said.
They also stated that any member who violates Equinox policies “will have their membership immediately revoked and will be permanently banned from all of our locations.”
On their website, the fitness chain mentions that gym-goers must be “respectful of other members” and that “inappropriate activity of any kind will result in immediate and permanent termination of your membership.”
Influencer Anthony Festa said he saw intimate encounters at Equinox steam rooms in both Connecticut and New York City.
“Any time of day that I would go, there was always somebody down to try and do something,” the 31-year-old shared.
Festa added that he was so overwhelmed by what he saw in the locker rooms that he stopped going to the gym for a month.
“It's definitely more aggressive in the city. I was a little spooked at first, some people were just kind of following me around. There are a lot more gay men, at least at 30 Rock, so it was much more in the open and loosey goosey.
“I would never risk [getting banned] because the gym means too much to me," he said, explaining that he sees no point in engaging in intimate behavior in public spaces when he can do the same in private.
Image credits: Equinox/Facebook
While many members enjoy these informal encounters, others said they never gave their consent to being touched.
The luxury fitness company, which operates more than 300 facilities across the US, Canada, and England, was hit with a lawsuit in 2018, with 11 individuals alleging they were victims of “indecent exposure, s*xual harassment, lewd acts, and/or s*xual a*sault in the steam rooms.”
The lawsuit was filed in New York's Supreme court and remains ongoing. It accuses Equinox of ignoring “reprehensible conduct” and allowing *rgies in their gyms' steam rooms.
Image credits: Getty Images/Unsplash (Not the actual photo)
Marc Held, the attorney for the alleged victims, told The Daily Mail that gym managers have been “turning a blind eye” to wrongful conduct for 20 years.
There were so many complaints that Equinox drafted a template response to send to victims, according to The Post.
Speaking with the outlet, a 34-year-old man described an incident he experienced in one of the steam rooms.
“I feel a hand on my thigh and I jump up and I say, ‘What the hell!’ and there’s one guy sitting there m*sturbating and the guy who touched me was m*sturbating as well,” he told The Post.
Image credits: Atlas/Adobe Stock (Not the actual photo)
The marketing rep, identified as R.S. in the lawsuit, reportedly told a locker room attendant about the incident, but saw the man who touched him working out the next day.
“I am as gay as they come. It’s not about gay or straight, it’s about right and wrong,” R.S. said.
Equinox Holdings, Inc. has denied any wrongdoing.
In 2023, a New York City jury sided with a former Equinox employee in a racial discrimination case.
Röbynn Europe, a Black personal trainer, alleged that she faced discrimination due to her race and gender. She said she was fired because Equinox retaliated against her for defending herself against racism at the club.
Image credits: Getty Images/Unsplash (Not the actual photo)
Europe claimed that a white employee created a "toxic atmosphere" by repeatedly making vulgar comments about Black women's bodies and objecting to her being his boss.
The gym claimed she was fired for arriving late 47 times during her 11 months at the company, but a jury of five women and three men sided with Europe, awarding her $10 million in punitive damages.
