Equinox Group

The first Equinox location opened on September 23, 1991 in Manhattan's Upper West Side. It was started by the Errico family—Danny, Vito and Lavinia Errico. In 2000, Spevak led a management buyout of Equinox to two private equity firms, North Castle Partners and J.W. Childs. In 2006, he partnered with Related Chairman principals to acquire a controlling interest in Equinox and secured a significant minority investment from private equity firm L Catterton in 2017. In 2008, Equinox brought Pure Yoga to the United States from Hong Kong. In 2011, Equinox launched Blink, a separate fitness company, and acquired SoulCycle. In July 2019, Equinox launched Equinox Hotels in Hudson Yards, Manhattan. In January 2023, Equinox banned gym memberships submitted on New Year's Day, to both praise and criticism. The company said the purpose of the ban was to "snub short-term resolutions". ==Controversies and criticism==

Hard-to-cancel practices Equinox and SoulCycle have been accused of making it hard for their members to cancel subscriptions. In 2025, Equinox entered into a $600,000 settlement with the state of New York for these practices. Employment practices A 2019 article in The New York Times reported that trainers often worked long hours, sometimes as many as 80 hours a week, forcing some to sleep in employee locker rooms or their cars between shifts. Former and current trainers also described intense pressure from the company to recruit and retain clients drawn from the club's members. In 2013, the company resolved two California lawsuits concerning unpaid overtime for trainers via out-of-court settlements. Equinox and SoulCycle responded to the boycott and protests by stating it did not endorse the fundraiser and argued Ross was a "passive investor." Blink Fitness bankruptcy On August 12, 2024, Blink Fitness filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, blaming slow sales caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and increased rising costs as part of the decision. The company plans to shutter some of its locations and plans to sell itself. ==Key people==

Harvey Spevak Harvey Spevak is the Executive Chairman and Managing Partner of Equinox Group. Spevak became the CEO of Equinox Group in 1999. In 2000, he led a management buyout of Equinox to two private equity firms, North Castle Partners and J.W. Childs. In 2006, he partnered with Related Principles to acquire and secure a significant minority investment from global consumer-focused private equity firm Catterton in 2017. Equinox acquired SoulCycle in May 2011. In 2019, Spevak opened Equinox's 100th club in Hudson Yards, Manhattan, followed by the brand's first hotel, as well as coworking venture Industrious at Equinox, in the same neighborhood. ==See also==