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Is Equinox Private Equity Owned?

πŸ”΄ PRIVATE EQUITY OWNED

Equinox

Includes Equinox Fitness, Equinox Gym

luxury gym Β· New York, NY

PE Firm

Related Companies / Various PE

Year Acquired

2006

β€œWhere $300/month memberships subsidize billionaire politics and billion-dollar debt.”

The PE Playbook

  • β€’Owner Stephen Ross hosted a $250,000-per-ticket Trump fundraiser in 2019, triggering mass boycotts and membership cancellations
  • β€’Raised $1.8 billion in 2024 just to refinance $1.2 billion in pandemic-era debt β€” while hiking NYC member prices ~11%
  • β€’Launched a $40,000/year 'longevity' membership tier while sister brand Blink Fitness filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy
  • β€’Standard memberships now run $205-$395/month depending on location

Since the Acquisition

  • β–ΈBudget subsidiary Blink Fitness collapsed in August 2024, owing $400 million β€” budget gym members who couldn't afford Equinox were collateral damage
  • β–ΈNew York Attorney General forced Equinox to pay $600,000 in penalties for making it deliberately difficult to cancel memberships
  • β–ΈLaunched a $40,000/year 'Optimize' membership that doesn't even include a basic gym membership
  • β–ΈStandard memberships now start at $250/month, pushing middle-class consumers out entirely

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Equinox owned by private equity?

Yes. Equinox is currently owned by Related Companies / Various PE, which acquired it in 2006. Where $300/month memberships subsidize billionaire politics and billion-dollar debt.

What happened to Equinox after the acquisition?

Budget subsidiary Blink Fitness collapsed in August 2024, owing $400 million β€” budget gym members who couldn't afford Equinox were collateral damage New York Attorney General forced Equinox to pay $600,000 in penalties for making it deliberately difficult to cancel memberships

Who owns Equinox?

Equinox is owned by Related Companies / Various PE, which acquired it in 2006.