Equinox Fitness Is Officially Getting Into Travel With Day Trips
Equinox, the New York-based company that operates several boutique fitness brands including SoulCycle, PURE Yoga and the namesake Equinox gym network, is "making moves" and taking its first steps into the travel space.
In 2015, the company revealed its plans to launch a luxury hospitality company with the first-ever Equinox-branded hotel in New York City (it’s expected to debut sometime in 2019). And on Wednesday, the wellness behemoth announced a series of exclusive day trips designed to get New Yorkers out of the gym and, well, outside.
According to an email to members, "day trips with Equinox" are "the most high-performance way to experience ... local destinations." Like the forthcoming hotel, Equinox day trips are focused first on the brand's hometown, New York City.
The first excursion, scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 15, takes runners off the treadmill and to Minnewaska State Park Preserve for seven miles of trail running. That same weekend, fitness fiends looking for a more meditative experience can join an Equinox instructor at the Mohonk Preserve's Slingerland Pavilion on Sunday for a custom yoga workshop and short hike. Later in the month, Saturday, Sept. 29, the Equinox day trip will feature a 12-mile hike to the summit of Storm King Mountain, in the Hudson Highlands.
All the trips depart bright and early from Manhattan's Upper West Side at 7:30am and return early in the evening that same day.
Though the trips are discounted for members ($425), non-members are also invited to participate for $50 more. Equinox day trips include a nutritious lunch, expert fitness coaches and wilderness guides, a so-called hydration station and round-trip transportation from the EQX Sports Club on Columbus Avenue, as well as entry to the club. (That's a perk even for most members, as this location isn't included with a pricey all-access membership.)
It remains to be seen whether Equinox day trips will be extended throughout the year, or if the company will expand its day trip offerings beyond New York City. At this time, Equinox has not responded to TPG's request for a comment. Travelers can book a spot on an Equinox outing at Equinoxdaytrips.com.
