Equinox Members Reveal Secret Steam Room ‘Codes’ as Luxury Gym Warns of Permanent Ban

Some Equinox members claim there’s more going on in the luxury gym’s steam rooms than just relaxing.

Multiple members described intimate encounters inside Equinox locker rooms and steam rooms in a recent report from the Daily Mail. One anonymous member who frequents the Hudson Yards location in New York City claimed gymgoers even use subtle signals to express interest in one another.

“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 34-year-old member said, per the outlet.

Another anonymous member, 42, who primarily visits the Williamsburg location in Brooklyn, claimed the steam room there had become crowded because of the activity.

“The Williamsburg steam room seems to be too small. I have heard of signals being made to go to the showers to engage with one another,” he said, the outlet reported, adding, “I’m still trying to crack the signal codes.”

Equinox stressed that such behavior violates its rules.

“Maintaining a safe and respectful environment is a priority at our clubs,” a company spokesperson said, per the Daily Mail. “Inappropriate behavior is strictly prohibited, including in steam room and shower areas.”

“Any member found in violation of our policies will have their membership immediately revoked and will be permanently banned from all of our locations,” the spokesperson added, the outlet reported.

According to the article, the company’s online etiquette guidelines warn members that “inappropriate activity of any kind” can result in the “immediate and permanent termination” of a membership.

Per the report, Connecticut-based influencer Anthony Festa, 31, noticed a significant difference between Equinox locations after visiting clubs in Connecticut and New York City.

“When I went to other locations, it was very much immediate,” Festa said, according to the outlet. “And not only right away, but like any time of day that I would go, there was always somebody down to try and do something.”

Festa said the atmosphere was particularly noticeable at the Rockefeller Center location.

“It’s definitely more aggressive in the city,” he said, per the report. “I was a little spooked at first, some people were just kind of following me around.”

By comparison, Festa said the behavior he encountered in Connecticut was “much more underground.” Festa had no plans to join in, especially if it could cost him his membership.

“I would never risk [getting banned] because the gym means too much to me,” he explained.

According to the article, Equinox has also faced a lawsuit filed in New York involving claims about misconduct in its steam rooms. An attorney for the plaintiffs accused the company of failing to stop improper behavior over a period of years. Equinox has denied any wrongdoing.