Members of Equinox clubs told The Daily Mail that some steam rooms and locker areas in New York have become sites for intimate encounters, with patrons allegedly using subtle "signal" gestures. Equinox says such conduct violates club rules and warns offenders will face immediate, permanent bans. Influencer Anthony Festa described New York locations as more aggressive than Connecticut clubs, and a New York lawsuit accuses the company of failing to curb misconduct.
Equinox Members Describe Secret ‘Signal’ Codes in Steam Rooms — Gym Warns Of Permanent Bans
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Several Equinox members have told reporters that some steam rooms and locker areas at the upscale gym chain have become meeting places for intimate encounters—and that patrons sometimes use subtle “signals” to indicate interest.
Members’ Accounts
In a recent Daily Mail report, anonymous members from New York locations described how eye contact and small gestures appear to serve as an unspoken code. One 34-year-old who frequents the Hudson Yards club said, "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."
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A 42-year-old member who visits the Williamsburg club in Brooklyn said the steam room has become crowded because of that 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. I'm still trying to crack the signal codes." Influencer Anthony Festa, who has visited multiple clubs in Connecticut and New York, said the behavior felt far more immediate and aggressive in city locations such as Rockefeller Center.
Equinox Response and Policy
"Maintaining a safe and respectful environment is a priority at our clubs," an Equinox spokesperson told the outlet. "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."
Equinox's online etiquette guidelines likewise warn that "inappropriate activity of any kind" can lead to "immediate and permanent termination" of membership.
equinox/instagram
Legal Concerns
The chain is also facing a lawsuit filed in New York alleging misconduct in its steam rooms. Plaintiffs' attorneys say the company failed to stop improper behavior over a period of years; Equinox has denied wrongdoing.
What This Means For Members
Equinox members and visitors should be aware of the chain's strict rules and potential consequences. While some patrons described the activity as discreet and localized to certain clubs, the company’s stated enforcement policy is firm: violations can result in immediate, permanent expulsion.
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