About Equinox Berkeley
Equinox Berkeley offers an exceptional member experience with top-notch facilities, amenities, and instruction. The gym features a wide range of equipment, including multiple squat racks, benches, and barbells, with short wait times for use. The facilities are clean and well-maintained, with pleasant amenities such as a sauna and showers stocked with Kiehl's products. Members praise the friendly and helpful staff, including trainers like Ian, Gal, and Aristotle, who provide personalized guidance and support for achieving fitness goals. With a focus on overall well-being, Equinox Berkeley helps members achieve significant strength gains, improve body composition, and develop a balanced lifestyle. The club is also notable for its supportive community and excellent trainers, making it a great choice for those seeking a comprehensive fitness experience. However, note that the club's hours of operation are limited, closing early on weekdays and weekends.
I've been a member here for the last 2.5 years and it's very hard to see myself going anywhere else. The facilities are great, the sauna and showers are always nice and clean and the showers have Kiehl's products. There is usually enough workout equipment for the wait times to be pretty short. The gym has three squat racks with deadlift platforms, two flat benches, one incline bench, one decline bench, and several barbells in case the squat racks are occupied and you want to deadlift off the floor. The staff has also always been friendly and helpful. I've worked with Ian on the training staff for the last 1.5 years and seen significant strength gains (bench press 165 to 235, squat 185 to 315, deadlift 315 to 425) and a massive improvement in my body composition. The head trainer Kristi has also been a great resource for nutrition, training, and lifting technique. The only real knock on this place is they close pretty early (9:00 pm Mon-Thurs, 8:00 pm Fri, 6:00 pm Sat-Sun).
While I would have confidence in all the coaches at the Berkeley Equinox, I can personally vouch for Gal Paz, the personal trainer assigned to me in July of last year. From our first session to the present, Gal has been helping me which body strength, cardio, nutrition, balance, and mind-body muscle connection, and all those training elements are helping me achieve my workout goals. Always being the professional, Gal also possesses a keen sense of humor which makes working with him a pleasure and a privilege.
This Review is for my Personal Training experience with Aristotle Daphnis. I have complete trust in Aristotle. His instincts and wealth of knowledge create a safe container for me to push beyond my fears and step outside my comfort zone. Matching my commitment, he has lead me to regain strength and mobility that I once thought was unattainable post-injury. With his help, the support from my doctors, PEMA therapy, and a healthy lifestyle; I’ve reached this next stage of recovery, free from mobility setbacks, and a renewed focus on my potential.10 out of 10 recommend working with him.The Club and Community are great as well.