Benjamin Goggin / Business Insider
- Equinox and SoulCycle will soon require members to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19.
- The new policy will take effect in early September, starting with New York City members.
- Equinox said a recent member survey found that 96% of those who responded said they were vaccinated.
- See more stories on Insider's business page.
Gym chains have become the latest companies to adopt COVID-19 vaccination requirements.
Equinox and SoulCycle, which are owned by Equinox Group, will soon require members to provide proof of vaccination to use their facilities, according to a press release issued Monday.
"We have always made the health and safety of our communities our top priority, and we will continue to do so in partnership with infectious disease experts as well as local governments," said Harvey Spevak, Equinox Group's executive chairman and managing partner. "We have a responsibility to take bold action and respond to changing circumstances with urgency. We encourage other leading brands to join us in this effort to best protect our communities."
Members and staff alike will need to be vaccinated in order to enter Equinox clubs, SoulCycle studios, and corporate offices. The requirement will start being enforced in early September in New York City.
In a recent survey of its members and staff, Equinox found that 96% of members who responded said they were vaccinated against COVID-19. Among employees, 89% of respondents said they were vaccinated. Equinox also noted in the press release that "an overwhelming majority of members" have expressed support for a vaccination requirement for entry to Equinox clubs.
Members and staff can provide proof of vaccination via a digital vaccine card or a physical immunization card or photo of it. Equinox says it will "work with members, riders, and employees accordingly" if they require medical or religious accommodations.
Meanwhile, other gym chains are continuing to operate without vaccine requirements. Crunch Fitness is one of them.
"We are actively monitoring the situation concerning the Delta variant and continue to adhere to the CDC's direction of allowing vaccinated members to work out mask-free and request non-vaccinated members continue mask-wearing," a Crunch spokesperson told Insider in a statement. "At this time, we will continue to follow all requirements and guidelines set out for fitness facilities by government, public health, and other legal authorities and make adjustments as required."
Planet Fitness also has yet to require proof of vaccination for members.
"The health and safety of our employees and members is our top priority, and we continue to monitor the situation very closely," a company spokesperson told Insider. "At this time we are not requiring proof of vaccination."
Orangetheory Fitness and Blink Fitness, which is operated by Equinox Group, did not respond to Insider's request for comment about vaccination policies.
More businesses are adopting proof of vaccination requirements as the Delta variant continues spreading across the US. Some restaurants are now requiring that guests show they're vaccinated before they can dine indoors. Walmart recently announced it will require most corporate employees to get the COVID-19 vaccine.