After five years of paying $275/month for my Equinox membership on Park Ave and dragging myself across town through snow and rain, I finally moved into one of those “luxury” buildings with a fancy gym in FiDi. You know the ones – they show up on your StreetEasy feed with those glossy photos of Peloton bikes and yoga studios that look straight out of a boutique fitness club.
The leasing agent swore it would “totally offset the higher rent” and “change my fitness routine forever.” Well, after a year of living here and spreadsheets that would make my accountant proud, I’ve got some thoughts. And if you’re debating between a regular apartment + gym membership versus these new luxury fitness buildings, you might want to hear this.
The Real Numbers Behind Those Shiny Amenities
Let’s cut straight to what everyone actually wants to know – the money. Here’s my situation:
My old setup in Murray Hill:
- Rent: $3,200/month (1-bedroom walkup)
- Equinox membership: $275/month
- Monthly subway to gym: $34 in MetroCard swipes
- Total: $3,509/month
My new FiDi situation:
- Rent: $4,100/month (1-bedroom in “luxury” building)
- In-building gym: “Free” (we’ll talk about this myth in a minute)
- Subway savings: $34/month
- Total: $4,100/month
That’s a $591 monthly difference. But here’s where it gets interesting.
What They Don’t Tell You During the Tour
Remember that “free” gym? Yeah, about that. These amenities typically add 10-15% to your base rent, it’s just buried in the total. My leasing agent finally admitted this after I pressed her on why identical units in buildings without fancy gyms were cheaper. But the real tea? The quality varies WILDLY between buildings. I’ve visited friends’ building gyms across the city, and I’ve seen everything from “basically Equinox” to “my high school gym was better than this.”
A Real Borough-by-Borough Breakdown
After obsessively touring buildings and grilling my real estate friends, here’s what I’m seeing across NYC in three of the boroughs (as of January 2024):
Manhattan
- FiDi/Battery Park: Best equipment, highest rent premium ($800-1000 more than non-amenity buildings)
- Midtown East: Mixed bag, but solid options ($600-800 premium)
- Upper East Side: Surprisingly decent, older equipment ($400-600 premium)
- Murray Hill: Mostly basic setups, but affordable ($300-500 premium)
Brooklyn
- DUMBO: Almost Manhattan prices, Manhattan-quality gyms
- Williamsburg: Hip studios, mediocre weights ($400-600 premium)
- Downtown Brooklyn: New buildings, great equipment ($500-700 premium)
Queens
- Long Island City: Giving Manhattan a run for its money
- Astoria: Smaller but well-maintained ($300-400 premium)
When It Actually Makes Sense
Look, I’m not here to totally bash building gyms. They work great for certain people:
- The WFH Crowd
If you’re remote like me, the convenience is unreal. Rolling out of bed for a 7am workout hits different when the gym is an elevator ride away. No more “it’s raining, I’ll go tomorrow” excuses. - The Super Busy
My neighbor Sarah’s a resident at NY-Presbyterian. She swears having a gym downstairs is the only reason she works out at all during rotation weeks. - The Hardcore Morning People
That 5am workout crowd? You guys are crazy, but having a gym in your building makes it slightly less crazy.
When It’s a Total Waste
Save your money if:
- You’re already loyal to a specific studio or workout style
- You use gym time as an excuse to explore different neighborhoods
- You need serious equipment (most building gyms lack platforms for deadlifts)
- You thrive on group fitness classes
The Dirty Little Secrets
Here’s what I wish someone had told me before I signed my lease:
- Peak Hours are ROUGH
Try getting a treadmill at 6pm on a Monday in January. I’ve literally seen people line up for the Pelotons. - Maintenance Issues
When that one squat rack breaks, it might stay broken for weeks. You don’t have the leverage of a paying gym member to complain. - The Social Factor
Miss the energy of a packed Barry’s class? The motivation of your favorite instructor? Yeah, that doesn’t exist in building gyms.
Making It Work: Tips from a Year of Building Gym Life
If you do go the building gym route:
- Tour during peak hours (usually 6-8pm weekdays)
- Ask current residents about maintenance response times
- Check if they offer classes or trainers (some do!)
- Look at their cleaning schedule (trust me on this one)
- Ask about guest policies (my building charges $25 per guest visit – ridiculous)
The Bottom Line: Is It Worth It?
After a year, here’s my honest take: it depends entirely on your lifestyle and what you value. For me? The convenience just barely edges out the extra cost. I work from home, I hate committing to class times, and I’m basic enough that a few treadmills and some free weights meet most of my needs.
But if you’re moving to NYC or switching apartments and trying to decide? Do the math. Like, really do it. Factor in:
- The real rent premium
- What you’d actually spend on a gym membership
- How much you value convenience vs. variety
- Whether you’ll actually use it (be honest with yourself)
Looking Ahead: The Future of NYC Building Gyms
The trend isn’t slowing down. New buildings are going all-in on fitness amenities, and some older buildings are retrofitting to compete. My broker friend in Chelsea tells me she’s seeing buildings partner with boutique fitness brands to offer in-house classes. Will it change the NYC fitness landscape? Maybe. Will it justify the rent premium? That’s between you and your bank account.
P.S. – To the guy who never wipes down the bench press in my building gym: I know where you live, literally. Do better.
About the author: Former Equinox devotee turned building gym convert. Still miss the eucalyptus towels, don’t miss the membership fees. Currently accepting recommendations for buildings with actually decent squat racks in lower Manhattan.
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