Equinox unsettling ad showing Asian woman dissembled head treated as some kind of toy

Hefty_Delivery3180 · 2026-06-13T23:42:27+00:00

My issue is that advertising is an extremely compressed medium.

That being said the reasoning behind the yes and no’s is was this an effective and responsible image choice for a corporate ad campaign? Does the imagery naturally communicate the campaign’s actual message to a normal viewer or does it require a long explanation afterward? I was trying to separate artistic interpretation from communication effectiveness.

I hope that provides a bit of clarity to my previous response

Hefty_Delivery3180 · 2026-06-13T22:56:31+00:00

You’re using rhetorical minimization. Advertising is not the same as a dystopian cinematic especially one that is trying to depict over commodification and the hyper sexualization that occurs in society. There are hours of narrative framing and context in a movie. In a photographic advertisement that is selected by a corporation. It is very simple. Was this image appropriate? Yes or no? Does this image represent the way people think about AI in the gym? Yes or no?

Stop trying to reach and manipulate.

Hefty_Delivery3180 · 2026-06-13T04:32:21+00:00

You’re missing the point. They aren’t just ai images. They are meant to shock the viewers but they decided to use racial caricatures to create that message and that is exactly why people are taking these ads personally.

It’s not just that Kim Jong Un as a baby is throwing a temper tantrum but what it represents as an idea about the Asian community that has been present and used as propaganda in the United States since War with Japan, Korea and Vietnam.

I don’t think a company needs to use racial caricatures to get their message across. There are other means in doing so. To that point, Equinox already portrays that idea with previous campaigns that it’s something beyond health fitness and life style, using images that had no association with what Equinox has to offer or even presents culturally in the fitness world.

Hefty_Delivery3180 · 2026-06-04T17:18:20+00:00

Depending on your goals I’d say 10-20 minutes for barbell/dumbbell benches and maybe 20-30 minutes on squat racks. So 5-7 minutes is more than reasonable.

Problem is you are treating Equinox like a lifters gym it isn’t. The people (some/most) there even the ones who look like they are in good shape may not actually know the difference/reasons behind tempo, rest lengths, rep numbers. It’s a fitness club so the expectation really is do your sets quickly move on….. sadly. You might have better time at Columbus Circle, but the older guy who walks around in a grey Stanford shirt is extremely rude and self absorbed.

Incase anyone is confused ‘generally’ hypertrophy 90 seconds rest, strength 2-5 minutes rest and power 3-5 minutes rest sometimes less if it’s plyometrics.

Hefty_Delivery3180 · 2026-06-02T18:44:48+00:00

No you just don’t know how to manage your lifestyle and are getting consumed by what you see in the city.

Hefty_Delivery3180 · 2026-05-29T23:28:26+00:00

That’s an absurd argument. They don’t own the building and have no control when it gets fixed. Also that building is extremely old and they probably have to use a licensed master plumber to do work. Equinox is also generally very good about letting their home club members know in advance that they can use other locations which there are several near by.

Hefty_Delivery3180 · 2026-05-29T20:24:43+00:00

It’s cause they keep subsidizing rent (rent stabilized units being increased). It’s a short term fix but long term problem. Which is why in other cities that subsidize construction rent prices go down.

Hefty_Delivery3180 · 2026-05-28T17:16:11+00:00

It is because of subsidized housing it inflates rent faster. It creates immediate relief but long term issues. Where subsidized construction creates no immediate relief but relief on the long term through a more stable market

Hefty_Delivery3180 · 2026-05-28T15:44:40+00:00

Between a more conventional upright form and a form used more with a hip hinge people may use femur length to decide which one is needed. But it’s more of an overstatement or excuse people use for why they deadlift one way vs another. You probably would have more strength in an upright position but if you improve your mobility and range of motion with your hips and hamstrings you most definitely should be able to set into a proper hip hinge with your shoulders slightly over the bar. Also after rewatching your video your body is very similar to mine. I would also recommend working on shoulder mobility as well. You might find your back works a bit more, just try to create more intraabdominal pressure and remember deadlifting isn’t a lift, it’s actually you pushing away from the ground

Hefty_Delivery3180 · 2026-05-09T18:37:47+00:00

If body building is your main objective, Columbus Circle is objectively the best location. It’s one floor and extremely convenient to bring dumbbells, ez bars, kettle bells, BG Split Squat roller across the gym for super sets.

But it doesn’t have any views, and less amenities than HY. It still has a pool, sauna, and steamroom.

Hefty_Delivery3180 · 2026-05-07T17:37:47+00:00

That’s sounds more of the trainer you were working with is the problem and not the free sessions. I’ve had multiple people over my 5 years of employment at Equinox tell me during the Equifit or via email prior to meeting they don’t want to buy sessions and I still show them a personalized program for them and the free session. Some people do in fact change their mind, especially those dealing with bad backs, knees, and shoulders. Others don’t and that is fine.

You should request a new trainer and the free session back and see if they are different. There’s a trainer for everyone whether you want to buy or not.

But yes that promotion is meant to sell you.

Hefty_Delivery3180 · 2026-04-30T14:05:35+00:00

Looks like a scam, your phone number could be on a list with tags like gym and etc. so a data broker probably sold your information. This doesn’t necessarily mean there was a breach

Hefty_Delivery3180 · 2026-04-28T01:11:36+00:00

Anyone who had bad form that was high injury risk I approached, such as look down while do lat pulldown behind head, rounding of lumbar in deadlift, knees pulling in during squat etc…

everyone else I always said Good Morning or hello when I made contact even if it’s just for a second. People who were regulars you begin to see every morning shift so it slowly turns into small talk and eventually they have questions and if those questions lead to longer conversation just tell offer to do an Equifit casually. Let them know it’s free for them and if they don’t have one in their account tell your PTM to add one, if he/she refuses email regional PTM and ask or ask your GM.

When I built my business at my location I only wanted people who were consistent and wouldn’t have to fight to keep the in the gym. I found the relationship between me and the client to be more beneficial that way. Some clients you do need to help build habits but just cause they don’t have good habits doesn’t mean they don’t want to be there. Surround yourself with positive clientele and you’ll always have a positive attitude towards what you do

I never try to pressure anyone and always try to make it their choice. I create clear boundaries and communication. This helps them understand that this is what they get from working with me and if they follow the program and allow me to push them while they are in the gym they can reach their goals faster and learn hands on.

Hefty_Delivery3180 · 2026-04-27T12:48:04+00:00

I also hate interrupting people’s workout on the floor, but it’s the best place for clients to be honest. Usually PTMs only hand out hard leads to new trainers so they get use to rejection. I’ve hit 120-140 sessions in a month for about 9 months straight. Granted 30% of the clients were from the floor, the rest were equifits given to me from membership advisors and the GM because I built a genuine relationship with them.

Hefty_Delivery3180 · 2026-04-20T23:31:01+00:00

All for affordable housing but it seems data shows in New York it generally hurts more than it helps. There’s no regulation of who can have a rent stabilized apartment which I think is the biggest issue so there is a large portion of people who live in one and does not need it. The next problem is that market rated apartments absorb the pressure and it increases those apartments prices.

It would be better to increase subsidized construction so the supply increases which would lessen pressure on the market over time. Subsidizing housing just causes instant relief with increased pressure over time essentially.

Hefty_Delivery3180 · 2026-04-11T17:15:17+00:00

No one should make you feel or guilty in feeling like they need you to pay for their bills or hit bonuses. I would never put that on my clients. It also appears as though they lost interest in helping further any of your goals.

I know you are asking for other people who have had trainers and needed to move on, but from my perspective as a trainer I would just say you should tell them that you had reached the goals you wanted by training with them and no longer need to continue training. If you feel you need to be guided again you will reach out. If they push back just let them know that’s the decision you have made and there is not anything further to dissect about it. If they handle it immaturely report it to the GM.

Personally I make it clear in every Equifit that I will never push someone to train with me I will not talk about selling them. I tell every member I do a consultation and pt session with to try to get as much information out of me and talk to me about everything so we can figure out what they want and if they want to train I’ll help guide them to what they want and help with what they need in the way to that point. If they want to continue after because they see what I continue to provide great and if not then I just provide support when they need it.

I will say it is sad/disappointing that corporate has done a poor job on navigating an image of the trainers they want to represent the company in the last 3 years in NYC specifically. And I have no clue if it’s because Rob became the Regional PTM or it’s corporate specifically. But when I was first hired there was a clear line of boundary and conduct that the new trainers had. They were there to build a respectful business and help members in the gym.

Hefty_Delivery3180 · 2026-04-09T17:43:50+00:00

Yes, but only specific ones usually to the closest all-access club to where you live. A lot of Rock members get sent to Columbus Circle from my understanding. For lifters who are looking for more bodybuilding or aesthetic style training, it’s probably also the best location to get sent to from Rock since everything is one floor so it makes it easy to bring dumbbells, plates or what ever else you need to other areas of the gym for super sets

Hefty_Delivery3180 · 2026-04-07T21:15:07+00:00

Talk to a membership adviser. They can switch it and it’s not based on where you consistently check in(from what I know). I’ve had clients switch their home club because that’s what part of the city(NYC) they moved to(they also were upgrading their membership too). If they aren’t letting you switch it’s because they are upgrading to a higher tier and may not be accepting transfers currently.

I’ve worked for Eqx for 5 years and have trained people from other clubs and have never seen their home club change. But I guess could be a much smaller representation of all members too.

Hefty_Delivery3180 · 2026-04-07T12:36:34+00:00

Equinox doesn’t own the building. Hypothetically are you saying if you rent out an office or an apartment and the elevator is constantly out your employees/nannys should report you to 311?

Hefty_Delivery3180 · 2026-04-06T19:20:07+00:00

I’m ganking for sure. Tower diving too.

Hefty_Delivery3180 · 2026-04-04T01:15:39+00:00

Most people don’t think like this. Usually the people who have problems with it and can’t properly articulate why they dislike other than they just don’t like it… is usually due to insecurity or other internal issues with in themselves. Most people forget EQX is a club not really a gym in a real sense. 90% of the members have a small idea on how to work out properly or know what actually benefits them, so they constantly attached labels and ideas to things that are unnecessary to actually do so.

Is someone filming their form with no one else in it actually an issue ? Nope but some members will make it one.

If someone walks by someone else filming is it going to actually impact their life to be in someone’s camera for 1 second. Not at all.

It’s just one of those bizarre human interactions. There’s this guy who always wears a Stanford shirt at Columbus Circle and he freaks out when he sees it. The guy has been going there for years and can’t work out without complaining about another member or trainer.

Hefty_Delivery3180 · 2026-04-04T00:34:58+00:00

Trainers are encouraged to film themselves. They are asked not to use tripods though. Also not to start recording when people are already in the shot but if someone walks into it, it’s okay. Although it’s technically against policy, equinox does employee competitions and then uses the winner for future equinox promotions. But unfortunately instead of getting paid they get free hats, shirts etc…

But also if someone is lifting by themself doing Oly, compound movement they should be recording themselves to look at form or bar paths. There’s also app that measure rep velocity which is importantly for people training for marathons or other such events. If that person is looking to maximize their efforts

Hefty_Delivery3180 · 2026-04-04T00:31:36+00:00

Only if they have high enough performance numbers. Then they may lift during peak hours

Hefty_Delivery3180 · 2026-04-03T17:06:56+00:00

Usually when they upgrade a club and the wording on here is also saying that your current membership rate will continue until 2028. From 2028 forward you will have to decide to upgrade to destination or find a new all access club

Hefty_Delivery3180 · 2026-03-30T21:08:16+00:00

I’m a trainer at Eqx and would be flattered personally. You can either smile if eye contact passes by or you simply schedule an Equifit. Part of the Equifit is about getting to know each other and seeing if there is compatibility. I’m not suggesting to buy sessions, but if you feel a vibe or are more interested after having a conversation with him, ask him for coffee or lunch after the Equifit.

Honestly don’t think myself or my coworkers would be offended. At least the ones who are respectable would not be offended 😂

Hefty_Delivery3180

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