Only Equinox Chairman Harvey Spevak and his talented team of trainers can offer a workout on Hudson Yards’ iconic Vessel, followed by innovative spa treatments, a Stephen Starr meal and perfectly optimized sleep after. If it feels like Spevak is crafting the stuff of your wellness dreams, dream on as he is just getting started.
The ultimate fitness influencer is driving the innovation and vision for a wealth of wellness brands, which include SoulCycle, Blink Fitness, Pure Yoga, Equinox Hotels, PROJECT by Equinox and E by Equinox. As the crowning jewel in his supersleek empire, Spevak spared no expense in creating the ultimate destination for wellness seekers with his soon-to-be-unveiled Equinox Hotel at Hudson Yards. Here, the health champion weighs in on his workout playlist, gym pet peeves and the secret to booking that 9:30 SoulCycle class.
Have you always had an interest in fitness? I’ve always been competitive by nature since a young age and became interested in strength training in college, which continues to be a part of my daily routine, and I’m an active skier.
How do you personally stay in shape now that you helm an empire like Equinox? Lately, I’ve been into running at our new Precision Run studio in Flatiron and riding at SoulCycle in the Hamptons. More than ever before, I am focused on recovery and regeneration including a great night of sleep. Oftentimes when traveling for long stretches, I need to make trade-offs between sleep and working out, so it’s always a battle.
Soul Cycle Barn in Bridgehampton
What do you love most about spending the summer in the Hamptons? The Hamptons is a place where you can truly have it all, and for me a home away from home for a long time: from the great outdoors to food, family and friends in the most beautiful setting imaginable.
What is your summer workout routine like out East? When out East, I amp up my routine so it’s typically a triple: intervals on the treadmill followed by an hour with my Equinox coach, then SoulCycle, ending in an afternoon of recovering outdoors by the pool or beach.
What wellness/fitness spots do you love in the Hamptons? My preferred fitness spot is SoulCycle and for everything else, I like to keep it simple: spending the day outdoors and enjoying in-season, natural ingredients from local farms like Round Swamp, Mecox and Pike.
What do you think Equinox could bring to the Hamptons that is currently missing? Our members and aspiring members have been asking us to open a club in the Hamptons for years, and we are developing a site in Bridgehampton to foster a strong Equinox community out East.
Best thing about summer in the Hamptons? Big Chill nights around my fire pit with some close friends and 1942.
Worst thing about summer in the Hamptons? Disappointing friends that there’s no space in Stacey’s 9:30am SoulCycle class and that Equinox isn’t opening out East this summer.
What is on your workout playlist now? I mix it up on Spotify and Pandora from Drake to Volbeat to Janelle Monáe and everything in between, and embarrassingly Top 40 for intervals on the treadmill.
Preferred workout attire? Because of what I do, I get sent the latest gear, and my preferred training gear is always Nike and Rhone. And I have to confess that I’m a major sneakerhead—I possibly own over 150 pairs and counting.
Postworkout ritual? Chocolate-flavored plant-based protein right after my workouts to reenergize and recover. I typically make it myself or order from Juice Press or Clean Market, where I’m an investor.
Most dreaded part of a workout? Anything that has to do with the rowing machine.
Best part of a workout? Flexibility training and working with the Hypervolt for targeted vibrational massage.
The Equinox Hotel at Hudson Yards
What’s up next for you? We recognize that our members don’t just want a place to work out; they want an all-encompassing lifestyle experience that includes access to a coworking community. Born out of this demand is our first-ever dedicated space for coworking developed in partnership with Industrious, with the first location at Hudson Yards. We are also launching Equinox Explore for members of our community that want to combine their love of travel with an active lifestyle. And in addition to the 20 hotel locations already in development, with Seattle being next, we have plans to open 50 properties around the world in the next 10 years.
Photography by: photos courtesy of equinox
