Blink Fitness

[Jimnyc]

Hello all..I am a member of Executive Fitness and spoke to the owner. They confirmed that Blink will be taking over their space. The current gym's lease is not being renenwed, it expires end of 2013 to early 2014 then Blink takes over.  Sad to see, but very excited at a new, clean, enticing, gym. The current bldg, has a new landlord and seems to be pushing the current tenants out.

[Lilybell]

I'm sorry to be Debbie Downer, but I just wanted to relay a chat I had with a coworker - he was bitching about his gym two days ago and I asked where he went and he said Blink (the one in Nolita or Noho).  He said it was great when it first opened and then it just fell apart and it got dirtier every day.  You really get what you pay for ($20) -no towels, no classes, no free weights, teeny locker rooms (that might be because of the location) and they never clean the bathrooms.  I was suprised that they only have machines.  I'm not going to join a gym that doesn't have free weights or classes.

He said he's been trying to quit and it's been a nightmare of them being extremely difficult and pulling out a bunch of hidden fees.  Just be very careful if you join and get the cancellation policy spelled out for you very clearly. 

I went online after talking to him and I saw a bunch of similar complaints. 
Hopefully this one will be nicer but the cancellation policy will still be the same, so just be aware. 

[ShinjukuBaby]

OK, so it may not be the total answer to my prayers.  But $20 / month to have a nearby place where I can run inside during the winter months is worth it to me.

I have to admit that I can't understand the business model if they don't have free weights.  They could provide those at a small fraction of the cost of buying and maintaining machines, no?

[Maple]

I wonder what will happen to my paid-for EFZ membership if Blink takes over. I wouldn't mind a bright clean place with working machines, but I hope current staff get the option to stay. I'm not sure where they plan to put 150 machines, unless they take over more than the two rooms that the current gym has.

[Jimnyc]

i too am EFZ member and I have been talking w/the staff, looks like Blink is taking over the 2nd floor!  I hope they keep some of the current staff, altho I find most useless.

[daisy]

I recently quit NYSC because it's very expensive and even Sunnyside is too far away for me.  I thought I would go but getting on a subway to go to a gym is not as easy as you think it will be.  Even they have ridiculous cancellation policies - I always read anything I sign so I know what the policies are.  I did let them this area is starving for a good decent gym and to open up here, and I hope they do.  But at this point, hell, I'll take Blink.  Just going to adopt a wait and see attitude on it, and if I like what I see and if it's clean and comfortable, then I'll join up.  At least it won't require a subway to get to and I can go home to shower.  I understand it's along the lines of Planet Fitness but that's ok to me.

[daisy]

Just received word that Blink is not opening until June 2014.  Bummer.  Makes sense though if they need major renovations.

[StevenGrey]

Yes, sadly I was informed of Blink's postponement as well. Of course, I'm still interested as it seems they are soon to be opening two locations very near my office in Manhattan. It would be extremely convenient to have the option to work out at either location.

[Jimnyc]

I am sad too at this news. Blink is owned by Equinox, however, still excited to have a nice, decent gym in the hood, we so deserve it.  I was told they are taking over the entire 2nd floor of the current space.

[I live here too]

It's nice to hear someone say "nice, decent" in the same sentence with "we deserve it."

[That_girl_from 82nd]

June 2014 opening!! I asked too. I'll take it.

[ChesterKallman]

I work in White Plains, and belong to the Blink there. It's pretty terrific. Complaints about there being no classes, towels, etc. are pretty irrelevant since the gyms are designed to be very basic (and thus the low cost). Their gyms are huge, have tons of equipment (especially cardio), are super clean, and have adequate locker rooms. They are not owned by Equinox, but Equinox does have a share in Blink. I belonged to Equinox in the past and I find Blink to be maintained (and cleaned) as well as Equinox.

I was told that sales for JH will begin in early 2014 with a summer opening. The Astoria gym is opening in December.

[Shelby2]

The most recent rumor I heard is that EFN, the current gym that is in the 78th St. space, will be moving up towards 84th/85th St.  I didn't get any additional info.  I'm afraid Blink will be completely overwhelmed with crowds, especially if it's new and cheap.  So having another gym still in the neighborhood may ease the overcrowding somewhat.

[83Street]

That's good EFN will stay in the neighborhood. It ought to ease overcrowding at both places, and offer options for people. I actually just joined Blink in Astoria recently. Management seems to be very good. It's always well-occupied, but never packed. The place is kept really clean. The atmosphere is friendly. But it's on Steinway, which is lined with gyms, so gym-goers are distributed along the commercial strip. It will be interesting to see how it goes in Jackson Heights, but with good management and some local competition, I think it will a success.

[Jimnyc]

EFN has already started to downsize their current space to get ready to move.  Tenants on the 2nd floor of the EFN current space are moving out as Blink will be taking over the entire 2nd floor. I for one am excited to have Blink. No one at EFN can tell me (a member for 3 years)where exactly they are moving to on 84th-85th street, leads me to wonder if they really are moving.