Equinox, SoulCycle to Require COVID-19 Vaccination

Gym goers and employees of both Equinox and SoulCycle will soon be required to show their COVID-19 vaccination cards. The New York Post reports that the mandate announced by the fitness chains will begin in early September in New York City. However, all locations worldwide will eventually ask anyone entering their doors to prove their vaccination status.

As of August 2, Soulcycle’s website states that anyone “fully vaccinated against COVID-19” can take their masks off while utilizing their indoor studios.” In addition, masks “will be required for everyone in all shared spaces, like the lobby, locker rooms, etc.” Masks are not required while riding outside SoulCycle buildings,”except for the SoCal region.”

Equinox’s website boasts separate local mask guidelines for members according to region and the promise to uphold the “Equinox standard of cleanliness” within all clubs. Amid the new vaccination guidelines, Equinox facilities “will accept physical vaccine cards, photos of vaccine cards or state issued digital vaccine passes as proof.” The institution will also “work with” clients and Equinox employees who have are not vaccinated against the coronavirus due to medical or religion reasons.

News of Equinox and SoulCycle’s latest proof of vaccination order comes after a spike of COVID-19 infections, via the Delta variant, across the United States. Per CNN, the reported ease of the Delta variant’s spread has been likened to chickenpox. The severity of coronavirus infections has occurred both among vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals, yet a surge of new COVID-19 cases (99.7%) in early July was tied to unvaccinated persons, according to CBS News.

In June, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention outlined updated information for gym and fitness center employees and staff. The newly revised regulations include suggestions for cleaning and disinfecting, personal protective equipment (PPE) use and resources for mental health and stress management.