Equinox Appoints First President

-Gatorade President Sarah Robb O'Hagan Moves to Equinox to Spearhead Growth Initiatives and Manage Brand Portfolio

NEW YORK, Aug. 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Equinox announced today that Sarah Robb O'Hagan, who currently serves as President of Gatorade and Global Sports Nutrition at PepsiCo, will join the high-growth fitness and lifestyle leader as the company's first President. Robb O'Hagan will lead an aggressive domestic expansion strategy to maximize the continued success of the growing company, including its family of brands: Equinox, Pure Yoga, Blink, and SoulCycle. She will report to Equinox CEO Harvey Spevak.

Throughout her career, Robb O'Hagan has been recognized as a leader in the sports and marketing industries.  She has been profiled on numerous prominent industry lists, including Fast Company's "Most Creative People in Business;" Advertising Age's "Women to Watch;" Forbes's "Most Powerful Women in Sports;" and Sports Business Journal, Sports Goods Business, and Crain's Chicago Business "40 Under 40."  She began her career in the service industry with positions at Air New Zealand and Virgin Atlantic Airways, and moved to consumer products with roles at Atari Entertainment, Nike, and Gatorade.  She brings to Equinox a strong understanding of consumer trends and behavior, with a background in business expansion, brand strategy, product innovation, new product launches, technology, digital development, and sports and consumer marketing. 

"Sarah has successfully built and expanded several iconic brands over the course of her career.  She has a strong track record of identifying and capitalizing on shifts in consumer behavior," said Spevak.  "She is the best of all worlds: an award-winning marketing executive, a natural leader and developer of talent, and a successful manager.  Sarah will work closely with me and our team to identify and capitalize on growth opportunities as we execute our vision and continue building our already highly successful global lifestyle brand.  We are very excited to have her join our team."

Equinox is internationally recognized for its commitment to lifestyle, hospitality, innovative programming, award-winning design and unparalleled focus on the members' experience.

Robb O'Hagan will look to fuel the unparalleled member experience and the company's many brand initiatives while overseeing marketing, operations, finance, digital, and human resources.  She will also oversee the company's international expansion, with clubs in London in fall 2012 and Toronto in winter 2012. 

"I'm so thrilled to be joining Equinox at this exciting time, as the company pursues a dynamic and ambitious future.  Harvey and his incredibly talented team have already built a portfolio of highly successful brands, which are poised for exponential growth in new verticals and new geographies.  Being a part of Equinox's entrepreneurial culture is just a dream opportunity for me," said Robb O'Hagan. 

About Equinox

Equinox operates 56 upscale, full-service clubs in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Miami, Boston, Dallas, and Washington, DC, with its first international locations opening in London in fall 2012 and Toronto in winter 2012.  The company offers an integrated selection of Equinox-branded programs, services and products, including strength and cardio training, group fitness classes, personal training, spa services and products, apparel and food/juice bars.  Since its inception in 1991, Equinox has developed a lifestyle brand that represents service, value, quality, expertise, innovation, attention to detail, market leadership and results.  

In addition to the Equinox clubs, the company operates under the Pure Yoga, Blink, and the SoulCycle brands.  The Pure Yoga brand operates two upscale, full-service yoga facilities in New York with over 100 classes per week led by world-renowned instructors, private yoga instruction, and a series of workshops and community events.  Blink launched in early 2011 and operates gyms with a simplified approach to fitness, by offering strength and cardio equipment in a friendly, clean and motivating environment at a low membership price point.  In May 2011, Equinox entered into a strategic partnership with highly successful SoulCycle, the country's leading studio cycling operator which combines inspirational coaching and great music for an amazing full-body workout.  SoulCycle operates nine locations, including New York City, the Hamptons and Los Angeles.

For more information, visit www.equinox.com.