Equinox Appoints Brendan Whitworth as CEO and Raises Capital from Existing Investors to Fund More than $1 Billion in Planned Growth Investments

Experienced Consumer and Commercial Leader Joins as Company Builds on Momentum and Accelerates Investment in New Club Openings and Enriched Member Offerings

NEW YORK, Nov. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Equinox, the global leader in high-performance luxury lifestyle, today announced the appointment of Brendan Whitworth as Chief Executive Officer as the company enters its next phase of growth. Whitworth will also serve as a Director on the Equinox Board. Harvey Spevak, who has led Equinox since 1999, will serve as Chairman.

Whitworth was most recently Chief Executive Officer of Anheuser-Busch, one of America's most iconic consumer businesses, where he led all aspects of the company's long-term strategy and growth.  Throughout his career Whitworth has brought a relentless focus on the consumer while building world-class teams and galvanizing critical partners and stakeholders to drive growth.  As a long-time fitness enthusiast and former U.S. Marine Corps officer, Whitworth will combine his lifelong passion for wellness and performance with his established track record and expertise fueling the growth of category-leading consumer-centered businesses.

"Equinox is an extraordinary brand and business that has truly defined high-performance living for more than three decades, and I am honored to have the opportunity to lead the company into its next chapter of growth," said Whitworth. "People embrace Equinox in their daily lives and routines because of how it makes them feel and what it helps them achieve, and I take seriously the responsibility of upholding that standard of excellence and earning our members' loyalty day in and day out. I look forward to working with the team, Harvey, and the Board as we invest in providing more experiences people love and further raise the bar in the world of health, wellness, and performance."

"Having known Brendan for several years, I was personally involved in bringing him to Equinox, and I'm thrilled to welcome him as our CEO," said Spevak. "Brendan has a deep appreciation for what Equinox represents and a deep understanding of what makes exceptional brands resonate with consumers. I know he shares our commitment to delivering an unparalleled experience for our members, and I look forward to working closely with him in his new role as we continue to push the boundaries of what Equinox can offer and build on everything that makes this brand so special."

With 118 clubs in 18 major markets and recent club openings far surpassing projections, Equinox continues to see strong demand across its portfolio as well as strong operating momentum marked by double-digit topline growth. Membership numbers, activity and check-ins are at all-time highs. Building on this momentum, the company is focused on accelerating new club openings across its pipeline of approximately 50 new clubs, expanding into high-potential markets, and making significant investments in existing locations to further enrich and elevate its differentiated member experience. Equinox is well-positioned to capitalize on growing consumer engagement at the intersection of fitness, health, wellness, and longevity.

Whitworth's appointment as CEO comes as Equinox has recently completed a comprehensive refinancing that significantly strengthens the company's balance sheet and provides the company with more than $1 billion of capital planned for investment in its global club portfolio, member experience, and strategic growth initiatives.

The transaction was supported by additional equity capital from existing investors Silver Lake, principals of Related Companies, and Ares alongside participation from existing lenders Ares and Sixth Street in the debt refinancing, underscoring the continued confidence and commitment of Equinox's investors and lending partners in the company's long-term growth and strategic direction.

"We are delighted to welcome Brendan as the new CEO to lead the company going forward.  Brendan is an exceptional and inspirational leader with a proven track record of building iconic consumer brands, driving commercial growth, and leading world-class organizations," said Greg Mondre, Co-Chairman of Silver Lake, and Stephen Evans, Senior Partner of Silver Lake. "Equinox has a uniquely powerful brand, a highly differentiated member experience, and significant opportunities for continued growth. Harvey has done a tremendous job of growing the company over nearly three decades and we look forward to continuing to work with him as Chairman. With Brendan at the helm, working with Harvey and the team and with significant capital to drive further growth, Equinox is exceptionally well positioned to build on its momentum and capture the substantial opportunity ahead as the leading scaled player globally in luxury health, wellness and performance."

"Two decades ago, we invested in Equinox because we believed in the iconic brand that Harvey was creating and the power of the community behind it," said Jeff T. Blau, CEO of Related Companies, and Stephen M. Ross, Founder and Chairman of Related Companies, and Danny Sillman, CEO of Ross Sports and Entertainment. "Our conviction has only grown as health, wellness and longevity become increasingly important, and we are incredibly excited about Equinox's future under Brendan's vision and leadership, and with Harvey's partnership as Chairman. With a strengthened financial foundation and an exceptional team, Equinox is well positioned to continue to lead in luxury health, wellness and performance."

"Equinox has built a differentiated brand at the intersection of fitness, wellness and luxury, and we are excited to expand our investment in the company with a scaled capital solution that can help advance its next phase of growth," said Jim Miller, President of Ares Capital Corporation, and Karen De Castro, Partner in Ares Credit. "This latest investment reflects our confidence in Equinox's long-term opportunities and strong leadership team, with Brendan as CEO and Harvey as Chairman."

About Brendan Whitworth
Brendan Whitworth is a proven business and people leader with a track record of successfully building world-class teams, strengthening leading brands, driving innovation, and delivering commercial performance. Prior to becoming CEO of Anheuser-Busch, Brendan held a series of commercial leadership roles there including serving as Chief Sales Officer. Before joining Anheuser-Busch, Whitworth held senior commercial leadership roles at PepsiCo. Prior to the private sector, Whitworth served in the U.S. Marine Corps. He holds a bachelor's degree in economics from Bucknell University and an MBA from Harvard Business School.

About Equinox
Equinox is the authority in high-performance luxury lifestyle, operating 118 clubs across the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Spanning fitness, longevity, wellness, and hospitality, Equinox creates seamless, world-class experiences designed to maximize human performance. Learn more at equinox.com.

SOURCE Equinox Group