Inside Wealth: Equinox's Harvey Spevak on why health is the new luxury
Speakers
Robert Frank — Host, CNBC
— CNBC wealth reporter
Summary
- Health is the New Wealth: The ultra-wealthy are shifting discretionary spending from material goods (products) to "high-performance lifestyles" (experiences, longevity, and health span).
- The "Experience Economy" Shift: Pre-COVID, consumers bought "stuff." Post-COVID, the focus is on community, travel, and wellness. Young people (Gen Z/Millennials) are drinking significantly less and prioritizing sleep and early morning workouts over late-night partying.
- GLP-1 Counter-Narrative: Contrary to fears that weight-loss drugs (Ozempic/Wegovy) would kill gym memberships, Spevak argues they are a tailwind. Users realize they need resistance training to maintain muscle mass while on these drugs, driving demand for coaching and facilities.
- Equinox Financials: The company refinanced $1.8 billion in 2024 (partners include Sixth Street, Silver Lake, Ares). 2023 was a record year; 2024 and 2025 are projected to be even stronger. No near-term IPO planned.
- Expansion: Aggressive growth into hospitality (hotels) and international markets (Saudi Arabia/Red Sea, Middle East), plus domestic growth in non-traditional hubs (Nashville, San Diego).
Trade Ideas
Harvey Spevak
Executive Chairman, Equinox
Spevak explicitly states that the rise of GLP-1 drugs has been the "complete opposite" of a death knell for gyms. He notes that users are realizing they need "lifestyle change" and resistance training to avoid side effects (muscle loss). The market initially feared GLP-1s would make gyms obsolete. Spevak's data suggests a symbiotic relationship: as LLY/NVO sell more drugs, the "prescription" increasingly includes strength training. This benefits gym operators (LTF is the closest public proxy to Equinox's luxury tier; PLNT captures the mass market). Long the drug makers (LLY, NVO) and the gym operators (LTF, PLNT) as a combined "health span" trade. High valuation of GLP-1 stocks; potential for gym churn if economic conditions worsen for the aspirational class.
Harvey Spevak
Executive Chairman, Equinox
Spevak confirms Equinox completed a $1.8 billion refinancing in 2024 involving "Sixth Street, Silver Lake, and Ares." This deal highlights Ares Management's (ARES) ability to deploy capital into high-profile, cash-generative private assets that traditional banks may have pulled back from. It validates the "Private Credit" boom where alternative asset managers capture yield from premium brands. Long ARES as a beneficiary of the private credit super-cycle and high-end corporate refinancing. Credit cycle downturn or defaults in their portfolio companies.
Harvey Spevak
Executive Chairman, Equinox
Spevak notes that "wealthier gym members have an almost unlimited amount of discretionary income for health right now" and are moving from a "product economy" to an "experiential economy." While they are buying fewer "status symbol" handbags, they are spending heavily on the "high-performance lifestyle." This capital flows directly to premium activewear and footwear brands (Lululemon, On Running, Hoka/Deckers) which serve as the uniform for this new luxury status. Long premium activewear as the primary beneficiary of the "health is the new luxury" wallet share shift. Consumer discretionary spending slowdown; fashion cycle shifts.
Harvey Spevak
Executive Chairman, Equinox
Spevak observes a major demographic shift: "Everybody knows drinking is way down." Young people want to be in bed by 11 PM to hit the gym the next morning rather than partying late. The "high-performance lifestyle" is fundamentally incompatible with heavy alcohol consumption. As health/longevity becomes the ultimate status symbol, alcohol volume (especially among high-net-worth individuals and youth) faces a secular headwind. Avoid major alcohol producers as social habits shift toward wellness and recovery. Alcohol companies successfully pivoting to non-alcoholic beverages (which they are attempting).
Harvey Spevak
Executive Chairman, Equinox
Equinox is aggressively expanding its hotel business (Hudson Yards, Saudi Arabia, etc.) because members were staying at "inferior hotels" that didn't support their fitness routine. This signals a broader demand for "Wellness Hospitality." While Equinox Hotels is private, public luxury hotel chains (Hyatt, Marriott, Hilton) are rapidly adapting to this trend (better gyms, sleep programs, recovery suites) to capture the high-net-worth traveler who refuses to compromise on health while traveling. Long luxury hospitality groups that can integrate wellness/longevity features to drive ADR (Average Daily Rate). Geopolitical instability impacting travel; recession curbing luxury travel budgets.
Up Next
This CNBC video, published February 19, 2026, features Harvey Spevak discussing LTF, LLY, NVO, PLNT, ARES, LULU, ONON, DECK, BUD, STZ, DEO, H, MAR, HLT. 5 trade ideas extracted by AI with direction and confidence scoring.
Speakers: Harvey Spevak · Tickers: LTF, LLY, NVO, PLNT, ARES, LULU, ONON, DECK, BUD, STZ, DEO, H, MAR, HLT