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The people behind the Equinox chain are looking to change the stigma attached to low-budget gyms and are now offering an affordable exercise option with a skeevy quotient of zero. The bright, loft-ish space is spotless—employees seem to have a mild obsession with dusting, swabbing floors, and wiping down equipment. There are whimsical design elements like bulbous blue pendant lamps, but most of the décor is done in simple modern grays. About half of the hundred cardio machines are topped with fourteen-inch HDTVs offering 72 channels to take your mind off the gruel of your fifth mile. Going to be on the bike for a while? Tune into feature-length films on HBO and Showtime, or play D.J. with the digital jukebox that works with a smartphone app to select the tunes that play over the gym's speakers. All of the equipment is Life Fitness, including the 50-plus strength trainers. If anything goes out of commission, it's replaced within three days, thus avoiding the annoying whittling down of usable machines that can plague other gyms. For further inspiration, pick up a workout menu card—eight- to ten-step crib sheets to tone, burn, or build muscle. Locker rooms are squeaky-clean and full of spunk: bright-red benches, multicolored glass, and hefty shower curtains. The only downside is that lockers don't fit too much more than a gym bag. — Edna Ishayik

Given its cleanliness and fun atmosphere, Blink could charge a good deal more and still be a bargain. At twenty dollars, membership is puzzlingly affordable.

Cons
Those who need third-party motivation to exercise will see a major downside here: No group classes or personal training.

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Best of New York Awards

• Best Gym Membership (2011)