PureGym officially takes over Blink Fitness

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy

PureGym officially launched 50-plus locations at former Blink Fitness outposts across NYC and New Jersey on Dec. 4 ... including the East Village stop at 100 Avenue A between Sixth Street and Seventh Street.

New signage arrived here on Friday, making the transition official.

The company has been steadily upgrading and rebranding the former Blink locations to reflect PureGym's model: 24/7 access to what it calls premium equipment at an affordable price point. (The Avenue A location was 24/5, open all night on weekdays but not on weekends.) 

Per a rep: PureGym locations feature a full suite of strength-training equipment — free weights, barbells, racks and assisted machines — along with cardio offerings such as treadmills, ski ergs and rowers. 

Coming soon, however, is a new feature that's already generating some chatter elsewhere: the so-called "entry pods." 

At several locations across the city, members must step into a tube-like portal immediately after entering the building and scan their membership ID from the PureGym app. After a few seconds — once the system confirms their identity — the doors open and members are released into the gym. (Hell Gate recently explored the rollout of these portals.) 

Asked whether the East Village location will be getting the same setup, staff said yes — likely within the next month.

Whether the entry pods ultimately feel futuristic, dystopian, or just mildly annoying remains to be seen — but they're on the way.

Check the website for membership options. 

PureGym is a global operator with some 2.4 million members across more than 700 gyms worldwide. The company operates corporate-owned gyms in the U.K., Denmark, Switzerland and the U.S., along with franchise locations in the Middle East. 

Previously

Change is coming to Blink Fitness on Avenue A (and elsewhere)

The Blink Fitness chain, including the Avenue A outpost, is in flux following the gym chain's sale. 

PureGym, a leading U.K.-based operator, finalized its $121 million acquisition of Blink late last year, with plans to rebrand 67 New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania locations under the PureGym banner this year.

New signage about PureGym is up at the Avenue A outpost between Sixth Street and Seventh Street for current Blink members here and elsewhere (like on Fourth Street and Lafayette)...

What this means on Avenue A, though, is less clear. Staff members offered conflicting answers on whether the gym will close for renovations during the transition. There are also questions about whether membership prices will increase. 

Signage points to promises of new equipment, refreshed spaces, and "a feel-good, judgment-free community."

For now, the only certainty is that Blink's new app went live last week, requiring members to download it to access the gym.

PureGym, a budget gym brand, reportedly beat out Planet Fitness in the acquisition after Blink's Equinox parent voluntarily filed for bankruptcy in August 2024.