I went down the street this morning to experience Tripper’s spin class at his new domicile, Lifetime. But before I talk about our hero let me tell you about my impressions of the club. As I approached from the parking lot there was a sense of grandeur that enveloped me almost like luxury liner planted in cement. When it opened several years ago I had taken the tour and realized then it just wasn’t for me. Great for families, people who love to swim and play basketball but as a 3rd space I felt like I would just be a number. Equinox has been for me a place that I felt a sense of community amongst so many people I know socially as well as intellectually. It’s not impossible to garner those relationships at Lifetime but to start all over again? The club has resplendent opulence whether it’s their marble seating in the locker room, the spacious health bar or even the spin room, which accommodates an astounding 70 bikes on a wood maple floor.
Tripper made me feel like I never missed a beat I may have just as well been in the Lavender Palace in the place I call home. He welcomed me with open arms and quite a few tunes that he knew I would favor but even that wasn’t necessary I knew that my friend was in the right place. This club supports his outside endeavors as well as the ones inside and that just wasn’t possible for him in Woodbury. Many will miss his exuberance at EQ but he has a new set of devotees and I recognized quite a few of members that had defected. I won’t mention their names because well it’s quite superfluous. I am glad that they are where they want to be. He has a fresh set of members to inspire and at 10,000 there will be plenty for him to get to know. Tripp has always been a sentient being and beyond the sensitivity of this man in his heart resides a genuine need and desire to please and be loved. He has the God given talent and here he gets to showcase it in full bloom.
Lifetime doesn’t have the online set up for reserving bikes it’s first come first serve and as I stood on the landing between the first and second floor I could feel the excitement as if I was waiting on line for a Broadway play to open its doors and the SRO crowd twisted around the corridor out the door leading up the stairwell. I am so happy for Tripp he is where all his talents can be utilized, enjoyed and experienced. And for those members in the club down the street they get to experience what some of us took for granted and now miss. Good luck Tripper you’ve come home.
