Entertainment

BATTLE OF GRAND CENTRAL GYMS

WESTCHESTER fitness freaks now have two gyms to choose from in Grand Central Terminal.

Last week, New York Sports Club opened a 24,000-square-foot branch on the opposite side of the terminal from Equinox, which opened its club there in December 2000.

People behind the clubs say there are enough sweathogs to go around. Execs – especially female – who don’t mind paying extra for perks like Bosu classes, fresh flowers and 1,800-watt hairdryers tend to prefer the chic Equinox, while New York Sports Club appeals more to the weight-training crowd.

The atmosphere at both gyms is businesslike – and the 22-minute XpressLine circuit at the New York Sports Club makes it easy to get a workout without missing the 6:43 train.

“I can get out of here as soon as possible,” says Chris Low, a 38-year-old economist who commutes to the city every day from Connecticut. “That’s my goal.”

And then, there’s the morning crowd. “My boss doesn’t know that I am here right now,” said Elizabeth Agge, a real-estate administrator from Marine Park who was working out on the XpressLine yesterday. “It’s very convenient.”

Tale of the treadmills

Gym Equinox New York Sports Club

Open for three years one week

Equipment: Cybex, Life Fitness Cybex, Star Trac treadmills

Perks Massage room, steamroom, healthfood court, 1800-watt hairdryers massage room, saunas, hairdryers hooked up to walls

Monthly dues $130 $70

Entertainment TVs on the wall Personal E-Zone TV sets

Pro shop Sugoi, Perfetto and City Lights workout wear NYSC T-shirts and pants

Views None Manhattan skyscrapers