Life Time Membership Review: Is It Value The Cost?

Finding the right gym can go a great distance in helping you hit your muscle-building goals. In the event you love where you go and look ahead to the good equipment and amenities afterward (sauna time, anyone?), it makes it far easier to persuade yourself to show off the TV, get off the couch, and go lift some weights.

But, lately, there’s an countless assortment of gyms to select from. High-end with all of the perks, a middle-ground selection that is more wallet-friendly, and the barebones options with only probably the most basic equipment.

If luxury is more your style, probably the greatest gyms and health clubs is Life Time Fitness, a sequence of health clubs identifying as a “luxury athletic country club.” Similar to an everyday country club, Life Time Fitness carries a hefty membership fee.

Is Life Time Fitness definitely worth the high membership cost, and what perks come together with that price tag? Stick to us as we discuss the ins and outs of the gym, so you possibly can make an informed decision before signing up.

Table of Contents:

• What Is Life Time Fitness?
• Virtual Gym Tour
• Life Time Fitness Membership Plans, Fees, & Locations
• Gym Amenities, Advantages, & Cons
• Real Life Experiences From Reddit Users
• How To Deactivate Your Membership
• FAQs

What Is Life Time Fitness?

Life Time Fitness was created by Bahram Akradi, a person who envisioned a health club that looked more like a rustic club than a gym. In 1992, the primary Life Time Fitness club opened in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. They slowly expanded within the Minneapolis-St. Paul area before growing to other states.

The chain of health clubs was established as Life Time Fitness before rebranding to the shorter Life Time in 2017. They’re a public-traded company on the Recent York Stock Exchange, trading under the name LTH (Life Time Group Holdings Inc). Life Time’s corporate office is in Chanhassen, Minnesota

The complete concept of Life Time is an athletic club that’s designed with a rustic club feel reasonably than a typical weight room. Gyms are typically one-dimensional in that they only have a weight room and gym floor with free weights and a few machines, but Akradi wanted Life Time to be a facility that provides multiple services for your complete family.

Each location incorporates an array of workout options, including a full weight room, a gaggle fitness room with group fitness classes, swimming pools (some include each an indoor and outdoor pool), a basketball court, an indoor tennis court, indoor pickleball courts, and spa services. Some locations have additional amenities equivalent to child daycare services, kids club, kids academy fitness classes, a protein shake/healthy cafe, hair salon, and social areas. 

Life Time Fitness facilities contain a state-of-the-art weight lifting area full of all the latest technology and gym staples. As of late 2023, there are over 170 athletic country clubs throughout america and Canada, with the typical club spanning 100,000 square feet.

Along with the fitness centers, Life Time also has a couple of luxury apartment residences attached to the gym facilities. Considered one of these unique residences recently opened in Stamford, CT and incorporates 290 luxury for-lease apartments.

They provide studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom units starting from 540 to 2,000 square feet. Along with the 290 apartments, there’s a 52,000-square-foot athletic facility and a ten,000-square-foot rooftop beach resort. It also has a penthouse lounge containing a golf simulator, private dining room, work-from-home space, bar area, sundeck, and pet area. Life Time plans to open more of those unique luxury apartment residences. 

Life Time Gym Virtual Tour

Before we go any further, try a tour of the gym’s Frisco, Texas location. You will get a feel for all its amenities, in addition to hear from among the gym goers regarding what makes Life Time so great. And, if you must see how your local Life Time gym compares, you possibly can schedule an in-person tour here.

3 Kinds of Life Time Fitness Membership Plans

If you have got heard anything about Life Time, apart from how extravagant they’re, it’s the high membership cost. There are three foremost categories of membership: Digital, Standard, and Signature. 

1) Digital:

The Digital membership is just because it sounds – digital only.

Although you don’t gain access to the facilities, this membership provides virtual classes and virtual training, live streaming classes, exclusive exercise videos, and programs.

2) Standard:

The most well-liked membership option, the Standard membership includes: 

• Club access to all clubs (in your price level)
• Amenities include the load room, studio classes, indoor pool, and childcare
• Life Time Digital 
• Free One-hour session with Dynamic Personal Trainer (14+ only)
• $25 Life Spa credit

3) Signature:

The highest-level membership is known as the Signature membership. Signature Membership includes all the pieces in the usual, plus the next:

• Unlimited Group Training (GTX, Alpha, and Ultra Fit)
• Early registration for classes, child care, and summer camps
• Access to all clubs
• Free court time for indoor pickleball and tennis 

What To Know About Membership Fees

Life Time offers a tour of the facilities before you enroll, which you possibly can schedule online. First, everyone has to pay an initiation fee once they join the health club. The joining fee will depend on location but will range from $49 to as high as $170. Life Time does offer special promos all year long, where they are going to waive the initiation fee. 

Membership fees are collected on the primary of the month which will be paid with any debit or bank card. Adult membership prices rely on the placement and might vary from $79 to $269 a month.

The closest location to me in Connecticut is the Stamford location, which starts at $199 a month. In contrast, among the gyms in additional distance Chicago, Illinois suburbs are anywhere from $149 to $179. It varies somewhat significantly based in your area. You can even buy a one-day membership. Try the Location Finder within the section below, and when you plug in your zip code, it’ll show you your closest gyms and price points to match. And, when you ever wish to try it or need a gym while traveling, you possibly can get a day membership for $50 per day.

There’s a reduced membership option for youngsters and young adults under 26 and seniors 65 and above. The digital membership plan starts at $15 monthly, while the “26 and younger” and “65 and older” categories start at $169 monthly. Some firms offer a company membership discount, so check in together with your job. 

The Beach Club is a special membership perk that features access to outdoor activities, even though it only applies to certain locations. Outdoor services include access to the outdoor aquatic center, water slides, lounge area, and full-service bistro. 

Life Time Gym Locations

The origin of Life Time Fitness began in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, and slowly expanded in the encircling areas. Life Time Fitness will be present in 31 states and three Canadian locations today. To search out the placement nearest you, try the Life Time Location Finder website. 

Life Time Gym Amenities 

One of the well-known and hyped parts of Life Time Fitness is its big selection of amenities, including its group classes led by talented instructors. They provide a whole lot of weekly classes with various fitness types for people of all fitness and experience levels.

A few of the kinds of classes they’ve include cardio kickboxing, yoga classes, Barre, Zumba, pilates, HIIT, spinning, and strength classes, amongst several others.

The load room incorporates all of the classic equipment you anticipate finding, plus the latest technology and machines. A few of the gym equipment includes top cardio and fitness machines from Precor, Hammer Strength, and Octane Fitness.

Most locations have at the very least six squat racks, all of which have deadlift platforms. The squat rack areas even have a dip station, other attachments, and bumper plates. The rack also has arm attachments so you possibly can safely lift heavy with no spotter!

The gym also has an entire dumbbell rack, in addition to preloaded barbells and EZ curl bars. You’ll benefit from the Alpha line of Life Time equipment when you prefer a CrossFit-type workout.

In addition they offer Alpha classes, that are a CrossFit workout featuring kettlebells, rows, and Olympic lifts you’d see at a CrossFit gym. Life Time Fitness has the right equipment whether you might be a beginner or knowledgeable bodybuilder. 

The cardio area incorporates all the standard gym equipment, including quite a lot of treadmills, stationary bicycles, elliptical machines, and stairmaster machines. In addition they have Woodway Treadmills, a novel treadmill with revolutionary technology. There are several machines, so that you almost certainly would never must wait for a treadmill. 

While certain extra amenities vary by location, every Life Time Fitness has a non-public locker room with unlimited toiletries, saunas, steam room, swimming pool, personal trainers, and a big selection of classes. Standard amenities in any respect locations include:

• Basketball courts
• Indoor pool (Some have outdoor pools)
• Private locker rooms
• Racquetball court
• Sauna
• Showers
• Complimentary Toiletries
• Yoga Studio

One other key aspect of Life Time Fitness is their long hours of operation. While the hours may vary by location, my local location in Stamford, CT, has hours of 5 AM to 11 PM Monday through Friday and 6 AM to 10 PM on weekends. Any perk you possibly can imagine and any variety of fitness class conceivable, Life Time Fitness almost certainly has it. 

Life Time Fitness: Pros vs Cons

Let’s weigh the professionals and cons of joining Life Time Fitness.

Pros:

Here’s what makes Life Time Fitness so great.

1) Wide Variety:

Top-of-the-line things about Life Time is that they provide many kinds of workouts and athletics. As well as to straightforward weight room and cardio equipment, you possibly can switch up by hitting the tennis courts, basketball court, indoor pool, or a mountaineering wall. 

Just be certain that you have got a structured workout split before going, or you could wander off in all the equipment options!

2) Extremely clean:

Considered one of the primary things you may notice if you enter a Life Time Fitness is how clean they’re. The complete facility, from the load room to the locker rooms, are cleaned multiple times a day. You will likely be hard-pressed to seek out a cleaner hospital than Life Time. 

3) Child Care:

For folks, finding time for the gym will be nearly inconceivable between work, school, and other activities. Luckily, all Life Time Fitness locations have childcare options to maintain your kids secure and busy.

Cons:

There’s so such thing as a very perfect gym. Listed here are a couple of of the negatives of Life Time to contemplate.

1) Life Time Fitness Cost:

There is no getting around it – the worth may be very steep for the typical person. The most cost effective locations start at $199 a month, which is a price that the majority working-class people can’t justify for one month when you possibly can get a top-notch gym, equivalent to LA Fitness, for around $40 a month or less.

2) Difficulty Canceling Membership:

Some people have reported having problems canceling their membership. Unfortunately, Life Time Fitness doesn’t accept phone or email cancellation requests. You have to submit your request on 30 days’ notice through their online portal. 

Real Life Experiences From Reddit Users

When reading real-life testimonials, the final consensus appears to be that when you can afford it, then Life Time Fitness is a remarkable place, especially if you have got children. 

The Reddit thread “Is Lifetime Fitness definitely worth the price?” has a mixture of opinions, however the overwhelming majority agree it’s best for families. User MightyPez posted, “For just using the gym? Absolutely not. I believe the mathematics changes a bit, nonetheless, if you have got kids.” (source)

Several users are inclined to agree with the concept that having children to utilize the membership perks makes the price way more justifiable.

User hannfrank supported this idea, “The foremost perks for me all revolve around their childcare. My kid does camp there in the summertime (members get discounted rates), the free child care while I work out, the pools, they usually do free parents nights out once a month where you possibly can drop off your kid for 3 hours, they usually eat pizza and do activities.”

Despite the glowing review, she continued, “If I used to be child-free? I probably wouldn’t pay full rates.” (source)

This makes perfect sense because when you don’t have children to fret about, an everyday gym would be the more sensible choice. A serious determining factor is money and when you can afford the worth. 

User ZezemHD posted, “Is it price it? Probably not, but I like the way it’s full service.

• Countless Clean Towels
• Free all the pieces you might need for cleansing conditioner/Shampoo/Body Wash/Shaving Cream/Mouth Wash/Deodorant/Hair Spray
• More Clean Towels
• Nutrition Bar and Restaurant
• Overall, a really clean gym and locker room
• Doesn’t smell like BO like most cheaper gyms” (source)

Other people had similar high praise for the facilities, reiterating that when you can afford them and can use them, it is completely price it.

Hypothetically, when you were homeless, you might have a clean place to shower with unlimited soap and toiletries for a fraction of the price of an apartment. The locker rooms are so clean and top-notch that you simply would think you were at a rustic club, not a gym. 

User CorpsmanKing posted, “Best spend of my life! It isn’t only a gym. I’m going within the morning to shower & steam. In the summertime, I get a smoothie and sit by the pool. The worth keeps off the gym bozos, and it is a clean and calm environment with top-of-the-line equipment.” (source)

This user brings up point: The membership price will keep undesirable members out. The worth creates a level of exclusivity and privacy so you could feel more comfortable during your workouts. This can be helpful to finish your workouts in a timely fashion.

In industrial gyms, like Planet Fitness, for instance, I actually have personally waited over 20 minutes for basic fitness equipment. One other issue you don’t have to take care of is people disrupting you by filming their workouts.

We’ve got all likely seen viral gym content, or hopefully Joey Swoll protecting people from such. In a rustic club environment like that of Life Time, you don’t have to worry concerning the problems you possibly can encounter at your local LA Fitness. 

All for one other gym tour? Try the YouTube video below titled “Lifetime Athletic Gym Tour | $150/month, is a luxury gym price it!?” for an additional perspective on what the gym is like.

How To Deactivate Your Life Time Account

In the event you find yourself not having fun with your experience, or can not justify the expense, there are alternatives for ending your membership. 

• Suspend Club Access: If you have got been a member for at the very least six months, you possibly can suspend your club access for as much as 4 months, once per calendar 12 months. To pause membership temporarily, you possibly can convert to a Digital membership for less than $15 a month. A 30-day notice is required. 
• Inactivate Membership: In the event you can’t use the club for some time, you possibly can change your status to inactive member. A 30-day notice and a one-time service fee of $10 is required. 
• Medical/Military Freeze: If you might want to pause your membership for medical reasons or a military leave, you possibly can freeze your membership freed from cost for up to 3 months. Be prepared to offer a health care provider’s note or proof of military orders when you go this route. 
• Cancel Membership: In the event you wish to cancel, it’s essential to provide a 30-day notice. There isn’t a cancellation fee. 

You can even add someone to your account each time relatively quickly. There’s a one-time service fee of $10 so as to add someone to your plan, plus the monthly membership fees. 

Life Time Fitness FAQs

Let’s answer some regularly asked questions on Life Time Fitness.

How much is Life Time Fitness membership?

Membership fees vary depending on location and membership type; the typical cost ranges from $79 to $269 a month. The worth of the Stamford, CT location is $199 a month. In the event you are under age 26 or over 65, you possibly can qualify for special discounts, which bring the worth all the way down to roughly $169 a month. 

How do you cancel your Life Time Fitness membership?

You have to provide the club with 30 days notice to cancel your membership and submit the appliance online. 

Is there a family plan membership at Life Time Fitness?

No, there shouldn’t be a family package; nonetheless, you possibly can add one adult who lives in the identical household, and dependents between 14 and 25. You possibly can add a second adult at a 50% membership rate and kids under 14 for roughly $50 a month or less. 

Is pilates included with a Life Time Fitness membership?

Yes, pilates and several other other classes are included with a Life Time Fitness membership. 

Can I exploit other locations with my Life Time Fitness membership?

If you have got the best level membership, you need to use other locations. You possibly can add multiple club access to your membership anytime for a one-time service fee of $10. 

Life Time Fitness Membership: Final Verdict

In the event you ever wanted to hitch that ridiculous gym you see in movies, equivalent to GloboGym in Dodgeball, then Life Time Fitness is the place for you. Life Time Fitness shouldn’t be simply a gym – it’s designed like a rustic club and has a plethora of amenities.

The membership fee varies depending on location, but it surely’s definitely pricier than most traditional gyms. For this price, you receive access to the best athletic facilities, including a weight room, cardio room, yoga studio, sauna, basketball court, indoor swimming pool, private locker room, and racquetball court. 

You possibly can experience all of the perfect points of the gym with the latest equipment and achieve this with the utmost privacy and respect. And, this gym is especially desirable for families with young children on account of the big selection of obtainable sports facilities and daycare options.

In the event you can afford the worth and have children, or you’d benefit from the big selection of facilities, then Life Time Fitness is your ideal fitness center. 

Life Time Membership Verdict: If you have got children or enjoy additional perks and amenities, and might afford the hefty membership fees, then yes, a Life Time Fitness membership is completely price it. 

All for researching more gyms before making a membership decision? Try our article: Anytime Fitness vs Planet Fitness: Which Gym Is Best?