Lifetime Fitness
- Good for Kids: Yes
10 Reviews for Lifetime Fitness
I pay almost $120 month in fees for our family of 5 but it is sooooo worth it. Just the two hours per day of free childcare for my 3 kiddos is worth it. I love the group fitness classes, the place is always clean and pretty well stocked. The cafe has yummy smoothies and the pool is lush. What else could you ask for in a gym?
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Wow this place is gargantuan. Really, it's like an entity in itself. I guess coming from Chicago, I'm used to the gym being fairly small and compact. Real estate is expensive and they make use of every inch. This place is FANCY. There's like a million square feet of space, upstairs and down. An indoor pool, an outdoor pool, a steam room, a tv in the locker room with couches, plenty of towels and tons of machines.
It's a bit pricey but much cheaper than my gym per month. The other thing is, you can't use the studios when there aren't classes. Sometimes it's nice to have that extra space to stretch or do your own exercises. We came on Sunday and there's no classes past 11am. I am a yoga junkie and wanted to do my own stretching, but my friend said we couldn't use the mats/studio space cuz they lock it up when classes aren't in session. At my home gym you can use the space and equipment if there's no class. I had to have my own impromptu yoga class in the stretching area with crappy mats that don't stay put.
I got a one day guest pass while I was here, but if I moved to the area or even to an area with Lifetime, I'd consider membership. How can you beat an indoor and outdoor pool in the Arizona heat?
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Ok I am poor...and Lifetime is the reason for it. But you know what...I don't care...I heart LIfetime Fitness. It is the only gym that I actually feel comfortable working out in. They never tried to upsell me on packages. My sales manager (who works in Scottsdale) is the best. But on top of everything else...I love my trainer. (this is why I am poor...but I love him so) He is the best and believe me...when the manager was choosing a trainer for me...they knew what they were doing. Matt is the best. He is so worth it.
I am going to have my first experience with the classes tomorrow, and I have signed up for volleyball. (hint hint...they need more players)
The lifespa is awesome, and the Life Cafe has the best Chicken Pesto sandwich in the world. Everybody is so friendly there...and the whole gym is extremely clean...another thing that I like. I cannot complain in the least.
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Yes, Lifetime Fitness is expensive. When I joined, I felt that $40/month was a little excessive but appreciated the wealth of amenities I was provided. I eventually canceled in favor of a cheaper rate at LA Fitness and have learned that Lifetime has raised their monthly dues to an astronomical $50. If this is true, I can't imagine why anyone would sign up.
Sure, the facility is more like a compound in size, but how many people will actually take advantage of everything offered to them? I used only the cardio equipment, free weights, and basketball courts. I estimate that most people don't even utilize that much. If you're the type of person that appreciates pools, water slides, squash, rock climbing, tanning beds, day spas, cafes, an uncountable number of saunas, and watching television in the locker room, then this gym is for you. Me, I just want to work out for 47 minutes, shoot some hoops, and go home.
This gym clearly isn't for everyone, but I guess it's for someone.
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I can't believe the reviews that this place has received so far! WOW!!
I concede, yes it is very expensive when compared to other gyms, but a BMW is expense when compared to a Ford....
In my life I've belonged to The Courthouse (tiny gym), LA Fitness, ASU Student Rec Center, Q Fitness (now 24 hour fitness) and the YMCA and I can honestly say that all pale in comparison to this facility. Quick disclaimer: Not all LifeTime Fitness centers are the same! The one in Gilbert is great, but not as amazing as this facility. When I moved to MN (home of LifeTime Fitness) I actually plotted out where we would live based on the proximity to one of their gyms. The closest one to me is in no way comparable to the facility in Tempe and as a result we are no longer members. If I lived even remotely close to a facility like this one I would join again in a heartbeat. Now on to the review.
My wife actually signed us up under the family plan without me around. When she told me how much it was (~$90/month for the entire family) I was a bit put back. But after my first visit I felt the money was well spent and that we were even getting a deal!
I often describe this facility as a "country club". Everything about this place is just amazing.
Locker Rooms - Incredibly well appointed with a ton of space, a lounge, sauna and steam room. The lockers are large and their card/key system saves a lot of time for those of us that always forget to bring a lock with them.
Cardio - There's no way anyone can complain about this! Even at peak times there are almost always machines available in every category (treadmill, bike, elliptical, etc). The machines are well maintained and the abundance of large screen TVs will keep you distracted from your achy legs.
Weight Machines - You name it, they have it. There are more here than I would ever use, but if you want to work that little muscle that connects those two things that you n ever use, they probably have a machine here to do it.
Free Weights - They have a ton of free weights with some set-ups that I have yet to find in other facilities. Plenty of space to workout and plenty of weights for everyone to use.
Basketball - Two full size courts that are open and clean. Great courts to play on.
Squash - Probably my one complaint is that they have squash courts and no racquetball courts. Of course most would argue that squash is more technical than racquetball and I should get some skill and stop bitching.
Rock Climbing - Probably one of the most underused aspects of the gym. I rarely saw people on this, but is was a heck of a set-up!
Tennis - This was extra and since I'm not much of a tennis player I didn't sign up for this feature, but it seemed like a nice facility.
Pool - Indoor and outdoor pools, so you can swim all year long. The outdoor pool had some AMAZING "scenery" during the warmer months. I wouldn't go so far as to compare it to a Vegas hotel pool, but it was darn impressive!
Kid Zone - This is one of the things that sold it for us. The facility for kids was outstanding, with separate areas set up for different ages and an abundance of activities and areas for all kids. Indoor, lower hood basketball. Outdoor play area. Huge indoor "jungle gym". Computers. Crafts. This truly was an amazing part of the gym. And the great thing is, if you want to relax instead of work out, this aspect of the gym becomes even more helpful! You want to get a haircut and a massage? Drop the kids off and head to the spa! You want to sit back and relax? Drop the kids off and head to the pool or hot tub. The kids look forward to it and it's great for the parents!
Spa - My wife used this more than me and was happy with the experiences that she had here. We didn't use it as much as we could have, but no complaints.
Cafe - Decent food for a little cafe in a gym. I ate many a breakfast there on my way to work after a cardio session.
Overall I just don't think that I've ever been in a better gym. Yes it's expensive, but even at a higher price I feel as if I always got a good deal for the money I spent.
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Not too impressed. Lots of nice lights - BUT I asked and asked and asked these people for some classes in traditional karate & got the run around! Yes, I want to see some Okinawan Karate - none of this phoney 'Korean Karate'.. Give me a break! This place needs to be investigated - there is no such thing as Korean Karate. Korean is Korean and Karate is Japanese - they do not go together!
Expensive but WAAAAAAY worth it!
Just the best fitness center bar none!
God Bless Lifetime Fitness.
First off, let me tell you how much I despise working out. Like, at times I'd rather drink my own pee than even come within 50 feet of the stair stepper.
However, LTF (have you noticed that I like to abbreviate? Get used to it friends...) makes my gym experience fairly painless. Steve W, I salute you for aknowledging the value of such a fine work-out establishment, and I actually have many of the same opinions. But because I like to hear myself talk, I'll reiterate some of my favorite points.
First off, I'm absolutely not a fan of children. Especially at a gym. Lifetime has FREE childcare for kiddos 12 and under so us singles can flirt our way through our workout without your kids sniffling and screaming. Kids can play and swim outside under parental supervision at the pool, complete with waterslides and some kid-specifc water fountain spray thing. They love it. And I do too. WATERSLIDES? I mean come on. LoveitLoveit.
Lifetime's members span the board, which is nice because I like the fact that I'm not the most out of shape person there. I also like that there is nice scenery to watch and inspire me to keep my feet on that god forsaken stair stepper. You may even see a professional athelete or TV personality on occasion. Who doesnt love that?
You never wait for a piece of equipement because there are tons of machines. And they are not covered in meathead sweat, which is always nice.
My favorite part of LTF is the group classes. Excellent teachers, classes every day of the week, and a good variety of options. I'd like to see more coreographed classes like Hip-Hop, but whatever, Kickboxing Jam is pretty damn close.
Locker rooms are always spotless, towel service is free, sauna and steam rooms arent full of weirdo naked people, and they have this device that dries your bathing suit in under a minute. Ingenious!
I've been a member of a ton of Scottsdale gyms but I drive the extra 20 minutes in rush hour to go to the Tempe LTF. Doesnt road rage burn calories anyway?? Win-win situation.
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LTF...a home away from home! We joined a year before they opened - yes, one year! In general I am really happy with Lifetime, have had some issues but it seems less "gym-y" than some, and I like the atmosphere. I have children, so the amenities for them are awesome (kids center, summer camp, lessons and pools), and the fitness classes are generally really good, while my husband goes for the squash league. I dont think the cost is crazy for what you get, really. Over time we have had some kinks with member activities, swim lesson instructors, etc - but they have changed their staff and it really has improved. Besides, where else can go and check out Matt Leinart in his sweaty gym clothes!!!
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There are much better and cheaper options for gyms in the tempe area. My biggest complaints are the lack of cleanliness and the overall condition. The lobby and general areas all look nice, but I've often found the locker rooms to be dirty. Additionally, the cardio machines are often sticky and sweaty. Gross!
On the plus side, the pool is great, and it's large enough that finding a machine isn't a problem.
My biggest complaint has come after I cancelled my membership. I get almost weekly calls, letters, and emails asking me to re-join. I've asked to be removed from their mailing list, but it doesn't seem to work. Somehow the message of "Leave me alone... I'm happy with my new gym" isn't getting through!
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