Life Time Fitness (NYSE: LTM) is a national chain of fitness centers (or health clubs) in the United States, based out of Chanhassen, Minnesota.

[edit] Overview

The chain began with its first location in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota in 1992, which closed in 2006. The oldest functioning location is in Eagan, Minnesota.

Several locations were added to the Minneapolis-St. Paul area before the chain began to introduce its big-box fitness center format in suburban and exurban communities in other metropolitan areas, primarily in the Central States, with none on the West Coast and only 3 in the Northeast. Recently opened locations have favored exurban or fringe suburban areas in medium to large-sized metropolitan areas, with only a handful of locations in central city or inner suburban areas.

As of May 2008, the chain operated or has plans to open facilities in Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Texas, Utah, and Virginia. The company has 83 clubs nationwide, and publishes the magazine Experience Life.

[edit] Company Mission Statement

Life Time Fitness' mission is to provide an educational, entertaining, friendly and inviting, functional and innovative experience of uncompromising quality that meets the health and fitness needs of the entire family.

[edit] Facilities

Most Life Time Fitness facilities operate 24-hours a day, seven days a week. The Life Time Fitness facilities feature indoor and outdoor swimming pools, basketball and racquet courts, personal training and group fitness programming, child care centers, cafes and spas.

[edit] Events

Life Time Fitness hosts several events throughout the year. These events include a series of indoor Triathlons, and several 5K and 10K Runs. Their premier event is the Outdoor Life Time Fitness Triathlon, taking place on Lake Nokomis in Minneapolis. This event features an Olympic Course and a Short Course, and can be completed solo or as a relay.

Outside of the Life Time Fitness Triathlon, Life Time is part of the Triathlon Series titled "Race to the Toyota Cup". This series partners the Life Time Fitness Triathlon with the Nautica New York City Triathlon, the Chicago Triathlon, and the Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Triathlon, ending in a finale with the Toyota Cup Triathlon.

[edit] Life Time Fitness Foundation

The Life Time Fitness Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization that contributes to non-profits in their communities that support children and families in their health and well-being. The LTF Foundation provides a good homeo financial support as well as volunteer hours through use of their team members. 100% of all donations are directed to the organizations, as the LTF Foundation incurs no administrative costs. ([1])