Life Time — Local services in Austin

So I’ve been a member of this gym for about 8 years now. Last year I moved outside of Austin and kept the membership because one of my offices was close to the gym. I wasn’t exactly sure if I’d continue to use the membership and so for about a year I’ve paid for a membership that I rarely use. When my card information expired and they could no longer bill me I started receiving emails to update the memebership payment information. I tried but because they were bought by Lifetime I was unable to completely log into the account and update the payment information. I decided to go into the gym personally once I got back from the holidays and just terminate the membership now that I wasn’t using it and hadn’t for about 8 months. After speaking with the manager at the gym she advised me about the balance and I asked her since I hadn’t used the gym in 8 months and was terminating due to the proximity to my new home would they dissolve the balance. She agreed to do so and mentioned that if I decided to re-enroll I’d have to pay the forgiven amount but nothing would be owed if I chose to terminate. So today marks the 4th day I’ve been harassed by Steven Foster, a member of Lifetimes billing department after I’ve explained all of this to him and asked him to confirm with the manager at the branch and respond to me in writing since he had threatened to send me to collections for an unpaid balance. Really after 8 years of paying for a membership and then not even using the gym for almost a year. Wow!!! I wouldn’t have posted a review because normally I wouldn’t waste time with something so rediculous however when I’ve had 3-4 emails explaining the situation and someone just plainly is harassing me out of pure pleasure It seems no one knows this is how they treat prior members now that they’ve changed ownership. I almost put the membership on hold still thinking maybe I’d use it down the road. I’m actually glad I chose to cancel now seeing how badly their billing department handles situations. I’m not one of those people that pay for a gym memebership and never use it. I actually travel a lot, have a gym in my home, and go to several classes close to my home which has kept me in better shape then when I went strictly to the gym alone. I spend a lot of money taking good care of myself which is why I’m so upset because the amount due is infinitesimal compared to the investment made to stay in shape and I appreciated the gym allowing me to not waste my money in the end thinking that I may return. Still waiting for Mr. Foster who just sent me another harassing email to send me an apology saying he’s contacted the branch and validated my original conversation. I would definitely think twice about joining this gym now that ownership has changed they don’t seem to care about their memebership the way...

A triathlete's dream come true! That's what this place is. I was visiting Austin for a few days, practicing the Ironman course for the upcoming race. A few friends of mine had heard of this gym having an actual 'open water' training area, so were immediately interested and sought this place out.

When you first arrive at the gym you can already tell this is one of those 'upscale-luxury' type of gyms. We were immediately greeted by the front-desk associate. He was a pretty cool dude, let him know we were outsiders just visiting for the week. They offer one-day passes to the gym for about $22. You're handed a wristband that allows you in and out access to the gym until the end of day. I did inquire about their monthly memberships just for kicks and I believe he said it was $80. Not bad at all for all the amenities you get.

The inside is very well kept, super clean. It's not a very big weight training facility but they have all around great equipment to choose from. They even have a rock climbing wall!

There's a juice bar right behind the front reception desk. They have pretty awesome drinks. I had the 'Carrot Cake' smoothie and what do you know.. Tastes just like freakin' carrot cake. Yum!! My only issue that I ran into with the juice bar is that they don't update their menu very often. My first choice of drink was their Chai Tea Latte Smoothie and they said it was discontinued, it was advertised in their book menu AND it was also on the big board on the wall. What gives?

Anyway. My friends and I came here to train in open water. We walk outside to the back and you walk through an outdoor pool. You exit the the gym, walk through the parking lot and go through another gate that requires a pin code to enter. The front desk associate gives you the pin code once you paid the entry fee. We're in and there's a good long running trail all around the lake, perfect for brick workout!

The water of their lake is sooooo clean!! Seriously. I am so jealous we don't have something like this in Houston. You can see turtles swimming from far away. The perimeter of the lake seemed to be a good 700-800 meters, which was kinda short compared to what I'm used to at Lake 288 in Houston but that's okay! Because this water is beautiful!

My experience here was incredible. If there were such thing as a 'Pure Houston', I would sign up in a heartbeat. I will definitely be back here the next time...

Update: 14 month update. Still great here. Staff is amazing as always. Lot of the same staff as well.

For the past eight months, I've been attending this Lifetime Fitness location and have enjoyed its smaller, less crowded atmosphere, especially with the 18+ policy. The staff here really make a difference - they're always approachable and genuinely friendly, adding a positive touch to every visit. I've never had a bad experience with them; it's clear they're committed to making the gym a welcoming space.

The gym's location near a lake is a unique feature, though I haven't had a chance to fully experience it yet. There's no hot sauna or steam room here, but the membership allows access to other Lifetime locations. So if you fancy a steam or sauna session, you can simply visit another location every once in a while.

Despite a higher price tag, the quality of service and overall gym experience make it a worthwhile investment. While it might not be for everyone, particularly those who prefer larger gyms, if you appreciate a more personal atmosphere with familiar faces, it's definitely worth checking out.

I do want to give a special shout-out to Erica, a staff member who stands out. From my first tour of the gym to many check-ins since, Erica's exceptional service shines through. She consistently goes above and beyond, showing immense kindness in all her interactions with us gym-goers. Her dedication is just one example of the great service that characterizes this gym.

Another shout-out goes to Rachel K., one of the yoga instructors at this location. Her teaching style and kindness in the studio have been instrumental in my deepening love for yoga. She's always open to questions, fostering an environment of learning that I greatly appreciate. Her dedication to her students' growth is evident and has positively influenced my experience at the gym.

I also want to mention Gabby and Max. While I've interacted with them less frequently, each encounter has been positive and enjoyable. There is one guy who I see cleans who just has a positive vibe, I don’t know his name but I’ll get it eventually. Even though I may not remember all the names at this moment, it's clear that the entire staff team contributes to making this gym a fantastic place...