Life Time — Local services in Bellevue

It's been brought to my attention Life Time Bellevue has removed my post below from public view so it makes you wonder what other kind of less-than-ideal truths and shady business practices they're hiding.

Extremely disappointed with my recent and prior experiences with Ryan Anderson, Life Time Bellevue’s General Manager. As a former member who paused my membership during the pandemic due to safety reasons and because Life Time furloughed the teachers whose classes I attended for the foreseeable future with no return date, I reached out to see what rates were for returning members in February 2022 now that one of my favorite instructors was back on the schedule. I was informed there was no benefit or incentive to being a former member, you aren’t grandfathered into your previous monthly rates (or anything close), and rates significantly rose (I was quoted a $70/month+tax increase). While Sarah Kraft from member services kindly answered my questions, Ryan Anderson, who was looped into the conversation on her day off, was extremely rude, unprofessional, and condescending. Unfortunately, this was not the first time I received this kind of tone, treatment, and disrespect from him and sadly I am not alone.

Instead of simply answering my question about how come other members who were in the exact same situation as me (canceled their membership during the thick of the pandemic and were now looking to return to as things were opening up) received more favorable rates, Ryan was very demeaning and resorted to mansplaining. His response was rather shocking and uncouth.

Sarah informed me starting on January 1, 2022 rates rose to $199/month (I was previously paying $129/month), the club was up-leveled to a Signature Club, and this was the only pricing currently offered, however, another member who I spoke with in the exact same situation and rejoined a couple weeks prior (and after Jan 1) was offered a lower rate by Sarah. Ryan later clarified they actually officially transitioned their pricing on December 16, 2021 which is yet another example of contradictory information provided by Life Time staff over the years. We’ve noticed things change based on who you’re talking to and who’s asking.

Last year in the throes of the pandemic, members were asked to start paying hold fees of $15/month+tax with no guarantee of fitness instructors being asked to return (a whole other story). Through conversations with other members, we learned we were all being asked to start paying this hold fee at different times rather than all at the same time which seemed strange. When I reached out about this, Ryan denied there was differential treatment/opportunities being provided yet members were clearly being asked to start paying hold fees at different times and unfortunately it sounded like I was one of the earlier ones per my conversations with other members. Ryan’s response at this time was yet again very rude and unprofessional.

It is very disappointing to see someone in a leadership position lack basic customer service skills and common decency when a customer is trying to get more information about rejoining which is supposed to be an exciting and stress-free situation. This type of approach from any level, especially management, detracts from brand affinity and reduces customer retention and referral. If it weren’t for the amazing fitness instructors who are slowly returning and bringing us back, many of us would probably not even be considering returning based on our experiences with Ryan and the customer service we’ve received over the years.

Side note, apparently during the pandemic, this club was “up-leveled” to from a Diamond to a Signature Club which means rates are significantly higher, you have to pay for Small Group Training services you don’t necessarily want/need because it’s now one set price, all while the facilities remained the same (still significantly less amenities than other Diamond and Signature Clubs), hours of operations were reduced, and the group fitness classes weren’t as robust as prior to this...

EDIT. Got access via wellhub with my employer. Walked in and was turned away even after having used my wellhub code for the day as a manager must be present for me to use wellhub. Even after seeing that I’ve used my code for the day I was turned away and not even offered the day for free until a manager could link my account.

Lifetime replied to my prior review with a note about getting in touch but when I attempted to do so I was turned away from the gym even after having used my wellhub code.

Absolutely horrible customer service

Below is my review from my first issue with gym management.

I was a member for a few months but cancelled my membership for a few reasons. The inside of the Gym was kept nice and clean and there was ample space to exercise. I liked the body measurement system which provided a printed readout for keeping track of body trends.

Their own operation is what is leading me to give them 2 stars. During my time there they did not focus on the experience and instead focused on trying to get members to spend more money.

They closed the elevators right next to the main desk, directly disabling the floor selection and adding copypaper over the buttons. This is almost certainly due to trying to help their struggling cafe (which was overpriced and mediocre and I don't even know why it was there). With the new elevator positions it's now required to make an odd walk out to the front of the building to enter through a long corridor, past this cafe. Prior, you could just walk directly up to the front desk from your car. Didn't have to go outside. Super easy and the nicest entrance to a gym I've seen.

Lifetime's own greed in wanting to ensure that members passed by their mediocre cafe took priority over providing a better guest experience.

Lockers cost extra. There are two sizes of lockers in the locker rooms. These are all unlabelled and you can put your stuff in any of them while you work out. I would leave my gym bag in one of the hundreds of lockers during the week at times so I didn't have to bring it with me and leave it in my car. I came in the last time I was there to find it missing.

As it turns out, using a locker for more than your gym session requires that you pay 100$ on top of the already insane 250$ for a reserved locker. In a facility with hundreds of excess lockers. With no signs or even offers of this service until after they had confiscated my bag. This wasn't evident at all when I visited and left me panicking that my clothes had been stolen from my locker.

This lifetime fitness, which is by far their smallest gym in the company by a large margin, charges you the same as their fully featured multi-floor fitness centers in other states. Those centers get multiple ball courts (pickleball, basketball, etc...), pools, cold plunges, hot tubs, bars, large studios, etc... Many many more features than this center and charge the same amount.

Even with the excessive and greedy 250$ price tag per month on this gym, they manage to offer the least and then decide to upcharge their members on lockers as well as remove amenities to support their somehow failing cafe.

Is it worth it? No. Is it significantly greedier than the other locations in the company? YES, by far. For 250$ a month I'd expect to get top-tier service and at least have a locker to keep my stuff in during the week. Instead I get a gym that nickled and dimed me even after I paid them 3,000$ a year.

I only give them 2 stars as the interior is at least clean and there's...

Just joined and this is my new favorite place! Shocked to see so many negative folks in these reviews… Luxury is all relative and I guess I’ve never seen the other Lifetimes across the country — seems like a lot of visitors are bagging on this location. However, for me, I’m a local and comparing this gym to other luxury fitness clubs in SEA/BVUE I’ve been a member of. I’ve been in search of an elevated gym experience that makes me feel like I’m paying for the cleanliness and the premium equipment — this gym is just that. I’ve belonged to Bellevue Pro Club, Bellevue Club, various other gyms (LA, 24, Planet, etc. you get the picture) and this checks more boxes than any other place thus far. Here’s the list of things I love about it:

1. No kids — very much a personal preference but here you won’t find kids running around all over the place like you see at both Pro Club and Bellevue Club
2. CLEAN…. CLEEEEAAAAAN!!! And not the nasty chemical smelling clean, truly it’s an immaculate gym with staff constantly cleaning everything and likeminded people cleaning up after themselves
3. Classes: I’m a serial drop-ins class person and also have a ClassPass membership. For $250ish/mo with access to Hot Yoga, Cycling, Strength Training, and SO much more, this is so worth the value?!? I mean seriously, I pay hundreds a month just on drop-ins and to be able to do all of these classes on top of open gym is such a good price especially in the Seattle/Bellevue area
4. Free parking in the Bravern; self explanatory
5. Sauna and Steam Room; again, I pay drop ins for this at City Sweats and it’s such a plus to have this unlimited. They’re closed right now for construction but will open back up in 2 weeks and I’m thrilled to see the remodel :)
6. Access to Workout Programs/Nutrition through the Lifetime App: this was a big bonus and my husband and I didn’t realize we got access to all of these when signing up — there are valuable programs for both nutrition and fitness based on your goals. These are usually pretty damn expensive and to have access to this included in your membership is a big perk. We started a 6-week shred program that tells us everything we need to do in the gym each week and we can seamlessly log it in the app. LOVE!
7. CHILL AND KIND STAFF!! Everyone who works here is SO helpful and nice— no snooty attitudes from a luxury gym. Shoutout to Meiko (I hope I’m spelling your name right lol) for getting us all signed up and taking extra time to get us familiar with the gym.
8. Transparency: no hidden fees, straightforward membership pricing, no initiation fee like Bellevue Club which is thousands (insane) and a simple cancellation process. Literally we signed up within 5 mins, no need to go through the haggling of orientation where they try to sell you on personal training etc… we signed up through the app and then immediately worked out. A dream

For people saying this is not worth the price, I disagree and have to say that it’s complete based on what you’re prioritizing in your fitness journey. Will be a member for...