Life Time — Local services in Columbus

When Lifetime Fitness took over the gym, they made frivolous upgrades and cranked the prices. If shiny marble and cherry-esque locker rooms is all that is important to you, then enjoy. The staff is very hit or miss in friendliness and competence. You never know what the actual policy is. The gym is kept rather clean but the cardio machines with televisions are also hit or miss. Some have horrid pictures and the audio is a guessing game for which machine actually works. Two wonderful experiences I’ve had:

1. I signed up originally purchasing a slew of “points” that can be redeemed for personal training and/or workout options that are not included in your membership, such as pilates. I was basically scammed out of over $100. I used most of my points for personal training. The personal trainer I was ASSIGNED after requesting someone else, cashed in my points and then told me just to schedule with her whenever I wanted to. This was done in her mind because that way I wouldn’t have to worry about my points expiring (which they do, even though you paid for each of them). Then the trainer quit. And my points went with her. I never received one minute of personal training from anyone. The small amount of points I had left (because they couldn’t cover a personal training session) I requested for them to go to Pilates. However, the manager at the time really wanted me to do a small class session (probably because they were having a hard time filling them), I said I really wanted to try the pilates. Well, I was signed up for the group class anyway, and only found this out after contacting the Pilates instructor on why I hadn’t been reached out-to to schedule my session. And after all that, my points expired. So over $100, just flushed down the toilet. Didn’t matter how many times I attempted to reedem them I was basically ignored with a “I’ll have to look into it” and never would hear anything.
2. After being a member for many years, I decided to cancel my membership as we are moving out of the city. When looking into cancelling so I could time it right, as I knew you would have to pay for an extra month after you cancelled, I was told you simply paid your next month in full. After cancelling (with a different employee) I was told it was 30 days from the time you cancelled and your rate would be prorated. Both would work, but not when you are told one way then make a decision based on that information, and then sign off your membership and are told another - leaving you without a membership for an entire month you still wanted one. But after you sign it’s a done deal. Also when cancelling I asked about any fees or anything else to be aware of, I was told no. After checking my bank account I was actually being charged more money than I had been paying for my membership all along, even though it should have been a prorated amount, equaling less. I went into the gym and the Account Manager had no clue why it was like this and that it was very strange. I was told she would have to contact the Manager (of something or other) and that I should hear directly from her (the manager) a couple days later. An entire week went by and again I am having to follow up. The manager did not apologize or say anything to the fact that no one did their job for an entire week. After looking me up in the system she simply said, it’s because you paid a discounted rate every month and for the last month you have to pay the full membership price. So for my last month I had to pay more than I had been paying the entire time I was a member (for years might I add). I said I was not told this and it was a very unwelcome surprise. She just said that the Account Manager who cancelled my membership who happened to be the same one I met with to review the charges, probably was unaware of the way it worked. Well that’s splendid. At the end of the day she was unwilling to work with me in anyway, never apologized and basically left me with a “tough luck.” So...

I take classes regularly at this location and the one up north a little ways. In the late morning there are very different crowds at each of these locations. I feel quite young going to the UA location.

It's quite a bit smaller than the Dublin location, and only has the core offerings, but as a gym it gets the job done and then some.

The standard weights and cages are available, though the cages are in a different area from the more expansive sets of dumbbells so it's not as easy to go between them.

Also the area with the cages doubles as a workout space for some of the classes so you'll need to work around those.

Most classes are in sync with all other locations so you can go between them, but the equipment is a bit different. Larger locations have dedicated places for premium classes with audio systems, updated equipment, workouts posted on TVs, and timers tied in to central systems. UA... not so much. The instructors take you through the same stuff, just on a whiteboard, and with some slightly more dated equipment. Sometimes space is a bit of a premium, but it's never really been an issue.

There's also a much lower key atmosphere. Folks are there to get some movement in, more than a handful are doing serious workouts, but it the older crowd takes it a bit easier.

If you take classes, you'll see different crowds. The more intense classes draw slightly fewer, but younger people. For example the Tuesday morning yoga class is much less intense than Thursday's at the same time and the Tuesday class is always full, where Thursday has room (I think Thursday is a much better workout, and is slightly longer).

The men's locker room is a functional size, but during busy times can be a touch crowded. It has all the standards you need, but I rarely opt to use it more than to change into a dry shirt so others can have the space.

The kids are is also nice, but basic. My daughter isn't as excited to go there as she is for the other location, but she has enjoyed herself well enough the few times she went.

Overall the staff is great. They're friendly, and willing to help. The crowd isn't quite as showy, but are stuffy in other ways. Premium classes are smaller and slightly less premium, but not such a difference that you should avoid them. There's no pool, café, or work space, but it's...

I'm visiting from out of town and was able to visit Life Time Fitness using a guest pass. The facility is impeccable! Highlights include;

Courteous and friendly front desk staff. Amy in particular helped to make sure I could use my guest pass without any issues.

A vast selection of cardio and weight machines, all in excellent condition and well spaced out to accommodate social distancing.

All areas of the gym were thoroughly clean and sanitizing stations are located every few feet to help members and guests keep things clean.

Finally, the manager Patrick was very accommodating and welcoming which is especially commendable in these COVID times. He took the time to email me with all the information I needed concerning my guest pass and additional details about the gym COVID precautions. If I was local this would absolutely be the gym of my choice. Thank you...