Life Time — Local services in Vernon Hills

Omg. Today was hands down the worst experience I’ve ever had at Life Time. And I’m honestly writing this not just to vent — but because I care. I’ve been coming here for years. I pay a lot for this membership, and almost my entire family is included — including the kids. I genuinely want this place to be better. It used to be. And I really hope more people start speaking up. I’ve seen reviews saying the same things — dirty locker rooms, smelly showers, broken stuff — and yet nothing changes. If profit matters more than member experience and reputation, that’s something all of us should be thinking about. I got to the pool today with my child at 10:20 AM — just 20 minutes after opening — and it was already packed. Not a single lounge chair left. No umbrellas. People were sitting on towels directly on the hot ground. It was so overcrowded you could barely swim. We thought, okay — we’ll try the indoor pool. But a staff member told us we had to leave because there weren’t enough lifeguards for kids to be inside. I completely understand safety rules — I really do — but then I walked outside and saw nine lifeguards just standing under the canopy on break. It’s hard not to wonder: couldn’t one rotate inside? Then there’s the seating. People who couldn’t get a chair ended up sitting at the bar café tables — just to get off the ground. But what really got to me was that as a full-time member who pays year-round, I had the same access and treatment as someone who just showed up with a summer pass or a day guest. No early entry. No priority. Nothing. Families were sharing one lounge chair — literally waiting for someone to get up so they could grab it. I just sat there thinking, is this really what we’re all paying for? And the family locker rooms — honestly, they’re in rough shape. Cabin #3 has had a broken shower for as long as I can remember. The showerhead doesn’t stay in place. The grout is black. The smell is always bad. And those old plastic curtains? Still there. Still uncomfortable and unhygienic. Today there were no towels in the entire family area. I left the shower soaking wet, and so did others. I heard multiple people saying “what’s going on lately?” It’s just not the standard we expect from Life Time. Also — why can’t we pay with cash anymore? I like paying cash. And I overheard multiple people today at the pool café asking the same thing. They were told “card only.” Since when is cash not money? It just adds another layer of inconvenience for no real reason. And finally — the food situation. I saw a family order a bunch of food and leave it on the ground near the pool. No one came to clean it up. So while you can process my card payment in seconds, the trash sits out for hours. That’s not the level of service I associate with a premium club. Again, I’m not here to attack anyone personally. I respect the staff — I know they’re doing their best. But when the same problems exist for years, and members keep bringing them up, and nothing is done… it’s hard not to feel like no one’s really listening. I want to keep coming. I want my family to keep enjoying this place. But if something doesn’t change soon, I don’t know how we’re supposed to keep...

I have been a member of Lifetime since 2016. I love the atmosphere, the selection of equipment, the outdoor pool, the hours. I have no problem coughing up $119 / month for a gym that has everything that I like.

So why the one star review? I am friends with one of the staff members at the front desk. I was showing him a picture on my phone that another staff member decided they wanted to see and got offended. They decided to report me to the Lifetime police. I received a phone call from some Karen from Lifetime corporate who decided that I am no longer allowed to go to Lifetime. Last I checked, my parents DON'T work at lifetime.

Furthermore, in early November, while Covid was rampant throughout Illinois, nobody in the crowded free weight area was wearing a mask. They were insistent that you must wear a mask when walking in the building, but everywhere else was alright to not wear a mask. Needless to say, I caught Covid. While pinpointing the exact place that I contracted it is quite difficult, I feel given the amount of traffic that was congregated in this not so large area, I more than likely caught it at this club.

Finally, at one point I was working out with a personal trainer. One Saturday, while at work, she texted me to tell me that her rate went up, so decide if I want to pay her more or work out with another trainer. When I tried talking to her about it, she blew up on me. Appalled that someone I've worked with for over a year and spent $80+ / hr with would go off on me, I told her that I wasn't going to use personal training anymore. She proceeded to storm off and mark me as "present", even though I didn't work out with her that day and had NEVER had an appointment on a Sunday. Getting the money back that Lifetime had charged for unused training sessions and the non-existent session was like pulling teeth.

There are plenty of gyms in the area, including Sky fitness, Xsport, LA fitness, the Chicago Bears gym on Rt. 60, Snap fitness, etc. If they don't want my business, fortunately, there are plenty of other lower cost...

I am writing to share a troubling and deeply upsetting experience I had at the Vernon Hills Lifetime Fitness facility on July 13 9:10. I have been a long-time member and have always appreciated the inclusive and respectful environment at Lifetime—until this incident.

While I was using the jacuzzi, fully dressed in a modest Islamic bathing suit with proper swim shoes, an employee named Jasmine approached me and told me, in a harsh and rude tone, that I was not allowed to be in the jacuzzi “fully clothed.” When I explained I was wearing an Islamic bathing suit and swim shoes designed for water use, she questioned whether they were “shoes,” and then spoke into her walkie-talkie. Without any acknowledgment of my explanation or an apology, she turned her back and banged the door shut as she exited.

I later approached Jasmine to ask her name. She informed me that “someone had complained” about me wearing clothing and shoes in the jacuzzi. This exchange left me feeling singled out and discriminated against. I noticed another woman in the jacuzzi who was wearing only a towel—not a bathing suit as required by posted signs—but no one seemed concerned about her presence.

I was hurt—not only by being called out for my modest swimwear but by the dismissive and unkind manner in which Jasmine handled the situation. A simple apology or even an acknowledgment that she understood my concern would have made a big difference.

I shared this experience with Nicole at the front desk, who was very kind, listened patiently, and gave me the names of the facility managers, including yourself and Todd Beisch. Her compassion and professionalism helped ease my distress somewhat.

I am writing about this because I believe every member should be treated with dignity and respect, regardless of their cultural or religious practices. I wrote to Mrs Wawer and appreciated her response. That she will address this issue, and that staff will be reminded to approach such situations with sensitivity...