Lifetime Fitness Hours Limited

[rt23921016]

As your Medicare Fitness Program Administrator may have shared with you, I am pleased to confirm that we have renewed agreements so members on eligible Medicare plans may continue accessing Life Time clubs as of January 1, 2024.

The new agreements were established based on the rate your provider is paying on your behalf and includes revised club access hours effective January 1, 2024:

• Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
• Saturday: 2:00 p.m. to close.
• Sunday: all open hours.
• Note: Members will have continued access to all ARORA Aqua classes at any time with a reservation and club arrival within 30 minutes of the class start time.

[RG361135 · Accepted solution]

 This is still not right. Who is "I" as a contributor on this thread? I wrote a letter directly to the Chairman/CEO of LFT. He could not even respond to my letter. It is ridiculous. I was with LTF since it opened its doors here in N. TX. in 2003. I have no desire to pay them more money. We are not interrupting anyone working out at LTF. They do not have to spend any additional money to hire staff. It is just a money making idea. Look at the number of members they lost after the lockdown? All they are trying to do is increase revenue. This is still AGE DISCRIMINATION. This is STILL WRONG. 

[js8864]

This is a horrible business decision & yet another way to demoralize and marginalize seniors. Most attend the club in the hours you are prescribing and the ones that don’t do not created any kind of overcrowded-ness or issues for other members. This decision isolates a good part of the population you as a business in our community should be supporting. In addition to my Medicare benefits, I pay $200/month for Pilates classes. When I leave the club, you will lose that revenue as well as the other revenue seniors bring. 

[RaulD660572]

It may be horrible.  The big mistake is offering it in the first place.

When they first started, they should have just done a blanket discount, like 10% to any senior over like 60. Unrelated to medicare.  Again a discount, but still much closer to actual membership.

All my life , gyms have had a tier system.  Restricting hrs, no access to sauna, massage chairs, etc.  Often I chose the lower membership , a choice.

Thus:

Very important to notice they allow you to upgrade, to a pay that is lower than a lot of members.

I don't see them loosing much members, full paying, members.

[HH542555]

Thanking Lifetime for implementing the reduced senior hours policy.The lifetime location at garland,tx location is super packed with seniors throughout the day.Sorry if this comment offended anyone.

[RaulD660572]

I don't think this policy makes it any better for someone like you. You clearly do sound anti senior around.

They can arrive at 9:30 and stay all day.

They can arrive at 3:45.

[falaniz]

Texas may have a problem but its not like that in Illinois (Orland Park).  Its not fair for them to do it across the country based on one state!

[RaulD660572]

Their membership tends to be national.   I can travel and pop in all over.

Even with my signature membership, there are some locations labeled higher to which they only let me in once or twice. 

That is fair, I don't pay that membership.

I think it is fair to have a tier system.  I've always chosen lower tiers in every gym, skipping sauna, and massage chairs, etc. A choice.

They should just do a 10% discount to seniors regardless of Medicare.  But that would make the membership closer to full pay.

[jmtredwood28]

 I am saving your response and will send it to you when you become a Senior Citizen.  Then you will be able to determine if anyone (you) is offended or not.  What comes around goes around.

[s438812m]

I am a "senior" who strongly objects to Life Time's new policy. I am sorry that the Garland, TX contributor is uncomfortable with the number of my peers at their club. If the Garland seniors spend "every single day at" the club, it is clearly a central part of their lives. If so, I suspect that they will adjust to the revised schedule, arriving at 9:30 AM and leaving at 3 PM, so that they can socialize and exercise. They won't go away. My Life Time facility in Ohio has a senior population but I don't know if it numbers 200+. My routine involves exercising between 5-8 AM, every other day, so that I can pursue other interests/responsibilities the remainder of the day. There are very few people- young, middle aged or seniors- at the club when I am there, which is why I take issue with the policy change. The new policy conflicts with my life schedule and, since I cannot justify $100/month for early/late access &/or classes I have no interest in, I will be terminating my Life Time membership at year's end. I will join another national fitness chain for ~$30/month. It isn't as high-end as the Life Time I am leaving, but the locker rooms are clean and the equipment is new, albeit uniquely colored. I just need a place to sweat and moderately stress my heart at the start of my day. 

[tt55778876 · Accepted solution]

You should have several good options for gyms offered through UHC Renew Active.  Also, you can join as many as you want. Why terminate your LT membership?  It’s not costing you anything is it?  

[RaulD660572]

I'm a senior.  Not offended, but clearly see he or she has issues.

More to my point.  You can upgrade your plan and workout at 5am.  No problem.

I just don't see the quick complaining.  All gyms throughout my life had a tier system.  Hrs, no sauna, no massage chair, etc.   I chose those gyms because the lowest tier was very cheap.

I like how LTF last year or so changed a lot of memberships to have access to many classes that before were extra.  I don't do a single class, so in a sense I'm subsidizing, but I prefer a more even level.

Again u can upgrade.  Or get more for your money at LAF, or planet fitness, etc.

[js8864]

I agree with you 100% and will be leaving Lifetime as well. This new policy is demoralizing and marginalizing seniors.

[RaulD660572]

I just don't see that.  I workout at 530am most often, sometimes 5:30 pm.  I don't see that marginalization.

Keep in mind a very important thing, you can upgrade your plan.

All gyms I ever been too had a tier systems.  I chose them because their lowest level was very cheap.  Many went out of business.

I joined LTF on first month many, many years ago.  I asked for a lower tier, and they had none.  I still went with it.

This month, my gym at 10am is jam packed with pickle ballers.  Just adapt.

[Thinktexan]

Easier said than done. My club only offers two classes I can take: 11:45 and 12:30. They even overlap. So my lunch time is screwed, especially since I can't eat before working out and I like to stay for the sauna or hot tub after. I can't go eat and come back because I'm not allowed back in after 3:00. And my husband and I can't afford an extra $220 a month just for the few days we might want to go in at 3:00 after lunch plans or doctor appointments. 

They can do as they please. I understand the weren't getting paid much by Medicare. But at least provide classes in the morning! 

[RG361135]

 UHC terminated all Premium gyms via their Renew Active company of their advantage plans. Only a handful of gyms are involved now in my city. Literally 6 locations. I just found this out when Cowboy Fit informed me that my membership ended. I called UHC and the customer service person said they all ended 2 February 2025.  

[jbusy]

My Lifetime Fitness membership under Renew Active was terminated yesterday February 25, 2025.  Vendor is now Silver Sneakers which is far inferior to previous Renew Active.  Does not cover premium gyms like Lifetime.  I now will have to join my NJ based Lifetime at $229 a month.  No Senior citizen discounts at my club.  I have submitted a request to UHC to nominate Lifetime for membership in the list of Silver Sneakers gym options.  I do not hold out much hope...

[TRL1111]

---

@jbusy wrote:

My Lifetime Fitness membership under Renew Active was terminated yesterday February 25, 2025.  Vendor is now Silver Sneakers which is far inferior to previous Renew Active.  Does not cover premium gyms like Lifetime. 

---

I'm assuming you're on an Advantage plan.  I think it's unusual for UHC plans to use Silver Sneakers because they own Renew Active, but I guess anything's possible when it comes to Medicare, especially Advantage plans.

But I'll also point out that in these discussions there was someone in the Houston area who had an Advantage plan that included Renew Active and lost access to Life Time, and he switched to an Advantage plan with a different company because it included Silver Sneakers and Silver Sneakers DOES include the Life Time where he plays pickleball.

Actually, here's his post (on my browser, I have to scroll up a little to get to his post):

https://community.aarp.org/t5/Medicare-Insurance/AARP-UHC-Renew-Active-change-for-2025/m-p/2585500/h... 

[RG361135]

I was informed on Tuesday 02-24-25 by the Renew Active customer service rep that they (UHC) canceled all Premier Gym Clubs from the benefit plan offering. My gym contacted me informating me that my plan was no longer valid.

They offered these plans to those on Medicare Advantage Plans offered by UHC.

[rt23921016]

Sad that you would say that out loud. Let alone think it to yourself!

[RG361135]

 This in "MY OPINION" is discrimination. Why should we have to pay $100 per month when Lifetime Fitness is already receiving money? Everyone thinks that those of us over a certain age just sit home all day and do nothing.  This is wrong. BTW---"Membership offering is based on the rate Medicare Fitness Program Administrators are paying on behalf of enrollees". SO how much are they paid? Is it capitated on a monthly basis or are they paid when an enrollee goes to the gym? 

EITHER WAY--------This in my opinion is AGE DISCRIMINATION. It is wrong and once again "greed" on behalf of LTF. 

[DebraW437874]

    I can understand that Seniors may put a strain on the club but Lifetime has handled it is terrible.  A regular senior membership at my facility in Michigan is $115 (no insurance).  The program that was offered to Seniors with insurance is $100 extra.  United Health pays $35 so they are charging us an extra $20 a month.  Limited hours would be okay to have access to the  cclub but they made no attempt to change the times of the Arora classes so that we can pparticipate in them.  Keep your free coffee! 

[s438812m]

If we want to continue using the fitness equipment early in the morning (5-7AM), before it gets crowded, we must upgrade to a Signature membership for $100/month out-of-pocket. It appears to be a means of increasing revenue by Life Time. Very disappointing.

[js8864]

Absolutely agree!

[rt23921016]

I communicated the same to them and did receive and initial response. I did suggest that they offer options that would include early or midday access. My husband goes at 4:00 AM so we won’t be able to go together. 

Hello Rose. Thank you for your message and important feedback. I’m sorry for the disappointment caused by these changes. Given overwhelming growth in our Medicare population, this change was implemented both based on the rate Medicare Fitness Program Administrators informed Life Time they are paying on behalf of enrollees and our desire to keep Medicare programs in place for years to come – versus no access at all.

The solution we have created provides a fair and equitable offering relative to what all other full-rate members pay for access, while Medicare members continue to enjoy access with a significant price advantage. The alternative would have been no contract renewal, nor continued access to Life Time.

[JillS901961]

IIs it true that Medicare memberships will be completely discontinued effective January 1, 2025? That's what I was told by Silver & Fit. If that's the case, that information should be made available now so that seniors don't adjust to the new hours only to have to pay full or find another facility in 2025.

[DonaldB3767]

I heard that also from another fitness club owner.

[js8864]

This is completely BS because the company receives millions from Medicare and only a small percentage of those seniors use the club on a regular basis if at all.

[tt55778876]

Medicare does not pay LT anything.  UHC pays LT.

[JohnG515922]

The argument that Life Time would have been unable to renew without this change is obviously false, because failure to renew the Medicare contract would have cost the company millions of dollars. According to an article in the Star Tribune, 18,000 Minnesotans work out at Life Time as part of their Medicare coverage, which equals to income for the company of more than $1,000,000 a month or $12,000,000 per year from one state alone. Here's the link: https://www.startribune.com/life-time-limits-gym-access-medicare-seniors-prioritizing-other-members-.... Life Time's third quarter 2023 net income dropped from $24.7 million in third quarter 2022 to $7.9 million in third quarter 2023. Here's the link from Life Time itself: https://ir.lifetime.life/news-events/press-releases/detail/1029/life-time-reports-third-quarter-fisc.... Life Time's stock has been anemic. Stock grader on Barron's has downgraded the stock from "hold" to "sell." The company can't afford to lose the Medicare market.

It's trying to boost revenue by either forcing Medicare members to pay more to use the facility at any time or to use the facility during off-peak hours to free up capacity to be able to increase its membership. This new policy is clearly discriminatory, because it singles out a particular group for inequitable treatment based upon age and socio-economic status. The company is violating its own non-discrimination policy which prevents discrimination based on age. Even though I could pay to use the facility at any time, I deeply resent that the company has decided to discriminate against me and others like me to improve its bottom line. There were and are other options. One of which is incentivizing all members to use the facility during off peak hours. If you're a senior, join another gym. #LifeTimeDiscriminates

[RaulD660572]

If this is discriminatory,  it is to a younger group.  Even with the new policy, seniors have access to a  wonderful facility at a very much reduced cost.

Younger people are not given the same option.  That is,  an option to a Lower tier which I have found quite common in the gyms I have belonged.

All of them tend to go out of business.

LTF is not so busy at those hours but have to pay electricity etc to keep up the saunas, steam room, pools, etc.

It makes good business sense to offer a lower tier access hours.

It is still very cheap at that.

At one of the LTFs here, at 10am the pickle ball courts were packed.  Most if not sell seniors.  On saturday, at 215 pm a couple of aurora classes packed more than before, as well as the pickle ball. 

PB is indoor!  Cheap membership for that alone.

I think seniors are still seeing tremendous value.

I happen to just pay full for me and my wife.  Her favorite classes are outside of hours.  We get our moneys worth, seven days a week, some very hard days, some yoga days, some PB days, so many options.

[js8864]

On top of this, only a fraction of those members the company is collecting from Medicare actually attend the club on a regular basis.