New one by my house opening soon. With 4 kids (all under 10), would cost $500/mo for the entire family. My wife would likely be there nearly every day with the 2 kids that are home full-time still. With my work schedule I'd likely be able to make it 3-4x a week (or more).

Personally, I've been in a workout rut, got out of my routine about 18 months ago between new job & new baby, & simply haven't incorporated it back into my daily schedule like it used to be. I would think dropping that much money per month on what they now call "Athletic Country Club" would definitely help motivate me to get after it again.

I can afford it, but the thought of spending $6K a year for a glorified gym still gives me pause. Those who have memberships, is it worth it? If you have a 'family membership' even more interested in your experiences.

Gordon McKernan said:

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New one by my house opening soon. With 4 kids (all under 10), would cost $500/mo for the entire family. My wife would likely be there nearly every day with the 2 kids that are home full-time still. With my work schedule I'd likely be able to make it 3-4x a week (or more).

Personally, I've been in a workout rut, got out of my routine about 18 months ago between new job & new baby, & simply haven't incorporated it back into my daily schedule like it used to be. I would think dropping that much money per month on what they now call "Athletic Country Club" would definitely help motivate me to get after it again.

I can afford it, but the thought of spending $6K a year for a glorified gym still gives me pause. Those who have memberships, is it worth it? If you have a 'family membership' even more interested in your experiences.

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Personal "semi-unsolicited" opinion: if it makes you, allows you, even guilts you into doing something that is beneficial for your health and for your family's health, and it isn't bankrupting you, it is worth it.

I spend a crap ton on a country club which, for me, is really a glorified gym since I don't golf or eat there much. It is close to my house, it is convenient, it is clean, and it has everything I want to do. I have to get really creative to come up with an excuse NOT to go. Do it. If it isn't working out, quit and do something else.

Thanks for the reply... I think that is where I am at, we can always sign up - try it out for a few months, and if for whatever reason we feel we aren't properly justifying the cost we can always cancel. Not like a country club where you would be out potentially a large initiation fee.

That seems like a lot, even for lifetime.....

But which location? We were members at the higher end lifetime in Greenway (Houston) and I thought it was absolutely worth it. The gym is just so much nicer than most gyms. From things like a lap pool and "resort" style pool, to having a hot tub, sauna, and steam room in the locker rooms, to all classes being included (my wife "class hopped" before we joined lifetime), the perks do add up. Hell, we do half day Friday's so my team would often meet at the lifetime, work in their workspace in the am, some of us would work out during lunc, then eat, get drinks and chill by the pool in the afternoon.

They also have a kids club where you can drop kids off to work out.

That being said, we cancelled because my new office has a gym, we have a 2 year old now so got a peloton and those classes are just easier than going to a gym right now.

Depends on the LT. Some can be better than others. I will say, for me it does fall into the usual troupes that commercial gyms fall into: Expensive, way too much cardio equipment compared to weightlifting equipment, machines and stations and a lot of stuff many people won't use much. But, with a family you guys will like the pool and if they keep up things, it can have a nice gym. I do hate the one by me has 1 leg press. Like, really? With the number of members etc, there should be much more equipment for what should be the main course in a person's training, weights. But that may not be the case with all of them.

I'd let my wife and kids belong there and I'd try to find an old school bodybuilding/weightlifting gym that blares heavy metal and hard rock and rap and is full of mass monsters. But that is me. Look up Dragon's Layer in Vegas fo my ideal gym

We were members in DFW when the kids were small - in Plano - we had 2 locations to choose from. Loved it for what it was. They offered kid classes including Tae Kwon Do (extra charge). I also was an avid spin cyclist at the time as it was hard with 2 young kids to get on the bike. Served our needs quite well.

Lifetime served it's purpose well at that point in our life.

One thing to know, unless it's changed, is child care center does not change diapers. You get called out of class to do that. This was quite awhile ago, so maybe that has changed.

Do you have the space in your house/property for a gym? We built a small gym in our house a few years ago and would only consider a membership in the future for swimming.

I've had a membership for about 13 years now and I think it's worth it.

I've been to about a dozen different lifetimes traveling for work and they're all pretty dang consistent in quality and layout, which is really nice.

They've recently followed the increase in popularity of the big 3 lifts and added a ton of platforms, which is really nice. Dumbbell selection could be better but most gyms go up to 120-130.

I like working out in my garage but I need to get out of the house and go to an actual gyms for most of my workouts. The atmosphere tends to be pretty good less right after school when the high schoolers get there…

No real space/room nor desire to have a full home gym. With my wife being a SAHM, and I work remote the majority of the time, we aren't exactly looking for more ways to not leave the house.

The big attraction of lifetime to us is the fact that we could go as a family, my wife and I could have some time to ourselves (very rare with 4 kids) to work out, play pickleball, etc. and then we could all hang out at the pool or do something as a family. During the week when I am working & the older kids are in school, it would allow my wife the ability to get a workout in & change up the scenery for the two younger kids.

I still need to look more into, but there might be the ability to get access for a lesser rate through some programs we are eligible through my insurance (BCBS).

Regardless, I think we have decided we are going to give it a shot & see how it works for us. I appreciate all the comments from everyone.

So I'm gonna put myself out here (don't post here much anymore but there's a few of you regulars that know this) I've been a lifetime trainer for nearly 15 years….not a company man by any means….if they do something amazing I'll agree but if they make a poor decision I'll be right there to let 'em know they missed on that one….

That being said $500/month for a family of 4 just doesn't sound right at all….which location is this? I'm wondering if there's "extras" being tacked on to that that simply aren't necessary…

if you're in the houston area i'm assuming it's the one out in the missouri city area...

Also regarding your post there for insurance….can't speak for what you've got but in case it helps anyone here….

If you're on Medicare and have United supplemental insurance on top of that….your membership to lifetime is free….

And if you DONT have united supplemental and ARE on Medicare…might want to do it cause the monthly cost for united supplemental and a single lifetime membership are nearly identical….so 2 for the price of 1….

Family of 6 (2 adults, 4 kids).

From the email we received:

Quote:

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Athletic Country Club Membership ages 14+
[ol]

First Person or Single Membership: $199 per month

Second Person: $100 per month

Third Person: $50 per month

Fourth Person: $50 per month

[/ol]
13 and Under Pricing (Includes Kids Academy for children 3 months 11 years old)
[ol]

$50 per month per child

[/ol]
To be listed on the same membership members will need to live together. With our membership structure, there can only be up to 2 Adults (age 26+) on a membership together + any dependent children ages 3 months old25 years. If there is an additional adult that is age 26+, they will need to enroll with their own membership.

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So $299/mo for wife and I + $200/mo total for the 4 children. Although I did see somewhere else that it made me believe it may be capped at $400/mo for families. We have an appointment scheduled later this week to discuss in person details/questions. I'll update once I know for sure.

What's the level of the club?

nm

Like anything, I am willing to bet this is negotiable. Especially if you are working with a sales rep. If you hem and haw, you may be able to talk the rep into discounting the fees (at least for the first year). Definitely worth a shot.

My wife goes there daily with the kids and has for the last year. The kids area allows her some "me time" and getting in great shape has been just one of the many positive benefits for her. I don't go often, but enjoy doing yogs with the wife.