Families join Life Time for a myriad of reasons: Maybe the kids are heading back to school and everyone is looking to add some more structure to their routine. Or perhaps they’re bracing for winter and they want a go-to indoor space where they can stay active. Or possibly the parents are pursuing health goals and want to do that somewhere their kids can engage in healthy activities too.
No matter the reason, members share that they find numerous options for activities for every age and stage of their family at the club. Still, it can be helpful to hear from others about how they choose to spend their time to make sure you’re taking advantage of all your membership has to offer.
We spoke with the Anderson family, who joined Life Time in White Bear Lake, Minn., in summer 2024, about how they’re maximizing their family membership.
Meet: Nicole Anderson and her husband, Lars, and their three children: Cruz, 3; Josie, 2; and Rocco, 6 months.
Life Time | Why did your family join Life Time?
Nicole Anderson | We joined Life Time over the summer for a variety of reasons. I wanted to get back into working out after having our third baby, and we had to choose somewhere that also offered childcare for our kids.
My husband and I were also looking for a single place that had all the offerings we desired. Lars is a big sauna and steam-room guy, and we appreciate having locker-room amenities. I like group fitness, so having classes and good instructors was important to me. Overall, we wanted to find a membership that would meet all our interests and needs.
Lars Anderson | For Nicole, it seemed like the lowest barrier of entry to working out for her was to be able to bring the kids during the day and not have to set up separate childcare. Her body has been dedicated to the kids over the last three-and-a-half years, and she deserves this for herself — to be able to go to classes, drop the kids off at the Kids Academy, and get a little break during the day. That time is really healthy for her.
LT | How do you use Life Time as a family?
NA | Sometimes we go as a family of five, other times I’ll go with just the kids, or Lars will head to the club by himself in the evenings too — whoever is free at the time and wants to join, goes. We’ve also used Life Time a few times as our “date night” spot. I anticipate our family using the club even more in the winter when the weather isn’t as nice.
We hit up the LifeCafe for a good amount for meals — it’s a fun treat for the whole family after using the club. And we just signed up to use our complimentary swim lessons for the kids that we got as new members. We’re excited for them to get into swimming this fall!
LT | Can you walk us through your perfect day at Life Time?
NA | That’s a great question because I’ve been testing the waters as a newer member. I used my complimentary training session upon joining and that was super helpful because I was able to ask the trainer for help creating a workout routine that I can do on the fitness floor when I drop my kids off at the Kids Academy.
She set me up with a circuit workout, and I’ve honestly done it about 15 times already. I love it. I’m also a big Warrior Sculpt girl. I’ve tried two different barre classes and I’m trying a SHRED class next week.
My ideal club visit right now would consist of a Warrior Sculpt class and then spending time in the sauna and steam room afterward to relax. Then, I’d swing by the LifeCafe for either a meal (the Chipotle Chicken Quesadilla, substituted with steak, has been my favorite!) or a shake on the way out (my go-to has been the Vegan PB&B).
LA | I typically head to the club in the evenings once our kids are already in bed. I shoot hoops for about 15 minutes and then work out on the fitness floor, primarily using the free weights. After that, I use the sauna and steam room. On my way out, I grab the Founder Shake 2.0 from the LifeCafe.
LT | What do you and your kids think about the Kids Academy experience?
NA | All three of our kids go to the Kids Academy and love it. The two older kids, Cruz and Josie always come home with a craft that they’re pumped about or a new dance that they’ve learned. Recently, they’ve been learning how to do jumping jacks. Since we don’t send our kids to a traditional daycare, they think they’re going to see their “teachers” at the Kids Academy — our older kids get really excited to see them.
I appreciate the structure while they’re there, and the number of kids per instructor. At Life Time White Bear Lake, the instructors have been there for many years, and they seem really comfortable with the kids.
LT | Why is living a healthy way of life important to your family?
NA | It’s a self-care thing for me. When I take the time to work out, eat healthy, drink water — even if it’s prioritizing my health for an hour a day — then my whole family benefits from that. For me, this is a year of investing in myself.
LA | We feel it’s important to show our kids that mom and dad like to take care of themselves. It also gives us more patience as parents.
