Things are now a lot brighter in the Sunshine State: Life Time Miami at The Falls opened in summer 2023. This athletic country club is a hot spot for fitness and social activity, with resort-style amenities and offerings for spending days by the pool, sweating it out on the workout floor, and getting into pickleball games, group fitness classes, and more.
“I’m excited to see the faces of the members when they step foot in what will be the most amazing facility with the most amazing team of service professionals,” says Steve Datte, general manager at Life Time Miami at The Falls. “It will be unlike anything many of these people in this area have ever seen. I’m also excited to build my network of lifelong friends that I get from every Life Time I’ve been at. It’s quite a community.”
Let’s explore the 120,000-square-foot Life Time Miami at The Falls space:
Water workouts and pool days are elevated here: Enjoy an indoor dedicated pool as well as an outdoor pool to soak up the Miami sun at the Beach Club. Kiddos can splash down the water slides and the whole family can enjoy time under the cabanas. When hunger or thirst strikes, the poolside bistro offers a menu of healthy options. And once the sun goes down, find relaxation in the outdoor whirlpool.
“I anticipate this being a part of the club members use all year-round,” says Datte. “There’s nothing like it in the area.”
There’s also an indoor LifeCafe for nutritious eats, including shakes, entrees, and grab-and-go meals you can take if you’re on the move.
Members can discover their favorite studio classes by trying a variety of formats, including cycling, yoga, and classes centered around strength and endurance. There are seven designated studios: one for cycle, two for yoga, one for barre, one for Pilates, and two for other group-class formats.
Venture onto the expansive workout floor to find best-in-class free weights, cardiovascular- and resistance-training machines, and designated stretching areas. This is also where GTX, Alpha, and Ultra Fit signature group training classes take place. Each class format is based around a different focus: 50/50 cardio and strength for GTX, Olympic-style lifting and metabolic conditioning for Alpha, and sprint-interval training with balance work for Ultra Fit.
Members who want to advance their fitness and experience can engage with a Dynamic Personal Trainer for one-on-one guidance (at an additional cost). This is a fully connected, fully engaged approach to training that can’t be replicated on your own.
Life Time Miami at The Falls also features three indoor pickleball courts for members to take part in the fastest-growing sport in the country. “If the indoor pickleball courts are used like we’re seeing across the rest of the country, I expect morning until night usage,” says Datte. “The sport is rapidly growing for all ages.”
Find your zen in the executive locker rooms by soaking in the whirlpool or taking in the heat in the sauna or steam room. A variety of amenities are available for members to use, including shampoo, conditioner, and body wash, as well as towel service and daily locker use.
Continue your relaxation in the full-service LifeSpa with treatments for hair, body, skin, and nails.
The Kids Academy features a play area, kid’s gym, and studios — one each for tumbling, movement, and arts and language — as well as a dedicated infant room and toddler area. “The Kids Academy takes up at least a third of the second floor — it’s a huge space,” says Datte. “From a convenience factor, it’s located right next to the fitness studios, which a lot of parents use while their kids are at Kids Academy.” Complimentary child care is available for up to 2.5 hours daily for all junior members.
Get to Know Your GM: Steve Datte
What is your experience with Life Time — and how did you get into this role as a general manager?
I’ve worked for Life Time for five years at a variety of locations: Folsom, Calif., Summerlin, Nev., Coral Gables, Fla., and now Miami and The Falls, Fla. I came to Life Time after a 34-year career in the fitness industry and more than 25 years in multi-unit management. During that time, I worked in a variety of roles, including as a personal trainer, sales manager, national sales manager, and the regional vice president for companies including 24 Hour Fitness, Sporting Clubs of America, HOIST Fitness, Apex, and Wellbridge.
What excites you about the opening of Life Time Miami at The Falls?
Bringing such an amazing experience to a new market. The ability to build from scratch a team who represents the healthy-way-of-life vision and mission of Life Time truly excites me.
Why do you believe in a healthy way of life, and how do you incorporate that mission into your days?
Being in the industry for so long, I’ve seen the best and the worst of the human experience. To live your days at any age and not be in the best form of what a person can be is sad to me. There is so much life to experience and to not be able to live your dreams because you physically are not prepared is something I never want to experience or have anyone around me experience.
Is there anything people might be surprised to learn about you? And what’s your favorite way to use Life Time?
I don’t think it’s necessarily surprising, but I feel that I’ve led a blessed life, from having great parents and family growing up to now, with my wife of 32 years and our two kids. I’m super lucky.
Life has not been perfect, by any means, but considering what goes on in the world, I’m thankful. I love coming to work every day and miss my work family when I’m not there. I’m in the ocean every chance I get. I work out every day and hope to until the day I die. I get to work in the best industry in the world!
