Texas welcomed another Life Time Athletic Country Club in fall 2023 — the state’s 31st destination — in the Houston suburb of Shenandoah.
“I’m so excited to grand open a Life Time that’s extremely close to home for me,” says Clarence Latson, senior lead general at Life Time Shenandoah. “My family is in the neighboring Woodlands area and I’m very connected to this community. There’s a beautiful marriage that happens when you bring the place you love to be at — and in my case, work for — to the area you love to live in.”
Life Time Shenandoah is a four-story destination, giving it the largest Life Time footprint in all of Texas. “They say everything is bigger in Texas, and this athletic country club is going to be phenomenal,” says Latson.
Let’s explore the 170,078-square-foot Life Time Shenandoah space:
Swim in the indoor leisure pool or let your children splash in the indoor kid’s pool. Seeking the sun? Head outside to the pool deck and enjoy the six-lane lap pool, leisure pool, waterslide, and whirlpool.
“Our athletic country clubs are truly resorts,” says Latson. “In addition to the outdoor pools and water amenities, there’s also a LifeCafe poolside bistro for members to enjoy eating on the pool deck. The overall experience out there is world-class in terms of its ability to let members relax, take a load off, and soak in the ambiance.”
Members can enjoy additional recreational opportunities on the five indoor pickleball courts.
When it comes to studio classes, members can choose from a variety of options including cycling, yoga, and other formats exclusive to Life Time that are centered around building strength and endurance. There are seven studios: two for group fitness formats, two for yoga, and one each for Pilates, cycle, and barre.
“The member experience in our large group classes and small group training programs is something that hasn’t been seen before in this area,” says Latson. “We are casting performers who are well-known in the market and placing those best performers into amazingly designed studios. The programming is top-notch.”
The expansive workout floor houses free weights, cardiovascular- and resistance- training machines, and designated stretching areas, along with dedicated spaces for GTX, Alpha, and Ultra Fit signature group training classes.
“Members can participate in classes and truly have an all-inclusive experience,” says Latson. “Coaches are delivering science-backed programming that’s progressive to an individual’s fitness ability, and our classes include technology for heart-rate monitors and more so you can best tailor — and also track — your progress.”
Dynamic Personal Trainers are available for one-on-one guidance and support toward members’ fitness goals.
Recovery is a vital part of any exercise regimen. The LT Recovery zone is a place where members can reset and relax using Normatec compression therapy, hydromassage beds, dynamic stretching areas, and other recovery-enhancing amenities.
A full-service LifeSpa offers services for the body, hair, nails, and skin, while the LifeCafe and lounge is the place to enjoy a healthy meal when hunger strikes.
Venture into the locker rooms for added relaxation in the cold plunge, whirlpool, sauna, or steam room. “Whether pre- or post-workout, these amenities are available for members to use to unwind and reap the health benefits,” says Latson.
Life Time Shenandoah also has a Kids Academy featuring areas for tumbling and arts and crafts, as well as a kids’ gym, multi-purpose area, and infant and toddler areas. Young ones ages three months to 11 years can learn, play, and grow with the engaging and enriching age-specific programming and classes. Parents can use up to 2.5 hours of child care per day, included with a Junior Membership.
“Junior programming is at a whole new level at Life Time Shenandoah,” says Latson. “From our spaces to the offerings for young ones, the whole purpose of the Kids Academy is to create an experience where juniors can pick what classes they want to take and have their own offerings to choose from. They can prioritize their own healthy way of life at the same time their parents prioritize theirs.”
Other unique offerings in the Kids Academy include camp options, language and arts skills, and homework help.
The fourth floor of this building is home to Life Time Work, the only coworking concept to combine exceptional workspaces with a world-class health club experience. “Members who participate in Life Time Work merely have to walk downstairs to access their healthy-way-of-life amenities at any point in their workday,” says Latson.
Life Time Work members can rent out a private office or work in the public lounge areas; both feature amenities such as sit-to-stand desks, fast Wi-Fi, responsive tech support, and fresh-brewed coffee. “There’s even a balcony so members can get some sun while they work,” says Latson.
(Note: Life Time Work is available as an additional membership opportunity.)
Get to Know Your Lead General: Clarence Latson
What is your experience with Life Time — and how did you get into this role as a lead general?
I’ve been with Life Time for six years. I started as a general-manager-in-training at Life Time Cinco Ranch in Texas. During my tenure, I grand opened Life Time Baybrook as general manager, was promoted to senior general manager of Life Time City Centre Houston, and recently worked at Life Time Lake Houston as well.
I am also a Life Time Inclusion Council core member, currently serving as the Learning and Development Committee Chair with the goal of continuing to diversify the learning and leadership content provided to Life Time team members.
What excites you about the opening of Life Time Shenandoah?
This role is a homecoming for me, and I am truly excited and honored to have the opportunity to bring this Life Time Athletic Country Club to life in a community filled with friends and family who I know and love.
This community has been anticipating Life Time’s arrival for a long time. The experiences we bring will be worth the wait!
Why do you believe in a healthy way of life, and how do you incorporate that mission into your days?
My favorite part about Life Time is how the amazing programming impacts my own personal healthy-way-of-life goals. Not only do I have the opportunity to aid and watch members love their lives, but at Life Time, I get to indulge in my own experiences, doing what I love while motivating others to do what they love.
Is there anything people might be surprised to learn about you? What’s your favorite way to use Life Time?
I’ve been an athlete all my life, including playing sports in school, participating in physique bodybuilding and muscle-model competitions, and competing in amateur pickleball tournaments as of recently. These experiences have engrained in me a pursuit for excellence, which I bring to life at Life Time on a daily basis.
Currently, I participate in Dynamic Personal Training, Alpha, and AMP cycle classes; I also love to play pickleball — I play every day!
My team members and members can count on me to deliver a world-class experience in every interaction. Our mission at Life Time Shenandoah is to inspire members to achieve their own individual healthy way of life — whatever that looks like for them.
