There are only so many hours in a week — and many of us have our waking hours mapped out so we can make every minute count. If this includes prioritizing your health and well-being, you’re likely intentional about getting the most out of the time you have at Life Time.
But imagine, just for a moment, that you have an extra hour to yourself at the club . . . how would you spend it? To inspire you to enjoy some well-earned “what if” time, we asked several Life Time on-demand class instructors — who have very busy schedules themselves! — to share how they would spend a bonus hour at Life Time.
Danica Osborn, CPT
Group fitness instructor and coach at Life Time in Warrenville, Ill.
If I had an additional hour at the club each week, I’d love to spend it on recovery. I think I’m in a similar boat with a lot of frequent exercisers: I’m consistent about setting aside time to work out, but I’m less diligent about recovering after those workouts.
Multiple times a week, you can find me moving and grooving in the fitness studios as I instruct barre and strength classes, sweating in a packed cycle studio as I lead EDG and AMP cycling classes, and then powering through my own workouts on the fitness floor.
I routinely walk by the Normatec compression boots in the LT Recovery zone and think to myself, If I just had a little more time today, I could sit and show my legs some much-needed love. Or I go past the LifeSpa and tell myself, I should really book a massage appointment. But then another week passes, and I don’t prioritize my recovery.
It’s like a car mechanic driving around with their check-engine light on — we know better! Ultimately, when we don’t set aside time to rest, recover, heal, and recuperate, we’re leaving progress on the table. So, I always encourage spending extra time on recovery. (Throw in a good playlist and a Mocha Madness shake from the LifeCafe too, and I’ll really be set!)
David Freeman, CPT, CCP, PES
Senior director of signature coach excellence, cohost of the Life Time Talks podcast
I’d divide an extra hour at the club in two parts: 30 minutes in the Alpha space dialing in my own performance and then 30 minutes connecting with other athletes and coaches. There’s something powerful about sweating with intention and then pouring into others through conversation and community.
For me, movement is medicine. It clears my mind and resets my focus. And the people? They’re the heartbeat of our clubs. It’s not just about training harder — it’s about growing together.
Jayme Zylstra
Senior director/executive producer of digital programming at Life Time and active-aging performer in the Life Time app
I’d love to spend more time connecting with other members and creating meaningful relationships. You’d probably find me in the LifeCafe having a cup of tea and sharing a good conversation with some like-minded people. Or maybe unwinding in the sauna and catching up with a girlfriend. Also, I’ve been wanting to learn how to play pickleball — that would be such a fun way to connect with others, too!
As I age, I’ve come to deeply value connection and community. I’m quite intrigued by Dan Buettner’s work on the Blue Zones — a nonscientific term given to geographic regions that are home to some of the world’s oldest people, like spots in Italy, Greece, Japan, and Costa Rica. One of the key takeaways from Blue Zones is the vital role that social ties play in longevity and well-being. Spending that extra hour building connections at the club aligns perfectly with what the Blue Zones research suggests contributes to a happier and healthier life — and I am all about that!
Austin Head
Group fitness instructor and 5-Star ELI performer at Life Time Dumbo, Sky, and Atlantic Avenue in New York City
If I had an extra hour to spend at the club, I would get a massage from one of our incredible massage therapists. Recovery is so important if we want to perform at our best, and a massage is an amazing way to recover both physically and mentally.
Hayley Akradi, CPT
National program lead of Ultra Fit and digital fitness project manager for Life Time
I would absolutely play pickleball if I had an extra hour to spend at the club. Pickleball is one of my favorite activities, but with my crazy schedule, it’s something that goes to the wayside when I run out of time. But what a fun way to spend the day: Drop the baby off at the Kids Academy and then my husband and I can go get competitive on the courts.
I’d also spend time doing what’s referred to as the “executive workout,” which is a quick stop at the club to sweat in the sauna and steam room, take a shower, and then leave. In Life Time’s beautiful spaces, the luxurious sauna and steam room make it feel like an actual spa day. As a parent, this amenity is the perfect way to spend some downtime and recover.
Jessie Syfko, ND, RYT, CSCS, FMS
Senior vice president of Life Time Digital and creator of MB360 at Life Time
If I had an extra hour at the club, I’d be on the workout floor lifting weights and doing cardio on the stepmill machine. As a busy mom with a fast-paced career, I would indulge in time for my own fitness. Strength training makes me feel my best and centers my mind so I can be the best version of myself the rest of the day. (Check out: “The Stepmill Workout.”)
