For many, fitness is a solo activity. You put on your headphones, log your workout, and move on to your next activity. And while this might feel like it works just fine, research shows that in a group setting, you’re likely to work harder and get better results — it’s called the Köhler effect. It occurs when someone performs a task better than expected when it a team setting.
“I’ve been on teams my whole life,” says David Freeman, CPT, CCP, PES, national director for Life Time’s Alpha program and cohost of the Life Time Talks podcast. “A pushup is a pushup — but when you work out in a group, it gives you a sense of greater purpose.”
At Life Time, there are many opportunities to experience this, including in the four Signature Group Training programs: GTX, Alpha, Ultra Fit, and MB360. To help you decide which program is right for you, we outlined the main objective for each class so you can identify the one that best aligns with your personality, interests, and goals.
For the Results Seeker . . . GTX
If you’re looking for a program that encourages consistency and provides accountability, GTX may be your go-to class.
“There is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to training,” says Wes Robertson, signature program operations manager for Life Time. “GTX allows participants to come in wherever they’re at — and whatever their age or goals. The programming can be modified and adjusted to the individual. I’m endlessly inspired by the work our members put in to become healthier versions of themselves.”
What Is GTX?
With a 50/50 blend of progressively planned cardio and strength, GTX offers a formula to help you continuously improve your endurance, strength, and overall fitness. You’ll experience zone interval training on a treadmill as well as a total-body strength training portions.
This class is progressively programmed over a 12-week training cycle so participants avoid any plateaus. GTX is an all-levels experience that can be adapted for wherever you are on your fitness journey — but that doesn’t mean it’s easy.
Class Objectives:
- Focus on daily movement patterns to ensure you receive a full-body workout each week.
- Establish a foundational base for strength and conditioning and continue to make progress.
- Improve overall health and body composition.
Equipment Used:
- Treadmills
- Dumbbells
- Kettlebells
- Mats
- Benches
- Resistance bands
For the Purpose-Driven Athlete . . . Alpha
If you have a competitive spirit and are looking to push yourself when it comes to strength and conditioning, Alpha may be the class for you.
“Alpha is for anyone and everyone who is looking to develop absolute strength, build athleticism holistically, or interested in doing Olympic-style lifting and exercises,” says Konnor Fleming, Alpha Master Coach for Life Time. “It’s relatively high intensity, but we’ll always meet you where you’re at on your fitness journey, teaching you how to move safely and effectively.”
What Is Alpha?
Alpha encompasses both Alpha Strength and Alpha Conditioning formats.
Alpha Strength is a full-body, progressively programmed, mixed-modality workout that includes both strength training and metabolic conditioning. You’ll experience advanced strength-training movements with a coach guiding you toward new personal records. The approach is designed to prevent overtraining and injury.
Alpha Conditioning is a focused athletic-training program that delivers total-body conditioning and promotes all-around metabolic adaption. Every workout targets specific heart-rate zones through various forms of interval training, work-to-rest ratios, and functional-strength movements. Your coach will guide you as you learn new skills and help you stay on pace so you get the most out of your training.
Class Objectives for Alpha Strength and Alpha Conditioning:
Improve physical capacity through strength and metabolic adaption, as well as the ability to express speed and power.
- Challenge neurological training and develop new skills.
- Enhance overall conditioning and develop efficiency across energy systems.
- Create a cooperatively competitive atmosphere to drive a “personal record” mindset.
Equipment Used in Alpha Strength:
- Weight racks/platforms
- Barbells
- Plyo boxes
- Medicine balls
- Dumbbells
- Kettlebells
Equipment Used in Alpha Conditioning:
- Battle ropes
- Assault bike
- Jump rope
- Kettlebells
For the Competitive Athlete . . . Ultra Fit
If you’re motto is “faster, fitter” and you focus on maximum performance, Ultra Fit can help you reach your goals and continue to progress.
“Ultra Fit is for athletes who already have a foundational understanding of functional movement,” says Mechelle Lewis Freeman, Ultra Fit coach for Life Time. “We’re asking your body to do some high-level movements, so starting with joint stability and mobility is key.”
What Is Ultra Fit?
Ultra Fit is a high-performance speed and conditioning program. It pairs sprint interval training with functional-strength exercises and balance and stability movements to improve your body’s core systems. You’ll experience a high-intensity treadmill workout and develop your sprinting technique, along with off-the-treadmill resistance, balance, coordination, and agility training.
Class Objectives:
- Develop proper sprinting mechanics.
- Improve overall conditioning, speed, balance, and stability.
- Get faster, stronger, and more powerful.
- Transform the body at a cellular level in response to maximum effort.
Equipment Used:
- Treadmill
- Bosu and stability balls
- Dumbbells
- Resistance bands
For the Mind-Body Maven . . . MB360
If you’re interested in the benefits of mind-body training, yoga, and strength training, MB360 combines all three in one class.
“You could spend an entire day doing your meditation, and then your yoga, and then your strength training — all things we know make us feel better — but that takes up so much time,” says Jessie Syfko, CSCS, RYT, VP of group training and studio at Life Time. “What if we could do it all in one experience together?”
What Is MB360?
MB360 is a mind-body training program that combines meditation with mobility, functional strength, and conditioning work. It is a high-energy class where mental and physical performance meet as one and the music helps drive the experience. The class is designed so every day has a different area of focus from Monday through Saturday; Sunday is a rest day.
Class Objectives:
- Improve the way you move and feel in the body.
- Enhance muscular endurance, strength, and range of motion.
- Improve primal and nontraditional movement patterns.
- Create space for happier, more mindful living.
- Connect to the joy and play of movement.
Equipment Used:
- Dumbbells
- Weighted vest
- Ankle weights
- Resistance bands
- Yoga blocks
