Life Time Fitness Pioneers New Approach to Kids Programs

March 21, 2011

Nine months ago, Life Time Fitness hired Christina Parmley as their National Activities Director and her first order of business was to help redefine the company’s approach to children’s programming.

“We want to improve the health of America’s kids,” says Parmley.

No longer “just” a drop-off child-care service, Life Time’s curriculum addresses the importance of good nutrition, exercise and healthy lifestyles – but in a way that kids will embrace. Namely, fun and games!

“Life Time Kids provides fitness and nutrition education in a game-based format,” Parmley explains. “It’s fitness and nutrition education disguised as fun so that the kids can absorb it faster. Then, once they own the knowledge, we see them transform their lifestyles. They go home and ask their parents if the food pyramid is represented well on their plate, or what their vegetable will be for lunch.”

And the curriculum isn’t just geared toward older children. Parmley says that Life Time Fitness’s youngest members are being engaged in ways they never were before.

As part of that mission, Life Time Fitness recently installed PLAYTIME soft play areas in five of their locations, with two more scheduled for Spring 2011. PLAYTIME is the world’s leader in the design, manufacture and installation of unique, interactive soft playground equipment.

“The PLAYTIME soft play areas help to stimulate activities, ideas and interaction among the children,” says Parmley. “Children just naturally gravitate toward the shapes, sizes and components of a PLAYTIME setup. It provides an enchanted environment.”

She adds, “In our child center, we’ve transitioned over the last year from a child care facility that allowed adult members to work out, go to the spa or have lunch to really becoming an enrichment center. Every 30 minutes, we offer music and movement classes, language, reading, and arts and crafts.

“We are not a babysitting service. We are teaching even our youngest members about the importance of exercise and good nutrition.”

EXPERIENCE PLAYTIME at these Life Time Fitness locations:

Life Time Fitness - Lenexa, KS
16851 W 90th St
Lenexa, KS 66219

Life Time Fitness - Beachwood, OH
3859 Richmond Road
Beachwood, OH 44122

Life Time Fitness - Troy, MI
4700 Investment Drive
Troy, MI 48098

Life Time Fitness - Centennial, CO
5000 E Dry Creek Rd
Centennial, CO 80122

Life Time Fitness - Syosset, NY
300 Robbins Ln
Syosset, NY 11791

Coming Soon - Spring 2011

Life Time Fitness - Summerlin, NV
10672 Griffith Peak Drive
Las Vegas, NV 89135

Life Time Fitness - Colorado Springs
4410 Royal Pine Drive
Colorado Springs, CO 80920