Photo credit: Chun Kit To, Creative Commons 2.0 Generic

Life Time Athletic’s current construction of a gym is challenging the size of gyms and what they have to offer.

The new gym’s arrival is bringing direct competition to current gyms in the area.

Life Time’s hours (8am -8pm on weekdays) are more restricting than standard gym hours.
“
It is disappointing that I wouldn’t be able to get a workout in before school,” said Granite Bay High School sophomore Jack Ramalia. “I would be willing to accommodate to the gym’s hours if the facility is that much better.”

A majority of Granite Bay residents currently work out at nearby Johnson Ranch Racquet Club, however many have begun to think their gym is overdue for a renovation.

“The equipment, locker room, steam room and sauna are all outdated,” Ramalia said. “The only thing (JRRC) does right is keep the pool warm.”

GBHS alum Alex Cooney has a similar view of JRRC, where he frequently works out.

“The carpet hasn’t been replaced since they opened and there is a limited selection of weights,” Cooney said.

Wear on equipment from careless members seems to affect older gyms. Life Time’s facility has appealed to those who are desperate for a new environment and new equipment.

“The most appealing part is that everything will be brand new and there will be more activities available,” Ramalia said.

These wide ranging activities are another attempt by Life Time to separate itself from its competition.

Indoor and outdoor swimming pools, multiple locker rooms, several athletic studios, and basketball and tennis courts are only several of the amenities that are being used to occupy the 120,000 square foot facility.

The large amount of amenities Life Time will be offering presents a new atmosphere not seen in current gyms of the area.

GBHS senior Cameron Young believes many gyms are characterized by their goals and atmospheres.

“Different gyms focus on different things, such as California Family Fitness focusing on interaction with others and Gold’s gym focusing on weights and supplements while (disregarding) other activities such as pools,” Young said.

The complete diversity of amenities seems to reflect the goal of Life Time- to accommodate all possible workouts.

A larger amount of space could also address safety concerns present in other gyms.

Young thinks many gyms try to overload space to fit in as many machines and equipment as possible.

“Children are always walking by the weight section which makes it dangerous for both (kids and adults),” Young said. “Overcrowding and foot traffic become safety concerns as children have to walk through free weight sections to reach the pool and sauna.”

Whether similar problems may exist in Life Time cannot be known until they present a layout of the interior.

Construction of the gym is near completion, with a goal of opening by summer of this year.

Life Time Athletic is located on the corner of East Roseville Parkway and Secret Ravine Parkway. For some however, the distance to Life Time’s location is too far to make them change their current gym membership.”

“I’ll probably stay with Johnson Ranch,” Cooney said. “(Only) because it’s so close.”