Amid sagging membership, St. Paul Life Time gym cancels all classes

Jason Thunstrom, a spokesman for the Chanhassen-based fitness chain, said its lease in downtown St. Paul's University Club building ends next summer. He didn't provide details of what the chain seeks in lease negotiations.

"It's fair to say we'd like to continue serving members in and around the St. Paul area as we do today, but it's too early for me to say whether we'll reside at that location or not," he said. "I think we need to continue to have these negotiations take place."

Building owner John Rupp didn't return calls seeking comment. Rupp has requested $395,000 in city money for facade work on the downtown building, said Natalie Fedie, a city spokeswoman.

Meanwhile, Life Time Fitness representatives have met informally with city officials but haven't asked for money . "Life Time Fitness is really important to us and we want to make sure we see them continue to stay in downtown, but they have some work to do on their end," Fedie said.

Life Time opened the downtown center in 1997 after renovating space in the former St. Paul Athletic Club at an estimated cost of $1.5 million. It also bought approximately $700,000 in equipment. Life Time received loans from the city for part of the financing.

Life Time Fitness posted a 4.6 percent drop in

profits in the third quarter despite an almost 8 percent increase in revenue. To boost profits, Life Time Chief Executive Bahram Akradi has said the company will look to decrease member attrition, reduce costs and add clubs nationwide in the fourth quarter.

Life Time's membership numbers, including single, couple and family, at its 84 clubs were up 6 percent nationally in the third quarter, compared with a year ago but down 3 percent from the previous quarter.

Thunstrom wouldn't disclose the downtown St. Paul club's membership trends for competitive reasons but an internal memo said the membership base and club usage at the downtown location is down.

As a result, Life Time is looking to reduce its downtown square footage and potentially run it as an express club next year, with reduced massage and personal-training services as well, the internal memo said. Thunstrom declined to comment on the memo. Membership dues starting around $50 aren't set to change as of now, he said.

Meanwhile, Life Time has expanded the Highland Park club in St. Paul and is urging members to try group fitness classes at that location. Group classes downtown are set to end as of Dec. 15.

Gita Sitaramiah can be reached at 651-228-5472.

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