It's Not Too Late to Rescue the New Year's Fitness Resolution!

Life Time Fitness Offers Five Tips to Revive Broken Fitness Vows, Avoid Failure and Frustration

The holidays seem like a distant memory and, all over the nation, well-intentioned New Year's fitness resolutions are being forgotten. To help encourage those who already have fallen off the fitness wagon in 2005, Life Time Fitness (NYSE:LTM), a national operator of large and distinctive health and fitness centers, has developed a set of tips to rescue the fitness resolution.

"Most people begin new fitness programs with good intentions," said Jeff Zwiefel, exercise physiologist and senior vice president, Life Time Fitness. "For a variety of reasons, however, many fail to get past even the first few weeks of their new commitment. The good news is that there is no need to be discouraged if you did not start the year off the way you had hoped. There never is a bad time to start a fitness program and, by following our tips, anyone can begin anew on a reasonable, sound plan based on education, exercise and nutrition - the three key building blocks to a healthy and active way of life."

Life Time Fitness' Five Tips for Rescuing the Fitness Resolution:

1. Be Realistic. Being fit and staying fit is a continuous pursuit. Don't place too much pressure on yourself by attempting to do too much too soon, only to end up experiencing frustration and failure. The key is to start slow and increase your intensity over time, not to transform from couch potato to elite athlete overnight.

2. Set Short-Term Goals. Determine what you want to accomplish and set a series of challenging, but achievable milestones along the way. Identifying and accomplishing specific goals will help you build confidence as you progress through your fitness program. A personal trainer can be an excellent resource to help determine appropriate goals.

3. Introduce Variety. Prevent workout boredom by adding a variety of activities to your fitness routine. You are far more likely to stick with your plan if you introduce activities that you enjoy. If you belong to a health and fitness center, take a look at the range of programs and events that are offered.

4. Make Time for Fitness. One of the most daunting barriers to maintaining a regular fitness program is the perceived time commitment. It is important to schedule your workout time just as you would a business meeting or family activity. People make time for the things that are important to them and a fitness program should be no different. Remember to invest in yourself - it pays dividends.

5. Begin Today. Eliminate excuses that prevent the start of your exercise commitment. Too often people make commitments for, "next week," "next month," or the "New Year." There is no time like the present. Go for a walk. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. If you started a program in January, but have already fallen off the fitness wagon, start again. Invest in your own health and wellness TODAY.

"Consumers must recognize that effective, long-term health and wellness cannot be achieved from a quick fix or "magic bullet," says Zwiefel. "It requires a continuous, balanced approach to exercise and nutrition. Not unlike other goals that are worth pursuing, this should be an integral part of your daily routine. When conducted with realistic expectations, ample variety and consistency, short-term setbacks won't result in long-term failure. It's never too late to start again and start right."

Optimal health and fitness begins with a reasonable, balanced program. Subject to an individual's physical state, fitness level and physician approval, Life Time Fitness offers the following fitness program recommendation:

• Prior to any workout, conduct seven to eight minutes of warm-up activity.
• Perform 20-30 minutes of aerobic exercise with the proper intensity - four times per week.
• Perform 20-35 minutes of resistance training, working all major muscle groups - four times per week.
• Stretch and relax after each workout.
• Eat four small, nutritionally balanced meals with adequate protein each day.
• Get adequate rest.

When starting a new fitness routine, it is extremely important to have realistic expectations. Depending upon an individual's fitness level, the following changes can be expected with a regular program:

• From one to eight weeks: Look to feel better and have more energy.
• From two to six months: Lose size and inches while becoming leaner. Clothes begin to fit more loosely. Muscle is gained and fat is lost.
• After six months: Start losing weight quite rapidly.

Consumers may receive additional health and wellness information by visiting lifetimefitness.com or contacting Life Time Fitness at 1-888-430-LIFE.

About Life Time Fitness, Inc.

Life Time Fitness, Inc. (NYSE:LTM) operates distinctive and large sports and athletic, professional fitness, family recreation and resort/spa centers. As of March 9, 2005 the Company operated 40 centers in eight states, including Arizona, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Texas and Virginia. The Company also provides consumers with nutritional products and supplements, the award-winning healthy lifestyle magazine, Experience Life, world-class athletic events, full-service spas, cafes, personal training consultation, health and nutrition education, and corporate wellness programs. Life Time Fitness is headquartered in Eden Prairie, Minnesota (lifetimefitness.com). LIFE TIME FITNESS and EXPERIENCE LIFE are registered trademarks of Life Time Fitness, Inc. All other trademarks or registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

CONTACT: Life Time Fitness, Inc., Eden Prairie
Jason Thunstrom, 952-229-7435
jthunstrom@lifetimefitness.com
or
Kent Wipf, 952-229-7211
kwipf@lifetimefitness.com

SOURCE: Life Time Fitness, Inc.

Reprinted with permission