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Layoffs Planned As LA Fitness To Buy Lifestyle Family Fitness

Exercise and gym trade publication Club Industry reports L.A. Fitness will buy the remaining Lifestyle Family Fitness gyms in Florida.

Lifestyle Family Fitness gym members in Bradenton will soon see a new name at their local workout center — or perhaps see it closed. 

Rival LA Fitness will purchase the St. Petesrburg-based Lifestyle Family Fitness, reports fitness trade publication Club Industry, which obtained a letter from Lifestyle's chief executive distributed to employees about the purchase:

“In the months that followed [the exiting of the northern markets], we evaluated our option to remain an independent company or sell to a larger organization,” Lasher wrote in the letter. “We took into consideration what would be in the best [interest] for all three constituents: our team members, members and shareholders. After careful consideration, the Board of Directors has made the decision to sell all of the Lifestyle Family Fitness clubs in Florida to LA Fitness.”

Lifestyle Family Fitness also filed a layoff notice with the state Department of Economic Opportunity that 94 employees will lose their jobs from Aug. 16 and Dec. 31, The Tampa Bay Times reports.

Lifestyle Family Fitness has two locations in Bradenton at  and on

Lifestyle and LA Fitness has not released information about the sale as well as the layoffs or potential closures.

Angel June 24, 2012 at 07:27 pm
My wife and I are members at Lifestyle,and we are very upset at this buy out of the gym. The one thing that we like about the gym that we go to is, that they have the day care for the kids while we work out and it's a good thing for us while we workout. I'm not sure what we will do if LA Fitness takes over our gym, for us never fails, whaen we find something that we feel good and that we like and are comftable with, it changesand slowly everything starts to go down hill, and that's something that I would not like to see happen. We are happy so far and we would like to see it stay like it is.
Miele June 25, 2012 at 11:36 am
I am concerned that the classes will change. I have never found anything else like BodyFlow at any other gym. I recently moved to DC, so the thought of LA Fitness is enticing as I may be able to go while in FL, but would hate to see the classes change. Hopefully LA Fitness will pick up on the many favorable attributes of Lifestyles Family Fitness has to offer.
Samantha June 25, 2012 at 01:53 pm
I am a member at both gyms. From the stand point of a consumer, I think that this is great! I work by a lifestyles and i live by an LA. Now I can have one gym membership and still be able to stick to my routine. As for the concerns with the classes and day care, la fitness does offer spin, kick boxing, and various other classes as well as kid's club (sitting). Bonus! they have a pool. :)
JC Harris June 25, 2012 at 06:48 pm
LA Fitness has day care also, and it's much better. I have belonged to both and MUCH prefer LAF.
JC Harris June 25, 2012 at 06:50 pm
Tagging off Samantha, I have belonged to both and LAF is superior. Their classes are better, training staff is better trained, better locations, and a pool. Before stating things like "I will lose day care" look into the club first (they are also cheaper). Just because it doesn't say "Family" in the name doesn't mean it's not family friendly.
Laura Supple June 25, 2012 at 09:43 pm
I am an employee of LFF and I am very disappointed in this sale. I teach Les Mills programs and LAF does not offer these programs. There is a lot they are not communicating and we feel very much in the dark.
Roxanne June 26, 2012 at 02:26 pm
I am with Laura. As a Lff member I feel they should not have us in the dark. I only go for the Les Mills programs because they are very structured and researched. If they don't use Les Mills anymore I will most likely cancel membership with them. I know a lot of members that will follow.
JC Harris June 26, 2012 at 02:30 pm
I think you all need to try LAF before passing judgement. I am sure there will be things that flow from LFF as well. And lose membership to who? The Y? Good luck dealing with ten year olds in swim lanes and on machines.
Roxanne June 26, 2012 at 03:52 pm
Im not saying LAF will not be good. I can care less what name is on the facility. I've been a member for a couple years and have grown to know the staff at the locations I use. I see the instructors everyday and know who is watching my kids. So when they start to lay off those same instructors that are reason why we join, thats when they will start losing thier members. Honestly, yeah I will follow my instructor.
Sean June 29, 2012 at 03:57 pm
Chill out fools. La Fitness is fine. If you go to gym for instuctors then you have issues. Go for yourself and self motivate. It's all good. Bring on La Fitness in South lakeland!! Can't wait!!!
Judy Gibbs July 2, 2012 at 12:09 am
I have to agree with Roxane. I do not have young children, but I have been a member of LFF for 7 years. I am willing to try the classes at LAF, but I am very disturbed at the way this "takeover/buyout" has jeopardized the careers of the wonderful Les Mills instructors, who have put everything they have into these classes. I love RPM, Bodypump, and, more recently, Body Vive and CXWorks, these last two having been cancelled (much to the surprise of the instructors) this very weekend. There are many of us who have bad feelings about the way this is being handled. Some of us feel strongly about following our instructors out of loyalty, and their devotion to the classes they taught, rather than looking at LAF as a positive change. Is this really how LA Fitness wants to begin? Their tactics are putting them in a very bad light, and they may lose many more members than they expect. I know that $$$$ is the bottom line, but, to many, loyalty and good results mean more. Judy
Justin July 2, 2012 at 03:47 pm
This is bad for consumers. There will be less competition in many areas now, which means less choice, and potentially higher prices.

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