Must-See Lifetime Fitness Club Likely Boost for Prado Businesses [Photos]

Drive up to Lifetime Fitness at The Prado and there is a sense that you're about to experience a Sandy Springs getaway.

The 180,000 square foot fitness club officially opens it’s fifth metro Atlanta location at 4 a.m., Friday. It’s the 100th location in the Lifetime Fitness chain. The opening is expected to give excited neighboring businesses a boost in traffic. [Lifetime plans to open a Norcross location by January 2013.]

You can get an up close look at the massive gym later today. Following a ribbon cutting ceremony with Sandy Springs Mayor Eva Galambos and current members, Lifetime will open its doors to the public to view from 7-9 p.m.

“What we’ve aimed to do is create the broadest spectrum of amenities, services, equipment and programs, so not matter where you’re at or what you’re family make up is, it’s an inviting scenario,” said Jason Thunstrom, vice president, public relations and corporate communications.

Indeed, there is much that appeals to your senses. The indoor/outdoor pool area blocks out the rest of the world. Indoors are whirlpool spas a lap pool and a zero edge pool with a waterfall and beach entry for children. The large outdoor pool and bistro has a resort feel.

That’s want founder Bahram Akradi was hoping for, Thunstrom explained. Akradi opened the first Lifetime fitness in July 1992.

“…He thought, ‘If I can design and open a facility of this size…Mom would say…that’s not a [typical] health club. That’s a place I can see bringing my kids,’ ” Thunstrom said.

More on Lifetime Fitness Sandy Springs

• Hours – Open daily 4 a.m. to midnight.

• 3 floors.

• Full service spa and salon.

• A café – On Tuesday, Sandy Springs City Council approved the club’s application to sell beer and wine.

• The gym includes a nearly 8,000 square foot child center with a junior basketball court, computers and soft climbable play structures.

• Side-by side, two regulation-size basketball courts.

• A spinning theater.

• Separate yoga and Pilates rooms.

• 5 squash courts.

• 400 pieces of cardio and resistance training equipment, and a separate free weight area.

• Outside turf areas.