Life Time Is Finally Arriving in Manhattan, With a Crazy Luxe Gym

People across the country are impressed by the scale of Life Time's expansive health and wellness clubs when they first encounter them, and Manhattanites are about to experience that feeling (which is bound to be multiplied in a city where apartments are often size of walk-in closets) for the first time.

The Minneapolis-based national wellness brand just announced it will open its first New York City facility, Life Time Athletic Sky, this spring.

The 70,000-square-foot wellness center was created in partnership with real estate firm The Moinian Group and is located inside the sexy new Sky rental building in Midtown West, at West 42nd Street and 11th Avenue.

"It's the best of the best in fitness and amenities," says general manager Ioanna Zacharopoulou, "a luxury facility that just doesn’t exist in the city." They might not be overstating things...

Here are some of the crazy things you'll find there, in addition to lots of cardio and strength equipment: a 60-foot-long indoor pool and a water club with a Turkish style hammam, a gorgeous roof deck with two zero-edge outdoor pools, a professional-size indoor basketball court, a full-service spa, and a LifeCafe, with smoothies, veggie bowls, and more. "If it’s here, it’s healthy," Zacharopoulou says of the menu.

There are multiple studios dedicated to yoga, cycling, and general workout classes, where Life Time's array of signature group fitness classes will be offered, from LifeBarre, Performance Cycle, X Effect for functional strength training, and tons of yoga options, to partner-branded offerings like Adam Rosante's C9 Challenge, Shaun T's Insanity, and Zumba.

Monthly memberships are currently priced at $179 per month (plus an initiation fee), although members will have to pay extra for the more limited access to the outdoor pools during summer.

And while the space and offerings are extensive, Zacharopoulou says the way the club will treat its sweaty, healthy members will be even more important. "We are going to provide high-touch service," she says. "That’s my number one priority." —Lisa Elaine Held

New York City is, of course, home to plenty of swanky gyms. Check out 7 more, here.

(Photos: Life Time Fitness)