Bahram Akradi is the founder, chairman and CEO of Life Time Fitness, America’s largest health club and real estate conglomerate. Life Time posted revenues of $1.8 billion for 2018 and has centers all over the USA and Canada.
Akradi draws from his 30 year experience in healthy way of life initiatives to expand the Life Time brand. Life Time has transformed the health and fitness world by developing large, multi-use centers that provide friendly, innovative and educational experiences.
During the pandemic, Akradi set up a website to publish chapters of a book he’s been writing for over a decade. The site aims to inspire health and happiness during difficult times.
Bahram Akradi: a life of healthy living
Akradi moved to the USA from Tehran at the age of 17. He studied Electrical Engineering and the University of Colorado, working in restaurants to pay his way. He then took a job at US Swim and Fitness. There, he worked his way up to part-owner of the club. When it sold in 1986, it was the second largest health club chain in the Minneapolis-St.Paul market.
His experience at US Swim and Fitness ignited a passion for health and wellbeing in Akradi. He envisioned building something that was more than just a health club. After the company sold, he liquidated all his personal assets and built a 27000 square foot club in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. This would become Life Time Fitness and expand to 138 locations in 38 markets.
Akradi has also set up the Life Time Foundation, which supports schools in promoting healthy lifestyles for its students. Life Time Foundation focuses on nutrition and movement, impacting more than 1.7 million children in 3634 schools across the USA.
Bahram Akradi’s near death experience
Akradi’s passion for healthy living characterizes not just his career, but personal life too. So much so that it has nearly got him killed. Akradi competes in and organizes Leadville races and Leadman triathlons, which are eye-watering feats of endurance.
During a 100 mile bike race, for which he anticipated a personal best of 10 hours, Akradi contracted laryngitis. He pushed through this to complete the next phase of the race: a 100 mile run. After completing the race, Akradi suffered kidney failure. An emergency helicopter took him to an ICU where he nearly died.
Akradi miraculously made a full recovery. This near-death experience inspired Akradi to write a book for his baby son. Realizing how fragile life is, he wanted to record all he had learned before it was his time to go. “I wanted my children to know what challenged and what changed me. To see things from different perspectives, to move with confidence, and most importantly, do all things with love,” he says.
Bahram Akradi: Life Time Fitness
Life Time Fitness boasts far more than basic gym accoutrements. It also operates large, resort-like healthy living, healthy aging, and healthy entertainment destination. With a wide array of programs and services, it aims to encompass the full spectrum of daily life for individuals, couples and families of all ages.
Life Time Fitness sells nutritional products, holds athletic events, hosts personal training, health education, and corporate wellness programs. Committed to the betterment of organizations, communities and individuals, its centers operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It also has its own healthy lifestyle magazine called Experience Life.
Investors have taken note of its success. In 2015, private equity firms struck a deal with the company valued at more than $4 billion, purchasing all outstanding shares. Now Life Time Fitness looks to expand into the real estate sector, adding residences to Life Time Fitness centers.
Check out Life Time Fitness here and read Bahram Akradi’s story.
