Exhibit 99.1

Investor Contact: Ken Cooper — 952-229-7427 or ir@lifetimefitness.com
Media Contact: Jason Thunstrom — 952-229-7435 or pr@lifetimefitness.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

LIFE TIME FITNESS ANNOUNCES THIRD QUARTER 2009 FINANCIAL RESULTS
Company Reports Revenue Growth of 7.8% and Earnings Per Diluted Share of $0.51 for the Quarter

CHANHASSEN, Minn. (October 22, 2009) — Life Time Fitness, Inc. (NYSE: LTM) today reported its operating results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2009.

     Third quarter 2009 revenue grew 7.8% to $214.3 million from $198.8 million during the same period last year. Net income during the quarter was $20.6 million, or $0.51 per diluted share, versus $21.6 million, or $0.55 per diluted share, for 3Q 2008. For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, revenue grew 10.0% to $633.3 million from $575.7 million during the same period last year. Net income for the same period was $54.0 million, or $1.36 per diluted share, compared to $58.8 million, or $1.49 per diluted share, for the first nine months of 2008.

     “During the third quarter, we expanded free cash flow delivery and saw our trailing 12-month attrition rate improve,” said Bahram Akradi, Life Time Fitness chairman and chief executive officer. “Moving forward, we will continue to focus on our member connectivity initiatives, prudent cost management and debt reduction.”

Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009, Financial Highlights:
Total revenue for the third quarter grew 7.8% to $214.3 million. Total revenue for the first nine months of 2009 grew to $633.3 million from $575.7 million during the same period last year.

(Period-over-period growth)		3Q 2009 vs. 3Q 2008				YTD 2009 vs. YTD 2008
· Membership dues			10.4	%			12.8	%
· Enrollment fees			(2.9	%)			(1.8	%)
· In-center revenue			5.3	%			6.7	%
· Same-center revenue			(5.4	%)			(4.2	%)
· Average center revenue / membership		$358 — down 0.2%				$1,063 — down 1.7%
· Average in-center revenue / membership		$100 — down 3.1%				$305 — down 5.1%

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Life Time Fitness Third Quarter 2009 Results — Page 2

Memberships increased 6.0% to 590,716 at September 30, 2009, from 557,164 at September 30, 2008.

Total operating expenses during 3Q 2009 were $174.3 million compared to $156.7 million for 3Q 2008. Year-to-date operating expenses totaled $522.5 million compared to $457.7 million for the same period last year.

Operating margin was 18.7% for 3Q 2009 compared to 21.2% in the prior-year period. Year-to-date operating margin was 17.5% compared to 20.5% in the prior-year period.

(Expense as a percent of total revenue)		3Q 2009				vs.				3Q 2008				YTD 2009				vs.				YTD 2008
Center operations			59.5	%		vs.					58.4	%			60.5	%		vs.					58.6	%
Advertising and marketing			2.7	%		vs.					3.7	%			3.2	%		vs.					4.1	%
General and administrative			4.5	%		vs.					4.8	%			5.2	%		vs.					5.3	%
Other operating			3.7	%		vs.					2.5	%			2.8	%		vs.					2.4	%
Depreciation and amortization			10.9	%		vs.					9.4	%			10.8	%		vs.					9.1	%

Net income during 3Q 2009 was $20.6 million compared to $21.6 million for 3Q 2008. For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, net income was $54.0 million compared to $58.8 million in the prior-year period.

EBITDA for 3Q 2009 grew 4.2% to $63.7 million from $61.2 in 3Q 2008. Year-to-date EBITDA grew 4.9% to $179.9 million from $171.5 million during the same period last year.

Cash flows from operations for the first nine months of 2009 totaled $138.6 million compared to $143.5 million in the prior-year period.

Weighted average fully diluted shares for 3Q 2009 totaled 40.3 million compared to 39.4 million shares in 3Q 2008.

Updated 2009 Business Outlook:
The following statements are based on the Company’s current expectations for fiscal year 2009 and are subject to the risks and uncertainties described below:

	•		Revenue is expected to be $835-$845 million (updated from $830-$860 million).
	•		Net income is expected to be $71.0-$72.5 million (updated from $67.0-$71.0 million).
	•		Diluted earnings per common share is expected to be $1.78-$1.81 (updated from $1.65-$1.75).

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Life Time Fitness Third Quarter 2009 Results — Page 3

     As announced on October 15, 2009, the Company will hold a conference call today at 10:00 a.m. ET to discuss its third quarter 2009 results. Bahram Akradi, chairman and chief executive officer, Michael Robinson, executive vice president and chief financial officer, and Kenneth Cooper, vice president of finance, will host the call. The conference call will be Web cast live and may be accessed via the Company’s Investor Relations section of its Web site at lifetimefitness.com. A replay of the call will be available today at approximately 1:00 p.m. ET.

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About Life Time Fitness, Inc.
Life Time Fitness, Inc. (NYSE:LTM) operates distinctive and large, multi-use sports and athletic, professional fitness, family recreation and resort and spa centers. The Company also provides consumers with personal training services, full-service spas and cafes, corporate wellness programs, health and nutrition education, the healthy lifestyle magazine, Experience Life, athletic events and nutritional products. As of October 22, 2009, Life Time Fitness operated 84 centers in 19 states, including Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas, Utah and Virginia. Life Time Fitness is headquartered in Chanhassen, Minnesota, and can be located on the Web at lifetimefitness.com. LIFE TIME FITNESS, LIFE TIME ATHLETIC, EXPERIENCE LIFE, and the LIFE TIME FITNESS TRIATHLON SERIES are trademarks of Life Time Fitness, Inc. All other trademarks or registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Risks and Uncertainties
Certain information contained in this press release may be deemed to constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause the Company’s actual results in the future to differ materially from its historical results and those presently anticipated or projected. Among these factors are attracting and retaining members, risks related to our debt levels and debt covenants, our ability to access existing credit facilities and obtain additional financing, competition from other health and fitness centers, identifying and acquiring suitable sites for new centers, delays in opening new centers and other factors set forth in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Diluted earnings per share could also be affected by the number of shares outstanding, which depends on factors such as the number of shares issued upon exercise of stock options and future grants of awards pursuant to equity-based incentive plans as well as stock offerings. The Company cautions investors not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update such statement to reflect events or circumstances arising after such date. All remarks made during the Company’s financial results conference call will be current at the time of the call and the Company undertakes no obligation to update the replay.

LIFE TIME FITNESS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands)

		September 30, 2009				December 31, 2008
		(Unaudited)
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	8,137			$	10,829
Accounts receivable, net			3,192				6,114
Inventories and center operating supplies			13,935				14,632
Prepaid expenses and other current assets			14,964				10,994
Deferred membership origination costs			21,497				19,877
Deferred income taxes			1,872				1,365
Total current assets			63,597				63,811
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net			1,507,073				1,515,957
RESTRICTED CASH			3,785				3,936
DEFERRED MEMBERSHIP ORIGINATION COSTS			11,726				14,210
OTHER ASSETS			49,967				49,789
TOTAL ASSETS		$	1,636,148			$	1,647,703
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Current maturities of long-term debt		$	12,130			$	10,335
Accounts payable			16,926				14,842
Construction accounts payable			10,602				63,418
Accrued expenses			52,323				46,230
Deferred revenue			37,230				36,098
Total current liabilities			129,211				170,923
LONG-TERM DEBT, net of current portion			671,165				702,569
DEFERRED RENT LIABILITY			28,464				27,925
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES			60,252				51,982
DEFERRED REVENUE			10,622				13,719
OTHER LIABILITIES			19,390				27,684
Total liabilities			919,104				994,802
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
Common stock			828				793
Additional paid-in capital			393,864				385,095
Retained earnings			325,718				271,711
Accumulated other comprehensive loss			(3,366	)			(4,698	)
Total shareholders’ equity			717,044				652,901
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY		$	1,636,148			$	1,647,703

LIFE TIME FITNESS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands except per share data)
(Unaudited)

		For the								For the
		Three Months Ended								Nine Months Ended
		September 30,								September 30,
		2009				2008				2009				2008
REVENUE:
Membership dues		$	144,832			$	131,232			$	425,070			$	377,001
Enrollment fees			6,617				6,818				19,630				19,991
In-center revenue			59,129				56,151				178,681				167,385
Total center revenue			210,578				194,201				623,381				564,377
Other revenue			3,742				4,608				9,922				11,290
Total revenue			214,320				198,809				633,303				575,667
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Center operations			127,468				116,300				383,313				337,139
Advertising and marketing			5,756				7,287				20,145				23,608
General and administrative			9,669				9,453				33,172				30,707
Other operating			8,017				4,926				17,791				13,696
Depreciation and amortization			23,428				18,720				68,127				52,500
Total operating expenses			174,338				156,686				522,548				457,650
Income from operations			39,982				42,123				110,755				118,017
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
Interest expense, net			(7,651	)			(7,185	)			(23,005	)			(21,301	)
Equity in earnings of affiliate			316				336				985				985
Total other income (expense)			(7,335	)			(6,849	)			(22,020	)			(20,316	)
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES			32,647				35,274				88,735				97,701
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES			12,014				13,700				34,728				38,895
NET INCOME		$	20,633			$	21,574			$	54,007			$	58,806
BASIC EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE		$	0.52			$	0.55			$	1.38			$	1.51
DILUTED EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE		$	0.51			$	0.55			$	1.36			$	1.49
WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING — BASIC			39,410				39,025				39,221				38,946
WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING — DILUTED			40,255				39,370				39,687				39,350

LIFE TIME FITNESS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)

		For the
		Nine Months Ended
		September 30,
		2009				2008
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income		$	54,007			$	58,806
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization			68,127				52,500
Deferred income taxes			6,957				8,094
Provision for doubtful accounts			(8	)			15
Loss on disposal of property and equipment, net			818				1,159
Gain on sale of land held for sale			(873	)			—
Amortization of deferred financing costs			1,925				1,078
Share-based compensation			5,907				5,989
Excess tax benefit related to share-based payment arrangements			(433	)			(38	)
Equity in earnings of affiliate			(985	)			(985	)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities			2,000				16,840
Other			1,109				54
Net cash provided by operating activities			138,551				143,512
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchases of property and equipment			(116,853	)			(360,551	)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment			8				161,885
Proceeds on sale of land held for sale			1,327				—
Proceeds from property insurance settlement			—				317
Increase in other assets			(213	)			(6,443	)
Decrease (increase) in restricted cash			151				(2,518	)
Net cash used in investing activities			(115,580	)			(207,310	)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from long-term borrowings			7,813				39,188
Repayments of long-term borrowings			(7,755	)			(13,043	)
Proceeds from (repayments of) revolving credit facility, net			(27,600	)			42,500
Increase in deferred financing costs			(745	)			(6,113	)
Excess tax benefit related to share-based payment arrangements			433				38
Proceeds from exercise of stock options			2,191				2,993
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities			(25,663	)			65,563
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS			(2,692	)			1,765
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS — Beginning of period			10,829				5,354
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS — End of period		$	8,137			$	7,119

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

     This release and the related conference call disclose certain non-GAAP financial measures.

EBITDA. Earnings Before Interest, Income Taxes and Depreciation and Amortization (EBITDA) is a non-GAAP disclosure consisting of net income plus interest expense, net, provision for income taxes and depreciation and amortization. This term, as the Company defines it, may not be comparable to a similarly titled measure used by other companies and is not a measure of performance presented in accordance with GAAP. The Company uses EBITDA as a measure of operating performance. The funds depicted by EBITDA are not necessarily available for discretionary use if they are reserved for particular capital purposes, to maintain compliance with debt covenants, to service debt or to pay taxes. EBITDA should not be considered as a substitute for net income, net cash provided by operating activities or other income or cash flow data prepared in accordance with GAAP. Additional details related to EBITDA are provided in the Form 8-K that the Company filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date of this press release.

     The following table provides a reconciliation of net income, the most directly comparable GAAP measure, to EBITDA:

RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME TO EBITDA
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)

		For the								For the
		Three Months Ended								Nine Months Ended
		September 30,								September 30,
		2009				2008				2009				2008
Net income		$	20,633			$	21,574			$	54,007			$	58,806
Interest expense, net			7,651				7,185				23,005				21,301
Provision for income taxes			12,014				13,700				34,728				38,895
Depreciation and amortization			23,428				18,720				68,127				52,500
EBITDA		$	63,726			$	61,179			$	179,867			$	171,502

Free Cash Flow. Free cash flow is a non-GAAP measure consisting of net cash provided by operating activities, less purchases of property and equipment. This term, as the Company defines it, may not be comparable to a similarly titled measure used by other companies and does not represent the total increase or decrease in the cash balance presented in accordance with GAAP. The Company uses free cash flow as a measure of cash generated after spending on property and equipment. Free cash flow should not be considered as a substitute for net cash provided by operating activities prepared in accordance with GAAP.

     The following table provides a reconciliation of net cash provided by operating activities, the most directly comparable GAAP measure, to free cash flow:

RECONCILIATION OF NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES TO FREE CASH FLOW
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)

		For the
		Nine Months Ended
		September 30,
		2009				2008
Net cash provided by operating activities		$	138,551			$	143,512
Less: Purchases of property and equipment			(116,853	)			(360,551	)
Free cash flow		$	21,698			$	(217,039	)