As the battle of the bulge wages on in America, we're seeing skyrocketing obesity rates and lower life expectancies among children. Life Time--The Healthy Way of Life Company (NYSE:LTM) aims to inspire positive change by opening its doors to the community and hosting one million workouts across the country during its Commitment Day Festival (January 1), Fun Run (January 1-4), and Indoor Triathlon Workout (January 4, 2015).

Set to take place at 113 Life Time destinations from coast to coast, the Festival will feature healthy family events all weekend long. In addition, 52 Life Time destinations will host the annual Commitment Day 5K Fun Run on Jan. 1 for all ages and abilities as participants join together in a symbolic commitment to lead healthier, more active lives in 2015. Plus, in partnership with IRONMAN, on January 4, 79 Life Time destinations will host an inaugural Indoor Triathlon Workout to encourage and educate people of all athletic abilities on the sport of triathlon.

“The Commitment Festival is all about doing our part to inspire a healthier America,” said Bahram Akradi, founder, chairman, president and CEO of Life Time. “On the heels of successful Commitment Day 5K Fun Run events the last two years, we have expanded it this year to become a four-day festival that features a wide variety of educational workshops and invigorating classes that fit most interests. Ultimately, it is our goal to help individuals and families make 2015 their best yet in terms of taking charge of their health, wellness and happiness.”

The Commitment Festival is open to both members and non-members and will kick off on January 1, 2015 with the Commitment Day 5K Fun Run taking place in 52 cities in 24 states. Commitment Day Festival offers a variety of educational and entertaining events, including:

  • Daily Fit Talks and Workout Workshops – The FIT Talks series is designed to educate and empower participants with approachable, relevant, and simple life-changing actions, such as breaking up with sugar, eating fat to burn fat, and why counting calories won’t lead to long term results. Participants also may attend a Workout Workshop in which they’ll have an opportunity to learn and burn with a new workout, such as ViPR, LT Connect, Strength and Flexibility, Battling Ropes, Upper Body Strength & Tone and more.
  • Jan. 2 Alpha Madness – The Life Time Alpha program is designed for anyone looking to lose weight or enhance performance. Participants will start with a Get Connected Seminar to introduce heart rate training via LT Connect, which helps them train smarter not harder. From there, they’ll have the opportunity to compete against themselves in an Alpha Workout focused on functional movements suitable for all ages and fitness abilities.
  • Jan. 3 Yoga Commitment Jam – Yogis and beginners alike will de-stress from the holidays and kick off a commitment to yoga with 90-minute Vinyasa Flow class suitable for all ages and abilities.
  • Jan. 4 Indoor Triathlon Hour powered by Life Time Tri and IRONMAN – Redefine your 2015: commit to tri. If you’ve ever wanted to try a tri, this is where to start. Inspiration without intimidation, the 60-minute indoor workout will feature a 10-minute pool swim, 30-minute spin, and 20-minute treadmill run. Athletes of all abilities from beginner to experienced are invited. All participants who register for and attend the Indoor Triathlon Hour ($25 fee) receive a lifestyle training shirt, swim cap, race bib, $20 off a $100 purchase at ironmanstore.com, one free month of Masters swim lessons with Life Time Swim (new participants only) and $10 a new LifeSpa service of $50 or more, plus, are eligible for a chance to win one of three slots to the 2015 IRONMAN® 70.3® World Championship in Zell am See-Kaprun, SalzburgerLand, Austria or, one of five slots to a Life Time Tri Series race. Learn more about event locations and registration at www.indoortri.com. Limited spots available per club.

In conjunction with the Indoor Triathlon, IRONMAN is offering a chance to win one slot to the 2015 IRONMAN® World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawai`i for anyone who goes to ironman.com/committotri, fills out the form and registers for a Life Time or IRONMAN 70.3 branded triathlon in the United States or Canada between November 20, 2014 and January 4, 2015.

The Commitment Day Festival will also feature the Commitment Bowl, a football-focused activity where parents and kids alike will practice their passing, catching, agility drills, and cheerleading skills, and Poolapalooza, an indoor pool party featuring beach inspired pool games and tropical tunes. Each day will wrap up with an evening celebration such as a healthy happy hour, social cycle class or LifePower Yoga class.

In 2014, the Commitment Day 5K Fun Run is proud to support the Life Time Foundation, a private foundation created by Life Time, as it strives to inspire healthy people and a healthy planet, by improving children’s nutrition, one school lunch at a time.

Registration is now open for Commitment Day 5K Fun Walk/Run events. Kids 12 and under are free. For more information about Commitment Day, or to register for the January 1 5K fun walk/run near you, visit commitmentday.com. Like Commitment Day on Facebook at facebook.com/commitmentday and follow the movement on Twitter at twitter.com/commitmentday.

About Life Time Fitness, Inc.
As The Healthy Way of Life Company, Life Time Fitness (NYSE:LTM) helps organizations, communities and individuals achieve their total health objectives, athletic aspirations and fitness goals by engaging in their areas of interest — or discovering new passions — both inside and outside of Life Time’s distinctive and large sports, professional fitness, family recreation and spa destinations, most of which operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Company’s Healthy Way of Life approach enables members to achieve this by providing the best programs, people and places of uncompromising quality and value. As of Dec. 1, 2014 the Company operates 113 centers under the LIFE TIME FITNESS® and LIFE TIME ATHLETIC® brands in the United States and Canada. Additional information about Life Time centers, programs and services is available at lifetimefitness.com.