Life Time Founder, Chairman, and CEO Bahram Akradi joined CNBC’s Squawk Box to discuss the evolution of Life Time ($LTH), the massive shift from traditional gym operations into comprehensive luxury wellness ecosystems, and why the rise of GLP-1 weight-loss medications is turning into a major tailwind for the fitness industry.

Key Takeaways from Bahram Akradi on Squawk Box

1. The GLP-1 Surge: A Tailwind, Not a Threat

While early market assumptions suggested GLP-1 weight-loss drugs (like Ozempic and Wegovy) might reduce gym visits, Akradi emphasized that the opposite is happening:

• Combating Muscle & Bone Density Loss:GLP-1 therapies accelerate weight loss but can cause significant lean muscle and bone mass reduction if not paired with strength training.
• Movement + Medicine:Health clubs and athletic centers serve as the essential companion layer for patients on GLP-1s. Structured resistance training and nutritional coaching ensure sustainable, long-term body composition health.
• The Clinical Companion Model:Through initiatives like MIORA Longevity and Performance clinics, Life Time pairs medical and metabolic diagnostics directly with personalized workout plans and physician-guided programs.

2. Expanding Far Beyond Traditional Fitness

Akradi reiterated that Life Time is no longer just a gym operator, but an integrated lifestyle and wellness platform:

• Athletic Country Clubs:High-end hospitality destinations featuring premium fitness floors, recovery spas, and over 750 pickleball courts nationwide.
• Life Time Work & Living:Expanding into integrated, high-end coworking spaces and luxury residential communities that place wellness at the center of daily life.
• Longevity & Preventative Health:Broadening into longevity medicine, hormone therapies, IV therapies, and AI-driven personalized health companions (L.AI.C).

3. Sustained Demand & Pricing Power

Despite macroeconomic shifts and inflation, demand for luxury wellness experiences remains robust. Member engagement and retention are being driven by community-oriented amenities, social sports like pickleball, and comprehensive whole-health services that members prioritize as essential spending.

Sources & Further Watching

• CNBC Interview:Life Time CEO Bahram Akradi on Company Growth, Expansion Beyond Fitness, and Impact of GLP-1s (CNBC Squawk Box)
• Life Time Investor Relations & Company Overview:Life Time Executive Leadership & News
• Analysis on Fitness & GLP-1 Integration:Life Time Positions Fitness as the Missing Layer in GLP-1 Care (Fitt Insider)