[Editor's Note: This story has been updated with a video from Life Time CEO Bahram Akradi at the bottom of the story addressing the COVID-19 situation and club closures.]
Life Time, Chanhassen, Minnesota, has filed for access to data about COVID-19 spread at health clubs under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, the company announced.
On Nov. 18, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz ordered health clubs in the state, along with certain other businesses, to close from Nov. 20 to Dec. 18 to slow the spread of COVID-19. As of Nov. 23, deaths from COVID-19 in Minnesota numbered 3,265, and 276,500 Minnesotans have been infected, according to the Minnesota Department of Health. The number of cases have been rising in the state recently along with the number of people admitted to hospitals for COVID-19 reasons, which has exceeded 200 every day from Nov. 8 through at least Nov. 19, according to the Star Tribune.
Life Time CEO Bahram Akradi had held a press conference on Nov. 18 prior to the governor announcing the order in which Akradi said the then-anticipated shutdown of health clubs was unfair. On that date, Akradi noted that the state had reported 237,000 cases of COVID-19 with 48 cases coming from health clubs, resulting in 750 total cases, which is a 0.003 percent positivity rate. Akradi said this suggests that health clubs are not spreading the virus.
Notably, in the five days since Akradi's press conference in which he noted 237,000 cases of COVID-19 in the state, the number of cases in Minnesota have risen by 39,500.
A Life Time spokesperson shared with Club Industry that Life Time has had approximately 3.15 million visits to its Minnesota clubs since reopening on June 10. Since that time, 352 positive cases of COVID-19 have been reported by members and/or team members. This equates to a 0.0001 positivity rate.
On Nov. 20, Life Time General Counsel Erik A. Lindseth sent a data request to the Office of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minnesota Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan, Minnesota Department of Health, Minnesota Department of Economic Development and Minnesota IT Services.
Lindseth requested eight items, some of which were:
- Data and analyses that trace or associate the spread or transmission of COVID-19 to gyms, health clubs or pools, including data for employees and customers.
- All data regarding Life Time and its affiliates.
- Data comparing the rate or incidence of spread at gyms with other places of public accommodation, particularly those that have been allowed to remain open, including retail, places or worship and businesses that offer personal services.
- The system, process and procedure used to pair and trace spread of COVID-19 with gyms
- Data that shows officials considered additional risk mitigation efforts or restrictions at gyms prior to deciding to close health clubs.
The local ABC TV station KSTP reported that Gov. Walz was asked about the request on a Minnesota Department of Health call on Nov. 20. His response, according to the station was: "We will gladly provide all the data they request according to law, both spirit and letter of law. So whatever is in their data practice request, we will put out in as timely a manner as we can. Once again, I will acknowledge their frustrations and their desire to do this are not malicious. They are simply looking out for their interests, which they should. I have to make these decisions predicated on public health..."
As of the evening of Nov. 23, the state had not yet provided the data to Life Time, according to the Life Time spokesperson.
The spokesperson wrote in an email to Club Industry: “It’s critical for the state to provide transparent access to both the data and methodology they are applying in determining the incidence of the spread or transmission rate of COVID-19 among employees or customers of any gymnasium or fitness facility that led them to the decision to force the closure of our clubs.”
Life Time shared the following communication with members on Nov. 20:
“For all who come to Life Time to stay strong and healthy, the news of another temporary shutdown was difficult to hear. Our team members have been working tirelessly to provide you with a safe and healthy environment, and I’m sorry for the impact this will have on all of us.
“While we can confidently say that we are not contributing to a rise or spread of this virus, we will respect the Governor’s decision, while continuing to keep certain parts of your club open. Please rest assured that we also will work to get our clubs reopened as quickly as possible and, hopefully, much faster than the current four-week shutdown.”
On Nov. 23, Akradi posted the video below on Vimeo to address some of his concerns.