CHANHASSEN, Minn. - News junkies may need to find a new channel for entertainment while sweating it out at the gym. Life Time fitness chains are kicking off the new year by no longer airing cable news channels on its large screen TVs.
In a statement from Life Time officials, the Chanhassen chain states the move is a response to member requests:
"We made the decision to remove cable news channels from the large TV screens in the cardio and fitness floor areas at the start of 2018. This was based on many member requests received over time across the country, and in keeping with our overall healthy way of life philosophy and commitment to provide family oriented environments free of consistently negative or politically charged content," said Natalie Bushaw, senior director of public relations for Life Time.
Included in the cable news blackout is CNN, FOX, MSNBC and CNBC.
Local news station affiliates will still be on the TV screens and Bushaw states Wi-Fi is available throughout Life Time clubs for those who would like to watch cable news livestreams on their mobile devices.
"Ultimately, it always is our goal to meet the vast majority of members' expressed requests and we believe this change is consistent with the desires of the overall membership as well as our desire to uphold a positive, family oriented, healthy way of life environment," Bushaw said.
According to Bushaw, members will have the option to watch these channels again on TV screens built into treadmills and other cardio machines by the end of February.
Life Time has 25 locations in Minnesota, including one to be opened in the spring of 2019 at Southdale.