In 2014, Life Time Fitness partnered with Low T Center, a Dallas-based clinic, to establish an in-house testosterone therapy service to gym members.

However, this business venture was unsuccessful and may now cost the gym chain in legal fees, as Low T Holdings, the testosterone clinic’s parent company, is suing Life Time for alleged breach of contract.

This lawsuit was filed by Low T in June of this year in a Texas state court, though it was transferred to a Dallas federal court last month.

What is Testosterone Therapy?

Testosterone replacement therapy (or testosterone therapy) is a very popular drug treatment marketed to men, especially those approaching middle age when testosterone levels naturally tend to decrease as one ages.

As one ages and one’s body naturally produce less of this hormone, men may experience a decrease in libido, energy, and ability to build muscle. Testosterone products promise these middle age men a new lease on life, claiming to increase one’s sex drive, energy levels, mood, and help maintain muscle conditioning.

However, like many pharmaceutical drug products, testosterone (or low-t) products are not without their own risks. Some testosterone replacement drug studies suggest that use of testosterone products may increase men’s risk of heart attack and stroke.

A more recent testosterone study was published this month and did not demonstrate an increased risk of these health side effects when using testosterone drug products, but it also did not suggest that using these products actually improves a man’s overall health and well-being.

Despite the reports of testosterone side effects and complications, the demand for testosterone products thanks to clever marketing by drug manufacturers has created a niche market for these products.

In fact, Low T Center, who is suing Life Time in a testosterone lawsuit, has opened over 50 new locations in 12 different states since the testosterone replacement company’s inception in 2009.

Low-T Lawsuit Filed Against Life Time Fitness

As previously stated, back in 2014 Life Time chose to go into business with Low T Center after interviewing several low testosterone drug providers.

The aim of partnering with Low T Center was for Life Time to expand its “member service offerings” as well as to “enhance the Life Time brand,” according to the testosterone product lawsuit.

By partnering with the popular fitness center, Low T Center was able to acquire an exclusive multi-year agreement, giving the testosterone drug provider an opportunity to acquire more patients and increase the company’s exposure to “health-minded individuals,” the complaint states.

This would have potentially been very profitable for Low T, as Life Time Fitness has over 100 locations across the United States.

However, the testosterone product deal did not go according to plan, as Life Time Fitness allegedly failed to meet certain performance targets in October 2014 as dictated by Low T Center. This included displaying banners and other types of promotional materials in its fitness clubs for Low T.

According to Low T’s lawsuit, the fitness center undermined its business partner in this testosterone therapy venture by displaying competing product advertisements in various fitness club locations.
Furthermore, the testosterone replacement therapy lawsuit claims Life Time advised its fitness members to act “
on all the nutrition, exercise and lifestyle choices that help optimize testosterone,” before attempting testosterone replacement therapy.

Finally, Low T Center argues in their complaint that the fitness company advertised nutritional supplements as being able to provide the same health benefits as testosterone replacement therapy at a lower cost, an alleged breach of contract.

The Testosterone Therapy Lawsuit is LowT Holdings Texas, Inc. v. LTF, Inc., Case No: 4:15-cv-00529, Texas Eastern District Court.