Lifetime365

Happy Labor Day!  Our country set aside this day back in 1882 to honor the achievements of American workers.  At Lifetime, we are proud to have more 1,200 workers at our Clearfield, Utah headquarters who are a part of the Lifetime team.  Thank you, Lifetime employees!

In the spirit of Labor Day and to recognize the quality work of our employees, for this month's giveaway we're offering one of the biggest products we make that proudly boasts the "Made in the USA" label - a Lifetime shed! Yes, that's right, one lucky random winner will receive a Lifetime 8'x5' shed!  (Whoa, this our biggest giveaway of the year!)

With Fall just a few weeks away, it's time to start storing summer toys, lawn equipment, and patio furniture for winter, and the Lifetime 8'x5' shed is the perfect storage solution. Believe me, I know from personal experience.  I have a Lifetime 8'x5' shed in my own backyard and it's fantastic.  We use it to keep our lawn mower, weed-eater, Lifetime wheelbarrow, and other gardening equipment. This maintenance-free shed you could win features a window that opens, roof vents, double doors, shelves, peg strips, and more.  Plus, a 10-year warranty.  For full product details, click here.

So, who's ready to join in our Labor Day salute and enter to win a Lifetime shed?

How to enter:

1. Send an e-mail to PR@lifetime.com with the subject line "September contest".
2. Tell us what you plan to keep in your Lifetime shed if you win.
3. Include your full name.

Bonus Entries:

1. "Like"  Lifetime Products on Facebook.  Once you "Like" us (or if you already do), send an email to PR@lifetime.com with your full name telling us you "Like" Lifetime Products and you'll receive one bonus entry.
2. Follow us on Twitter @Lifetime365 and retweet to your friends "In honor of Labor Day, @Lifetime365 is giving away a Lifetime 8'x5' shed that's Made in the USA!  http://bit.ly/cRRxKu" to receive one bonus entry.

Since this is our biggest contest of the year, we're giving you two weeks to enter!  The contest begins Monday, September 6 at 12:00 PM MST and will end Saturday, September 18 at 12:00 Midnight MST.  We'll announce one random winner on Monday, September 20.  (Each person may only enter once via email, once via Twitter, and once via Facebook.  Click here for complete contest rules.)

Have you checked out the Lifetime website lately?  At Lifetime, we're constantly looking for ways to improve our online experiences for you!  Just this week, we updated and added several new pages to www.lifetime.com to help you learn more about Lifetime and its products.  So, what's new? Well...

Tips and Solutions
Yes, we've always had this page of useful articles, tips, and other ideas that involve our many products, but  we recently changed the layout to make it easier to find these great ideas.  You'll now find all of the articles on easy-to-view tabs categorized by celebration, inspiration, organization, and recreation.  Inside each tab, we added handy thumbnail photos to help you quickly see what the article is about.  Plus, all of the timely articles for each current season or holiday are visually highlighted for you with a "featured" label.

Promotions
We know our readers love a good deal.  That's why we've added a new promotions page!  This page will be updated with links to all of our monthly giveaways, free tools, and more so that our great offers are always just one click away.

Video Library
We actually added this new page a few months ago, but we're filling it daily with new informational product videos.  If you're interested in learning more about a specific Lifetime product and want to see more than just a photo or need some how-to advice with the product, be sure to check out our Video Library. Don't see the product video you're looking for?  Drop us a line and we'll see what we can do... we're easy to reach on our blog, Facebook, Twitter or via email at pr@lifetime.com

These changes are just the tip-of-the-iceberg of the plans we have in store for www.lifetime.com.  Keep checking back because we have more big changes taking place soon.  In the meantime, take a peek at our new Tips & Solutions page and let us know what you think!

We are always excited to bring new products to the market and I am happy to announce Lifetime’s newest addition – Modular Storage Cabinets! Built with durable, steel-reinforced construction and high-density polyethylene (HDPE), Lifetime’s new Modular Storage Cabinet is tough enough for your garage, but looks great for your home or office. With a convenient modular design, multiple cabinets can be hung and used as wall cabinets (mounting hardware not included) or can connect together and be used as base or stacking cabinets (attachment hardware included). The cabinets can be arranged in both top-to-bottom and side-to-side configurations allowing you to customize your storage area to fit your needs.

Lifetime’s Modular Storage Cabinet includes two steel-reinforced, adjustable shelves that can hold up to 75 lbs when mounted on the wall and 125 lbs freestanding. It has a spacious 9.4 cubic-ft interior capacity with heavy-duty doors that lock into the upper and lower panels of the cabinet. The doors have a convenient 180 degree opening for easy storage access and the cabinets have a 10-year limited warranty.

One of the best features about these cabinets is how strong and durable they are. Like many of our other products, the Modular Cabinets exceed BIFMA commercial furniture standards, which makes them perfect for commercial or heavy-duty residential organization and storage needs. They are UV-protected, stain resistant, easy to clean, and will not crack, chip, or peel.

Want a closer look at this great new versatile product? Watch our informational video for a quick product overview.  The Modular Storage Cabinets are now available at many Costco locations and in the Lifetime Online Store.  

Last week, I had the fun opportunity to tag along with the Lifetime marketing and graphic design teams to test the new Lifetime kayaks on Willard Bay, a lake just north of the Lifetime headquarters in Utah.  I've kayaked before, but this was my first time trying out the Lifetime kayaks.  We were using the Calypso and Daylite models, which are identical 8' molds with the exception of the type of backrest and color.  Personally, I preferred the Daylite model because the backrest felt more comfortable to me since it came up a bit higher.  And, the feature of being able to store valuables inside the backrest is pretty handy, too.

As we've mentioned before, Lifetime kayaks are designed specifically for beginners and are, consequently, extremely stable.  In fact, they are so stable that even when the photographer's dog would jump on a kayak, it didn't even begin to tip.  Likewise, most of us could easily stand up on the kayaks for an impromptu balance contest without a problem. And, as you can see by the photo, our designer Clint even managed to do a flawless handstand on the kayak!  (I can't even do a handstand on the flat, unmoving ground so I didn’t even attempt that trick!)  Since it was an almost 100 degree day, we soon turned our outing into an all-out tipping war…and it definitely took a lot of effort and every ounce of strength we could muster to actually tip someone over in the Lifetime kayaks. 

After we had everyone sufficiently wet from tipping each other, we tested our paddling agility skills and played a game of "kayak football".  If you and your friends own several kayaks, this is a super fun game that gives you a great workout and also helps improve your paddling skills.  Here are the basic rules… at least the ones we used.

Equipment needed:
Kayaks and paddles
Lifejackets
1 Floating ball (we used a toy plastic kick-ball)
2 "goals" (we used buoys that were marking the beach zone)

How to play:
Divide into even teams.
Teams line-up against each other like in football and try to get the ball to their own end-zone to score.
If you have the ball IN your kayak, you are NOT allowed to paddle. 
You must move the ball down the "field" by throwing it to another teammate OR skimming it along the water with your paddle.
10 second rule - you cannot sit with the ball in your kayak for more than 10 seconds or the other team gains possession of the ball.
To score, the ball must touch the goal.
Set a point limit and first team to reach it, wins.  (We were going to play to 10 but only made it to 5 before we were all exhausted!)

Pretty easy rules, but if there is an interception - watch out - it turns into a mad frenzy of waves and paddles! So, the next time you're looking for a new adventure with kayaks, try playing some kayak football... and see let us know how it goes.

Since our beginning in 1986, Lifetime has revolutionized the sporting goods industry by inventing the first basketball system that could be adjusted in seconds. Today, Lifetime is the world leading manufacturer of residential basketball systems and continues to bring new, innovative products to the market.

We are excited to tell you about two new height adjustment mechanisms for our basketball systems. The first is the Front Adjust®. As its name suggests, this adjustment mechanism allows you to adjust the height of your basketball pole from the front of the basketball system, instead of from behind. With this convenient new location, there is no need to walk around to the back of the system, and it is easier for people of all ages and heights to adjust their basketball hoop. It has a two-handed grip that easily allows you to adjust your rim height from 7.5 to 10 feet. 

The other adjustment mechanism is the Pump Adjust®. This height adjustment was specifically engineered to give you the easiest, most precise, adjustment on the market. It has no trigger to pull or handle to squeeze, and easily adjusts in seconds with just one hand. Simply grab the handle and move it up or down to the desired height and it automatically holds in place. It also has infinite height increments from 7.5 to 10 feet. This instant and effortless adjustment action allows players of any age or skill to enjoy the game.  

These new Lifetime basketball systems are available through The Sports Authority, and are coming soon in the Lifetime Online Store.  

Are you planning a backyard picnic to celebrate the end of summer or upcoming Labor Day? Still trying to figure out where everyone can sit?  If you're like me, you have a nice patio table and chair set, but it seems like I'm still always short just one or two chairs to be able to have everyone sit together.  I could set up my Lifetime card table and folding chairs, but it feels awkward having two people dine by themselves away from the group. 

Well, here's a handy suggestion my mom shared with me that's the perfect solution to your seating dilemma. Typically, the chairs that come with a  patio table are very comfy, but they are also usually very wide and feature arm rests.  If you need to add a few extra seats to your patio table, simply use your Lifetime folding chairs instead of your bulky patio chairs and you'll have instant extra room!

Check out these pictures to see what I mean.  Using my patio chairs, my table can only seat six people maximum. But, by using my Lifetime folding chairs, I could actually fit 10 chairs around the table if I needed so we can all eat together at one table. (If I had 10 Lifetime chairs, that is.  I actually only have eight so I couldn't quite fill it up completely.)   Yes, it's a tight squeeze, but it does work!  And, don't worry, Lifetime chairs are made of high-density polyethylene and powder-coated steel that are weather-resistant so the chairs are perfectly fine outside if happens to starting raining.

I hope this helps for your next big backyard BBQ.  Happy dining!

I had a family reunion a couple weeks ago. This is not your typical family reunion with cousins you’ve never met, let alone seen, before. My extended family is very close-knit and (I hope it’s safe to say) we all look forward to the DFR (aka Dixon Family Reunion) every year, truly. My dad and his two siblings take turns planning it each year. This year was my Uncle Brent’s turn, so we went to Pineview Dam near Huntsville, Utah. I have about 20 cousins in the age range of 28-35. They all have spouses and, on average, 4 kids each; so our family is pushing close to 60 people. The kids range from brand new babies to 16 years old.

As you know, Lifetime acquired the kayak company, Dragonfly Innovation, back in February. I bought two of the blue Calypso kayaks and decided I’d take them up to the lake and see what kind of reaction they got. Let’s just say, there wasn’t a moment where someone wasn’t on them. I had to reserve a turn with one so I could try it out myself! Needless to say, they were a hit. The best part about them is they don’t tip very easily, unless you use them like my 16-year old brother and cousin who kept rocking and tipping each other over for the thrill of doing it. These kayaks were invented not only with beginners in mind, but for beginners. Kayaks are a great water sport because they don’t require a boat to pull it, like a tube but you can maneuver yourself, unlike a regular floatation device that just floats on the water.

If you are looking for a fun family sport that’s inexpensive and brings everyone together—kayaking is the way to go!

This month, we asked YOU on our blog and Facebook page to tell us what to giveaway… either a Portable Adjustable Height Soccer Goal or a Portable Tetherball System.  After a close vote, YOU picked Tetherball and WE randomly picked Kristen M. of Glendive, MT as the lucky winner using random.org!

We hope, Kristen and her family will enjoy taking some swings on the Lifetime Portable Tetherball System as summer unwinds and we head into cooler temperatures.

Thanks to everyone who entered and made this one of our most popular giveaways so far.  Since it's back-to-school season and tetherball seems to bring back fun childhood school memories for so many of you, we are offering a $20 discount off the Lifetime Portable Tetherball System in the Lifetime Online Store now through August 31!  Simply use code 20Tether when you checkout.

Don't forget to keep reading our blog and following us on Facebook and Twitter, because we'll offer another giveaway next month.  We're already working on the details and it looks like this one is going to be BIG!

We are pleased to announce the latest addition to the Lifetime Online Store--(drum roll. Splash!) Kayaks! Lifetime Products is now offering the Calypso kayak at an amazing affordable price to fit your active lifestyle and your budget. This 8 ft kayak can accommodate one adult with a spot for one child in the front as well. This is the perfect beginner's kayak because it is designed for stability, not speed. Perfect for paddling around on lakes and ponds.

The Lifetime Calypso kayak is a one-piece construction of high-density polyethylene plastic--smooth contours with no protruding hardware. This is a durable, lightweight water craft that you can just toss into the back of your vehicle and head for the water. You'll especially appreciate all the handy built-in features like multiple footrest positions, ditty trays, a fishing pole holder, mast receiver, paddle cradle, and cut-out side-carry handle as well as a towing handle that can be attached to front or rear of the kayak. Great for fishing, surfing, or sailing. Personally, I can't think of a more enjoyable way to wile away the hours. Give this kayak a try and I think you'll agree.

Like all Lifetime products,  this Lifetime Calypso kayak is designed for the way you live; handy innovative features that make it durable, easy to use, and lots of fun. Check out our online catalog at buylifetime.com website for more exciting kayak models including youth kayaks and the Sport Fisher kayak.  We're sure you're going to be just as excited about our new kayaks as we are!

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: For our faithful blog readers, we will be offering a limited time discount on the products I feature in my articles. Order the 90109 Lifetime Calypso Kayak from the Lifetime Online Store and enter the following code reference to receive a $30 discount. The code is Calypso30 and will be valid on in the Lifetime Online Store from 08/13/2010 to 08/20/2010. Keep watching each month for great deals on new and innovative products from Lifetime.

Twice a year, we at Lifetime get together to hear company updates, see new products, and share company profit from the year. Profit Sharing is a Lifetime tradition where the company shares a tenth of it's profits with all employees. Call it a summer bonus celebration-- everyone is excited to see how our hard work has paid off and how that works into our share total.

This meeting was as great as ever, with 20 new products shown and good news on our sales totals for 2010. Lifetime is healthy, growing strong, and innovating exciting new products for the home. Keep checking this blog and our Facebook and Twitter account to get the first word when these products are released!

The verdict is in!  The past few days our blog readers and Facebook fans have been sharing their preferences for which product we should give away in August to usher in the last official month of summer.    We limited your choice to either the Lifetime Portable Tetherball System or the Lifetime Portable Adjustable Height Soccer Goal. The comments have been tallied and the vote was really close!  But, this month, you've decided one lucky winner will receive…. a Lifetime Portable Tetherball System!  

Thanks to everyone who shared their comment.  Now, it's time for all of you to enter to win!  As usual, to enter the giveaway, we're keeping it pretty simple.

How to enter:

1. Send an e-mail to PR@lifetime.com with the subject line "August contest" and your full name in the email message.

Bonus Entries:

1. "Like"  Lifetime Products on Facebook.  Once you "Like" us (or if you already do), send an email to PR@lifetime.com with your full name telling us you "Like" Lifetime Products and you'll receive one bonus entry.
2. Follow us on http://www.twitter.com/lifetime365 and retweet to your friends "I hope I win this Portable Tetherball System from @Lifetime365!  http://bit.ly/bNCm2G" to receive one bonus entry.

The contest begins Monday, August 9 and will end Saturday, August 14 at 12:00 Midnight MST.  We'll announce one random winner on Monday, August 16.  (Each person may only enter once via email, once via Twitter, and once via Facebook.  Click here for complete contest rules.)

Summer is winding done and with the cooler temps on their way, it's the perfect time for kids to head outside for some fun activities.  So, for this month's giveaway, we want to offer a product that's sure to be an outdoor hit and one the whole family can get a kick out of.  Hee, hee.  (Sorry about the pun.)

The problem is, I'm tossing around two great ideas for product giveaways and I just can't decide which one to serve to you.  (Yep, more puns).  So, YOU get to help me decide!  Would you rather we give away a Lifetime Portable Tetherball System OR a Lifetime Adjustable Height Portable Soccer Goal?

The Lifetime Portable Tetherball System brings the childhood schoolyard game home to your backyard.  The system is designed with a convenient portable base, similar to our portable basketball systems.  Just fill the base with sand or water and you're ready to start taking a swing!

The new Lifetime Adjustable Height Portable Soccer Goal has an innovative telescoping  feature which allows you to adjust the height of the goal from 4ft to 5 ft to 6ft and adjust the width accordingly. Hinged steel poles use locking pins to set in place and provide stability for the goal during play. After the game simply fold the poles in half for easy transportation. And, it only takes one adult and a couple of minutes to erect this adjustable height portable soccer goal. No assembly or tools required. 

Visit our website or Lifetime Online Store to learn more details about these two products.  Then, tell us which one YOU want us to giveaway!  Simply leave a comment on the bottom of this blog or leave a message on our Facebook page letting us know your pick. (Only one comment per person, please)   Whichever product has the most comments by Sunday, August 8 at midnight is the one we'll give away!

Can't wait to hear which one YOU want...

Entering yet another exciting new product category, the Lifetime Tru-Motion Cane is a revolutionary walking implement that provides unmatched safety, stability, and mobility. Lifetime is always exploring new product lines and is excited to break into the healthcare industry with this innovative product. The style and design of the Tru-Motion Cane facilitates a natural, full-range cadence, giving you consistent, reliable feedback to increase your mobility and confidence in your walking pattern.

Unlike quad or single point canes, the Tru-Motion Cane has a curved foot to improve mobility by facilitating a more natural, full-range walking motion. Regardless of the length of your stride or the angle at which you hold the cane, it gives consistent feedback and a sturdy connection throughout the entire gait, allowing you to maintain your own natural cadence. When the user is able to apply their natural, full-range walking pattern, it results in less energy expenditure and facilitates a healthy, upright gait.

Designed by Lifetime and Tru-Motion Dynamics, the Tru-Motion Cane provides the advanced support of a quad cane with the mobility of a single-point cane. Utilizing patented technology to support correct posture and increase stability, it provides a consistent, steady contact on any surface.

The Tru-Motion Cane received the Merit Award at the Medtrade Spring show held in Las Vegas. The award is given to the product that best exemplifies improvements in quality of life, and is based on attendee votes. Medtrade Spring is the largest event in the home medical equipment industry, with over 5,000 attendees. Although the Lifetime Tru-Motion cane is not yet available for retail purchase, it is currently being used in rehabilitation facilities across the nation including: UCLA, USC, UNLV, ASU, UC, Kaiser Permanent, Craig Hospital, and IHC Hospitals. If you are interested in trying out the Tru-Motion Cane, talk to your doctor or watch for it coming soon in the Lifetime Online Store.

If you're thinking about participating in one of these events, or just hosting your own sale sometime soon, here's a quick video for you to watch with some on how to turn your clutter into cash.  Also, be sure to check out the articles from Lifetime's Tips & Solutions page on our website for some helpful garage sale/yard sale pointers.  You'll find information about how to best display your items, organization, printable price tags, signage, and more.  

World's Longest Yard Sale Tips

Secrets to Success When Selling Your Old Treasures

And, I've also published two blog posts previously about my own garage sale experiences that might come in handy, too:
Tables Are A Garage Sale Must

How to Make a Waterproof Banner in Minutes

Finally, in honor of the World's Longest Yard Sale and National Garage Day and to help you organize your own sale, we are once again offering $10 off a purchase of a Lifetime 6' Adjustable Height Table or 6' Fold-in-Half Table in the Lifetime Online Store.  Simply enter code WLYS09 when you checkout.    Happy selling!

We at Lifetime Products are proud to announce our all-new video library! 

We have been busy working to produce Lifetime product videos for nearly all of our products.  These videos are a great way to help you better understand the products and check them out before you buy, especially if you are ordering online and have not seen a product in person. The videos allow you to view the product from all angles and see the various features in action. Our video library is growing every day and with about 200 product offerings, more are certainly on the way!  You will soon start seeing these new product videos pop up on a lot of the websites that sell our products, including in the Lifetime Online Store, costco.com, samsclub.com, competitiveedgeproducts.com, meijer.com, overstock.com, amazon.com, and more. 

You can also see all of our product videos by visiting the Video Library on www.lifetime.com, or by visiting our YouTube Channel at www.youtube.com/lifetimeproducts.  (You can even subscribe to the Lifetime Products YouTube channel to easily get notified when new videos have been posted.)  The videos are organized by category:  tables and chairs, lawn and garden, basketball, playground, trailers, and corporate videos. Additionally on our YouTube channel, you can also watch some videos we have "favorited" from other users' videos that feature our products.

Keep checking for more videos on new and existing products. If you are looking for a certain Lifetime product video and have not found it, please send us an email at pr@lifetime.com and we will either let you know where it is, or get it on the list to be produced.