![DAVID JOLES * djoles@startribune.com Chanhassen, MN - Sept. 17, 2009-] In a tight economy Life Time Fitness has grown and after briefly faltering, stocks of the company are again climbing. Aside from the top of the line fitness facilities, Life Time has opulence, with banks of TVs in workout rooms, featuring their own LTF TV with original programming. Life Time also features a cafe and spa. A key figure is the success of the company is Life Time CEO Bahram Akradi, seen in Life Time's atrium.](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/JRL5LPWRFDFEVHZAR7VI6YQJBE.jpg?&w=1080)
Life Time Fitness CEO Bahram Akradi has bought a 5.3 percent stake in struggling Northern Oil & Gas, and it looks like he plans to be an activist investor.
Akradi has paid $16 million for 3.4 million shares of Wayzata-based Northern Oil, according to a Tuesday filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
In the filing, Akradi said "he expects to engage in discussion with management, the board and other shareholders of [Northern] and other relevant parties" about many aspects of the company, including its operations, management and financial condition. Akradi might buy more shares in Northern, too, the filing said.
Akradi could not be reached for comment on Tuesday.
Northern invests in oil leases and drilling projects in North Dakota. The company has been hammered by the drop in oil prices over the past two years, and lately has experienced top management turmoil, with its longtime CEO being forced out.
Northern's stock, which briefly topped $30 at its 2011 peak, is trading near its all-time low.
It closed Tuesday at $2.25, up 2 cents.
Akradi founded Chanhassen-based Life Time, one of the most prominent fitness chains in the Twin Cities. While not known for investments in the oil sector, Akradi said in an SEC filing that he believes Northern's stock is "undervalued and is an attractive investment."
![Gas was $2.39 at the BP gas station ay 46th Street at Lyndale in South Minneapolis. ] GLEN STUBBE * gstubbe@startribune.com Friday September 4, 2015 Pre-Labor Day gas prices in the U.S. are the lowest in 11 years, and under $2 per gallon in many states, though Minnesota's average is nearly 40 cents higher. Just one station, in Brainerd, was selling at $1.99. Checking on whether that is a promotion. Costco and Sams Clubs, usually the low price leaders, were 15 cents more. With some motorists' tho](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/4U372WPXFGGQGQHPL2CTC4SFUY.jpg?&w=252&ar=3:2&fit=crop)