With New Year resolutions to lose weight and get into shape, and cold temperatures making outdoor exercise less appealing, many people consider joining a gym this time of year. But as numerous complaints to our Public Inquiry and Assistance Center reveal, consumers need to exercise a little caution when considering joining a gym.
As is true with any significant purchase, it's always a good idea to do your homework before you visit a health club or gym.
Health clubs know that this is their peak season to sign up new members, so you may encounter a high-pressure sales pitch. Remember that you do not need to make a decision on the spot and you can (and should) compare the amenities and prices at several health clubs.
Price is of course one factor in your decision-making, but you should also make sure the club is clean and well maintained, and that the staff has the appropriate educational background and certifications, including staff who have been trained in CPR.
Pay attention to your contract
Don't take any hasty action. Take the contract home and read it carefully before you sign. Make sure you understand the cancellation policy, the services included, and the total cost. Stay away from clubs that pressure you to sign on the spot. Be certain that everything you've been promised is included in the final written version of your contract. Verbal promises are virtually meaningless; you must get all agreements in writing.
If you do sign up on-site, do not leave the club without a copy of your signed contract. Consider a short-term contract rather than a two or three year contract so you don't get stuck with a membership you later do not use.
Remember your right to cancel
In Massachusetts, there is an initial 3 day right to cancel health club contracts. Further, consumers also have a right to cancel later for these specific reasons:
- Consumer moves home or office more than 25 miles away from the club or any other club that will accept the consumer’s contract.
- Doctor’s order – if a consumer is unable to exercise for 3 months or more.
- Health club services are no longer available – this requires a substantial change in services Please note that the law does not define “substantial” so that will be a question of fact and, likely a source of disagreement.
- Consumer’s death
In these cases, money needs to be refunded to the consumer within 15 days.
Watch out for automatic renewals
Before you sign, ask if your contract really expires after a certain period of time or if it allows the club to renew it unless you specifically ask them not to. Some consumers have complained about contracts that are automatically renewed, or that require the consumer to take time-consuming steps to keep it from being renewed.
If your health club closes its doors
If your health club closes, contact our Consumer Hotline. We may be able to help you get back some (or all) of your money. Over the past few years, our office has been able to recover thousands of dollars for hundreds of Massachusetts residents who were members of health clubs and gyms that went out of business.
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