Quick Tips
Look at facilities and programs carefully before joining. Take a complete tour of the fitness club to ensure it has everything you want. Find satisfactory answers to these questions before joining:
- Is the equipment safe and modern?
- How long do equipment repairs take? Be wary if maintenance takes too long.
- Is it clean? Dirty carpets and neglected washrooms are financial trouble indicators.
- Is there enough space available? Ensure that there is no over-crowding or cancellation of classes due to low registration.
- Are the instructors qualified?
- Do they offer a fitness test to evaluate your fitness level and assess your goals? Book it well before the 10-day cooling-off period ends.
- What are the club hours? Make sure the club schedule fits yours.
- Is a personal trainer required? Be wary of pressure tactics some clubs use to convince consumers that they absolutely “need” an instructor to set up a customized program. Personal trainers don’t come cheap, so decide in advance if you require one.
- Will they allow you to sit in on classes you’re interested in? Reputable gyms usually don’t mind if you watch quietly from afar.
- Do you have access to check out spas, bodybuilding equipment, racquet courts, simple workout rooms, weights and exercise equipment (treadmills, stationary bikes, steppers, etc.)?
- What are the opinions and experiences of other club members at this facility?
Your Rights
- Ensure that you read and understand all of the fine print.
- Know that you have 10 days from when you receive a written copy of the agreement or the day all the services in the agreement are available, whichever is later, to rescind or cancel the agreement with no penalty.
- Never sign up for a “lifetime membership” – it’s illegal for clubs to offer them.
- For your financial protection, insist on paying in monthly instalments. If the club goes out of business, you won’t lose a whole year’s worth of payments.
- The method of payment is up to you. Fitness clubs can only access credit cards and bank accounts at the consumer’s request.
- Keep a copy of the contract.
- If you decide to cancel the contract within the 10-day cooling-off period, keep a copy of the cancellation letter. Ensure that it is date-/time-stamped and signed by a club official. If this does not produce the results you expect, see the Need Help section.
A Common Scenario
A woman walks into a posh health and fitness club, passing two heavily muscled men, on her way to the reception area. How impressive! The health club representative hands her an application form to complete. She hastily fills in the blanks. She is eager.
Health club representative: Do you have any questions before signing the contract?
Woman: No.
Health club representative: All right, then how would you like to pay?
Woman: By credit card.
Health club representative: No, I mean are you going to pay in monthly instalments or are you interested in our special annual fee?
Woman: Um…what’s the annual fee?
Health club representative: It amounts to $200 less than what you’d pay in a year’s worth of monthly instalments – an excellent deal if you’re planning to make health and physical fitness an important part of your life.
The woman opts to pay for the entire year in advance. Once she has paid, she heads toward the swimming pool, only to find that it is out of service.
The Ministry of Government Services advises you to know your rights when dealing with health and fitness clubs. The Consumer Protection Act, 2002 covers most contracts signed with fitness, sports, health, martial arts and/or dance clubs (other than not-for-profit, municipal or private clubs) that cost more than $50 and where payment in advance is required.
Fitness Club Statistics
Annual Statistics 2004 - Health/Fitness Clubs
| Complaint Type | Number |
|---|---|
| Written | 323 |
| Phone | 702 |
| Total | 1,025 |
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