Is a 12 month gym membership worth it?
A 12 month gym membership offers members the ability to access a wide range of facilities and equipment. From cardio machines to free weights, group exercises classes to swimming pools, an annual membership grants members the opportunity to explore various workout options, all under one roof! While many gyms will have a recurring charge that’s month-to-month, some might have a minimum term, like three or six months, especially if it was part of a discounted membership offer. The gym might also have a clause that says they need 30 days notice that kicked in for one last payment.Remember, gyms have very high fixed costs, especially rent. Yet members don’t make frequent purchases like a store. To profit, gyms squeeze long commitments and upfront fees from members. Difficult cancellation keeps the revenue flowing from non-active members.Most gyms can charge more if they offer a ‘drop-in’ or pay-as-you-go service. However, convincing members to sign up for a 12-month contract means that the business has greater financial security and can forecast and make budgeting and growth plans more easily.Gyms can pursue debt collection for unpaid fees, potentially leading to collection agency involvement. Non-payment may result in cancellation of your membership and ongoing charges. Ignoring payment reminders can lead to legal action and court judgments against you.
Can you cancel a yearly gym membership?
Most gyms will allow you to cancel your membership over the phone, or at least give you instructions on how to cancel. If you’re ready to end your contract but don’t have time to visit the gym, simply call your local club. The membership agreement you signed when joining should have all the information you need on how to cancel, including any applicable cancellation fees. There’s no way to cancel your membership online, so you’ll need to either call the gym or visit in person.You can cancel your membership by submitting a request in writing to your local Health Club. This can be via email or letter. This request is processed on the 1st of the following month, serving one full calendar months notice to cancel your membership.You’ll normally have to pay the full cost of your contract if you want to cancel a gym membership early. For example, if you cancel a one-year contract after 6 months, you’ll usually have to pay for the remaining 6 months. Check your contract for details to find out how much you’ll have to pay if you cancel early.Some (but not all) gyms provide a refund if you cancel your membership early. If this is the case for your gym, be sure to request a refund according to your gym’s contract or policies. Keep records. It’s always a good idea to keep records when it comes to contracts.Gym contracts are often difficult to terminate, he says. That’s not an accident. It’s something gyms want to discourage, because every day, week, or month that you remain a member, you’re paying more money.
What happens if I don’t pay a gym membership?
Gyms can pursue debt collection for unpaid fees, potentially leading to collection agency involvement. Non-payment may result in cancellation of your membership and ongoing charges. Ignoring payment reminders can lead to legal action and court judgments against you. Your gym should let you cancel your contract if you’ve had a change in circumstances that means you can’t afford the monthly payments. It would have to be something significant, eg you’ve lost your job or suddenly found yourself in a lot of debt. You’ll need evidence to prove this to your gym.You Haven’t Been Using Your Membership If you haven’t used your gym membership in a while, you may want to consider canceling it. Even though you think a day may come when you start returning to the gym regularly, you might want to cut the cord.Make budgeting easier by paying in advance for access to a single gym for 6, 9 or 12 months. You can cancel you fixed-term membership anytime.Most gyms let you cancel free of charge under certain conditions like illness, relocation, disability, and sudden unemployment.